Clip-on Joyo Guitar Tuner (HusDow)
A tiny, clip-on tuner for guitars and other stringed instruments. My husband owns a number of tuners of different design and with slightly different features. This one belongs to the same category as the classic Eno tuner, is a bit smaller but works equally well. The feature which distinguishes it from other types and makes it so incredibly useful is that it is very fast in its response, especially helpful for the initial tuning of new strings, and for re-tuning between numbers.

It arrived securely contained inside clamshell rigid packaging, which is reusable if needed. It runs on a CR2032 battery (which is included and only needs to be installed, shiny + face up, in the appropriate compartment - see my photo). My sample did not include the guitar picks so we cannot comment on them.

This tuner works on the vibration principle, so it needs to be clipped onto the headstock of your instrument. The alligator clip is strong and lined with silicone to protect the finish. It sits securely on all my husband's guitars but needs to be on the very top of his acoustic ones due to the thickness of the wood.

The illustrated guide explains its functioning, which is really very easy:
  1. Quick press of the red button to turn it on (and long press, about 2 seconds, to switch it off. It also has an automatic power-off feature after 3 minutes of inactivity, so no worries if you forget to turn it off).
  2. There are five modes to choose from: chromatic, guitar, bass, violin, and ukulele. Using the same red button, select the appropriate mode (G for guitar, for example) and pluck the first string. The rotating LED display is easy to read and infinitely adjustable; it will show the note played on a blue screen with a white arrow pointing right or left on a dial.
  3. Carefully tune the string and play it again until the LED display shows the arrow in the middle and the screen lights up in green, confirming the note you have just tuned.
  4. Repeat with each of the other strings in turn.
If you use non-standard tuning, as my husband often does, “chromatic” will be a better choice. You can tune your guitar in just a few minutes. It's really easy to use even for absolute beginners. My husband checked tuning results against his other tuners and can confirm that the Joyo is very accurate and very fast. The LED display lets you tune in low-light conditions and one cannot quibble with the price.

ET-3000 Clip-on Guitar Tuner (ENO)
This little device is fantastic, and a great price. When I bought it, many years ago, I had never used a tuner before and I have to say, it's ridiculously easy to use even for absolute beginners. It works both in vibration and acoustic (microphone) tuning modes and you can choose among four settings: chromatic, violin, bass and guitar.

To use vibration mode (which I prefer), you clip the Eno to the headstock of your guitar, turn it on and select the appropriate mode (G for guitar, for example). You then pluck each string in turn, tuning it until the LED display shows the dial in the middle and a green light (it also tells you which note you are playing!) If you use non-standard tuning, as I often do, “chromatic” will be a better choice. You can tune your guitar in about two minutes – great! The minimal instructions are very clear. The battery is a bit fiddly to insert, but I've only had to change it twice in six years.
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