Boss TU-80From real comments

Name: Boss TU-80
Rating: 2.6 (12 reviews)

Verdict distilled from 12 mentions across 10 aspects in comments under product review videos.

Positive sentiment36%

PROS 36%

CONS 64%

Rank based on 12 mentions across 10 aspects

View the verdict as

Buy this if...

You want a tuner/metronome combo that survives years of daily gig and rehearsal use
You're a beginner or home player who doesn't need a headphone-out metronome
You just need basic note and string-number tuning feedback

What users love

Long-term durability0 mentions

Strongly positive

Good tuning accuracy (for some users)0 mentions

Widely praised

Useful for beginners and home use0 mentions

Widely praised

String-number indicator feature0 mentions

Generally positive

Skip this if...

You rely on hearing the metronome clearly while playing an instrument
You need a lit display for tuning in dim environments
You want a DC adapter and full accessory set included

What users complain about

Metronome lacks volume control and headphone output0 mentions

Strongly criticized

Inconsistent or poor tuning accuracy0 mentions

Frequently criticized

No screen backlight0 mentions

Frequently criticized

Confusing controls and interface0 mentions

Generally negative

Missing accessories0 mentions

Generally negative

Vague instructions0 mentions

Generally negative

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You are here

31Budget

Boss TU-80

Good tuning accuracy (for some users)Long-term durabilityString-number indicator featureMetronome lacks volume control and headphone outputConfusing controls and interfaceInconsistent or poor tuning accuracy

Boss TU-80

Good tuning accuracy (for some users)

Long-term durability

String-number indicator feature

Metronome lacks volume control and headphone output

Confusing controls and interface

Inconsistent or poor tuning accuracy

Versatile
1. MXR Super Badass Distortionarrow_upward15
2. Wampler Paisley Drivearrow_upward6
3. Mad Professor Sweet Honey Overdrivearrow_upward4
Expensive
1. Moog Subsequent 37arrow_downward3
2. Origin Effects Deluxe61arrow_downward3
3. Eventide Orvillearrow_downward4
Dynamic response
1. Mad Professor Sweet Honey Overdrivearrow_upward8
2. Wampler Paisley Drivearrow_upward2
Build quality
1. Moog Subsequent 37arrow_upward3
2. Origin Effects Deluxe61arrow_upward1

Overall Impression

Built to outlast almost anything you throw at it. One long-time owner reports using the same TU-80 for over ten years through school, gigs, and rehearsals without it ever failing, comparing its toughness to an old Nokia phone. They note it's not a professional-grade tuner and suggest clip-on or pedal tuners for gigging musicians, but for beginners and home use they recommend it confidently based on this extended firsthand reliability.

The metronome is the tuner's biggest weak spot. Multiple users single out the metronome as a disaster, saying there's no volume control and no headphone output, so clicks get drowned out even by an unplugged electric guitar. One reviewer who liked the tuner itself still called the metronome awful for the same reasons, saying Boss let them down for the first time on this feature.

Screen visibility and controls confuse some users. One user says the lack of screen backlighting makes it very difficult to see without a light pointed directly at it, and they were unsure what several buttons did or what the string-number indicators (like E1 vs E2) meant. Another comment explains those numbers actually correspond to string number, suggesting the interface isn't intuitive without outside guidance.

Outdated / Not-accurate data?

check_circleLong-term durability

1 mentions

Strongly positive

A user reports over ten years of continuous use through school, gigs, and rehearsals without the unit ever failing. They liken its toughness to a classic indestructible device.

@bsnf-5

I have it for many years now, and as much as it is not perfect tuner, one thing can be said about it, it lasts forever. It's been with me for like 10+ years, had it in school, gigs, rehealsals, everywhere. Never let me down and still works after all these years. So I don't really recommend it for profesional musicians, they better go with a clip Ibanez tuner, or maybe a pedal tuner down in your pedalboard if you have one. But for beginners and home use, I can honestly recommend it, because this tuner is like old Nokia. It just never dies

smart_display

October 1, 2024

tuneGood tuning accuracy (for some users)

1 mentions

Widely praised

One reviewer explicitly calls the tuner itself very good, even while criticizing the metronome separately. This suggests the core tuning function performs well for at least some players.

