Tuner FAQ

Character tuners collection

What are the Preset Settings for the Character Tuners?

The clip-on tuner comes with several presets, U, G, V, B and C. Let's first explain what this means. Here are the strings on the following instruments:

U = Ukulele. This will only tune the notes: G, C, E, A, going in order of string names from left to right.

G = Guitar. This will only tune the notes: E, A, D, G, B, E 

V = Violin. (Same for Mandolin) This will only tune the notes: G, D, A, E

B = Bass. This will only tune the notes E, A, D, G

C = Chromatic. This will tune ALL notes in the music scale, chromatically.  All fingered notes too. This means, every note in the chromatic scale: C, C#/D/b, D, D#/Eb, E, F, F#/Gb, G, G#/Ab, A, A#/Bb, B. 

 

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Can the tuner be used for other instruments?

Yes it can! Although the presets come with Ukulele, Guitar, Violin and Bass, it can be used for all instruments in Chromatic Mode (as long as you know the names of your strings) since it works by vibration. According to the manufacturer, these tuners can be used on "all stringed, fretted, brass and drummed instruments." 

We have tested and verified it successfully on: Banjo, Bass, Cello, French Horn, Guitar, Harp, Mandola, Mandolin, Ukulele, Violin and Viola. It even worked on a piano when we placed it inside the piano near the hammer! We are excited to try other brass and wind instruments soon! Please send us an email if you have tried it on any others and we will add it to the list. 

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I'm a beginner. What are the tuning notes for my instrument? (from left to right on the instrument)

Ukulele = G, C, E, A

Banjo = G, D, B, G, D

Guitar = E, A, D, G, B, E

Mandolin = G, D, A, E (same as Violin so you can use Preset Mode)

Mandola = C, G, D, A 

Harp = C, D, E, F, G, A, B, C (x 6.5 octaves)

Violin = E, A, D, G

Cello = C, G, D, A

Bass = E, A, D, G

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Do you suggest Chromatic Mode or the Preset Setting?

Professional musicians, intermediate and advanced players will often use Chromatic Mode because it's everything you need all in one place. It allows you to tune and practice slowly to work on intonation (pitch), or even learn your notes on the instrument.

If you are a beginner, you may want to stick to the Preset settings (for your particular instrument) since the dial won't move until you get to the desired pitch, keeping it nice and simple for you. This is especially useful for guitar, ukulele and electric bass, since you only need to turn the tuning head until the tuner becomes green.

For violin (and viola, cello): it is unfortunately a little more complicated since you deal with both pegs and fine-tuners. Pegs are for major tuning adjustments and fine-tuners are for micro adjustments. Try to stick to the fine-tuners if you have them, because pegs have a screw-like mechanism and can be difficult to use unless taught how. If your strings are way off on a violin, you will have to use the pegs though. In this case you may want to change it to Chromatic Mode to know how close you are. Violin strings can break easily, so be sure to go slow when tuning and always turn the peg down first and then turn it up slowly with a twisting motion, into the pegbox. You do not need your bow to tune, you can pluck with your finger. 

 

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How do I turn the tuner on/off? Change the presets?

Turn ON: Hold the Power Button on the Back until it turns on

Change Presets: Click the Power button lightly until you get to the desired Preset (C, G, U, V, B)

Turn OFF: Hold the Power Button on the Back until it turns off

 

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Where do I clip it on the instrument?

The tuner works by vibration so it must be clipped to the instrument to work. Once you clip it to the instrument, you do not need to move it around. The tuner itself swivels and rotates (270 or 360 degrees depending on the tuner) for full visibility from any angle.

  • Ukulele, Guitar, Banjo, Manolin & Electric Bass - clip it to the head
  • Violin & Viola - clip it on any peg
  • Cello & String Bass - bridge, and turn the tuner head facing you. Peg works too.

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How do I install the battery? I can't get the lid open, it's stuck.

Try using a key or a coin to turn the notches on the lid. You might break your fingernail if you try to use your fingers! Sometimes the lid is already clicked open, so try tapping the tuner gently on a table to see if it pops out.

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The tuner won't turn on although the battery is new. Help!

Be sure that you didn't bend the U-shaped clip inside the battery terminal. The battery must have contact with this clip. 
battery u-clip

 

   

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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What does it mean when the tuner is flashing and it won't turn off?

If it is flashing and you are not able to turn it off, this means ERROR. It either means that the battery is jammed from the tuner being dropped, or the battery is loose, or about to die. Try taking out the battery and reinserting it. If that doesn't work, try a new 3V battery. They are very inexpensive, you can purchase them anywhere you can buy batteries like Walmart or a drug store. Finally, if that doesn't work, please give us a call or email. We will exchange broken tuners within 30 days of purchase. We do test all of our tuners before shipping them out.

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What payment types do you accept? 

Online Shop:  We accept all major credit cards (Visa, MasterCard, American Express, Discover, JCB Card) Diners Card, PayPal, and Bitcoin (BitPay).

        

In-person Purchases:  We accept cash or any major credit card.

 

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What is your Return Policy & Exchange Policy?

Returns may be made within 30 days of purchase for unopened and unused products only. If it was a gift, we will offer store credit for the amount of the purchase. The buyer is responsible for return shipping.

If you would like to exchange a tuner for a different color or character style, please send us an email at aloha tuners@gmail.com . Please send us the unopened tuner in its original packaging. Buyer is responsible for all return shipping costs.

Please Note: We often get contacted about issues with a tuner that was purchased from another store. We DO NOT make these character tuners, we are simply one of a few retail vendors in the U.S. If you bought it online at our store, or at a local ukulele festival, please contact us with your original receipt or purchase order. We do not sell ukuleles, so if you received a tuner as an ukulele package deal, it was a different vendor. Thank you for your understanding.

 

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I broke my tuner. Does the tuner come with a warranty?

Sorry, our products do not come with any warranty. Aloha Tuners is not liable and does not cover damage due to misuse and abuse, dead batteries, damage caused by improper handling and storage, normal wear and tear, or caused by anything other than defects in the product itself. We will replace any tuner that is not working properly at the time of purchase, up to 30 days.

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What countries do you ship to? What is the cost?

We do ship internationally, with the exception of a few places (due to postal and customs regulations). If you add an item to the cart, it will automatically calculate your shipping costs based on your location and shipping preferences.

For US Orders: We offer FREE SHIPPING to the United States via USPS First Class shipping which takes approximately 3-6 business days, depending on where you live. We also offer USPS $6 Priority Mail (2-3 business days)  and $25 Express Mail (1-2 business days) for the USA. Please do keep in mind that we are based in Hawaii, so all packages must be sent via air (not ground), and the time-difference and distance may affect the shipment dates of some orders. 

For International Orders, we offer two choices of shipping: First-Class shipping [approximately $16 to most countries] and takes approximately 6-10 business days, and Priority Mail ($30) to most countries.  We calculate the shipping based on weight.

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Are you on Social Media?

Yes! Feel free to like us and share our website and product with your friends! Our tuners make great stocking stuffers :)

Instagram: @alohatuners

Pinterest: @alohatuners

Facebook:  www.facebook.com/alohatuners

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Why is your phone number not listed in the contact info on your website?

We apologize for the inconvenience. Since we are just an online store and not a brick-and-mortar business, we do not have a phone number for customers to call at any time. And since we are on Hawaii time, it is still 3am here when it is 9am on the East Coast, and many people forget the time difference. Rather than listing our cell phone number and getting calls in the middle of the night, we opted to list our email only. If you need to get a hold of us, send us an email and we'll give you a call.

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