Knowledge Base
Frequently Asked Questions
Does my StroboRack require calibration?
Unlike more modern Peterson strobes, legacy models such as the Peterson 400, 420, 450 and 700 do require occasional calibration.
If you require service, please open a support ticket and return the tuner for repair.
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Is the StroboRack discontinued?
Our currently available tuners are the StroboStomp HD, StroboStomp LE, StroboStomp Mini, StroboPLUS HDC, AutoStrobe Model 490, AutoStrobe Model 490-ST, AutoStrobe Model 590, and SC-5000 II.
We do service discontinued products.
If you need to send your tuner in for repair, please open a support ticket.
All products returned for service must have a support ticket number on the outside of the box as well as on the accompanying paperwork on the inside of the box. If you have not registered your tuner, you must do so before returning it. Include a description of your problem. Please be specific about the type of malfunction as well as the conditions under which it occurs.
There is a minimum charge of $80.00 US plus a shipping charge for all Mechanical Peterson tuners received and a minimum charge of $40.00 US plus a shipping charge for all LCD Peterson tuners (unless subject to Peterson warranty). Payment options include PayPal, VISA, MasterCard, AMEX and Discover Card.
NOTE: For international (non-USA) repairs and for all Conn tuner repairs, a different procedure may apply. If you would like an advance estimate for service, you must include a request in writing with the tuner you ship.
Contact and Shipping Details:
For service of Peterson tuners:
Peterson Electro-Musical Products, Inc. 11601 South Mayfield Ave. Alsip, IL 60803 USA
TEL: 708-388-3311 (ext. 143) FAX: 708-388-3341
Email: techwest@petersonemp.com
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How do I read a strobe display?
Adjust your instrument until the pattern is as close to still as possible. Strobe displays are 'real-time' and extremely precise. They require very fine tuning adjustments to stop the display because the frequency/pitch of any instrument is never totally stable.
You'll quickly learn to read the display, make the most precise adjustments and appreciate the high resolution that only a Peterson provides.
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Is the accuracy the same for all Peterson tuners?
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What is my StroboRack’s Sweetened Tunings feature all about?
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Is there a carrying case available?
Cases are available for the AutoStrobe™ line, the StroboClip HD and the StroboPLUS HD/HDC.
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How accurate is my StroboRack?
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I often tune my acoustic instrument in a loud environment. What's available to help with that?
A Peterson TP-3 clip-on tuning pickup is a very versatile device with a 1/4" connector that can be clipped onto any portion of the instrument that vibrates, such as the headstock of a guitar or the bell or lead pipe of a horn.
A Peterson Pitch Grabber Mobile Tuning Clip utilizes a 1/8" connector for use in mobile phones or tablets with software tuners.
For instruments with a flat resonating surface, you can use a suction cup tuning pickup to reduce ambient noise interference.
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How do I send my product in for repair?
If you have not registered your tuner, you must do so before opening your support ticket.
All products returned for service must have a support ticket number on the outside of the box as well as on the accompanying paperwork on the inside of the box.
We strongly recommend shipping with tracking information and insurance. Peterson Electro-Musical Products, Inc., and subsidiaries thereof, are not responsible for lost packages in transit to our repair facility.
Include a description of your problem in both your support ticket and paperwork included with your product. Please be specific about the type of malfunction as well as the conditions under which it occurs. Include your name, address, phone number, and email address on the accompanying paperwork.
There is a minimum charge of $95.00 US plus return shipping charges for all Mechanical Peterson tuners received and a minimum charge of $48.00 US plus return shipping charges for all LCD Peterson tuners (unless subject to Peterson warranty). If you would like an advance estimate for service, you must include a request in writing with the product you ship. If you choose not to have your product repaired, there is a $48 diagnostic charge plus return shipping.
Payment options include PayPal, VISA, MasterCard, AMEX and Discover Card.
Any balance is due within 30 days of the completion of the repair. After 30 days, a storage fee will be charged. After 90 days, your property will be considered abandoned and will disposed of at our discretion.