@petronius_r6719

The tuner is very good, but the metronome is awful.\r\n It has no volume control, much less output for headphones.\r\n The \"clicks\" are very low volume. Hard to hear them\r\n For the first time the Boss let me down ..

smart_display

April 10, 2011

homeUseful for beginners and home use

1 mentions

Widely praised

A long-time owner recommends the TU-80 specifically for beginners and home practice, distinguishing it from professional-grade clip or pedal tuners. This positions it as a solid entry-level, budget-friendly choice.

@bsnf-5

smart_display

October 1, 2024

infoString-number indicator feature

1 mentions

Generally positive

The tuner shows a number next to the note (like E1, A2, D3) indicating which string is being tuned, which one user explains as a helpful reference once understood.

@IRONSTORM4

Nice Tuner if you notice there is a number next to the note when the string is in tune such as E1 , A2 , D3 That number is the number of the string. Also the Value buttons are for the speed of the Metonome one way to check if the tuner is giving you the correct pitch is to use a tuning fork over the mic and see if the tuner has the same pitch as the fork. Also remember if you are going to play along to recordings sometimes you need to tune to the recording because of the speed of the recording

smart_display

March 3, 2013

volume_offMetronome lacks volume control and headphone output

3 mentions

Strongly criticized

Multiple users complain there's no way to adjust the metronome volume and no headphone jack, making it hard to use for recording or practice without bleeding into recordings. One called it too quiet to be useful at all.

@SkaMar

You can't change the metronome volume on this tuner! That's a weak option. Mine for example is too quiet and what? You can't do anything about it. Besides, there's no headphone output, which is very useful when we want to record something with the metronome but so that it's not heard on the recording (you can turn the sound off completely). If you look closely, it's actually not that great and certainly not the cheapest.

smart_displayTranslated from Polish

October 2, 2019

@ArianeQube

the metronome is a disaster....I'm sorry I ever bought this, it's total crap, even my unplugged electric can easily cover it's sound, and I can't hear shit...

smart_display

July 15, 2011

@petronius_r6719

smart_display

April 10, 2011

warningInconsistent or poor tuning accuracy

1 mentions

Frequently criticized

One user says the tuner skips notes and can't read pitch properly, calling it more of a hindrance than a help and recommending a free phone app instead.

@serioussam4105

Do not buy this trash. In my experience it's cant even be called a tuner since it can't even read the notes properly, it often skips the notes. It is more pain in the neck than the actual tuner. Avoid at all cost. Simple digital tuner which comes with guitar tuna and by the way is completely free way better than this garbage at 30 bucks. AVOID.

smart_display

May 29, 2023

visibility_offNo screen backlight

1 mentions

Frequently criticized

A user found the display very difficult to read without external light pointed directly at it, which hurts usability in dim rooms or stage settings.

@thomaslloyd8306

I have this tuner... I hate it! No light on the screen makes it VERY difficult to see if you don't have a light pointed right at it. I have no idea what the other buttons are for or what they do. What are the numbers that appear next to the note indicator? Is it for the string??? Why do I see E2 when I'm trying to tune my top string? Shouldn't it be E1??? I hate the this tuner!!! And this video SUCKS too!!!

smart_display

December 29, 2020

help_outlineConfusing controls and interface

1 mentions

Generally negative

Users report not understanding what several buttons do or what the string-number indicators mean, leading to confusion during basic tuning tasks.

@thomaslloyd8306

smart_display

December 29, 2020

power_offMissing accessories

1 mentions

Generally negative

One buyer was surprised the unit didn't include a DC adapter plug, unlike features they expected based on comparison to another Boss model.

@Trials-and-Tribulations

What?? No dc adapter plug shit. I thought it was like the Tu 88 without Mp3-Ipod and Tap tempo feature. \n\nThe 2 in 1 tuner metronome is was I like an the accupitch

smart_display

January 2, 2015

descriptionVague instructions

1 mentions

Generally negative

A user says the included instructions are very vague, contributing to difficulty understanding the device shortly after purchase.

@phillipholt1073

My tuner is already obsolete and I had it less than year. GUESS WHAT? The instructions are very vague!Phillip Austin

smart_display

August 19, 2019

Boss TU-80chat_bubble_outlineFrom real comments

thumb_up_off_altBuy this if...

What users lovefavorite_border

thumb_down_off_altSkip this if...

What users complain aboutheart_broken

Compare in seconds

Who wins on what

Versatile

Expensive

Dynamic response

Build quality

auto_awesomeOverall Impression

Boss TU-80From real comments

Buy this if...

What users love

Skip this if...

What users complain about

Overall Impression