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Snark SN5X Clip-On Tuner for Guitar, Bass & Violin (Current Model)
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Customer reviews
- Snark SN5X Clip-On Tuner for Guitar, Bass & Violin (Current Model)
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- Customer reviews
Top positive review
Not better than previous tuners from Snark
July 10, 2016
Maybe I got a bad one, but the 1st, E string (the high one), on both of my guitars shows up as A in this tuner, unless I put my hand on all of the remaining 5 strings; and, then, it usually shows an E, but not right away. This quirk just doesn't give me a "warm fuzzy" so I've reverted using the built-in tuner on my acoustic. (Honestly, this is not a step up from my old SN-1, which still works fine, though it lost one of the rubber pads.)
Update (05 Aug 2016): I had contacted Snark support about the problem I was seeing and they said it was not normal, and sent me a new tuner. This one seems fine, but it is also clear (and confirmed by Snark) that they have changed this model slightly. The older one that I got says SuperTight on the face and has a metallic brass/gold power button and bars for LEDs in the note display. The newer one simply says Snark on the face (both say SuperTight on the back), has a yellow power button, and small square LEDs to comprise the note's letter.
Picture of the two models attached while displaying the odd, occasional confusion about the high-E tuning. (The older display is really just as clear as the new one, but the angle I turned the guitar/camera to cut out reflected overhead light makes it seem grayed out a bit.)
Update 2 (21 Aug 2016): I've had a chance to use the newer version tuner in noisy situations and it definitely behaves better than the older model I was originally shipped. I didn't A/B it with my old, blue Snark, but it behaves well enough that I can say it seems to be Ok for my purposes. It does not seem like an improvement, though, so just moving the review from 3 to 4 stars.
Update (05 Aug 2016): I had contacted Snark support about the problem I was seeing and they said it was not normal, and sent me a new tuner. This one seems fine, but it is also clear (and confirmed by Snark) that they have changed this model slightly. The older one that I got says SuperTight on the face and has a metallic brass/gold power button and bars for LEDs in the note display. The newer one simply says Snark on the face (both say SuperTight on the back), has a yellow power button, and small square LEDs to comprise the note's letter.
Picture of the two models attached while displaying the odd, occasional confusion about the high-E tuning. (The older display is really just as clear as the new one, but the angle I turned the guitar/camera to cut out reflected overhead light makes it seem grayed out a bit.)
Update 2 (21 Aug 2016): I've had a chance to use the newer version tuner in noisy situations and it definitely behaves better than the older model I was originally shipped. I didn't A/B it with my old, blue Snark, but it behaves well enough that I can say it seems to be Ok for my purposes. It does not seem like an improvement, though, so just moving the review from 3 to 4 stars.
301 people found this helpful
Top critical review
DO NOT GET THE ST-8HZ RIGHT NOW! THIS BATCH IS MESSED UP AND YOU WILL BREAK THE THING AS SOON AS YOU ADJUST IT!
January 1, 2018
DO NOT GET THE ST-8HZ RIGHT NOW! THEY ARE MESSED UP AND YOU WILL BREAK THE THING AS SOON AS YOU ADJUST IT!
I have been through TWO of these things so far and they initially arrive fine until I turn the tuner a little bit, then suddenly one of the three plastic pieces breaks off on the tuner part (not the clip) and the tuner is completely useless. I've emailed Snark and haven't received a response back. There Is a manufacturing defect with these things.
The 3 plastic tabs holding the ball joint on the back of the tuner are so weak that you can nudge them and they'll snap right off. There is a manufacturing defect with the batch Amazon has right now or something. I don't know. Do not get these from Amazon. Buy them somewhere else. This is as of 12/28/17 so whatever batch they have is garbage.
I have been through TWO of these things so far and they initially arrive fine until I turn the tuner a little bit, then suddenly one of the three plastic pieces breaks off on the tuner part (not the clip) and the tuner is completely useless. I've emailed Snark and haven't received a response back. There Is a manufacturing defect with these things.
The 3 plastic tabs holding the ball joint on the back of the tuner are so weak that you can nudge them and they'll snap right off. There is a manufacturing defect with the batch Amazon has right now or something. I don't know. Do not get these from Amazon. Buy them somewhere else. This is as of 12/28/17 so whatever batch they have is garbage.
231 people found this helpful
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November 21, 2017
I bought a Snark from Guitar Center a few years and still use it. I thought I would buy additional Snarks for each guitar and eliminate relocating or forgetting to take the tuner when traveling. This Snark is different from the original one I purchased a few years ago in the following ways. 1. The plastic is NOT the same. One of the units cracked at the back ball collet. I had to re-glue and permanently mount a cable tie to support the broken collet tang(s). The glued one held but cracked another tang during re-assembly. The original Snark is made from a matt finish elastomeric plastic. the new one is shinny brittle plastic 2. The electronics are different. It seems to take longer to find the string and indicate the correct bias. This is a minor issue.
I suggest when purchasing a head stock mounted tuner you have first hand tactile examination. Snarks are convenient but are either offered in decontented versions or they have cheapened them up. Hope the former.
I suggest when purchasing a head stock mounted tuner you have first hand tactile examination. Snarks are convenient but are either offered in decontented versions or they have cheapened them up. Hope the former.
August 30, 2017
It works just fine. However, I just received it today, clipped it on the head of my guitar and the unit broke right off its mount where it swivels. It took no effort at all for it to break. I was simply turning it so I could see the screen. Now I cannot use the Snark as it no longer will attach to ball at the end of the swivel. I am seriously bummed.