For international (non-USA) repairs and for all Conn and Node tuner repairs, please open a support ticket as different procedures may apply.
Contact and Shipping Details:
For service of Peterson tuners:
Peterson Electro-Musical Products, Inc. 11601 South Mayfield Ave. Alsip, IL 60803 USA TEL: 708-388-3311 (ext. 143) FAX: 708-388-3341 Email: techwest@petersonemp.com
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Can I use the StroboRack for drop-tuning?
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What is the difference between Drop/Capo and Key?
To aid musicians not familiar with note names outside the standard EADG(BE) or whatever the original tuning is, choosing -1, -2 etc. will cause the instrument to be lowered in pitch by one, two half steps etc. without the original note names being changed. Any Sweetener settings chosen in conjunction with a drop tuning setting are preserved and applied to the correct strings.
Capo Tuning refers to raising the pitch by means of a Capo d'Astro. To aid musicians not familiar with note names outside the standard EADG(BE) or whatever the original tuning is, choosing +1, +2 etc. will cause the instrument to be raised in pitch by one, two half steps etc. when the capo is applied to the first, second fret etc. without the original note names being changed.
The alternate Key settings are used for instruments played in a key other than the key of C. The note display will change so the proper note for those instruments will be shown. Common examples would be Saxophone (Eb), Trumpet (Bb) and French Horn (F).
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Can I use the StroboRack to set my electric guitar’s intonation?
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How is the StroboRack constructed?
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Can I use the StroboRack to tune accordions?
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I would like string numbers instead of notes on the tuner display, can the StroboRack do that?
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Can I use the StroboRack for open tunings?
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I work with Gamelan tuning, is the StroboRack a good choice of tuner for that?
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Can I use the StroboRack to tune instruments other than guitar?
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Can I use the StroboRack to tune a piano?
For professional piano tuners, the recommended ETD for piano is the AutoStrobe 490ST Stretch-Tuner.
Many piano tuners find that using an external, dynamic microphone with a 1/4" output helps to isolate the particular string they are tuning.
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Can I use the StroboRack to tune a pedal steel guitar?
Of our current models available, the StroboStomp HD, StroboStomp LE, and StroboPLUS HDC contain multiple pedal steel Sweeteners and are extremely popular within the steel community for their ease of use.
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Does the StroboRack have a manual tuning mode?
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Can I use the StroboRack to tune a harp?
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I play E9 on pedal steel guitar, what does the StroboRack offer me?
Of our current models available, the StroboStomp HD, StroboStomp LE, and StroboPLUS HDC contain multiple pedal steel Sweeteners and are extremely popular within the steel community for their ease of use.
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Does the StroboRack have an Auto-Off function?
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I have several instruments with different tuning settings, can I go quickly from one to another on a StroboRack?
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Is the StroboRack a good tuner for guitar tech/stage work?
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Does the StroboRack have the James Taylor style tuning settings?
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I play C6 on pedal steel guitar, what does the StroboRack offer me?
SC6 is Jeff Newman’s popular C6 tuning (Jeff Newman was a most well-known and revered pedal-steel teacher).
Of our current models available, the StroboStomp HD, StroboStomp LE, and StroboPLUS HDC contain multiple pedal steel Sweeteners and are extremely popular within the steel community for their ease of use.
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What does the SR-EX module add to the functionality of the StroboRack?
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Can the StroboRack improve my guitar’s sound?
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Is the StroboRack display visible in bright daylight?
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Is the StroboRack display visible in darkness?
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Can the StroboRack be used to tune to different temperaments?
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I play pedal steel guitar in Universal tuning, what does the StroboRack offer me?
U12 is Jeff Newman’s popular Universal tuning (Jeff Newman was a most well-known and revered pedal-steel teacher).
Of our current models available, the StroboStomp HD, StroboStomp LE, and StroboPLUS HDC contain multiple pedal steel Sweeteners and are extremely popular within the steel community for their ease of use.
