Snark Tuners and Guitar Finish

[crashcup]

I recently learned that Snark advises users to remove their clip-on tuners immediately after use.  The reason they cite is the rubber pads can damage some guitar finishes. 

I've used Snark clip-on tuners for years on my Taylors. Each of my guitars has one clipped onto its headstock whether being played or stored in its case.  If this practice has damaged my guitars, the damage is imperceptible.

That should be sufficient empirical evidence to convince me that Snark's admonition does not apply to Taylor guitars, but before I clip four new "Super Tight Snark" ("Super Tight" describes the tuning, not the clamping pressure) tuners onto my guitars, I thought I'd ask if Snark clip-on tuners have damaged the finish on anyone's guitars.  Again, I'm referring to the practice of leaving the tuner attached to the headstock.

Thanks,

Bill

[timfitz63]

I've seen that same 'warning' issued with every tuner I've ever bought -- which is a grand total of three:  two Korg and one Snark.  As a rule I don't leave any of the tuners on my guitars on a permanent basis -- mainly because I have three tuners and, well, far more than three guitars...  And like you, I've not seen any damage to the finish on any of my guitars.  With the Korg tuners, I have noticed a tendency for them to leave some kind of residue on the headstock where the rubber clamp pads touch the guitar (looking something like a fingerprint); I imagine the rubber pad has been treated with something to keep it soft, and I would speculate that other manufacturers similarly treat the rubber pads on their tuners.  The residue wipes off easily and had not seemed to cause any damage, but I don't know what (if anything) would occur if I left the residue on the finish indefinitely...

In the end, I'm pretty certain the warnings about finish damage are largely the result of product lawyers being product lawyers; most modern guitar finishes are pretty durable, in particular, Taylor's.  But I'm sure it's possible for the rubber compound or the softening agent on the clamps of these tuners to react with someone's guitar finish somewhere out there -- more than likely a valuable vintage guitar that the tuner manufacturer doesn't want to pay to restore.  Hence, the warning to use the tuner at your own risk...

[PaulWood]

I really rate Snark tuners and I've never noticed any problem with damage to the headstock. I've got 2 Snarks, a red and a black (this being the 'super-tight' one) and the only problem I've experienced is the rubber pad on the bottom clip-end comes off occasionally. Its a real pain to get it back on - next time it happens I'm super-gluing it!
Paul

[Minnesotaman]

They could on nitro cellulose finishes. Less likely on polyurethane or polyester finishes. If the nitro finish is old most likely not then either.

[crashcup]

Thanks for confirming my experience!  The tuners will remain attached.  To be safe, I think I'll take the rubber pads off and screw the tuners the headstock!  Ha!       

[tenbender]

I don't think it would hurt the satin finish that's on a Taylor head stock but it might some finishes. I only put mine on to tune or possibly leave on while I'm playing if the environment causes a lot of tuning opportunity's

[Craig]

I was dabbling with a les paul at a local store at the weekend and the assistant lent me a clip on tuner but asked me not to leave it on the headstock.

Craig

[captaineasychord]

I've never noticed the rubber damaging the finish but I have little notches on the headstock on my Taylor 110 from a Snark tuner. In the soft case the tuner gets pushed around and the edges of the clip press into the wood.