Reviews | AutoStrobe 490-ST
By Oscar Daniel Biolley Quesada on Thursday, January 15, 2026
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Reviewed on
Peterson Website
I am a marimba builder for folk and the only one in Costa Rica making concert marimbas, i used to tune with your strobe app and now with the best tuner posible and the first mecanical autostobe for marimba in Costa Rica.
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By Chas Johnson on Tuesday, March 25, 2025
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Peterson Website
Plays 6-String Acoustic Guitar, 4 String Bass, Mandolin, 6-String Electric Guitar, 5 String Bass, Ukulele, 5-String Banjo, Dobro® / Resonator Guitar, 6 String Lap Steel, Tenor Ukulele, Octave Mandolin
A very reliable piece of kit (and I still prefer the traditional mechanical strobe to the LCD emulations). Very straightforward to use with a clear manual. The only drawback is its size. Perhaps it's time to produce a mechanical strobe with a single wheel similar in size to those in the SC5000 and make it half the size?
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By Joe Barr on Tuesday, December 27, 2022
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Reviewed on
Peterson Website
Plays 6-String Electric Guitar, 6-String Acoustic Guitar, 4 String Bass
By Tim Schenk on Sunday, March 13, 2022
Verified Purchase
Reviewed on
Peterson Website
Plays 6-String Electric Guitar, 6-String Acoustic Guitar
By Lin Campbell Cavalcanti on Thursday, March 11, 2021
Verified Purchase
Reviewed on
Peterson Website
Plays 6-String Electric Guitar, 6-String Acoustic Guitar, 4 String Bass
It is literally a dream to have one of these on my bench! Perfect pitch, perfect intonation and built like a tank!
The support is spectacular, took all my doubts, and helped to resolve all my questions quickly! They really care about the professionals who purchase their products !!
I am extremely satisfied, it exceeded all my expectations !!
The support is spectacular, took all my doubts, and helped to resolve all my questions quickly! They really care about the professionals who purchase their products !!
I am extremely satisfied, it exceeded all my expectations !!
2 people found this review helpful.
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By Brian Arnold on Monday, August 26, 2019
Edited on Tuesday, August 27, 2019
Verified Purchase
Reviewed on
Peterson Website
Plays Upright Bass, Double Bass, String Bass, 8 String Bass, 6-String Electric Guitar, 4 String Bass, 6-String Acoustic Guitar, 5 String Bass
I've never been a fan of LCD tuners, even though they have more advanced software and are far more economical and appropriate for working-musicians in small club settings than the larger mechanical tuners. However, there is just no substitute for an old-fashioned Strobe Wheel tuner for accuracy, versatility, and ease of use. I've been using genuine strobe wheels since the '60s, and the AutoStrobe 490-ST combines some of the best features of the modern digital devices with the precise mechanical function of the original analog units.
At first, I did not like the glaringly-bright orange backlight for the strobe display, so I sent it back to the factory for some modification. At the suggestion of Customer Service Representative Sue Haslam, they installed red LEDs and a brightness control, which makes my unit far more versatile and comfortable to gaze at for long periods in subdued ambient lighting, like in a studio, and bright enough to read in a sun-filled room when the need arises. It ...
At first, I did not like the glaringly-bright orange backlight for the strobe display, so I sent it back to the factory for some modification. At the suggestion of Customer Service Representative Sue Haslam, they installed red LEDs and a brightness control, which makes my unit far more versatile and comfortable to gaze at for long periods in subdued ambient lighting, like in a studio, and bright enough to read in a sun-filled room when the need arises. It ...
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8 people found this review helpful.
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By Robert Mccollum on Monday, March 18, 2019
Verified Purchase
Reviewed on
Peterson Website
The Music Doctor, Professional Tuner, 35 yrs. I have just purchased my second 490ST. The stretch tuning options of this unit have greatly increased my accuracy and saved countless hours of time.
12 people found this review helpful.
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By Peter Saunders on Friday, December 21, 2018
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Reviewed on
Peterson Website
This tuner absolutely lives up to it’s Legendary reputation. Very pleased to own the Peterson 490-ST.
1 person found this review helpful.
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By Jim May on Sunday, October 7, 2018
Reviewed on
Peterson Website
Plays Dobro® / Resonator Guitar
Reliable and dependable to provide stable tuning.
1 person found this review helpful.
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By Glenn A. Fox on Thursday, February 22, 2018
Verified Purchase
Reviewed on
Peterson Website
I just received a Peterson Strobotuner 490ST a couple of days ago and just used it for the first time today. I have been tuning pianos for over 30 years and this tuner is a "dream"! I used it on a 5'8" grand piano and the stretch tuning set the temperament just the way I like it. It cut at least an hour off my regular tuning time and I'm looking forward to using it on different kinds of pianos. I am very particular in my tuning and I think this unit will remove a lot of my "stress" on getting the right sound. I have tuned the piano I tested this unit on many times and this particular piano sounded the best it's ever sounded. Very pleased!!
9 people found this review helpful.
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