Boss TU-2From real comments

Verdict distilled from 23 mentions across 11 aspects in comments under product review videos.

Positive sentiment57%
PROS 57%
CONS 43%

Rank based on 23 mentions across 11 aspects

View the verdict as

Buy this if...

  • You want a pedal tuner that owners keep for decades without wanting to upgrade
  • You need a 9V power output to daisy-chain other pedals on your board
  • You want strobe-mode precision in addition to standard chromatic tuning

What users love

Skip this if...

  • You're annoyed by jumpy or flickering tuning lights during setup
  • You want clear printed instructions instead of figuring out buttons yourself
  • You're sensitive to added tone coloration from an always-on buffer

What users complain about

Compare in seconds

Based on user comments

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Articulate sound
Great with extended-range guitars
Strong overall tone quality
Price concerns
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Musical analog toneLong-term reliability and board loyaltySimple, intuitive controlsHigh price pointCheaper alternatives seen as comparableDistortion at high settings
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Musical analog tone
Long-term reliability and board loyalty
Simple, intuitive controls
High price point
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Distortion at high settings
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Touch-sensitive dynamics
Long-term favorite / durability of appeal
Sweet, low-gain tone quality
High price versus clones
Deluxe loses some original character
Limited mid control
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4Mid
MXR Super Badass Distortion
Exceptional versatilityNatural, amp-like tonePowerful 3-band EQDemo videos undersell the pedalNoticeable noise floorVolume drop when engaged
MXR Super Badass Distortion
Exceptional versatility
Natural, amp-like tone
Powerful 3-band EQ
Demo videos undersell the pedal
Noticeable noise floor
Volume drop when engaged
5Premium
Eventide Orville
Exceptional reverb qualityHigh-quality warm pitch shiftingStrong aspirational appealHigh priceCheaper alternatives may sufficeEffect can feel like it plays for you
Eventide Orville
Exceptional reverb quality
High-quality warm pitch shifting
Strong aspirational appeal
High price
Cheaper alternatives may suffice
Effect can feel like it plays for you
6Premium
Origin Effects Deluxe61
Authentic amp-like toneExcellent low-to-mid gain driveUnderrated favorite among ownersHigh price pointLimited gain-staging flexibilityNo built-in reverb
Origin Effects Deluxe61
Authentic amp-like tone
Excellent low-to-mid gain drive
Underrated favorite among owners
High price point
Limited gain-staging flexibility
No built-in reverb
7Premium
Roland TR-808
Iconic, powerful kick drumWarmer, more alive analog characterCultural and historical influenceExtremely high collector priceAnalog noise and static requiring EQReliability concerns of aging hardware
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Iconic, powerful kick drum
Warmer, more alive analog character
Cultural and historical influence
Extremely high collector price
Analog noise and static requiring EQ
Reliability concerns of aging hardware
8Premium
Moog Subsequent 37
Inspiring and addictive to playWarm, fat analog toneStrong DAW/VST editor integrationHigh price for what it offersLimited versatility outside bass rangeNeeds effects/partner gear to shine
Moog Subsequent 37
Inspiring and addictive to play
Warm, fat analog tone
Strong DAW/VST editor integration
High price for what it offers
Limited versatility outside bass range
Needs effects/partner gear to shine
9
Wampler Tumnus V2
Klon Centaur-style toneConvincing demo influenced purchaseExcellent clean boostNot suited for metal tones
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Klon Centaur-style tone
Convincing demo influenced purchase
Excellent clean boost
Not suited for metal tones
10Mid
Wampler Paisley Drive
Transparent toneVersatile across genresWorks well across many guitar typesTwo-channel routing complexityDry signal bleed-throughInconsistent demo impressions
Wampler Paisley Drive
Transparent tone
Versatile across genres
Works well across many guitar types
Two-channel routing complexity
Dry signal bleed-through
Inconsistent demo impressions
You are here
31Mid
Boss TU-2
Long-term reliabilityTuning accuracy9V power output for pedalboardConfusing mode switchingUnclear or missing instructionsJumpy or flickering display
Boss TU-2
Long-term reliability
Tuning accuracy
9V power output for pedalboard
Confusing mode switching
Unclear or missing instructions
Jumpy or flickering display

Who wins on what

Ranked by what users actually praise

Overall Impression

Long-term reliability is the TU-2's strongest selling point. Multiple commenters mention owning the same TU-2 for 20-25 years, still using it at the front of their pedalboard and having no plans to upgrade to the TU-3. It's described as reliable, accurate, and easier to use than clip-on headstock tuners, which some players are actively replacing with this pedal after trusting its consistent performance over decades of gigging and practice.

The buffer and power features add practical value beyond tuning. The pedal includes a 9V power output for daisy-chaining other pedals with a consistent voltage circuit, which users call a genuinely useful feature. Its buffer circuit is debated - some believe it helps retain high-end tone often lost in long cable runs and pedal chains, while others feel it changes the tone noticeably, though not everyone agrees it 'sucks' tone as harshly as the term implies.

New or casual users often hit a confusing learning curve. Several buyers struggled to understand mode-switching between chromatic and other tuning settings, accidentally landing on the wrong mode mid-show or being unable to find note versus number mode. Instructions are criticized as too small or effectively absent, leaving users guessing about battery placement, button meanings like B/Y/C/G, and whether allen screws on the display are functional or cosmetic.

Outdated / Not-accurate data?