dave
New Member
Posts: 7
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Post by dave on Jan 7, 2006 11:42:47 GMT -7
OK, strobostomps get a mention in the 'best pedal ever' category. I bought one when I was in the US last month, to replace my less than satisfactory Boss TU-2, but I havn't taken to it as much as I had hoped.
The problem is, and I noticed this when I tried it in the shop before I bought it, that one string or another seems to produce an unstable flickery display.
On tuning the strat for example, for all the strings apart from the the top E the display settles down fine and gently moves too and fro as you tune, but hit the top E and it just flickers about - you can see where its heading but it just isn't smooth. Same story for the PRS but it is the B string that flickers. Even so it is insanely accurate and I have never had a guitar sound so in-tune. Way way better than the Boss.
But the display stability - any thoughts? Also I have not used it yet under noisy stage lighting and I am sure the crappy response I sometimes got from the Boss was due to mains hum interference - any issues with the Peterson?
(In case anyone asks, yes, when tuning - volume is max, neck pickup, pluck near 12th fret etc !!)
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Post by billyguitar on Jan 7, 2006 14:53:19 GMT -7
I think I've only used my strobostomp with my Tom Anderson but no flickering for me on any pickup setting or any string or any note. You might try turning your tone pot down so it gets less buzz and overtones.
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dave
New Member
Posts: 7
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Post by dave on Jan 7, 2006 15:59:38 GMT -7
Yep I'm sitting here right now playing with it and cutting the tone does help. And you know what - I found something else that helps. This is almost too embarrasing but hey we are all human and everyone does this sort of dumb thing from time to time.... Oh yes, back to what also helps.. Errm, a fresh battery. Doh. Got around to fitting it to the pedalboard thisevening and plugged in the 9v supply and hey presto, tuning stability heaven. No smartass comments PLEASE...... Perfect tuner? Could be....
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Post by LittleBlindShakey on Jan 7, 2006 19:18:20 GMT -7
Dave, Good to see you worked it out. I have been playing in a house band for a local jam and have had ample opportunity to tune a wide range of guitars for jammers with my Strobostomp for the past couple years. I never experienced your problem on any of the guitars but I always made sure I had a fresh battery in.
Here is something strange. Prior to the advent of the Strobostomp I used to run a Peterson VS-1 in front of my pedals with an AnalogMan A/B true bypass switch. The working man’s Stroboostomp… Boy was I happy to see the Strobostomp come out.
Question: In all the guitars I have tuned (including my own) the G string is always the hardest to tune to pitch (always the most difficult to get the Strobostomp to hold without moving). Does anyone know why? Enlightenment please.
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dave
New Member
Posts: 7
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Post by dave on Jan 8, 2006 4:50:45 GMT -7
I have always assumed that mains hum (50hz UK, 60hz in US?) can upset tuners - that was my theory behind the poor performance of the TU-2, especially on a busy stage with lights. Curiously it is G (196 hz) that is the closest multiple of 50 hz and might be affected by being close to mains hum 'overtones', but it is B (247 hz) that should be more strongly affected in the US by 60hz hum. Maybe this theory is complete nonsense though as this sort of thing should be designed out by the tuner circuitry??
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Post by billyguitar on Jan 8, 2006 9:56:18 GMT -7
I never had a problem with a G string except when they're too tight to get the dollar bill in easily! (joking)
Real response: I usually use a .017 or .016 plain G and I've never noticed that. Interesting phenomena.
Here's another, why is it that if you pull a guitar out that hasn't been played in a long time it's always sharp?
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Post by LittleBlindShakey on Jan 8, 2006 10:04:45 GMT -7
Ha Ha, very funny Billlyguitar
I always enjoy your posts. Here is one Karma at Ya’
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Post by JASON (aka jgleaton) on Jan 8, 2006 11:18:06 GMT -7
"Here's another, why is it that if you pull a guitar out that hasn't been played in a long time it's always sharp? "It's the troll's.....you know the little gremlin's....like the ones that turn off the light in the fridge when you close the door...... they're everywhere....in the trunk of your car... etc.. etc.....there's no tellin what they do to our guitar's when we close the case? be afraid, be very afraid.... ;D
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Post by real oldster on Jan 8, 2006 18:50:19 GMT -7
The G string is always the hardest to tune to pitch. Does anyone know why? It is because relative to the other strings [E, A, & D, which are pitched lower, and B & e which are pitched higher] the G is more difficult to tune. You're welcome.
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Post by LittleBlindShakey on Jan 9, 2006 15:02:09 GMT -7
Ok, I called an expert to get an answer to my question and this is the response John Norris at Peterson (Strobostomp manufacturer) was kind enough to write up and send to us for posting after our conversation. Thanks John. If you were a member I would send a Karma your way… ----------------------- Hi Dave, I know you're talking about electric guitar, why? Because the adoption of the unwound third string (the G) in the 1960's brought with it one advantage: you could bend it much easier than the previously wound (heavier) third. And one disadvantage: The unwound third is way below its optimum tension, it "warbles", and the harder you hit it, the more it warbles, also, the lighter the gauge, the more it will warble.
