Photo of Boss TU-12 Chromatic Tuner and more gear in a amplifier and closeup

Photo of Boss TU-12 Chromatic Tuner in a pedalboard, signal chain, and closeup

Boss TU-12 Chromatic Tuner

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$28.00

4.0 (12)

7 Reviews

This product is Vintage or Discontinued

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Boss TU-12EX Chromatic Tuner For Guitar & Bass

$148.00

4.5 (9)

Find out who is using Boss TU-12

3 community setups

1 wishlisted

21 saved

Page last updated Jul 01, 2026

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4.0 (8)

$28.00 7 available Used

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Description

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For musicians who demand precision without the hassle, the Boss TU-12 Chromatic Tuner delivers a seamless tuning experience that professionals and hobbyists alike can rely on. This reliable companion is designed to help you quickly and accurately tune your guitar or bass, even in noisy environments. The TU-12 features a needle-style meter, allowing for precise tuning by visually displaying your pitch and deviation. This intuitive design means you can focus on your performance, not on fumbling with complicated controls.

Compact yet robust, the TU-12 is built to withstand the rigors of touring and the demands of frequent practice sessions. Whether you're on stage, in the studio, or jamming in your living room, this tuner ensures you're always in perfect harmony. Its wide detection range covers a variety of instruments, making it a versatile addition to any musician's toolkit. The Accu-Pitch feature further enhances your tuning precision by providing an audible beep when the correct pitch is reached, so you'll know instantly when your string is perfectly tuned.

Join the community of musicians who trust the Boss TU-12 Chromatic Tuner to keep their sound in check. It's not just a tuner; it's a gateway to flawless performance.

Key Features:

Needle-style meter for precise pitch detection
Wide detection range suitable for various instruments
Accu-Pitch feature with audible confirmation
Compact and durable design for portability
Easy-to-read display for quick tuning adjustments

Product specs

Brand	Boss
Model	TU-12 Chromatic Tuner
Finish	Gray
Year	2000s
Made In	Japan
Categories	Tuners

FAQs

How does the Boss TU-12 Chromatic Tuner differ from standard tuners?: The Boss TU-12 Chromatic Tuner allows you to tune any instrument to all 12 notes of the chromatic scale, making it versatile for various tunings beyond standard guitar tuning.
Is the Boss TU-12 Chromatic Tuner suitable for live performances?: Yes, the Boss TU-12 is designed for accurate and reliable tuning in live settings, featuring a clear display and quick response to ensure your instrument stays in tune during performances.
Can the Boss TU-12 Chromatic Tuner be used for instruments other than guitar?: Absolutely, the Boss TU-12 is a chromatic tuner, making it suitable for a wide range of instruments, including bass, violin, and woodwinds, as it can detect all chromatic notes.
Does the Boss TU-12 Chromatic Tuner support alternative tunings?: Yes, the chromatic functionality of the Boss TU-12 allows it to accommodate various alternative tunings, making it ideal for musicians exploring different musical styles and tunings.
What type of display does the Boss TU-12 Chromatic Tuner have?: The Boss TU-12 features an easy-to-read needle display, which provides precise tuning feedback, making it simple to achieve accurate tuning quickly.

Videos

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Guitarist Academy

Free Tuners Vs Boss Tu-12 Chromatic Tuner

Guitarist Academy

boss chromatic tuner TU-12 for electric guitars

NakedMenInMyBed

Android Guitar Tuner Vs. Boss TU-12 Tuner

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Reviews

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PROS

Exceptionally durable, lasting decades with consistent performance
Reliable in bright sunlight, unlike many digital tuners
Built-in microphone accommodates tuning for both electric and acoustic instruments
Known for precise tuning, favored by professionals and guitar shops
Sturdy construction, able to withstand heavy use over time

CONS

Lacks a mute function, making tuning audible to others
No auto-off function, leading to drained batteries if not manually turned off
Produces distortion in some pedal chain configurations
Older technology, may not compare to newer models like the TU-2
Requires manual unplugging to avoid noise during tuning

Owner Insights

We analyzed real musician discussions from forums and Reddit to find what players love, question, and tweak about Boss TU-12 Chromatic Tuner.

