(Click on above thumbnails to enlarge photos)
warranty
PRE-OWNED / VINTAGE
ZEN-ON CHROMATINA ZC-331 CHROMATIC TUNER
GUITAR TUNER / INSTRUMENT TUNER
W/ *RE-CALIBRATE CAPABILITY
MADE IN JAPAN!
IS THIS "THE
BEST" INSTRUMENT TUNER EVER? WELL, IT'S CERTAINLY ONE OF THE BEST EVER
MADE (at least in my opinion)
for sale
(while supply of original, versions last)
One of the best Guitar Tuners ever made (at least in my opinion) was the
Zen-on Chromatina 331, AND they were made in Japan (NOT China!). It's a Chromatic Tuner, with a REAL analog, D-Arsonoval
meter movement. I sold these throughout most of the 1990's while working
at a 'full line' music store. We sold everything from Grand Pianos, to
Nose Flutes including everything in between; band instruments, stage
lighting, sound systems (in about any size you needed), percussion,
guitars, orchestral instruments, vintage fretted and string instruments.
We also serviced about everything, including guitars, basses, string
instruments such as violins, violas & cellos and much more. One of the
most difficult tasks we would occasionally need to do was tuning an
'Auto-Harp'. We usually flipped a coin or drew straws to see who would
have to do it. These worked perfectly well for tuning autoharps (if you
happened to draw the "short straw"). While we had tuners (and I've sold tuners) by Arion
HU-8100G, HU-8300, HU-8400, HU-8500, HU-8800, Boss the TU-12 & TU-12H
(actually a nice tuner as well), Korg models CA-20, CA-30, GT-120, WT-12
other Zen-on's, Seiko SAT1200, ST600, ST700, ST737, and many more that
escape me now, as well as an actual Peterson Strobe Tuner, every tech
there utilized the Zenon Chromotina ZC-331. The analog meter needles
movement was perfectly smooth, fluid and even across the scale (no
'jerkiness'), the built-in microphone was very sensitive (heard the
tones as they trailed off in volume level to a very low degree), the
meter responded quickly to the microphone or an input jack signal (there
was no delay or lag time while the tuner processed), and it was VERY
accurate. Being a 'Full Service' shop, we also did many guitar set-ups
(also bass, mandolin, violins, banjos etc.) including 'intonation' work.
As I mentioned earlier, we had a Peterson Strobe tuner, which was the
recommended tool for intonations. However, frankly, the Zen-on 331
Chromatina did the same job, was just as accurate, quicker and took up
less space on the portable tech benches. It was built well, IN JAPAN,
NOT China like most of the cheeeeeeeeeeesey ones now, and was VERY
durable. Almost every day, they would get knocked off the bench, onto a
hard, commercial floor MANY times, and never broke. We probably sold a
couple dozen a week, over the better part of a decade that I worked
there and I think I may remember seeing a couple in the back with
'defective' tags over that time period. They weren't cheap (as tuners
go, and we had tuners all the way down to $20. We had them that
'clipped-on' to the headstock, that were LCD, that were digital, even
one that had a mechanism that would actually turn the tuning machines
until they were in tune (theoretically anyway. The only thing it
"turned", was it 'turned out to be a P.O.S.')
Zen-on ZC-331 Features:
- Chromatic so works with about any musical instrument
- Very STEADY Analog Meter / Needle
- Very Sensitive Built-in Microphone
- Very Accurate and most importantly 'Steady enough' to use to 'intonate
/ adjust instruments'
- Display; Meter, Tuning Scale, Note / Pitch Indicator and 'Calibration'
and Battery Check Level
-
*Calibration
feature allows you to 're-calibrate' from "A=440Hz" up or down in 1kHz
steps (resets to "A=440" once powered OFF / ON)
- Uses standard 9 Volt battery
- 1/4" input for guitar pickups, any microphone or a 'clip-on' guitar /
instrument pickup
- Can be left 'In-Line' with an electric instruments pickup such as
electric or bass guitar
- Automatically Chromatic so no need to change notes manually.
- Back-Lit meter (can be turned off) for use in a darkened room or stage
Zen-on ZC-331 Specifications:
Display; Meter, Tuning Scale, Note /
Pitch Indicator and 'Calibration' and Battery Check Level
Measuring Range; C1 (32.7Hz to B7 (3951.1Hz)
Accuracy; ±
1 Cent
Calibration; 428Hz to 445Hz (defaults to
A=440Hz at each 'power off / on')
Terminals;
1/4" Input and Output jacks and AC adaptor Jack for 9V (Neg Pin!!!)
Power source(s);
Standard 9V battery or optional 9V AC 'Wall Wart' adaptor (not avail
from us)
I still use one on the bench here at the shop, have one on my bench at
home, have a couple in my home studio, and always keep one in my case
when out and about with a my guitar or bass. Yes, I have a few other
'quality' tuners, such as a Korg GT-120 (was about $150-$190), a 'rack
tuner' (looks cool, but stays on one rack, isn't portable, and isn't
good for doing 'intonations'), and a couple 'Stage Tuner Pedals' (one by
Arion, HU-8500', was about $100.00 and one by Boss, TU-3 ($150 if I
remember correctly) a fairly 'classic model' by Boss, and I think I like
the Arion better for a 'pedal tuner'). I also have others, but pretty
much only use the Zen-on 331 Chromatina. It utilizes a standard 9-Volt
battery, has a 'battery check' function on the meter, has a 'back-lit'
option for the meter, has 'direction arrows' as an easy way to let you
know which way you need to go (sharp or flat...as if you didn't already
know that...hopefully), and has a Line-In and a Line-out via standard
1/4" guitar plug jacks for electric instruments or leaving plugged 'in
line' with your guitar, bass, or other instrument. As it has such an
accurate and 'fast' microphone system and 'smooth movement' to the
needle, it also works great for vocals. Very handy for determining
harmonies, or 'tuning' your voice. I really can't say enough about this
tuner, but the bottom line is, it does what about everybody needs a
tuner to do, it does it VERY WELL, doesn't have any 'extra fluff' to get
in the way and is VERY durable. Just a great 'utilitarian' tool. Too bad
they didn't keep them in production. I think they just weren't 'flashy'
enough for the markets progression, so we end up with 'lots of flashing
lights' out of China (hey, "flashing lights" on circuit boards are
cheaper to build than, analog, D-Arsonoval meter movement, and way more
'sexy'. Right.?)
No, they're not made anymore, and are fairly rare. I've been purchasing
all I can come across for myself, but now that I have enough in all the
places I need them (2-3 in my studio, a couple on my 'guitar bench', 2-3
at the shop, and a few in my guitar cases), I have a few extras to sell.
Will included a pdf, e-copy of the Zen-on / Zenon 331 Chromatina users /
owners manual. Includes our standard 90 Day warranty (yes, even though
they're pre-owned).
Each one is tested for accuracy against a tuning fork (remember those).
So far, they've all been 'dead on', just as they were when new.
Great, Pre-Owned Condition.
limited availability.
comes with a new, fresh 9V battery
NOW:
$79.99
Shipped*
*Shipping
of $7.50 within the United States is included in price.
Other destinations have an additional shipping charge shown in the
'Buy-Now drop down' below.
IF YOU
PREFER TO PLACE YOUR ORDER BY PHONE,
PLEASE CALL US AT:
(800) 806-4231
- Press Option '2' for 'SALES' to order -
~10:00 AM- ~5:30
PM most days COLORADO / ROCKY MOUNTAIN TIME
ZONE
Location:
Guitar Repair area, largest file drawer, grey.
Revised 11/3/2022
