Boss’s TU-2 chromatic tuner pedal set the industry standard for years. If you were using a tuning pedal, the TU-2 was the best choice, hands down. Now, Boss has added additional features and exciting functionality, reworking its original features into the TU-3 pedal. There’s a difference, and you don’t have to be an audiophile like me to be able to hear it.
Today, I’m going to take a look at the Boss TU-2 vs TU-3 and determine which is the best buy. I’ll compare features and specifications to determine if you should upgrade from your TU-2.
Whether you choose to upgrade to the new Boss TU-3 or keep the Boss chromatic tuner TU-2 pedal in your arsenal, make sure you’re choosing the best option for you.
| IMAGE | PRODUCT | DETAILS | |
|---|---|---|---|
Our Top Pick | BOSS TU-3 |
| VIEW ON AMAZON → |
 | BOSS TU-2 |
| VIEW ON AMAZON → |
Main Differences
While the TU-2 and the TU-3 look to be essentially the same, they have some key differences that set them apart. Let’s take a look at what these differences are and what they mean for you.
| Feature | Boss TU-2 | Boss TU-3 |
|---|---|---|
| FLCD Display | 7-segment LCD | 21-segment LCD |
| Tuning Range | C0 (16.35 Hz) to C8 (4186.00 Hz) | C0 (16.35 Hz) to C8 (4186.00 Hz) |
| Tuning Accuracy | +/- 3 cent | +/- 1 cent |
| Power Supply | DC 9 V Dry Battery | 9V Carbon-zinc battery or 9V Alkaline battery |
| Modes | Chromatic Guitar: Flat, Regular, Double Flat Bass: Regular, Flat, Double Flat | Chromatic Chromatic Flat (x2) Guitar Guitar Flat (x2) Bass Bass Flat (x3) |
| Control Buttons | Mode, Stream/Cent | Footswitch, Mode, Stream/Cent |
| Reference Pitch | A4 = 438 to 445 Hz (1Hz Step) | A4 = 438 to 445 Hz (1Hz Step) |
| Connectors | Input, Output, Bypass, DC In | Input, Output, Bypass, DC In, DC Out |
| High Brightness Mode | No | Yes |
| Mute/Bypass | Yes | Yes |
| Powerhouse | No | Yes |
| Dimensions | 2 7/8 x 5 1/8 x 2 3/8” | 2 7/8 x 5 1/8 x2 3/8” |
| Weight | 15oz | 14oz |
| Expected Battery Life | 10 hours | Carbon: 12 hours Alkaline: 23 hours |
LED Display
The small LCD screen on each of the pedals shows your current string and note names while you play. The TU-2 has a 7-segment display, whereas the TU-3 includes 21 segments for a more versatile display.
The TU-3 is also brighter (and includes a High Brightness Mode, which we will discuss in a moment), so you can see this information easier while you play. With the TU-2, the lack of brightness means you must get closer to read it sometimes.
Tuning Range
A wider tuning range (in the case of both pedals, C0 to C8) means that you can tune your guitar notes in any direction you like. Since both pedals are chromatic tuners, it’s a given that these higher ranges will be available.
Still, the TU-2 and the TU-3 are equipped to handle massive tuning gaps and even wacky effects.
Tuning Accuracy
The pedals tuning accuracy is a measure of how accurate their internal perception of your instrument’s pitch is. This specification is measured in ‘cents’. Human hearing can pick up on a difference of about 5 cents, so a lower tuning accuracy is always better.
The TU-2 has a tuning accuracy of +/- 3 cents, which can be detectable if you have a good ear for it. The TU-3 improved on this with its tuning accuracy of +/- 1 cent, which is imperceptible to the human ear.
Power Supply
How does the pedal get its power? Here, you will find the difference in the type of battery that each pedal takes. The TU-3 gives you more options, but this is mostly down to personal preference.
Modes
Sometimes, you want a specific sound with your music. Using a tuning pedal with different modes allows you to find a different sound without switching to a different instrument.
There are several modes within both the TU-2 and the TU-3 which allow them to tune to other guitar sounds (guitar, guitar flat, bass, and bass flat). The TU-3 has 10 different modes available, where the TU has 7 different modes.
Control Buttons
Which buttons on the pedal can help you tune your notes and change sound? While both the TU-2 and the TU-3 have ‘Mode’ and ‘Stream/Cent’ buttons, only the TU-3 has a footswitch thrown into the mix. This means you have more control, and you can do much more than just activate the pedal with the footswitch.
Reference Pitch
What pitch does the pedal use as an internal reference for your notes? Both the TU-2 and TU-3 use the same internal reference: A4, or 438 to 445 Hz. The standard guitar is tuned to 440 Hz and the fact that this reference is within a normal range can help you get the results you want when you tune up or down.
Connectors
What can you connect to the pedal? The TU-2 has an Input jack, Output jack, Bypass jack, and a place for DC In. The TU-3 uses these connectors as well, but it has an additional DC Out so you can use it with other pedals or instruments.
High Brightness Mode
The high brightness mode on the TU-3 allows you to see the display panel easier. Since the low brightness on the TU-2 sometimes required you to bend down to read it, the TU-3 includes this mode to make it easier to see from a distance.
Mute/Bypass
Both the Boss TU-2 and the Boss TU-3 pedal have mute/bypass capabilities. When you use the pedal to bypass the signal (changing it in some way), there is usually an audible sound as you change.
