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Sweetwater
4.5 (17)
$91.69 $88.10 $3.59 · All time low
Amazon
4.5 (704)
$249.99
Reverb
5.0 (66)
$90.00 New
$25.00 Used

Average Price: $113

High-end/Boutique

$50

$101+

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Budget

Standard

High-end

Price History

Based on price data from 1 merchant for "Korg PB-1 Pitchblack". Prices shown reflect NEW condition. Tracking began Apr 2, 2026.

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Description

Meet the Korg Pitchblack, the tuner that stands out in the crowded field of guitar pedals. This compact and robust device is a chromatic tuner, designed for precision and reliability, ensuring your guitar always hits the right note. Its bright display offers a clear visual representation of tones, making tuning a breeze even on a dark stage. The true bypass feature ensures your signal path remains uncolored, preserving the original tone of your instrument. With the Korg Pitchblack, you can be confident that your sound is in good hands.

Key Features: - Chromatic tuner: Versatile tuning options for a variety of instruments. - Bright display: Provides easy readability even in low-light conditions. - True bypass: Ensures clean, unaltered audio signal. - Compact and robust design: Ideal for gigging musicians who need reliable gear on the go.

Product specs

Brand Korg
Model Pitchblack Chromatic Guitar/Bass Tuning Pedal
Finish Black
Year 2010s
Made In United States
Categories Tuner Pedals

FAQs

Is the Korg Pitchblack tuner pedal true bypass?

Yes, the Korg Pitchblack features true bypass, ensuring that your guitar's tone remains unaffected when the pedal is not in use.

How accurate is the Korg Pitchblack tuner?

The Korg Pitchblack offers highly accurate tuning with a precision of ±1 cent, making it reliable for both live performances and studio sessions.

Can the Korg Pitchblack be powered by a 9V adapter?

Yes, the Korg Pitchblack can be powered by either a 9V battery or an optional 9V DC power adapter, providing flexibility for different setups.

Does the Korg Pitchblack work with bass guitars?

Yes, the Korg Pitchblack is a chromatic tuner suitable for both electric guitars and bass guitars, accommodating a wide range of tuning needs.

What display features does the Korg Pitchblack offer?

The Korg Pitchblack features a large, easy-to-read LED display with multiple display modes, ensuring clear visibility even on dark stages.

Equipboard's Expert Review

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Equipboard tested this

Korg

Korg

Korg Pitchblack Pedal Tuner Overview -- with Display Modes!

Video thumbnail for Korg Pitchblack Pedal Tuner Overview -- with Display Modes! by Korg

Korg Pitchblack Pedal Tuner Overview -- with Display Modes!

Korg

Korg

Video thumbnail for Korg Pitchblack Pedal Tuner | Reverb Demo Video by Reverb

Korg Pitchblack Pedal Tuner | Reverb Demo Video

Reverb

Reverb

Video thumbnail for Korg Pitchblack Chromatic Tuner Review by Mr Z's Music Lessons

Korg Pitchblack Chromatic Tuner Review

Mr Z's Music Lessons

Mr Z's Music Lessons

Reviews

PROS

  • Extremely accurate and fast tuning

  • Rugged, durable build quality

  • True bypass with no tone loss

  • Large, easily visible LED display

  • Can power other pedals, versatile for pedalboards

  • Multiple display modes for tuning preference

  • Responsive even in low light or stage conditions

  • Longevity; works well even after many years

  • Can tune a wide range of instruments chromatically

  • Offers calibration and multiple tuning modes

CONS

  • Higher power consumption than some models

  • Polyphonic tuning mode not as effective

  • Cannot set standard A frequency to 432Hz

  • Some difficulties in bright sunlight visibility

  • On the larger side compared to some competitors

Owner Insights

We analyzed real musician discussions from forums and Reddit to find what players love, question, and tweak about Korg PB-1 Pitchblack.

Build quality

  • The Pitchblack XS feels solid, but durability in rigorous gigging conditions remains untested by some users.

    Source

Features and functionality

  • It provides a good input buffer, significantly improving clean signal clarity compared to older tuners like the Polytune V1.

    Source
  • The size is comparable to a Boss pedal's button half, but some users are disappointed by the lack of top-mounted jacks.

    Source
  • The Pitchblack X mini is highly praised for its fast, accurate, and stable tuning, making it a reliable choice for precise tuning needs.

    Source
  • Although the Pitchblack X mini lacks top-mounted jacks, its compact size is still a major advantage for fitting into tight pedalboard spots.

