Ive been playing for 13 years and am just now buying a metronome. Can anyone suggest a good one? I don't want a cheap one that is limiting, but I also don't want to spend a lot of money.

I don't have any suggestions for you. I know that Guitar Pro 5 has a decent one. At least it seems ok for my use.

What is the qualifications for a 'GOOD' metronome?

Well I want a physical one. I have GP and there are online tuners, but I just don't force myself to use it. I feel like if I had an actual physical one to use I would.

As far as what is a good one, I don't really know. Thats kind of what Im wondering. There is the basic one like this:
www.metronomeonline.com

But that is just repeated clicks. Maybe one that allows for different beats?

korg

unless you want the old wooden style fancy metronome korg makes one thats the same size as their tuners with tons of options on it from different time sigs to accents on beats to just straight clicking plus just about any tempo you really need. i think the highest it goes is 208 bpm but not sure.

+1 on Korg

simple and inexpensive, but it gets the job done.

I highly recommend the following two metronomes;

Sabine Zipbeat
http://sabine.com/zipBeat_index.htm

- I used one of these for a long time. I would still be if I didn't lose them constantly. Very reliable, have an ear phone jack, adjustable syncopation, etc. Very good, nice and loud, and not to annoying to listen too (which is key)


Wittner MT-50
http://www.theguitarfiles.com/product_id-769.html

- Bought this as it was the only one available when I needed one a few months back. Very reliable, not as many crazy options as the Sabine; but works great. Again, the key with any of these is that the "click" of the metronome is not to annoying to listen too.

Good luck! :o

I have a Yamaha QT-1. Extremely basic. That Korg one sounds bad ass though. I may have to add it to my wishlist.

Originally Posted by: Douglas ShowalterI highly recommend the following two metronomes;

Sabine Zipbeat
http://sabine.com/zipBeat_index.htm

Wittner MT-50
http://www.theguitarfiles.com/product_id-769.html

Hey Douglas, you obviously prefer the Quartz metronomes over the digitals. I'm looking to buy my first metronome and I like the simplicity of the quartz models but none of them have a volume control. Has that ever proven to be a problem for you? Can you hear it clearly over your guitar or is it so loud that it ever gets annoying?

Thanks

The Sabine Zipbeat.

Exactly. That's the joint!

Why is the Sabine so great? Looks like a normal metronome to me. It's also kind of bulky.

Originally Posted by: hunter1801Why is the Sabine so great? Looks like a normal metronome to me. It's also kind of bulky.

I don't see the Sabine as the be all of metronomes. It simply worked for me because you can do some degree of subdividing, it's not expensive, and the clicking sound is not overly abrasive. It also has a line out.

I absolutely hated my Korg because it was just an annoying BEEP over and over and not a nice clacking noise. I ended up buying the Yamaha QT-1 and it does a CLICK and a BLIP noise, neither of which are nearly as annoying as my Korg was. I wanted to smash that thing with a hammer it was so annoying.

Make sure you listen to it before you buy it! I just assumed all metronomes had nice soothing clacks. Waste of $35 the first time around.

I followed Douglas' advice and ordered the Sabine Zipbeat 6000. I found it on ebay for just a little over $20 with s/h but it hasn't shown up yet.

I was thinking about ordering that one too. Let me know what you think of it when it comes in.

Originally Posted by: hunter1801I was thinking about ordering that one too. Let me know what you think of it when it comes in.

Not long after my last post the Zipbeat showed up in my mailbox. I like it just fine but have to admit that the lettering on the dial is just a bit hard to read because it's a little dark. Take a look at the head on picture at Musician's Friend and you can see what I'm talking about.

I had seen some other pictures that kind of left me with the impression that the dial lit up so you could see it better. To me, the dial looks much brighter as though there's a light in it.

Anyway, other than that I like it. It's simple to use, which is the primary reason that I chose it over the Korg.

My guitar teacher actually had it. I always thought it was something he got YEARS ago, because it just looks so old/retro looking. Maybe its just me though lol.

They all work, just get one that you can hear over your guitar.