Features and functionality

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The TU-12 includes a built-in microphone, allowing tuning of acoustic instruments and other applications like testing speaker efficiency.
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Owners recommend checking and changing the battery if the tuner seems inaccurate, as low power can affect performance.
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Use cases and applications

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TU-12 can handle open tunings easily and is versatile enough for electric guitars, bass, pianos, and even designing audio equipment like subwoofer enclosures.
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Comparisons

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Compared to the Polytune 2, the TU-12 has 1 cent accuracy, while the Polytune 2 offers 0.01 cent accuracy, making the latter more precise.
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Some users have switched from the TU-3 to the TC Electronic Polytune for better signal muting in high-gain setups.
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User experience

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Some owners have used the TU-12 for over a decade, highlighting its longevity and reliability in various musical settings.
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Issues like being a whole step off can indicate user error or misreading the display, not necessarily a device malfunction.
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The TU-12's performance can be impacted by accidental mode changes, such as switching to different tuning modes.
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Setup and maintenance

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Ensure the TU-12 tuner is set to standard tuning mode to avoid tuning discrepancies.
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4.0 out of 5

Based on 7 Reviews and 12 Ratings

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oedipoes

1391

about 4 years ago

The gold standard?

I bought my TU-12 chromatic tuner in a musical instrument shop near Denmark Street in London back in 1994. It wasn’t cheap: £110 would be £216 today! Rather unsellable price that! But it survived until today. It has been in my rehearsal BCB-6 pedal board, standalone at home, then hanging from the lid between my Marshall head stacked on my Orange box for years, gig after gig after gig. Sure it has some battle scars, but it still looks rather mildly used rather and far from ready for the trash can. These BOSS products are built like a tank. Plastic, yes, but thick and sturdy enough not to break under abuse. I have other tuners now, yet this one is still in daily use after 28 years! PS: how many times have I drained the battery because I forgot to switch it off. Tip: let it plugged in the AC adapter, there is no auto-off function.

Preferred Settings + Usage:

Chromatic, with 9V battery or AC adapter.

Roles:

Guitarist Bassist Composer

Genres:

Rock Metal prog metal

From Gear Setup

davepepper

640

over 4 years ago

Technology has moved on but if you get one for free what the hell....

Got this in a box of cables I bought because it had the right discontinued footswitch for my Marshall Valvestate amp in it. Didn't really need a tuner on my pedalboard as there's one on my Plethora X5 - but thought "what the hell"?

Actually quite happy with it - saves having to switch into tuner mode on the Plethora, which is a bit fiddly. Just have it in standard chromatic mode, always on. Does what it's supposed to.

But I wouldn't actually pay money for one.

Roles:

Guitarist Keyboardist Music Producer

Genres:

Electronic Rock Pop

narcist

17214

almost 11 years ago

Old Friend...

When I was starting on the wee acoustic, this dinosaur kept me from sounding as terrible. While it cannot compare to the TU-2 that I now have, it was still a very useful tool. The only problem was I had no adapter, and I never had batteries, so that was annoying. But otherwise, it was a very reliable tuner.

jimmarchi1

41029

11 years ago almost 11 years ago

I love the 80s Boss needle tuners. If I could see them on stage better I wouldn't use a pedal tuner.

nickgrooves

2155

almost 11 years ago

Before smartphone apps and snark and polytune, this was king.

The first tuner I ever bought. Purchased because it has a mic in addition to the line input (and I play horns in addition to electric guitar and bass). Worked extremely well, without fail, for many years. Anyway, it's ancient technology now and I couldn't even tell you where it is resting, but hopefully R.I.P.

jimmarchi1

41029

11 years ago almost 11 years ago

love the box needle tuners

jimmarchi1

41029

11 years ago almost 11 years ago

err, boss lol

narcist

17214

10 years ago over 10 years ago

Had to do a double-take, this this has a mic out?

Let me just dig through all my dad's old junk and find this thing again.

nickgrooves

2155

10 years ago over 10 years ago

Narcist, do another take. I said it has a mic. Mic input. "mic in addition to the line input." No it does not have a mic output. I believe it does have a line out, though. Pretty sure it does. I'd have to dig mine out of my old junk to be sure.

geovoc

1199

over 6 years ago

sick!

This was my dads and then passed on to me. Had this for like 20+ years and still great!

tel_nobody

3007

over 9 years ago

Tech outgrew this.

It tunes. But everyone can hear it, unless you unplug to do so. Modern tuners mute as they tune. Punters lose their favourite song... the one that every band used to play... E EEEE A AA AA DDDDDDDD.....