    Source

Comparisons

  • While it lacks the polytuning ability of the Polytune V1, users with stable tuning guitars like Telecasters may not miss this feature.

    Source
  • Some users prefer the Sonic Research ST-300 mini for its performance, though the Pitchblack X mini remains a favorite for its price and space-saving design.

    Source

User experience

  • Owners highlight the super small size and bright, easy-to-read display as standout features, enhancing usability in various lighting conditions.

    Source

Use cases and applications

  • The Pitchblack X mini effectively replaced a Boss TU2 for some users, maintaining reliability over extended use and freeing up pedalboard space.

    Source
Add

4.5 out of 5

Based on 41 Reviews and 307 Ratings

5 star
4 star
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2 star
1 star
frogbass77

Reliable sturdy tuner

I was able to buy one second hand for 30 bucks and all I can say is that it is good, precise and quick !

From Gear Setup
concubine

Positive

I prefer this over other tuners as it has a much bigger display and I personally find it easier to see which note I'm tuning to

From Gear Setup
K

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fingerstylist

my fav

fast accurate. crushes the boss tu-2 which is a terrible pedal. looks like night rider

junior_milbradt

Um ótimo afinador!

Afinador muito confiável, robusto, e funcional. É muito preciso, e o visor de led é grande, o que facilita muito em palcos escuros. Uso ele no baixo, e consigo afinar em drop C# tranquilamente, sempre precisar tocar harmonicos na casa 12 pra isso. Um ponto a considerar, e que me deixou triste, é que não é possível setar a frequencia do A padrão para 432hz, ele simplesmente não chega nesta afinação.

Roles:
jimmarchi1

Best Display EVER!

The Korg Pitchblack is a chromatic tuning pedal with a giant, bright display that you can't miss on stage. It gets the job done pretty well, but the tuning engine seems to be borrowed from Korg's awesome rackmount tuners really could use more lights for really precise tuning in a flash. But then the pedal would get big. This tuner was also the first affordable chromatic tuning pedal to feature pop-free true bypass switching which is why I ditched my old TU-2 for it. Its faster and more accurate than the Boss and when I bought it the Pitchblack was easily the best pedal tuner that wasn't a Peterson. I since switched to the TC Polytune and gave my Pitchblack to a friend of my wife's who is always going out of tune on stage. I miss the wicked display, but the Polytune is more accurate and the at-a-glance multiple string feature of the Polytune is a real time saver.

I still highly recommend the Pitchblack.

ogon
ogon

482

I switched to TC Electronics Polytune 3 for the switchable buffer and also the faster response time. It responds much faster, even in single string mode. For me, the Korg Pitchblack is still a close 2nd. :-) If Korg would make a Pitchblack with switchable buffer and faster response time, i would buy it.

dom_greenaway

It's a tank

I've had this for around 10 or 11 years now and its still going strong, i thought it was dying when it started to turn of whenever i tried to tune the D and B strings, turned out it was actually bad power supply causing issues and it's still going strong.

sbertram92

More than you're ever going to need

The Korg Pitchblack Tuner is a chromatic tuner and, therefore, can tune basiclly any instrument that's got pickups and a p10 output jack. The screen is very intuitive and accurate - the minimum, slightest difference of pitch will be noticed and briefly showed in red. The perfect pitch, of course, is showed in green and it has 4 different screen modes (when in fact the main one is the best and only necessary). It can power other pedals just as a Boss tuner, but it's better due to a true bypass switching. It's also faster than a Boss and more precise. In fact, it is so precise that, if you play an open chord like an E or a G, it will detect the pitch. The only downsides for the pedalmaniac (me not included), when in comparison with a TC Electronic Polytune Mini, is the size and the play-all-strings-and-detect-the-out-of-pitch-one function (but the screen in the Korg is nicer and cleaner, on the other hand).

ogon
ogon

482

Steady partner for over 10 years

Easy to use, best tuner display, really easy to read, über cool looks (best looking tuner in my honest opinion), metal housing, no struggles what so ever.

