Peterson StroboStomp Classic

The Peterson StroboStomp Classic is a stompbox strobe tuner with a built-in XLR direct box from Peterson. Peterson pitched it as a retro stomp box tuner, and the die-cast chassis carries a small bar around the XLR out that mimics the ST-11 and doubles as a cable guard, with .1 cent note detection, true bypass and a 3-Year No Fault Warranty¹. Performer Magazine listed it at $199, with the reviewer calling it well worth the $200 street price².

The display, modes and DI controls

The display is a large, high-contrast LCD that Peterson explains is easily visible in the dark as well as direct sunlight, which matters on a dark stage or an outdoor festival slot¹. The pedal runs in two configurations:

Monitor mode: the tuner and XLR DI signal are active, but can be muted for silent tuning between songs²
Active DI mode: a mutable DI that, when engaged, mutes the DI and engages the tuner²

The built-in DI is a working direct box, not just a tuner output. It has a ground lift selector to deal with ground loop hum, plus 0, 10 and 20dB level options².

"In addition to true bypass, the StroboStomp Classic has a built-in active DI."

No Treble, Kevin Johnson¹

The footswitch is true bypass, eliminating any tone suck, according to Performer Magazine's reviewer². All the components sit in a die-cast chassis with a small bar around the XLR out that both mimics the ST-11 and serves as a cable guard¹.

Power and connections: 9V, battery and USB

The pedal offers three ways to power it: a 9V power connection for a standard pedalboard supply, a USB port on the output side, and quick-release battery access for swapping batteries without tools¹². Input and output jacks are by Switchcraft, which the reviewer described as part of a well-designed package². Peterson backed the pedal with a 3-Year No Fault Warranty¹.

The StroboStomp Classic connects via a 9v power connection, and there is also a USB port in the output side². Input and output jacks are by Switchcraft, and the pedal offers Quick-Release Battery Access¹². Peterson later introduced the Peterson StroboStomp HD³.

What reviewers said

Performer Magazine's review summed up the pedal's strengths as the DI function, true bypass and plenty of tuning modes².

"With input and output jacks by Switchcraft, it's well designed."

Chris Devine, Performer Magazine²

For players comparing strobe tuners in pedal form, the Classic sits alongside the Peterson StroboStomp and Peterson StroboStomp Mini in Peterson's pedal range, and against strobe-style rivals like the Sonic Research Turbo Tuner ST-300 Mini and the VOX VXT-1 Strobe Pedal Tuner. See the full range on the Tuner Pedals page.

Videos

**Peterson Stomp Classic Tuner NAMM 2011**
bassfrontiersmag

Questions

Is the Peterson StroboStomp Classic true bypass?

Yes. Peterson's press release describes the pedal as having true bypass, and Performer Magazine's reviewer confirmed that the footswitch is true bypass, eliminating any tone suck. The pedal also carries a built-in active DI, so the XLR output can feed a front-of-house mix while the guitar signal passes through the pedal unaffected when the tuner is not engaged.

Does the StroboStomp Classic run on a battery?

Yes. The pedal includes quick-release battery access, so a battery can be swapped without tools, alongside a 9V power connection and a USB port on the output side. Performer Magazine's review notes the 9V connection and USB port as part of the pedal's rear-panel layout.

What does the ground lift switch do on the StroboStomp Classic?

The built-in DI has a ground lift selector, which breaks the ground connection between the XLR output and the pedal to help eliminate hum caused by ground loops when feeding a PA or recording interface. The DI also offers 0, 10 and 20dB level options, according to Performer Magazine's review.

How accurate is the StroboStomp Classic?

Peterson's press release states the pedal boasts .1 cent note detection, meaning it can resolve pitch differences as small as a tenth of a cent, far finer than the ear typically needs. That strobe-style accuracy is the feature the pedal's design, based on the Conn ST-11 Strobotuner, is built around.

What is the difference between the StroboStomp Classic and the StroboStomp HD?

The Classic, released at NAMM 2011, is a retro-styled strobe tuner modeled after the Conn ST-11 Strobotuner with a monochrome LCD and a built-in XLR DI. The StroboStomp HD, announced at NAMM 2019, added a high-definition multi-color display, over 100 sweetened tunings, USB connectivity and a choice of true or buffered bypass, at a $129.99 street price.

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