By warbling, I mean that it will give off very odd overtones, a similar thing happens using very heavy strings at very high tension on a short scale length like a small acoustic console piano or spinet. Strings have an optimum tension within which they sound best at a certain gauge. Most electric guitar string sets get by at most gauges, the problem is usually a light gauge unwound G. So barely touch it with your finger (or back off your guitar's volume) and you will see a much clearer and accurate strobe image. All the best from us at Peterson , John Norris Peterson Electro-Musical Products, Inc.
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Post by billyguitar on Jan 9, 2006 16:10:35 GMT -7
That warble is what I hear on 24-3/4" scale guitars now and why I don't want to play them, even a Tom Anderson Atom does it to my ear. I have to stick to 25-1/2" scale guitars or that warble distracts me.
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dave
New Member
Posts: 7
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Post by dave on Jan 10, 2006 15:22:01 GMT -7
Thanks LittleBlindShakey - very interesting - just touching the strings lightly does produce a much more stable strobe image - I have learnt something here!
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Post by raja on Jan 11, 2006 19:44:10 GMT -7
Here's another, why is it that if you pull a guitar out that hasn't been played in a long time it's always sharp? Well Billyguitar, after an hour of stroken' that guitar neck, playing those hot licks your strings have gotten a bit looser. When you come back a couple hours later and everything has cooled off, the strings will have gone sharp. Things shrink-up when they get cold, or that's what I keep telling my wife.
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Post by billyguitar on Jan 11, 2006 20:34:11 GMT -7
I don't know Raja...... A lot of times I play a gig and when the night is over the first thing I do is wipe down the strings and throw it right in the gig bag. The next time I take it out a day or two later a lot of times it's still in perfect tune. I mean more like a collector sort of guitar that I don't get out but once in a blue moon. That's when the strings will be sharp. I'm sure that when I put it away months ago it was tuned to pitch and that kind of guitar wouldn't be anything I played hard when I did play it. I think it's either gremlins or more likely global warming. (I'm kidding, it's just fun to blame everything on global warming. That's probably why Esteban is selling guitars on TV - global warming! If he'd throw in the shades and pimpin' lid I might buy one)
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Post by taswegian on May 4, 2006 7:43:58 GMT -7
Ok, looks like I have to pull the trigger on a Strobostomp as my boss TU12 just bit the dust after 18 years of service and abuse...and I mean abuse!
My question is, has anyone used it as a DI for accoustic as I am playing quite a few solo accoustic gigs at the moment?
Thanks
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Post by real oldster on May 4, 2006 9:54:24 GMT -7
My Strobo is due for delivery today. I will use it as an acoustic DI and report back.
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Post by taswegian on May 4, 2006 10:02:16 GMT -7
Thanks Oldster!
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Post by James on May 4, 2006 10:12:18 GMT -7
What does DI mean? What does that let you do? Remember, there are no dumb questions.............
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Post by billyguitar on May 4, 2006 10:40:35 GMT -7
It's a direct out to go to the PA head. It lets you plug a microphone cable into it.
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Post by James on May 4, 2006 11:07:46 GMT -7
ah
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Post by real oldster on May 4, 2006 23:15:31 GMT -7
DI is direct input. [Except for veterans.] I tried the Stomp today on a nylon string guitar, which I thought would be a real test. The guitar sounded really, really nice. I've never heard it so in tune. I'll use the Strobo on several guitars this weekend and report back.
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Post by taswegian on May 4, 2006 23:20:46 GMT -7
That's nice to know Oldster as I just this minute slammed one on the credit card and I'm feeling a little ill at spending those kinda bucks on a tuner!
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Post by real oldster on May 5, 2006 18:13:18 GMT -7
The Strobo is much more than a tuner. Unfortunately, I have little need of the other features. Peterson should make a smaller, less expensive device that only tunes. However, I must say that so far the extra in-tune-ness I get on even crappy guitars is a breath of fresh air. Far better than LED or needle tuners. Stay tuned... ;D
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Post by Hohn on May 10, 2006 12:59:03 GMT -7
The Strobostomp is probably the best pedal purchase I've ever made, and I've only had mine for 3 months!
If you want some REAL sweetness, use the "sweetened" tunings.
As for the plain-G warbling, just go to a heavier gauge string and/or pick lightly when tuning.
I tend to go a guage heavier on a shorter scale axe like a LP, relative to what I'd play on a 25.5" scale axe like a Strat.
If you REALLY want to explot the Strobostomp's awesome precision, use it to re-set your intonation on the guitar.
It's almost Feiten-like in the level of improvement.
jh
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