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Can I use Just Intonation with the StroboRack?
Of our currently offered tuners, StroboStomp HD, StroboStomp LE, and StroboPLUS HDC offer Just Intonation as well as many other historic temperaments.
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What is the warranty period on the StroboRack?
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Can the StroboRack be used with electric guitar?
The StroboRack has a preset for Sweetened 6 string electric guitar called GTR, this preset is useful for short-scale electric guitars like Les Pauls or guitars with three saddle bridges like Telecasters. To set the StroboRack to this setting, press the SWEETENER button, rotate the data wheel until “GTR” appears. Press the SAVE button to save the value as a default, otherwise the tuner will revert to standard EQU when restarted.
For 12 string guitars like Rickenbackers, the StroboRack has two special presets, one each for the standard and octave strings. To set the StroboRack to this setting, press the SWEETENER button, rotate the data wheel until 12 (up arrow) or 12(down arrow) appears. Press the SAVE button to save the value as a default, otherwise the tuner will revert to standard EQU when restarted.
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Does the StroboRack read out the frequency of a signal?
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How do I know how far out of tune I am on the StroboRack’s display?
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Can the StroboRack be used to tune electric bass?
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Does the StroboRack have an international voltage selector?
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Can I use the StroboRack to tune a lute?
To set the StroboRack to this setting, press the SWEETENER button, rotate the data wheel until “6MT” appears. Press the SAVE button to save the value as a default, otherwise the tuner will revert to standard EQU when restarted.
Of our currently available tuners, StroboStomp HD, StroboStomp LE, and StroboPLUS HDC offer 1/6th Comma Meantone.
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Is the StroboRack a chromatic tuner?
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Can I tune overtones with the StroboRack?
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I just bought a StroboRack, are there any tips for someone new to strobe tuning?
2. Watch the StroboRack’s display, if the strobe image scrolls right, you need to lower the pitch, if the strobe image scrolls left; you need to raise the pitch.
3. Your instrument is in tune when the image on the StroboRack’s screen stops moving continuously in one direction or hovers.
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Does the StroboRack have historic temperament presets?
Of our currently available tuners, the StroboPLUS HDC offers these and many more historic temperaments.
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What do the Dobro/Resonator Sweeteners (DB0 & DBH) do?
To set the StroboRack to this setting, press the SWEETENER button, rotate the data wheel until “DBH” or “DB0” appears. Press the SAVE button to save the value as a default, otherwise the tuner will revert to standard EQU when restarted. Then tune each string, image moving left means you’re too sharp, image moving right means you’re too flat. Tune until the image displayed on the tuner screen stops moving continuously in any one direction.
Of our currently available tuners, the StroboStomp HD, StroboStomp LE, StroboStomp Mini, StroboPLUS HDC, and StroboClip HD offer our dobro and resonator guitar sweeteners.
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How do I calibrate the StroboRack to a fixed instrument like a piano?
1. Press the MENU button, rotate the data wheel to highlight “A440.0 and press the data wheel to select.
2. Play the A above middle C on the piano, rotate the data wheel and observe the StroboRack’s display.
3. If the Strobe image moves right, increase the Concert A value by rotating the dial clockwise until the image hovers or stops
4. If the Strobe image moves left, decrease the Concert A value by rotating the dial counter-clockwise until the image hovers or stops.
5. The Concert A pitch of the piano will be displayed on the screen
6. Reset the tuner after use by returning the value to A440.0.
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How do I tune a half step down with the StroboRack?
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Is the StroboRack programmable? Can I use the StroboRack to program my own settings or offsets?
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What should I do if my new Peterson product doesn't seem to work properly?
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What is the range of Hz calibration or Concert A calibration of my StroboRack?
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How do I find out how far out of tune my guitar is in cents?
The following video shows this process using a StroboPLUS HD.
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Not finding an answer? Open a support ticket for personalized support of your Peterson product.
Product Manuals
Not finding an answer? Open a support ticket for personalized support of your Peterson product.
Firmware History