The Korg PitchHawk-G2 caught my eye with its blend of high visibility and practicality. An upgrade from the original PitchHawk, the G2 is designed to offer superior clarity and ease of use while maintaining Korg’s hallmark accuracy.
It packs plenty of features into a slim, convenient design, but does it live up to the reputation of Korg’s more powerful tuners?
Let’s break down the details in this Korg PitchHawk-G2 review.
Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐ (4/5)
Unboxing Korg PitchHawk-G2
The PitchHawk-G2 is neatly packaged, with minimal clutter inside the box. Along with the tuner, you’ll find a lithium battery for initial use and a quick-start guide.
First impressions are positive—the tuner feels sturdy in hand, and the slimmer profile makes it look and feel more modern compared to its predecessor.
The clip mechanism is strong yet flexible, giving it a secure grip on the headstock without requiring much adjustment. The design is clearly built with portability in mind, making it an ideal companion for musicians on the go.
Available Modes
One of the standout features of the PitchHawk-G2 is its variety of tuning modes. You can switch between chromatic, guitar, and bass modes, depending on your needs.
The tuner also offers flat and capo settings, giving you a wide range of tuning flexibility. In guitar and bass modes, the string number is displayed alongside the note name, making it easier to follow along and ensuring you tune confidently.
Tuning Accuracy of Korg PitchHawk-G2
When it comes to accuracy, Korg delivers as expected. The PitchHawk-G2 boasts a precision of ±1 cent, which ensures fast and reliable tuning across a broad frequency range. The piezo pickup does a great job of detecting only your instrument’s vibrations, even in noisy environments, so you can tune without interference from surrounding sounds. This is especially helpful when tuning on stage or during a loud rehearsal.
The real highlight, however, is the color LCD display. The white backlight and color-coded meter make it easy to see, even in poor lighting conditions or bright outdoor environments.
This high level of visibility, paired with a fast response time, means you don’t have to spend precious time staring at your tuner. The display feels intuitive—once you get used to it, you’ll be able to check your tuning status at a glance.
Pros and Cons
Pros:
- High visibility: The high-contrast color LCD screen is one of the brightest and clearest displays I’ve seen in a clip-on tuner.
- Tuning flexibility: Dedicated guitar and bass modes, plus options for flat and capo tunings, make this tuner versatile enough for a variety of musical setups.
- Precision and Sensitivity: The piezo pickup is highly sensitive. The ±1 cent accuracy means quick, reliable tuning.
- User-Friendly Design: The button placement on the rear of the unit makes operation intuitive, even without looking. The memory backup function ensures your settings are preserved, so you won’t need to adjust everything each time you power on the tuner.
Cons:
- Less powerful than other Korg tuners: While the PitchHawk-G2 excels in convenience and portability, it doesn’t match the power and precision of Korg’s pedal or handheld tuners. If you’re a gigging musician who needs absolute reliability and more in-depth features, you might still prefer a pedal tuner from Korg’s range.
- Battery life could be better: With continuous use, the tuner’s battery life is roughly 8 hours, which is somewhat short compared to other clip-on tuners. You’ll need to carry spare batteries if you plan on using it for extended periods.
Review Summary
The Korg PitchHawk-G2 is an impressive upgrade from the original PitchHawk, with a slim, portable design and a high-contrast color LCD that enhances visibility in any setting.
Its precision and sensitivity are ideal for tuning in noisy environments, and the tuner’s versatility, with modes for guitar, bass, flat tunings, and capo settings, makes it a solid option for players who switch between different setups.
However, it’s worth noting that while the PitchHawk-G2 is a powerful clip-on tuner, it doesn’t quite match the capabilities of Korg’s more robust pedal or handheld tuners, which offer superior smoothness and a wider range of features. Battery life is also on the shorter side, so it’s a good idea to keep spare batteries handy if you’re planning on long sessions.
Overall, if you need a tuner that’s compact, user-friendly, and provides high visibility, the PitchHawk-G2 is a reliable and efficient choice for guitarists and bassists alike.