SNARKGuitar Tuner (HZ1)

Clip on tuners have become commodities, that is, they pretty much all work the same with the same accuracy. (They're now much like wristwatches, where even the cheapest watch has a movement that's as accurate as the most expensive watch, or ballpoint pens, where they all use the same cartridge, differing mostly in what holds it.)There are differences but they tend to be small, mostly revolving around shape and additional features that rarely (if ever!) get used except to get in the way. Don't you just like the tuners that cycle through G,V,U,B,C or switch between mic and clip(*) if you hold the 0/1 button too long only to make you wonder why the tuner is misbehaving? But, I digress... Despite a drawerful of clip on tuners, I'm a sucker for a new tuner, especially Snarks. Here's a new model, so I had to check it out.What is a tuner brand to do to distinguish itself from the pack? Complacency can be deadly. Consider the original Intellitouch, It never responded to users complaints about how it failed to register the bass end of many dreadnought guitars. It didn't have to. It was the only game in town. Don't like it? Too bad. Where are you going to go? The Intelli tuner, which solved the Intellitouch's problems at half the cost, ate Intellitouch's lunch. The company (OnBoard) is still around with a wide variety of models, but I can't recall the last time I saw one. (I attend a bunch of festivals each year.)Which brings us back to Snark. Despite looking like a mushroom has sprouted from one's instrument and a neck that was prone to snapping, they've now taken over to the point where a festival looks like it's populated all over with...instrument sprouting mushrooms! However, complacency is a bad thing, which is why Snark has already lost much of the fiddle market (http://www.amazon.com/DAddario-NS-Micro-Violin-Tuner/dp/B00L1LL7DQ) and is slowing losing the ukulele market (http://www.amazon.com/DAddario-NS-Micro-Clip-On-Tuner/dp/B005FKF1PY) to D'Addario's micro tuners.The HZ1 is Snark's latest entry into this crowded field. It has a slightly smaller size than other Snarks. It improves on previous models in two ways:* The neck socket seems much more sturdy that that of earlier Snarks. It gives the impression that it will not break as easily.* The clamp has no rubber foot on the clamp to lose. I've seen one review that the clamp can slip off easily. That is not my experience. I'd urge that reviewer to call D'Addario for a replacement.Then, there's the ridiculous. The HZ in the model's name refers to Hertz. The unit can display the frequency with which a string is vibrating by pressing a button on its back. I call this gimmick ridiculous for two reasons. First, if the tuner is used properly by tuning a string so that ONLY the green center bar is visiible, the string will be at the proper pitch. I didn't find that the Hertz display allowed me to tune any more accurately. Second, is that it display Hertz! In order to use it properly, you;d either have to memorize the proper frequency for each string (E=82.4, A=110.0, D=146.8, G=196,0, B=246.9, E=329.6), values that just roll off the tongue...NOT...carry a card with you, or enter the data into one's cell phone.Overall, a very nice Snark tuner. I've asked myself if this is the tuner I'd choose if I were starting all over, that is, one for each instrument and case. It doesn't have a tap tuner, which I have used...rarely, but used, but yes, some of them would be the HZ-1. I like it!(*) Is there *anyone* who has *ever* put a clip on tuner into mic mode intentionally?

I have a couple of OTHER [Regular] SNARK Tuners, but, the CLIP BROKE on the black one... :o(So, I searched for an "UNBREAKABLE CLIP SNARK", and, THIS "SNARK HZ1" came-up!And, it's great!It seems to be made of ABS (the so-called "High-Impact Plastic"), BTW.When I purchased it, [12/15/20], it was just $14.84, which is only a couple bucks more than I payed for the broken one, which, BTW, is WORTHLESS, now!FYI, I haven't had any luck using the HZ-function, yet... Though, I believe I was trying to tune Low E to High E, whereas, I've since noticed that it requires you to tune High-to-Low, instead... So, it was user-error.But, it might be a very useful feature, sometimes. (Like, when setting your Intonation...)In any case, It's a GENUINE SNARK TUNER, THAT WON'T BREAK THE CLIP!AND, it's VERY EASY TO READ, too!!! Even better than the original model's display!I would definitely recommend it to a friend.(And, FYI, I've been playing guitar since the mid 1970s, with more than 30 CDs of Original Music.)[ Visit my Page: facebook dot com slash TheRealPretendMusic if you're interested. And, "LIKE" it, if you like it. ]Peace.

There is a warning with the instructions about it removing the finish on certain types of guitar finishes. I am not sure if that includes either my Martin or Taylor and I haven't found a source to determine if I can leave it one without a problem.

I have multiple models of Snark pedals that ride around on various instruments. The thing I really like about this model is the clamp. It seems like it will be much less prone to breaking than most of their tuners. What I don't like is the accuracy when tuning on stage. It only gets you close, but not quite there.

It is great, and looks better than the old goofy looking model. I don't know why it is white (so you don't lose it in the dark stage???), but that is better than smurf blue. Blue is for football teams. GO BLUE! J/K I don't even understand sportsball -- I listen to JAZZ!I can't get the Hertz function to work correctly, but I don't know why you even need it? I am ok with the small mysteries in life. They say that is a sign of "self confidence".I think I pretty much have all the Snark models. I like this one best. I have 3 or 4 of this model (my daughters sneak off with them, and I like to have one handy in each case). Not counting the other models. I also give them to my friends and family. An Snark ambassador of sorts...I use them on acoustic gutars, electric guitars, and ukulele. It is great that they work even when everybody else is playing away, or tuning, etc. I would even say "this would even work if you were standing in guitar centeR!"If Henry Ford made guitar tuners, it would be pretty much this thing. Except it would only come in black. And it really should.

This was an excellent product overall. The normal tuning is highly accurate, even with the low strings. The HZ tuning feature is a bit fussy, but when it works it is spot on. The only real complaint I have is that I mainly use a Gibson SG, and as with all or most Gibson guitars, it has a nitrocellulose finish. When I got this tuner, The little instruction booklet said that it should not be used with Gibson guitars, or more specifically, guitars with a nitrocellulose finish as the tight clip on it may dent or smudge the finish. I wish Snark or Amazon had made this more clear when I had ordered it, as I would have gone with their pedal tuner instead. I use it anyway, as I don't really care about keeping the finish pristine. Regardless, this tuner is great and I would recommend it to anyone who either doesn't play Gibson or doesn't care if their headstock finish gets a bit damaged.

Great tuner ,but id like ti thank the sellerfor a fantastic.service . Backto tuner very accurate and easy to readtop drawer .

Works ok. Poor design. The tuner part popped out, some clip inside broke. Contacted snark, they didn't even reply. I've got cheap knock offs that work just as good and they are still working. The ball and socket design for the tuner connecting to the clamp is a poor design idea. Save your $5-$10 and grab a cheap one. Might actually physically last longer. Lol

Very poor quality. The unbreakable clip broke with no shock to it whatsoever. Very fine tabs (finer than other snarks) which hold the tuner. Buy one of the older models. Much better quality. Had for less than 6 months with very light use. Tuner works great as other snarks but this model sucks. Do not buy.

余計な機能は何もなく、スイッチオンで即チューニング。表示は見やすいし、狂いもありません。必要にして十分、と思います。いい商品です。