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banjoinalaska - Posted - 05/29/2026: 12:14:09
@Banjoinalaska is trying to get recommendations on the best electronic, clip-on tuners for an open back banjo that is using Nylgut strings. Does anyone have recommendations for me? Maybe just the best clip-on tuners for open back banjos. Any advice or recommendations would be most appreciated. Thank you.
Edited by - banjoinalaska on 05/29/2026 21:49:14
Jon Borcherding - Posted - 05/29/2026: 12:21:31
These little clip on tuners are handy but hard to see in sunlight. They work great when you need to tune where others are also tuning or making noise that could interfere with your tuner.
I also use a Korg TM60 when I'm in a quiet environment. It's quite accurate and it has a decent metronome too.
I don't think it makes a difference wether you play an open back or if you use Nylgut.
Edited by - Jon Borcherding on 05/29/2026 12:25:23
pinenut - Posted - 05/29/2026: 12:23:30
Tuning machines without gears are best (lighter weight is good); nylon is forgiving, any working tuners are good tuners.
My, current, favorite electronic tuner is the D'addario NS micro headstock tuner.
Edited by - pinenut on 05/29/2026 12:32:56
Jon Borcherding - Posted - 05/29/2026: 12:26:36
HA! I thought we were talking about tuners. Is the question actually about tuning machines?
pinenut - Posted - 05/29/2026: 12:28:02
quote:
Originally posted by Jon Borcherding
HA! I thought we were talking about tuners. Is the question actually about tuning machines? Got me too; hello edit.
I dunno! It could be about tuners or tuners...
Hey, banjoinalaska; What's the question, again. 
Edited by - pinenut on 05/29/2026 12:37:29
Joel Hooks - Posted - 05/29/2026: 12:39:18
On the subject of tuners, I prefer friction pegs. Well fit violin pegs are hard to beat. Second best are the Richard Kunestler patent pegs. And my third favorite are Champion. Grover still offers a version of these that work fine.
One the subject of tuners, am now a fan of the D'Addario Nexxus 360.
Jon Borcherding - Posted - 05/29/2026: 12:39:48
Ok... so while we're on the subject of tuning machines...
When I got my first banjo about 4 or 5 years ago I knew it was a cheap Asian instrument so I was looking for every way I could improve it without wasting more money than it was worth. I changed the strings, bridge, tailpiece and tuning machines. The modification that gave me the least improvement for my dollar was the tuning machines. I went from goofy looking stock guitar tuning machines to planetary tuning machines and the banjo was actually harder to tune with the planetary machines. The planetary machines LOOK way more banjo-y though! :-)
Lesson learned: Some of those goofy looking guitar machines are actually pretty decent.
Edited by - Jon Borcherding on 05/29/2026 12:40:56
Jon Borcherding - Posted - 05/29/2026: 12:45:59
quote:
Originally posted by Joel Hooks
On the subject of tuners, I prefer friction pegs. Well fit violin pegs are hard to beat. Second best are the Richard Kunestler patent pegs. And my third favorite are Champion. Grover still offers a version of these that work fine.
One the subject of tuners, am now a fan of the D'Addario Nexxus 360.
Somehow I had you pegged for a tuning fork guy.
Joel Hooks - Posted - 05/29/2026: 12:51:06
quote:
Originally posted by Jon Borcherding
quote:
Originally posted by Joel Hooks
On the subject of tuners, I prefer friction pegs. Well fit violin pegs are hard to beat. Second best are the Richard Kunestler patent pegs. And my third favorite are Champion. Grover still offers a version of these that work fine.
One the subject of tuners, am now a fan of the D'Addario Nexxus 360.
Somehow I had you pegged for a tuning fork guy.
I've no problem with tuning forks and have used them plenty. I even have a 19th century fork in A.
That said, I live in currnet times, carry a computer in my pocket and have polyeser heads and nylon strings on most of my banjos. My "reenacting" days are long gone, unlikley to ever return.
Jon Borcherding - Posted - 05/29/2026: 12:54:10
Where can I find a decent tuning fork nowadays? I tried one from evilbay and it was predictably junk.
lucas73b - Posted - 05/30/2026: 02:56:31
Just Google up John Walker tuning forks. I have a nice one in blue steel that conveniently produces a G.
splunge - Posted - 06/01/2026: 11:10:04
For tuning forks, medical supply companies sell tuning forks (useful for neurologic exams).
Fender has a free app called Fender Tune. It's designed for guitars but you can set for chromatic tuning. I can't speak to it's accuracy and it won't work in a noisy environment but the price is right.
