I also recently used one to tune an old mandolin and it worked great in the chromatic mode
344340
I have purchased several of these and use them on-stage and in the studio.  They work well for my 4-string Fender Precision Bass and my Gibson Les Paul.  I also recently used one to tune an old mandolin and it worked great in the chromatic mode.  The batteries last a long time if you make sure to turn off the tuner when not in use.

The best feature for me is the display.  It is very easy to see on stage in a dark setting.
1679421
After I figured out how to attach it to my mandolin (since this is my first stringed instrument with frets and my first capo!), it was super easy to use and did not cause any buzzing. I can either store it in the case or on/behind the nut when I'm not using it. It also hasn't marked the neck of my mandolin, which kind of worried me before I got it.
311194
I have used this tuner for several years and have much appreciated its simplicity. With previous electric tuners, I found it very difficult to tune in a crowded or noisy environment. The microphone would pick up other noises and would be confused.

  This tuner, though, clips onto the guitar (or fiddle or mandolin or whatever) and picks up vibrations through the wood. Thus, surrounding noises don't interfere with tuning.

  Other nice features of the tuner are that it is quite compact, the battery seems to last a long time (I haven't changed it in two years of use), and the little clip swivels so you can see the LCD display from various angles.

  On the whole, I have been quite happy with this little tuner.
4699992
This mandolin works great. I've used it on potatoesfor au gratin, sliced ginger to make snacks etc. It's sturdy, well built and the adapters slide in easily. Looking forward to making fries with it.
2037769
I gave this tuner to my boyfriend as an early Christmas gift. He says it tunes really well and that he likes the way the screen turns green when its tuned. I also am really happy about the service from MAC because they sent me emails checking in on the order, about tips on tuning the guitar, and how to put the battery in. I knew that buying it as a gift was a great idea because of the three year guarantee, It was worth my money.

Thanks, MAC
-M
895648
This tuner is amazing, even more so considering the price. It's chromatic, so it will tune anything! I tune electric and acoustic guitars, bass, ukulele and mandolin with it! I've bought three for gifts... It's great.

Sooooo, everything I said initially is still true... It's a fantastic little tuner... BUT I've broken two of them. (Where the clip attaches to the tuner - as in a multitude of other reviews...)

This tuner *is* amazing... But fragile!
4843345
I have tuned everything that will send a line signal with this tuner. Guitars, Basses, Upright basses, Ukeleles, and even tunable synthesizers.  I rely on this tuner when I perform live, both as a kill switch for instrument changes and the intended tuner.  Sunlight can make the display a little difficult to read which is the only aspect of the tuner that I feel could be improved upon.  Other than that, this is a heavily relied on unit for my purposes.
3099351
I have struggled for years tuning a banjo. I finally woke up to the fact that I could get great help inexpensively. The Korg CA-40 makes it so easy. Since this unit is a chromatic tuner it can be used for any instrument. It is also very small and fits in a pocket for taking it with you. I highly recommend it.
4124825
I was a first time mandolin buyer and prefer to purchase a used, better quality unit that would serve my needs and still retain some retail value.

After reading many ideas at the mandolin cafe, I settled upon the highly recommended Kentucky 505, A style mandolin.

I bought it used for about half of what a new one would cost and it arrived already setup.

The recommendations said Kentucky makes 2 levels of mandolins, the basic level and the better level. This is the bottom of the upper level of mandolins.

It is touted as having a hand carved, solid wood top as opposed to other lower models that just had a solid wood top.

It is a nicely made instrument with decent craftsmanship.

After opening the box, I had to tune the strings to proper pitch by using a chromatic tuner I'd borrowed from my guitar case. As I tuned each string to pitch I could hear the sound get much louder as the tuner indicated the string was now at proper pitch. That usually indicates you have hit harmonic resonance with that piece of wood. The sound waves are reinforcing themselves rather than partially cancelling themselves out. Resonance in this level of instrument was not anticipated; in an instrument several times this price, yes, but not at this price point.

I put a strap on it, opened the Mandolin for Dummies book, and was soon strumming chords to songs just like I'd done to the guitar. :-)
1613338
This is clearly the ultimate device for tuning my Martin 12 string guitars. I've been using a Boss TU-8 tuner for years. I'm not bashing my tuner but this eliminates cord from guitar to my tuner. I like this that it's totally cordless. I've seen these types of tuners around for a long time now but I have to admit I had my apprehensions at first of how this was going to work out for me because I tune my Martin 12 string guitars to E flat(half step down). But this was a cinch to set up. If you want to cut the cord this is the way out. What I like too about this tuner is that it shuts itself off if it does not pick up any vibrations which will save on batteries in the long run. I highly recommend this tuner not only for it's versatility of it being able to tune not just guitars but mandolins, violins, and  ukelele's and it comes with a lifetime warranty too. Just would like to add that recently I purchased a Ibanez M522S F-Style mandolin and this tuner works for that as well. So if you're apprehensive about buying this for your mandolin set your apprehensions aside and get this tuner. It works!  Way cool .
2614227
It works great for guitar, electric bass, and double bass. I prefer the UnerTuner to my old Seiko plug-in tuner.
3634514
This is a very accurate tuner (1/1000 of a half step) yet it's useful on stage. I've used other strobe tuners which are too sensitive for stage use.

I use it because I can put it behind the headstock of my Acoustic, Tele, or Strat and rotate it to the upright position. I can also read it with spot lights in my face. Other tuner's I've used fail me when the spots hit me in the face.

I like the simple form factor and rotating mechanism
4954193
Very inexpensive tuner but very accurate. The screen col;or changes when the not is in tune and it is very easy to tell when it is in tune. There are several tuning programs but for me the best on is the chromatic tuner mode. It also has a bass, a violin, and a guitar tuning mode. For the price the tuner is hard to beat.
2901873
For many years I have used an old tuner that I have had to balance on my lap to tune my guitar.  This little clip on stays on the head of my guitar, even during tuning.  There are no buttons to move to tune the next string.  This tuner is automatic.  It lights up 'green' when the string hits the correct pitch.
4792157
I lead a church band and play guitar, mandolin, harmonica, dulcimer, and a little drums. I've had the black Mandobird for a couple of years and I like it.  I also have 2 Fender mandolins, both acoustic-electric.  Because the Epiphone doesn't have the double-strong courses like most mandolins, it doesn't have that "chime-y" mandolin sound.  But it's much faster to tune than the 2-string courses on other mandolins.  Also, in my opinion, the Epiphone stays in tune longer than either of my Fenders.

Try this mandolin out!  I think electric guitar players will find this an interesting and inexpensive way to enlarge their playing possibilities.
1004516
I have bought four tuners over the years and this is far and away the best one. It is very compact in an attractive case and once you learn how it works you can tune your instrument in a matter of a minute. It has settings for tuning violin/ mandolin, guitar, ukelele, banjo, and a chromatic scale. This is a very good unit for the price.
2628944
This tuner is very responsive. I used it to tune all of my stringed instruments (2 acoustic mandolins w/active electronics , 5 acoustic guitars w/ and w/o active electronics, 3 electric guitars and 2 electric bass guitars). All of which were unplugged while tuning! Very bright and easy to read. This tuner is a must have!!