The TC Electronic PolyTune 3 is a polyphonic tuner pedal that lets you see the tuning state of every string at once. Strum all six open strings and the display shows which are flat or sharp, instead of checking one string at a time. It is the third entry in TC Electronic's PolyTune line, announced in April 2017 and available worldwide from May 2017, and its headline addition over the PolyTune 2 is a built-in analog buffer12.
The pedal keeps the features of the earlier PolyTunes and adds the buffer, along with selectable True Bypass or True Buffer modes13. It is suited to electric, electro-acoustic and bass guitars4.
Tuning modes
The PolyTune 3 offers three modes, and the whole 3 series shares them48:
| Mode | What it does |
|---|---|
| Polyphonic | Strum all strings at once; the display shows which are out of tune |
| Chromatic | Standard one-string-at-a-time chromatic tuning |
| Strobe | TC's most precise display style, for fine tuning |
MusicRadar's review noted the pedal's "super bright 109-LED screen helps it take the title in the 'readability' category"4. The same review listed "highly accurate tuning" among its plus points4.
Buffer and bypass modes
The big change for the PolyTune 3 is the built-in BonaFide Buffer, an all-analog buffer TC Electronic added to the PolyTune line for the first time here23. A buffer preserves your signal strength through long cable runs and large pedalboards, and TC says the BonaFide Buffer technology allows you to keep the pedal engaged all the time while playing69.
The pedal lets you choose how it sits in your chain10:
- True Bypass: the signal passes through untouched when the tuner is off.
- True Buffer: the BonaFide Buffer stays in the signal path, described by TC as "pristine signal-preserving"3.
Which mode suits you depends on your rig. Aclam Guitars' technical analysis points to the PolyTune 3 specifically as a pedal that "will let you choose between these systems depending on what your needs are" in your setup10. Players with short cable runs and few pedals often prefer true bypass; players with long chains tend to benefit from a buffer.
The PolyTune line and the Mini and Noir versions
The PolyTune 3 is the third generation of TC Electronic's PolyTune series, which began the polyphonic tuning approach of showing all strings at once. The PolyTune 3 "retains all of the previous features we know and love" from earlier models, according to Premier Guitar's launch coverage1, and MusicRadar reported it "packs the same features as the PolyTune 2" plus the buffer2.
In April 2019 TC Electronic announced two compact variants, the PolyTune 3 Mini and the PolyTune 3 Noir, described by Guitar.com as "two compact variants of its popular Polytune guitar tuners"8. Guitar World called the new designs updates of "two of the company's classic tuning pedals"9. The Noir is a dark-themed version of the Mini8.
| Version | Form | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| PolyTune 3 | Standard pedal | Built-in BonaFide Buffer, selectable bypass3 |
| PolyTune 3 Mini | Compact pedal | 51 x 93 x 45mm; listed at $54 in a 2025 buying guide11 |
| PolyTune 3 Noir | Compact pedal | Dark-themed version of the Mini8 |
The Mini carries the same 3-series feature set: polyphonic, chromatic and strobe modes, the built-in BonaFide Buffer, and true or buffered bypass. On the Mini, two small dipswitches on the side toggle between True or Buffered Bypass and an always-on mode1213. MusicRadar's Mini review also noted "highly accurate tuning" as a plus point13, and Guitar World's review highlighted its "switchable true and buffered bypass"14.
What reviewers said
MusicRadar's review of the PolyTune 3 praised its tuning accuracy and its bright display, finding the 109-LED screen class-leading for readability4. Guitar.com's review noted it "has switchable true bypass or analog buffer as standard"7.
On price, Gearnews wrote at launch:
"Price-wise, they aren't exactly cheap, but then again the PolyTune is a pretty decent tuner, and quality does comes with" a cost6
The pedal carried an RRP of €99 at launch6. Reviewers found the price not cheap but fair for the quality: as Music Radar put it, "Price-wise, they aren't exactly cheap, but then again the PolyTune is a pretty decent tuner, and quality does comes with" a cost6. The same review praised its "highly accurate tuning" and its "super bright 109-LED screen" for readability4.
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Questions
Is the TC Electronic PolyTune 3 true bypass?
Yes, and it is switchable. The PolyTune 3 offers selectable True Bypass or True Buffer modes, so you can run it as a true bypass pedal or with its analog BonaFide Buffer always in the signal path, depending on what your setup needs. Switching off the buffer returns you to true bypass.
What is the BonaFide Buffer in the PolyTune 3?
The BonaFide Buffer is TC Electronic's built-in analog buffer, added to the PolyTune line for the first time on the PolyTune 3. TC says it keeps your tone crisp through long cables and large pedalboards, and that it lets you keep the pedal engaged all the time while playing.
What tuning modes does the PolyTune 3 have?
The PolyTune 3 has three tuning modes: Polyphonic, Chromatic and Strobe. Polyphonic mode lets you strum all strings at once and see which are out of tune, Chromatic tunes one string at a time, and Strobe offers TC's most precise display style.
What is the difference between the PolyTune 3 and the PolyTune 3 Mini?
The PolyTune 3 Mini, announced in 2019, is a smaller-footprint version with the same 3-series feature set: polyphonic, chromatic and strobe modes, a built-in BonaFide Buffer, and true or buffered bypass set by dipswitches on the side. It measures 51 x 93 x 45mm.
Can you tune all six strings at once with the PolyTune 3?
Yes. In Polyphonic mode you strum all open strings at once and the display shows which strings are flat or sharp, so you can see the whole tuning state of the guitar in one glance instead of checking string by string.
What did the PolyTune 3 list for?
At launch in 2017 the PolyTune 3 listed at $99 in the US and €99 in Europe, available worldwide from May 2017. The later PolyTune 3 Mini was listed at $54 in a 2025 buying guide.
Sources (14)
- TC Electronic Unveils the PolyTune 3, Premier Guitar, 2017-04-21
- TC Electronic unveils PolyTune 3 polyphonic tuner pedal with built-in buffer, MusicRadar, 2017-04-24
- Introducing PolyTune 3, MusicPlayers.com, 2017-04-21
- TC Electronic PolyTune 3 review, MusicRadar, 2021-12-14
- POLYTUNE 3, TC Electronic
- TC Electronics PolyTune 3 with BonaFide Buffer: A new standard in tuner pedals?, gearnews.com, 2017-04-24
- Fender Strobo-Sonic Pro Tuner review: fast and accurate, Guitar.com, 2026-04-27
- TC Electronic adds Polytune 3 Mini and 3 Noir to its tuner range, Guitar.com, 2019-05-01
- TC Electronic Announces New PolyTune 3 Mini and 3 Noir Tuning Pedals, Guitar World, 2019-04-17
- Buffered vs True Bypass, Aclam Guitars, 2018-12-01
- Guitar Pedal X, Guitar Pedal X, 2025-06-16
- TC Electronic unveils PolyTune 3 Mini & Noir, MusicRadar, 2019-04-17
- TC Electronic PolyTune 3 Mini review, MusicRadar, 2022-01-06
- TC Electronic PolyTune 3 Mini review, Guitar World, 2021-12-14
