TC Electronic

TC Electronic POLYTUNE 3 NOIR Polyphonic Guitar Tuner

4.6 (540 reviews)

Tune all six strings at a glance with the TC Electronic Polytune 3 Noir's polyphonic display and built-in buffer.

$65.94*
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*Price sourced from Amazon.com. Last updated:Jun 04, 2026.Price and availability are subject to change.

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Overview

The TC Electronic Polytune 3 Noir packs three distinct tuning modes into one of the smallest pedal formats available. Its signature feature, polyphonic tuning, lets you strum all your strings at once and instantly see which ones need adjustment on a clear LED display. For more precise work, the chromatic mode handles single-note tuning with fast tracking, and the strobe mode delivers the fine resolution needed for detailed intonation adjustments. Switching between modes is straightforward, and the display remains legible whether you're in a dimly lit venue or under direct sunlight.

Beyond tuning, the Polytune 3 Noir includes TC Electronic's Bonafide Buffer circuit, which actively maintains your instrument's signal integrity. This is particularly valuable for players with extensive pedalboards or long cable runs, where passive signal degradation can noticeably dull high frequencies. The buffer operates transparently, preserving your natural tone rather than coloring it. At 5.6 ounces and roughly the size of a few stacked picks in width, the Noir edition fits into the tightest pedalboard layouts while pulling double duty as both a tuner and a tone-preserving buffer.

Key Features

Tiny polyphonic tuner gives you fast, accurate tuning and a high-quality tone tool in a single unit

Quickly tune up with polyphonic, chromatic and strobe tuning modes

Built-in BONAFIDE BUFFER keeps tone crisp through long cables and large pedal boards

Polyphonic mode tunes all your strings at once

Lightning-fast chromatic tuner

Specifications

Brand
TC Electronic
Model
POLYTUNE 3 NOIR
Tuning Modes
Polyphonic, Chromatic, Strobe
Buffer
Built-in BONAFIDE BUFFER
Hardware Interface
1/4-inch audio
Signal Format
Analog
Voltage
9 Volts
Color
Black
Dimensions
1.44" x 0.79" x 0.68"
Weight
5.6 ounces (160 grams)

Pros & Cons

👍 Pros

  • Polyphonic mode lets you check all strings simultaneously with a single strum, saving time between songs
  • Built-in Bonafide Buffer actively preserves signal quality across long cable runs and large pedalboards
  • Three tuning modes provide flexibility from quick stage checks to precise intonation work
  • Mini pedal footprint takes up minimal pedalboard real estate at just 1.44" x 0.79"
  • Bright, high-contrast display is readable in both dark stages and bright outdoor settings

👎 Cons

  • Requires external 9V power supply since there is no battery compartment in the mini enclosure
  • The buffer is always on when the pedal is in bypass, which may not suit players who prefer a fully passive signal chain
  • Small enclosure can be harder to engage accurately with larger boots during live performance
  • Polyphonic mode is less effective with heavily detuned or extended-range instruments

Frequently Asked Questions

It provides three modes: polyphonic (strum all strings and see which are out of tune simultaneously), chromatic (tune one note at a time with high accuracy), and strobe (the most precise mode for fine-tuning individual strings).
The Bonafide Buffer preserves your guitar's high-end signal clarity when running through long cable runs or large pedalboards. It prevents the tone loss that typically occurs with passive signal chains.
It runs on a standard 9-volt power supply, which is the same type used by most guitar pedals. It draws power through a standard center-negative DC jack.
Yes. The chromatic and strobe modes detect a wide frequency range that covers standard bass tuning as well as guitar tuning.
The Polytune 3 Noir uses a mini pedal enclosure measuring just 1.44" x 0.79" x 0.68" and weighing 5.6 ounces, so it takes up very little space on a pedalboard.