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Topic: 1/4" splitter at guitar output for tuner |
John Shadid
From:
Oklahoma City, OK
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Posted 4 Aug 2013 12:03 am |
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To avoid running into tuner distortion, what do y'all think about placing a splitter at the output of the guitar to run one chord directly to the tuner leaving it isolated? I have george l's running between everything, even effects loop and patch cords between pedals to maintain sound quality. I tried plugging the tuner into the second output of my hilton, but the tuner still distorts the sound. On my goodrich the second output still requires the pedal to be open a bit for the tuner to get a reading, which to me defeats the purpose of being able to tune silently. Right now my only two options for silent tuning seem to be either the splitter route or running the tuner in line before the goodrich, because it doesn't create distortion like with the hilton. However, I prefer to use the hilton, so my splitter question prevails.
My obvious hesitations are, would the splitter reduce the output noticeably or affect the tone. Would it negate the effect of using high quality (and expensive!) instrument cables? If i did use a splitter, would you suggest still putting my lil izzy before it directly into the guitar or after the splitter? Any other reasons why not are welcome!
_________________
Johnny Up PSG Lessons @
http://www.youtube.com/user/johnnyupok |
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Jack Stoner
From:
Kansas City, MO
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Posted 4 Aug 2013 2:13 am
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Any place you put the tuner, without some type of isolation potentially can affect tone, signal loss, distortion or whatever. Some tuners cause more problems than others.
There is a modification available for the Hilton VP second output to make that an "isolated" tuner connection. Same way there is a mod available for the Goodrich to do the same thing.
Otherwise the best option is to have a switch box directly from the guitar that switches the guitar's output either to the signal chain (however you normally do that) or to the tuner. With this method, the tuner is only connected when its switched in (and with this method its "muted" when you are tuning). |
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Lane Gray
From:
Topeka, KS
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Posted 4 Aug 2013 3:20 am
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I recommend not leaving the tuner in the chain. Your ears can tell you when it's time to plug the tuner in.
Unless you have an isolator (ISTR a fairly stout resistor) in there, it'll color the tone as long as it's plugged in, even if it's turned off. It changes the load.
_________________
2 pedal steels, a lapStrat, and an 8-string Dobro (and 3 ukes)
More amps than guitars, and not many effects |
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Craig Baker
From:
Eatonton, Georgia, USA - R.I.P.
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Posted 4 Aug 2013 3:27 am
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Hi John,
Seems like with today's advances they could make a tuner that doesn't introduce distortion or load down the signal. Best bet to always protect the pickup directly with a buffer (Li'l Izzy) I can't imagine the tuner loading down the output of Li'l Izzy, and the tuner certainly shouldn't be feeding square waves back to its own input.
I would let Li'l Izzy drive the "Y" connector.
Please let us know your results.
Best regards,
Craig Baker 706-485-8792
cmbakerelectronics@gmail.com
C.M. Baker Electronics
P.O. Box 3965
Eatonton, GA 31024 |
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robert kramer
From:
Nashville TN
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Posted 4 Aug 2013 5:05 am
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I use a Radio Shack 1/4" splitter from the output of a Matchbox with one side going to the volume pedal and one side going to the tuner. Seems to work OK - wouldn't cost too much to try it. I'm getting around to having one made with better cable.
Using a Lil' Izzy - I would rig the splitter at the input of the volume pedal (with adapters) so the weight of the splitter doesn't put stress on the Izzy and the guitar jack. |
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Tom Wolverton
From:
Carpinteria, CA
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Posted 4 Aug 2013 5:30 am
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I recently went to a Merle Haggard show and noticed that Norm was using a "Jerry Rig". A great little switching device. Do a search on them. You can make one fairly easily too. That's an easy way to keep your signal path clean. I suspect you could modify a Lill Izzy to do the same thing. I've heard about Freeloaders with this modification. You can probably order this from Brad Sarno.
_________________
To write with a broken pencil is pointless. |
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Tom Wolverton
From:
Carpinteria, CA
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Jon Light (deceased)
From:
Saugerties, NY
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Posted 4 Aug 2013 5:35 am
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An entirely passive method is using a resistor between two parallel output jacks as in a Goodrich 120.
http://bb.steelguitarforum.com/viewtopic.php?t=173031
I have done this on a pedal board and it works fine with no perceptible sonic interaction. For your silent tuning needs, I don't see why it would not work, pre volume pedal. |
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Steve Lipsey
From:
Portland, Oregon, USA
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John Billings
From:
Ohio, USA
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Posted 4 Aug 2013 2:37 pm
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Lane,
+1. |
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chris ivey
From:
california (deceased)
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Posted 4 Aug 2013 3:30 pm
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| every time i tried one of those 'y' chord splitters it muffled my tone some. |
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Richard Sinkler
From:
aka: Rusty Strings -- Missoula, Montana
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Posted 4 Aug 2013 8:48 pm
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Lane +2. I think if you NEED to have your tuner hooked up all the time, you should look into why your guitar keeps going out of tune. I think most think their guitar is out of tune because they see the tuner deviate by a couple of cents. I would bet a dollar they can't hear the difference, but they think they can because they see a change on the tuner. Try playing a night with the tuner not hooked up. I bet you won't notice.
_________________
Carter D10 8p/8k, Dekley S10 3p/4k C6 setup,Regal RD40 Dobro, Recording King Professional Dobro, NV400, NV112,Ibanez Gio guitar, Epiphone SG Special (open D slide guitar) . Playing for 55 years and still counting. |
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John Billings
From:
Ohio, USA
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Posted 4 Aug 2013 9:22 pm
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Richard,
Again, +1. Electronic tuners have created a disease amongst players. Did Lloyd have a tuner hooked up to his fingertip on the Panther Hall recording? I tuned up my Kline on Tuesday evening and played 6 sets a night 6 days week. I touched it up by ear for the next 6 days. I was in tune always. Recordings bear this out. |
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Lane Gray
From:
Topeka, KS
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Posted 5 Aug 2013 2:31 am
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If your strings go out, they're either about to go dead or they're too new and you forgot to stretch 'em.
_________________
2 pedal steels, a lapStrat, and an 8-string Dobro (and 3 ukes)
More amps than guitars, and not many effects |
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