That isn’t the case with a mute/bypass pedal like this. You can easily change the sound of your signal without hearing any audible indicator that it’s happening, even when you hit the pedal.
Powerhouse
When a tuner pedal works as a powerhouse, it supplies power to other pedals in your setup. Only the Boss TU-3 has this feature, but it allows the pedal to power up to seven additional effect pedals so you won’t have to have separate power cords or batteries for those pedals.
Dimensions
How large is the pedal? This can help you choose where you’re going to put the pedal on your pedalboard and can tell you how portable the pedal is. The Boss TU-2 and TU-3 are the same sizes. Both are incredibly small so they will fit well on your pedalboard.
Weight
The weight can also give you some indication of how portable the pedal is. The Boss TU-2 is a bit heavier at 15oz, while the Boss TU-3 is 14oz. The difference is small but may matter to you.
Expected Battery Life
With the different types of batteries that each pedal can use, you may wonder how long the pedal can last before you need to change the battery. I’ve included the expected battery life here so you can get an idea of how long they can run on a single battery.
Boss TU-2 Overview
| IMAGE | PRODUCT | DETAILS | |
|---|---|---|---|
| BOSS TU-2 |
| VIEW ON AMAZON → |
Boss’s chromatic tuner TU-2 is a true classic from a trusted, well-renown company. The features still hold up today, even after we’ve gotten an upgraded version. Let’s take a look at the specifications that set the Boss TU-2 apart.
- 7-segment LCD
- +/- 3 cent tuning accuracy
- C0 – C8 tuning range
- A4 (438 – 445 Hz) reference pitch range
- Input, Output, Bypass, and DC In jacks
- Mute/Bypass capabilities
- 7 Modes (Chromatic, Guitar: Flat, Regular, Double Flat, Bass: Flat, Regular, Double Flat)
- 10-hour battery life
The TU-2 is a powerful chromatic tuning pedal with a huge 8-octave tuning range and great tuning accuracy as well. When it comes to tuning your sound, nothing makes it hit quite like a Boss TU-2. The display shows you exactly where your notes fall, and the visual representation helps a great deal when it comes to tuning.
Though it may take a moment to catch up to you, the TU-2 can do a great deal to change your sound. With 7 modes (including bass and standard guitar options), everything comes together much smoother.
The TU-2 has been heralded as one of the most accurate tuning pedals available; only the TU-3 has beaten its accuracy. When it comes down to it, this is the perfect small stompbox for tuning your bass and guitar so that you keep sounding the way you’re meant to.
Boss TU-3 Overview
| IMAGE | PRODUCT | DETAILS | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Our Top Pick | BOSS TU-3 |
| VIEW ON AMAZON → |
The Boss TU-3 retains most of the features of the TU-2, while also working to correct some design mistakes and add additional functionality. This updated version is much more versatile. The TU-3’s every feature works to streamline the classic functionality of the Boss TU-2.
- 21-segment LCD
- +/- 1 cent tuning accuracy
- C0 – C8 tuning range
- A4 (438 – 445 Hz) reference pitch range
- Input, Output, Bypass, DC In, and DC Out jacks
- Mute/Bypass, High Brightness, and Powerhouse capabilities
- 10 modes (Chromatic, Chromatic Flat (x2), Guitar, Guitar Flat (x2), Bass, Bass Flat (x3)
- 12-23 hour battery life
The Boss TU-3 takes many of the features of the TU-2 and improves upon them. Nowhere is this more apparent than in the light display that indicates where your guitar is tuned.
Where the TU-2 had a series of lights to indicate your note, the TU-3 has a labeled scale of multiple lights, each with much smaller increments between them. This allows you to be more precise while using the pedal.
The display is brighter as well, a decent upgrade that allows you to see the note or pitch level clearly without bending close to the pedal. The pedal also determines your note much faster than the TU-2 did, so you can tune your guitar faster.
Also, the new modes (10 of them) allow you to tune by string number, so you can tune more precisely. There are settings for 7-string guitars and 6-string bases, making it the perfect tuner for any of your guitars.
Guitar Flat mode specifically allows you to flat tune, so you can drop your tunings up to six semitones. This can be great for creating unique sounds.
Boss’s TU-3 pedal comes in a few different packages at varying costs. You can purchase the basic pedal with no additions, or you could purchase one of the following bundles.
- Boss TU-3 Bundle with Instrument Cable. This package comes with the Boss TU-3 pedal, an instrument cable, a patch cable, three guitar picks, and an Austin Bazaar polishing cloth.
- Boss TU-3 Pedal with Power Supply. Here, you can purchase a power supply along with the Boss TU-3 pedal, which does not come standard in other packages.
- Boss TU-3 Large Bundle. This package combines the contents of the previous two packages. It includes a power supply, instrument cable, patch cable, three guitar picks, and a polishing cloth.
- Boss TU-3 Bundle with Senor Cables. When you choose this Boss package, you get the TU-3 tuner pedal and four cables (two short bypass cables and two longer ones).
Verdict
When it comes to the Boss TU-2 vs TU-3, both pedals have their own merits. The Boss TU-2 is a dependable classic that many guitarists still love to use.
However, if the new features of the Boss TU-3 would elevate your playing, upgrading is undeniably the correct choice. The TU-3 is more readily available and may cost less than the discontinued TU-2, even if that wasn’t originally the case.
Whichever you choose, Boss’s chromatic tuner pedals are a step above the competition in every way. Either of these pedals would serve you well!
