The BOSS TU-1000 Stage Tuner was Boss's large-format floor tuner, launched at Winter NAMM 2009 for $299 and billed as "pro-caliber tuning for the stage floor" and the flagship of Boss's tuner range1. Its idea was simple: take what was essentially a rack tuner and put it on the floor, giving players a display far larger than any compact pedal tuner's. Production ended in 2015, and the unit now sells secondhand from time to time1.
A rack tuner on the floor
Guitar World's retrospective describes the TU-1000 as Boss "sticking what was essentially a rack tuner on the floor"1. At 414mm wide and 2.2kg, it dwarfed the compact pedal tuners around it, and that scale had a practical purpose: the large display was of genuine benefit to visually impaired guitarists, such as country guitarist Johnny Hiland, who endorsed and used the unit shortly after its launch1.
"That large display was of genuine benefit to visually impaired guitarists, such as country great Johnny Hiland, who endorsed and used the unit shortly after its launch."
The tuner offered two tuning modes and could handle open and drop tunings, so players working below standard pitch were covered1. It also carried a pair of outputs, and on-board power for up to seven Boss pedals, making it a tuner and a pedalboard power supply in one large chassis1.
Where it sits in Boss's tuner line
The TU-1000 arrived at Winter NAMM 2009, where it was billed as "pro-caliber tuning for the stage floor"1. It was Boss's large-format floor tuner, sitting alongside the company's compact TU-3 pedal tuner as a bigger alternative for players who wanted a large display on the stage floor1. Boss has since offered smaller variations on that compact line, such as the BOSS TU-3s and the TU-3W Waza Craft1.
Discontinuation and the used market
Production of the TU-1000 halted in 2015, and Guitar World reported that retailers were blowing the tuners out for as little as $39 as the line wound down1. The unit continues to sell online from time to time, and as of March 2023 secondhand prices on Reverb were fluctuating between $63 and $1311.
The TU-1000 is discontinued. New stock is gone; what is available comes from the secondhand market, where prices as of March 2023 ranged from $63 to $131 on Reverb1.
Reception among players was strong. Guitar World notes that user comments are unanimously positive, with older players and those who struggle to see regular tuners praising the unit's clear visibility in particular1.
Manual and documentation
Boss still hosts the TU-1000 owner's manual on its support site, available in seven languages2.
Videos
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Questions
Is the BOSS TU-1000 discontinued?
Yes. Production of the TU-1000 halted in 2015, and Guitar World reported that retailers were blowing the tuners out for as little as $39 as the production line ground to a halt. The unit continues to sell online from time to time on the secondhand market, so players who want one need to look at used listings rather than new stock.
How much does a used BOSS TU-1000 cost?
As of March 2023, Guitar World reported secondhand prices on Reverb fluctuating between $63 and $131. That is well below the $299 the tuner launched for in 2009, though prices on the used market move around, so what a particular listing costs can differ.
Can the BOSS TU-1000 power other pedals?
Yes. Guitar World notes there was power on board for up to seven Boss pedals, which made the TU-1000 a combined tuner and power supply for a pedalboard. That is one of the ways it differed from smaller pedal tuners such as the TU-2 and TU-3.
Does the TU-1000 handle drop tunings?
Yes. Guitar World reports that the TU-1000 could handle open and drop tunings, and that it offered two tuning modes. That made it usable for players working below standard pitch, not just standard-tuned guitars.
How big is the BOSS TU-1000?
It is large for a floor pedal: Guitar World gives the width as 414mm and the weight as 2.2kg. The scale came from putting what was essentially a rack tuner on the floor, and it gave the TU-1000 a display far bigger than a compact pedal tuner's.
Where can I find the BOSS TU-1000 manual?
Boss still hosts the owner's manual on its product support pages. The TU-1000 owner's manual is available in seven languages through Boss's global support site for the product, so documentation remains easy to find even though the tuner itself was discontinued in 2015.
Sources (2)
- Boss TU-1000: the huge tuner pedal that launched 100 memes, Guitar World, 2023-03-20
- BOSS - Support - TU-1000 - Owner's Manuals, BOSS
