Fender FCT-2 Professional Clip-On Tuner: A Review
If you are looking for a reliable, easy-to-use, and versatile clip-on tuner for your guitar, bass, ukulele, violin, or any other stringed instrument, you might want to consider the Fender FCT-2 Professional Clip-On Tuner. This tuner is a compact, dual-hinged device that attaches securely to your instrument’s headstock and provides accurate tuning in various modes and settings. In this article, we will review the features, benefits, and drawbacks of this tuner, as well as compare it with some of its competitors. We will also share some customer reviews and a link to buy it online.
Features
The Fender FCT-2 Professional Clip-On Tuner has the following features:
– A color LCD screen with an easy-to-read tuning needle that indicates how close to pitch each note is, and moves to the center of the display once the note is in tune.
– Three tuning modes: chromatic, guitar, bass, ukulele, and violin. The chromatic mode can tune any note within the range of A0 to C8, while the other modes are optimized for specific instruments and tunings.
– A calibration function that allows you to adjust the reference pitch from A4 = 435 Hz to 445 Hz, in case you need to match the tuning of another instrument or a recording.
– A power-saving feature that automatically turns off the tuner after three minutes of inactivity.
– A CR2032 battery that is included in the package and can last for up to 16 hours of continuous use.
Benefits
The Fender FCT-2 Professional Clip-On Tuner offers several benefits for musicians of all levels and styles:
– It is easy to use and operate. You just need to clip it on your instrument, turn it on, select the mode you want, and start tuning. The tuner will detect the vibrations of your strings and display the note name and the tuning accuracy on the screen.
– It is accurate and responsive. The tuner has a tolerance of +/- 0.5 cents in chromatic mode and +/- 1 cent in other modes, which means it can detect very small differences in pitch and help you achieve precise tuning. The tuner also responds quickly to your string changes and shows the results without delay.
– It is versatile and adaptable. The tuner can tune a wide range of instruments and notes, as well as accommodate different tuning preferences and situations. You can use it for standard or alternate tunings, as well as for transposing instruments or capoed frets. You can also adjust the reference pitch to match other sources or environments.
– It is compact and convenient. The tuner has a dual-hinge design that allows you to mount it on either side of your instrument’s headstock, depending on your preference and visibility. The tuner is also lightweight and portable, so you can easily carry it with you wherever you go.
Drawbacks
The Fender FCT-2 Professional Clip-On Tuner has some drawbacks that you should be aware of before buying it:
– It can damage nitrocellulose finishes. Some customers have reported that the tuner’s rubber pads can leave marks or stains on instruments with nitrocellulose finishes, which are common on vintage or high-end guitars. If you have such an instrument, you might want to avoid using this tuner or protect your finish with a cloth or tape.
– It can be affected by ambient noise. Although the tuner uses a vibration sensor to tune your instrument, it can still pick up some background noise from other sources or instruments nearby. This can interfere with your tuning accuracy and stability. To avoid this problem, you should try to tune your instrument in a quiet place or use headphones or earplugs.
– It can be hard to read in bright sunlight. Some customers have complained that the tuner’s screen is not very bright or clear when used outdoors or under direct sunlight. This can make it difficult to see the tuning needle and the note name on the display. To solve this issue, you might need to adjust the angle of the tuner or find some shade.
Comparison
To help you decide if the Fender FCT-2 Professional Clip-On Tuner is right for you, we have compared it with three other popular clip-on tuners on the market: the TC Electronic Polytune Clip, the Snark ST-2 Super Tight, and the D’Addario NS Micro Tuner. Here is a table that summarizes their main features and differences:
| Feature | Fender FCT-2 | TC Electronic Polytune Clip | Snark ST-2 Super Tight | D’Addario NS Micro Tuner |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Price | $19.99 | $49.99 | $13.99 | $17.40 |
| Modes | Chromatic, guitar, bass, ukulele, violin | Polyphonic, chromatic, strobe | Chromatic, guitar, bass, violin, ukulele | Chromatic |
| Tuning range | A0-C8 | A0-C8 | A0-C8 | A0-C8 |
| Calibration range | A4 = 435-445 Hz | A4 = 435-445 Hz | A4 = 415-466 Hz | A4 = 410-480 Hz |
| Accuracy | +/- 0.5 cents (chromatic), +/- 1 cent (other modes) | +/- 0.02 cent (strobe), +/- 0.5 cent (chromatic) | +/- 1 cent | +/- 0.3 cent |
| Screen | Color LCD with tuning needle | Color LED with tuning needle or matrix | Color LCD with tuning needle or smiley face | Monochrome LCD with tuning meter |
| Battery | CR2032 (included) | CR2032 (included) | CR2032 (included) | CR2032 (included) |
| Battery life | Up to 16 hours | Up to 18 hours | Up to 20 hours | Up to 20 hours |
| Size and weight | 2 x 1 x 2 inches, 1.6 ounces | 1.97 x 1.97 x 1.97 inches, 1.12 ounces | 3.5 x 3 x 2 inches, 1.6 ounces | 1.25 x 1 x 0.75 inches, 0.32 ounces |
As you can see from the table, the Fender FCT-2 Professional Clip-On Tuner is a mid-range option that offers a good balance of features, performance, and price. It has more modes than the D’Addario NS Micro Tuner, but less than the TC Electronic Polytune Clip and the Snark ST-2 Super Tight. It has a similar accuracy and battery life to the Snark ST-2 Super Tight, but lower than the TC Electronic Polytune Clip and the D’Addario NS Micro Tuner. It has a larger and heavier design than the TC Electronic Polytune Clip and the D’Addario NS Micro Tuner, but smaller and lighter than the Snark ST-2 Super Tight.
