The Peterson Stomp Classic Strobotuner is a strobe tuner built into a stompbox. Peterson says it combines the familiar look and performance of the vintage Conn ST-11 Strobotuner1. Its heart is a large, half-circle backlit LED that provides "spinning wheel" tuning feedback, usable in darkness or direct sunlight, in an enclosure Peterson describes as solid, professional quality construction with metal screw lugs for fastening to a pedal board1.
What it does for a player
The Stomp Classic puts strobe accuracy, the kind of tuning precision traditionally found in high-end bench and rack strobe tuners, into a floor pedal. Guitar World's reviewer summed it up this way23:
"Fitting the accurate performance and versatile features of a high-end strobe tuner into a stomp box, the Peterson Stomp Classic Strobotuner is essential for guitarists who want the best tuning capabilities available2."
Peterson says the reference pitch can be calibrated from A=390 to A=490, compared to the A=435 to 445 range it says most competitors offer1. For comparison, pedals like the Boss TU3 Tuner or TC Electronic PolyTune sit in that conventional category; see Tuner Pedals for the field.
The heart of the pedal is its display. Guitar World described a large, half-circle backlit LED providing spinning wheel tuning feedback, readable in darkness or direct sunlight, alongside an LCD23. Note selection is automatic3.
Tuning presets and calibration
The pedal ships with 25 sweetened tuning presets, optimized, per Guitar World, for electric, acoustic, alternate-tuned, 12-string and other instruments, plus space for custom tunings2. Peterson gives it 10 user preset locations for storing your own setups3. Historic temperaments are equal only, so the deeper historical temperament settings of some other Peterson tuners are not on board3. Reference pitch can be calibrated from A=390 to A=490, against the A=435 to 445 range of most competitors, which matters for players matching old pianos, vintage instruments or ensembles at nonstandard pitch2.
Build, switching and connections
Peterson describes a heavy duty, die-cast chassis with a 3PDT stomp switch, making the Stomp Classic road-worthy and reliable3. Guitar World's reviewer called the construction solid and professional quality, noting metal screw lugs that let you fasten the pedal securely to a pedalboard2. The form factor is pedal/floor3, and the unit doubles as an active DI3.
The pedal's construction is solid and professional quality, with metal screw lugs that let you fasten it securely to a pedal board1.
The Stomp Classic's strobe approach follows the vintage Conn ST-11 Strobotuner, whose look and performance Peterson says it combines1. See Tuner Pedals for how it sits among other tuner options.
Where it came from
Peterson modeled the Stomp Classic on the vintage Conn ST-11 Strobotuner, saying it "combines the familiar look and performance of the vintage Conn ST-11 Strobotuner"1. The design carried that strobe approach into the pedalboard format, with a large, half-circle backlit LED providing "spinning wheel" tuning feedback that Peterson says is usable in darkness or direct sunlight1.
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Questions
Is the Peterson Stomp Classic Strobotuner discontinued?
Yes. Peterson's own product page for the Stomp Classic lists it as discontinued. The pedal was introduced at NAMM 2011 as the StroboStomp Classic, and Peterson later moved on to the StroboStomp HD, announced at NAMM 2019 with a high-definition LCD screen, true or buffered bypass and over 100 sweetened tunings.
How accurate is the Peterson Stomp Classic?
Guitar World's review found the Stomp Classic accurate within 0.1 cents, which the reviewer put at five to 10 times more accurate than other pedal tuners, most of which are accurate to 0.5 or 1 cent. Peterson's own strobe tuners are built around that same level of precision.
What is a strobe tuner and how does it differ from a regular pedal tuner?
A strobe tuner shows pitch by the movement of a light pattern, in the Stomp Classic's case a large half-circle backlit LED giving spinning wheel feedback. That method is more precise than the meter or needle display of a conventional pedal tuner: Guitar World measured the Stomp Classic at 0.1-cent accuracy against the 0.5 to 1 cent of most rivals.
What tuning presets does the Peterson Stomp Classic have?
Guitar World counted 25 sweetened tuning presets optimized for electric, acoustic, alternate-tuned, 12-string and other instruments, plus space for custom tunings. Peterson also gives the pedal 10 user preset locations, and its historic temperaments are equal temperament only.
Which Peterson pedal came after the Stomp Classic?
Peterson announced the StroboStomp HD at NAMM 2019. It carries over the 0.1-cent accuracy, adds a high-definition multi-color LCD screen, true or buffered bypass, USB connectivity and over 100 sweetened tunings, at a $129.99 street price.
Sources (3)
- Peterson Releases StroboStomp Classic, No Treble
- Review: Peterson Stomp Classic Strobotuner, Guitar World, 2012-11-09
- Stomp Classic, Peterson Electro-Musical Products, Inc.
