Korg WT-12 Chromatic Tuner

Ken Mizell · From: Lakeland, Florida, 33809, USA

I'm just getting back into pedal steel again. My last tuner (about 6 yrs ago) was a small flip top Korg digital tuner, which I no longer have. I know most, if not all, of the popular tuners these days are digital, with LCD meters. Back in the early to late 80's I had a Korg WT-12, which I really liked. They were popular with steel guitarist back then. I prefer the analog meter. So, I found a WT-12 on eBay and bought it. The tuner I have is in very good condition, and it registers straight up 440 on A in calibration mode. I checked it with a friends 6 string, it it didn't register when plugged into the input. Note output works through the speaker. I had to clean the battery contacts for it to work, and I'm wondering if the input jack is dirty.

Question - Has anyone still got an owners manual for one of these antique tuners? If so, I'd like to get a copy or a scan if possible.

Considering the age of this thing, (40 + or -) and what I paid for it, it's not worth getting professional repairs, if I could even find someone to do it. I'd be better off buy a new chromatic tuner.

Thanks much.

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Steeless.

Jerry Overstreet · From: Louisville Ky

I'll look around. I don't know if I have a manual or not. I still have one of these I bought when they came out. It only works with a power supply now and the audio doesn't work either, but it still works with the mic. Backlight still works too.

Jim Pitman · From: Waterbury Ctr. VT 05677 USA

It could be that the delicate meter movement has gone open.
Ya know I bought a Peterson Strobostomp and couldn't be happier with it. For $130.00 it's well worth it. My PSG has never been so in tune!
The offsets for my U12 are right on the money. It is so highly resolved when you first pluck the string it's initially sharp (as it actually is) then settles down as it decays. - Sign of a sensitive tuner.

Ken Mizell · From: Lakeland, Florida, 33809, USA

I found an owners manual, so I'm good to go.

Thanks Jerry and Jim. All noted. The meter on mine works. It lights up and registers the battery test, and it works for calibration too. In calibration mode, it registers straight up A - 440. So it seams as though the meter is working. I get tones from all of the notes too. I'll clean out all of the contacts and switches and see what happens. I only paid $30 for this thing, so I won't be out lots of $$$ if I can't get it working.
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Steeless.

Jack Stoner · From: Kansas City, MO

I have Boss TU12H tuner I'll sell cheap.

Greg Lambert · From: Illinois, USA

I have one. It was one of my first good tuners for the steel. Ill have to get it out and see if it still works.

Mike Schwartzman · From: Maryland, USA

The guy who sold me my 1st PSG included a WT 12 with the sale. It's in it's case with the owner's manual. I've been using a newer Peterson strobe tuner for years and I hadn't even looked at the WT-12 in years until I saw this thread.
Problem is my printer does not scan. I could try shooting it with a digital camera and enlarge the photos, as the print on the manual is very very small. If you still need it let me know via PM and I'll try it with the camera.
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Emmons Push Pull, BMI, Session 400, Home of the Slimcaster Tele.

Ken Mizell · From: Lakeland, Florida, 33809, USA

Hi Folks - Update - I got my tuner to working just fine. First, I got a can of good quality contact cleaner and cleaned all of the switches, especially those black push buttons on the end. The one on the right end changes the tuner from calibration to tune mode. The one on the left is a battery test button. After cleaning up the switches, I got out my gun cleaning kit and found my .22 Cal bore brush. I carefully and thoroughly brushed both the Input and Bypass 1/4 jacks. Then, I used contact cleaner on Q-Tips and cleaned out the jacks - They were quite dirty when I was done. It will be a while before I get my steel, so I took the tuner to church with me and had our lead guitarist check it out. It works just fine! I also tested the tuner using tuning notes on YouTube through my computer speakers - and this mode works correctly too. So, now I have an antique tuner that works. I like this WT-12 a lot more than the newer tuners with the LCD meters. I'm good to go for $30 and a can of cleaner.
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Steeless.

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