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January 12, 2018
Seemed to be easy to use. I took it out of the box, clipped it to my guitar, gently adjusted it to view the display and it broke. The ball joint where the tuner connects to the arm of the clip if defective. Tried to return but was told it is ineligible to be returned. Waiting for further assistance from Amazon. Very disappointed!
Amazon responded quickly and is refunding me the amount of my purchase. Thank you customer support!
Amazon responded quickly and is refunding me the amount of my purchase. Thank you customer support!
September 6, 2017
Snark SN1 Guitar Tuner (Blue)
In a pinch the SN5X will get you in the ballpark, but if you need something for more than practice, this is not the tuner for you.
I own the SN1, but it was accidentally packed in storage when I moved. I figured the 5X would be just as good, and a lot easier to just get this little guy rather than have to dig through a million boxes in storage. Unfortunately, that is not the case. I can't even remember why I chose this over just getting another SN1 (probably thought it wouldn't matter? Or liked it in black? Not sure), but my recommendation would be to go Blue or don't bother.
In a pinch the SN5X will get you in the ballpark, but if you need something for more than practice, this is not the tuner for you.
I own the SN1, but it was accidentally packed in storage when I moved. I figured the 5X would be just as good, and a lot easier to just get this little guy rather than have to dig through a million boxes in storage. Unfortunately, that is not the case. I can't even remember why I chose this over just getting another SN1 (probably thought it wouldn't matter? Or liked it in black? Not sure), but my recommendation would be to go Blue or don't bother.
December 23, 2017
This is the second one I purchased. Both of them would not tune the E string on my bass. They seem like knock offs because the one I purchased from GC has worked perfectly for over 2 years. These even seem to be made of a different type of plastic. Beware, because they are not returnable on Amazon, however they did send me a replacement... (that didnt work either btw)
April 30, 2018
I originally had another tuner from another manufacturer. I really liked it's tuning capability [very fast and accurate] but didn't like that I had to hold the button down for a full 2 seconds to turn it on or turn it off. Everyone seemed to use and love the snark so I decided to give it a shot, since I did hear from someone that it turns on/off instantly.
Unfortunately that's about the only good thing about it. The snark [SN5X] seems really finicky. It constantly thinks I'm picking a different string, and even when it figures it out, it seems very slow/delayed in adjusting the display to show where I am [sharp/flat/tuned]. It'll finally show tuned, and I stop turning the peg, and then it keeps changing showing me flat. It also doesn't work well at all while other people are playing, I'm assuming it's getting confused by the vibrations of everyone else playing, but my other tuner never did that.
End result is, I'm going back to my KLIQ UberTuner and I'll just have to live with waiting for it to turn on/off - at least the main, important function (tuning) works properly.
Pros:
- It turns on/off instantly
- The clip functions
Cons:
- Constantly confused about which string I'm picking/tuning, even jumping while I'm in the middle of tuning a string.
- slow/delayed display of tuning level
- Doesn't work well in a loud room.
Unfortunately that's about the only good thing about it. The snark [SN5X] seems really finicky. It constantly thinks I'm picking a different string, and even when it figures it out, it seems very slow/delayed in adjusting the display to show where I am [sharp/flat/tuned]. It'll finally show tuned, and I stop turning the peg, and then it keeps changing showing me flat. It also doesn't work well at all while other people are playing, I'm assuming it's getting confused by the vibrations of everyone else playing, but my other tuner never did that.
End result is, I'm going back to my KLIQ UberTuner and I'll just have to live with waiting for it to turn on/off - at least the main, important function (tuning) works properly.
Pros:
- It turns on/off instantly
- The clip functions
Cons:
- Constantly confused about which string I'm picking/tuning, even jumping while I'm in the middle of tuning a string.
- slow/delayed display of tuning level
- Doesn't work well in a loud room.
December 30, 2017
Ordered and received two snark guitar, bass, violin tuners. Neither works. I already own two older ones that work fine. I tried using brand new batteries and still nothing. They are both defective items. Disappointed because the older ones I have work perfectly. Now amazon is saying I can't return these items. Disappointed snark customer.
September 23, 2019
Today the Snark SN-5X arrived. The description says it has a tap tempo metronome. That is the reason I chose this unit. Now I find out it doesn't have that feature. Would have ordered a different model.
The tuner part works fine but I need the metronome.
YOU NEED TO CHANGE THE DESCRIPTION AND REMOVE THE METRONOME FEATURE!
The tuner part works fine but I need the metronome.
YOU NEED TO CHANGE THE DESCRIPTION AND REMOVE THE METRONOME FEATURE!
February 20, 2018
So I got the guitar a couple days after receiving this product. The guitar itself came in ridiculously out of tune, and I didn't know how to manually do it. I used the Snark to put the tune where its supposed to be according. However, when I play the an actual key, eg. A, C, D, E, G, etc, they are so out of tune!!! And I don't know why. I start to google how to use it because maybe I am using it wrong, but no I was using it correctly. I did a couple tweaks maybe I can fix it, when to use the Snark on and off and it didn't do the job its supposed to do so I tried to return it and disappointingly found out you cannot return this.. so what a waste of my money.
December 27, 2018
I bought this device so I could tune my electric guitar without having to plug a cord into a standard tuner. After I first used the Snark, I noticed my guitar sounded out-of-tune despite this tuner indicating the guitar was in-tune. I then plugged my guitar into a standard guitar tuner and discovered the guitar was significantly out-of-tune despite the Snark tuner indicating it was in-tune. An inaccurate tuner is useless, so this purchase was a waste of money.