Depending on your needs and preferences, you might find one of these tuners more suitable for you than the others. For example, if you want the most accurate and versatile tuner, you might prefer the TC Electronic Polytune Clip, which has three tuning modes, including a polyphonic mode that allows you to tune all your strings at once. However, if you want a more affordable and simple tuner, you might like the D’Addario NS Micro Tuner, which has a discreet and minimalist design that fits behind your headstock and a high accuracy level.
Customer Reviews
To give you a better idea of what other customers think of the Fender FCT-2 Professional Clip-On Tuner, we have selected some representative reviews from Amazon.com, where it has an average rating of 4.6 out of 5 stars from over 15,000 ratings. Here are some positive and negative reviews:
Positive reviews:
– “I love this tuner! It’s easy to use, accurate, and works great on my acoustic guitar, electric guitar, and ukulele. The screen is bright and clear, and the tuner is sturdy and well-made. I highly recommend it!”
– “This is a great clip-on tuner for the price. It has multiple modes for different instruments and tunings, and it calibrates easily. It clips on securely and doesn’t damage my guitar’s finish. It’s also very responsive and fast.”
– “This is one of the best tuners I’ve ever used. It’s very precise and reliable, and it has a nice color display that shows the note name and the tuning accuracy. It also has a power-saving feature that turns it off automatically after a few minutes of inactivity.”
Negative reviews:
– “I was disappointed with this tuner. It didn’t work well on my bass guitar, it was too sensitive to ambient noise, and it drained the battery quickly. I returned it and bought a different tuner instead.”
– “This tuner is not compatible with nitrocellulose finishes. It left marks on my Gibson Les Paul that I had to polish off with a cloth. Be careful if you have an expensive or vintage guitar with this type of finish.”
– “This tuner is hard to read in bright sunlight. The screen is not very bright or contrasted, and it washes out easily when used outdoors or under direct light. I wish it had a backlight option or a dimmer switch.”
Conclusion
The Fender FCT-2 Professional Clip-On Tuner is a good choice for musicians who want a reliable, easy-to-use,
and versatile clip-on tuner for their instruments. It has a color LCD screen, three tuning modes, a calibration function, and a power-saving feature. It is accurate, responsive, and adaptable to various tuning situations and preferences. It is also compact, convenient, and easy to operate.
However, the tuner also has some drawbacks that might affect your satisfaction and performance. It can damage nitrocellulose finishes, be affected by ambient noise, and be hard to read in bright sunlight. You should be careful of these issues and take precautions to avoid them.
If you are interested in buyingyou can click on this link to order it online from Amazon.com. The current price is $19.99, and you can enjoy free shipping and returns if you are a Prime member. You can also check out other customer reviews and ratings on the product page.
We hope this article has helped you learn more about the Fender FCT-2 Professional Clip-On Tuner and decide if it is the right tuner for you. If you have any questions or feedback, please feel free to leave a comment below. Thank you for reading and happy tuning! the Fender FCT-2 Professional Clip-On Tuner, you can click on this link to order it online from Amazon.com. The current price is $19.99, and you can enjoy free shipping and returns if you are a Prime member. You can also check out other customer reviews and ratings on the product page.
We hope this article has helped you learn more about the Fender FCT-2 Professional Clip-On Tuner and decide if it is the right tuner for you. If you have any questions or feedback, please feel free to leave a comment below. Thank you for reading and happy tuning!
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