The Korg GA30 tuner is still useful

Note: The modern version of this tuner is the GA50.

The Korg GA30 tuner you see above was acquired at a thrift store for 25 cents. Yes, really. It was stone dead when I got it, but all it needed was a fresh set of two AAA batteries and it was good to go.

Since getting this thing it's actually become surprisingly useful for three main reasons.

First, I can use this without even having to plug the guitar into it. The moment you turn it on, the microphone is active. I just play a single string on my guitar since it's already plugged into my amp anyway, the GA30 hears it and instantly gives me a reading on whether the note is in tune or not.

Second, this is, by far, the absolute easiest tuner to use for flat tuning. You can set from one up to FIVE semitones flat. All from one button, the "FLAT" button. Brilliant. And it even has built-in functionality for 7-string tuning. I don't play 7-string, but hey, nice that it's there if I want to do baritone tuning.

Third is something I didn't even know the GA30 (and GA50) could do. Output a reference tone. That's what the "SOUND" button is for. Press the button and a tone plays, starting with B, then EADGBE when on the guitar setting (which it is by default). I sometimes prefer tuning by reference tone instead of by its internal microphone. Great to have.

I am genuinely impressed by this little thing. If mine breaks at some point, I'm definitely buying the GA50 since it's almost the same thing. In fact, it is the same thing but with one added feature. The 50 has an output jack so it can be used in a pedalboard setup whereas the 30 doesn't.

Published 2020 Feb 25