The Snark SN-10S is a chromatic pedal tuner for guitarists and bassists, listed by RockBoard's PedalPedia as the SN-10 by Snark1. Premier Guitar's review describes it as a more cost-effective pedal tuner from Snark Tuners, with a street price of $50 USD as of the review's date2. It sits in the same family as the company's earlier Snark SN10 pedal tuner and the rechargeable Snark Air clip-on.
What it does
The SN-10S tunes chromatically, meaning it recognizes every note in the scale rather than being fixed to standard guitar tuning. RockBoard's PedalPedia describes it as featuring a large, easy-to-read display and being built like a tank, making it a reliable and durable addition to any pedalboard1. Premier Guitar's reviewer called out "a very large and bright LED readout" and found that "the smooth-scrolling and easy-to-read LED readout is fast and responsive"2.
On accuracy, the reviewer's verdict was short:
"Amazing pitch accuracy."
Specifications
| Specification | Value |
|---|---|
| Type | Chromatic pedal tuner for guitar and bass1 |
| Circuit | Analog1 |
| Bypass | True bypass2 |
| Power | 9V DC, center negative, 30mA1 |
| Battery | 9V battery2 |
| Calibration range | 415 to 466 Hz2 |
| Connections | 9V DC in and out jacks2 |
| Street price | $50 USD2 |
Power and connections
The SN-10S runs on 9V DC, center negative, and draws 30mA according to RockBoard's PedalPedia's specifications1. It can also run from a 9V battery: Premier Guitar notes "It can also be powered by a 9V battery just in case you left your power supply at home or the last gig"2.
The pedal's power connections work like this:
- 9V DC input, center negative, drawing 30mA1
- 9V battery as an alternative power source2
- 9V DC out jack, "for powering not only the pedal itself, but other pedals in the signal chain"2
That means the SN-10S can sit in a chain and pass power along to another pedal, a role some players use a dedicated tuner pedal for on crowded boards2.
With a 30mA current draw1, the SN-10S is light on a power supply, but its 9V DC in and out jacks mean it can also relay power to another pedal in the chain2.
Calibration and bypass
Premier Guitar gives the SN-10S a calibration range of 415 to 466 Hz2, wide enough to tune to ensembles or instruments that sit away from standard concert pitch. The pedal's true bypass switching2 keeps the tuner out of the signal path when it is not in use.
How it compares
The SN-10S is a single-note chromatic tuner in a standard pedal enclosure. Other pedal tuners on the site take different approaches12:
- The TC Electronic PolyTune tunes multiple strings at once
- The Peterson StroboStomp HD uses strobe-style accuracy
- The Boss TU3 Tuner is the long-running standard-format option
Where the SN-10S differs is price and power handling: at a $50 street price2 with DC in and out jacks2, it positions itself as an affordable tuner that can also share power with a neighbor on the board.
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Jeff James
musicnbooksdotcom
METAL MORNING THOUGHTS
Questions
Is the Snark SN-10S true bypass?
Yes. Premier Guitar's review describes the SN-10S as having true bypass switching, so when the tuner is not engaged, your guitar's signal passes through the pedal without the tuner circuit loading it down. The pedal also has 9V DC in and out jacks, so it can pass power along to other pedals in the chain while staying out of your signal path.
What power supply does the Snark SN-10S need?
The SN-10S runs on 9V DC, center negative, and draws 30mA, according to the maker's specifications. It also has 9V DC in and out jacks, which Premier Guitar notes can power not only the pedal itself but other pedals in the signal chain. A 9V battery can power it as well.
Does the Snark SN-10S run on a battery?
Yes. Premier Guitar's review notes that the SN-10S can be powered by a 9V battery, which the reviewer described as handy if you left your power supply at home or at the last gig. It also runs on a standard 9V DC, center negative supply.
What is the calibration range of the Snark SN-10S?
Premier Guitar's review gives the SN-10S a calibration range of 415 to 466 Hz. That covers the range of reference pitches players use when tuning to other instruments, pianos, or ensembles that do not sit at the standard 440 Hz concert pitch.
Is the Snark SN-10S analog or digital?
The maker's listing on RockBoard's PedalPedia gives the SN-10S's circuit type as analog. It is a chromatic pedal tuner designed for guitarists and bassists.
Is the Snark SN-10S the same as the SN10?
The names are used interchangeably: RockBoard's PedalPedia lists the pedal as the SN-10 by Snark, while Premier Guitar's review calls it the SN-10S. Both refer to the same chromatic pedal tuner from Snark, the company's pedal-format tuner.
Sources (2)
- SN-10 by Snark, RockBoard PedalPedia, 2026
- Snark SN-10S Tuner Review, Premier Guitar, 2012-09-12
