PRECISION TUNERS

These scaled-down clip-on units make sure your guitar will only put out good vibrations

SNARK ST-2 SUPER TIGHT ALL INSTRUMENT TUNER (£16.99)

The Snark ST-2 isn’t just accurate, it’s also seriously flexible: this second-generation headstock tuner even offers a built-in tap tempo metronome and the option of using a built-in mic alongside the traditional vibration-sensing mode. Whichever method suits you best, you’ll find the highly visual display is incredibly bright and easy to read at a glance – and, as an added bonus, Snark’s ST-2 also looks like the speedometer from a space ship. www.snarktuners.com

BOSS TU-10 (£21)

Boss’s TU-3 foot pedal might be the icon, but this clip-on equivalent has inherited its accuracy and intuitive features. The colour-coded LCD display is so easy to read that you’ll achieve standard tuning in seconds, with the Accu-Pitch giving visual confirmation that you’re ready to play. Look out, too, for the TU-10’s flat tuning mode, which lets you tune your guitar between one and five semitones lower: perfect for dropping a half-step for a Guns N’ Roses cover. www.boss.info/uk/

SEIKO STX7 RECHARGEABLE CLIP-ON TUNER (£45)

Every live musician knows the sinking feeling of taking the stage, clamping on a tuner… and discovering the button battery has died. Seiko’s STX7 is a smart solution that should save you money in the long-run: powered by a USB-rechargeable battery, it takes about three hours for full charge and lasts up to 30 in low-light mode. When the house lights go down, another neat feature is the built-in torch – all the better to see an idiot-proof and very accurate display. http://electronics.seiko.co.uk

TC ELECTRONIC POLYTUNE CLIP TUNER (£29)

Speed is definitely of the essence with the superb PolyTune from TC Electronic. A twinkling matrix of 108 ultra-bright LEDs reports your tuning status back to you fast, even on a blackened stage. And when an impatient crowd is staring daggers, it’s easy to switch straight from the trusty chromatic tuning mode to polyphonic tuning, letting you tune all six strings at once. It’s in the pocket of Doug Aldrich – and should be in yours, too. www.tcelectronic.com

KORG SLEDGEHAMMER PRO (£35)

This tuner might look a little like a motion detector from the Aliens movies, but the Sledgehammer Pro from Korg is all about hunting down bum notes. The clip-on format is reassuringly sturdy, with strong holding power, while the accuracy is to +/- 0.1 cents and the 3D display meter is readable at a glance. But this tubular unit’s USP and clincher is the clever shuttle switch, which makes it possible to iron out an iffy ‘D’ string with one hand in the heat of the gig. www.korg.com

D’ADDARIO ECLIPSE HEADSTOCK TUNER (£9.99)

Take it from us, you won’t find a credible tuner for less than the D’Addario Eclipse. This nifty gadget comes in six colour options, which make it easy to spot in your gigbag. Plus there’s an accurate and intuitive full-colour display that spells it out when you’ve hit that low ‘E’ on the nose. The multi-swivel design sits just as easily on Les Paul and Tele headstocks, while the auto power-off means you won’t run out of juice. www.daddario.com