Update: switched to TC Electronics Polytune 3 because i needed a (switchable) buffer, the polytune 3 responds much faster. If Korg would make a pitchblack with (switchable) buffer and faster response time, i would buy it. :-)

leonrasol

good, but could be better

a typical tuner pedal, does its thing well, but i find the poly option a little bit rubbish

Artist usage

Add artist
See how Steve Vai uses Korg PB-1 Pitchblack

Steve Vai

Guitarist

Whitesnake

...
Verified via KORG Global

Guitar icon Steve Vai had this to say about the Korg Pitchblack Poly pedal tuner: "The Pitchblack Poly tuner by Korg is a great example of how Korg is always looking around the corner to create gear that is practical, user friendly, and almost magic. I had to scratch my head and think, ‘How did they do this?’ Tuning on the fly has never been easier."

See how The Edge uses Korg PB-1 Pitchblack

The Edge

Guitarist

U2

...
Verified via Photo

In this Rig Rundown feature for Premier Guitar magazine, longtime U2 guitar tech Dallas Schoo shows off Edge's 2018 touring rig, which includes a Korg Pitchblack tuner.

See how Gary Clark Jr uses Korg PB-1 Pitchblack

Gary Clark Jr

Singer, Guitarist

...
Verified via Photo

This photo of Gary Clark Jr's pedalboard shows he uses the Korg Pitchblack Chromatic Pedal Tuner (this photo is his pedalboard circa 2014).

See how Nick Valensi uses Korg PB-1 Pitchblack

Nick Valensi

Guitarist

The Strokes

...
Verified via Photo

This photo of Nick Valensi's pedalboard shows he uses the Korg Pitchblack Chromatic Pedal Tuner (upper-right corner).

See how Ed O'Brien uses Korg PB-1 Pitchblack

Ed O'Brien

Guitarist, Singer

Radiohead

...
Verified via Photo

A Korg Pitchblack Chromatic pedal tuner is one of many pedals Ed uses per this article from Austin City Limits.

See how Paul Gilbert uses Korg PB-1 Pitchblack

Paul Gilbert

Guitarist

Racer X

...
Verified via Photo

In an interview from Jan 2011, Paul Gilbert is asked:

"If you had to give up all your pedals but three, what would they be?"

In his reply he praises the Korg Pitchblack pedal tuner:

PG: That is a painful question. I cannot give up my pedals. I suppose my most stomped-on pedals at the moment are a HomeBrew Electronics CPR Compressor, a Fulltone Soul Bender, and a Korg Pitchblack tuner.

The CPR makes the guitar more sensitive, so I can play lightly and still have the notes come out loud, even with a clean sound. The Soul Bender has the most unique character of any distortion box I've tried. And the Korg tuner is the easiest to read and most accurate tuner I've used.

Original interview on MusicRadar here.

See how Troy Van Leeuwen uses Korg PB-1 Pitchblack

Troy Van Leeuwen

Guitarist

Queens of the Stone Age

...
Verified via YouTube

At 10:50 in this Rig Rundown for Troy Van Leeuwen of The Wongergirls, Queens of the Stone Age, Enemy, Failure, A Perfect Circle, Sweathead, and The Desert Sessions, his gear is displayed, showing a Korg Pitchblack Chromatic Pedal Tuner.

See how St. Vincent uses Korg PB-1 Pitchblack

St. Vincent

Singer, Guitarist

The Polyphonic Spree

...
Verified via Photo

St. Vincent uses a Korg Pitchblack Chromatic Pedal Tuner in her two part custom built pedalboard.

See how Rob Scallon uses Korg PB-1 Pitchblack

Rob Scallon

Singer, Guitarist

First Of October

...
Verified via YouTube

You can see in Rob's rig video that he uses the Korg Pitchblack Chromatic Tuner pedal.

See how Julien Baker uses Korg PB-1 Pitchblack

Julien Baker

Singer, Guitarist

boygenius

...
Verified via Photo

Facebook photo of Julien Baker's live pedalboard.

See how Nile Rodgers uses Korg PB-1 Pitchblack

Nile Rodgers

Singer, Guitarist

Mark Knopfler’s Guitar Heroes

...
Verified via Flickr

This photo by Reference Laboratory on Flickr captures Nile Rodgers' pedalboard, featuring the Korg Pitchblack tuner.

See how Alex Trimble uses Korg PB-1 Pitchblack

Alex Trimble

Singer, Guitarist

Two Door Cinema Club

...
Verified via Photo

Alex Trimble uses the Korg Pitchblack Chromatic Pedal Tuner in his pedalboard for Two Door Cinema Club (bottom row, right).

Album Usage

The Korg PB-1 Pitchblack has been featured on the following albums:

Used With

Based on how musicians on Equipboard use Korg PB-1 Pitchblack, it is most commonly used with the following gear.

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