Tuning mechanisms for stringed instruments: Difference between revisions

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Other tuning systems include '''screw-and-lever tuners''', '''geared tuners''', and the '''konso''' friction tuning system (using braided leather rings).

==Pegbox or headstock==

{{See alsoanchor|HeadstockPegbox}}

A '''pegbox''' is the part of certain [[String instrument|stringed]] [[musical instruments]] (the [[violin family]]: [[violin]], [[viola]], [[cello]], [[double bass]],) that houses the tuning pegs. The corresponding part of the [[lute]] family (including [[guitar]], [[mandolin]], [[banjo]], [[ukulele]]) thatis housescalled the tuning pegs''[[headstock]]''.

==Tapered pegs and pins==

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[[Image:Peg compound.JPG|thumb|left|Two types of compound; bearing surfaces of peg are visible as shiny bands]]

'''"Peg dope"''' (also '''peg paste''', '''peg stick''', '''peg compound''') is a substance used to coat the bearing surfaces<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.lutherie.net/care.html |title=String Instrument Care |author=Paul Hostetter |access-date=8 September 2010 |quote=Pegs are tapered, and must contact the insides of the holes on both sides of the pegbox. The fit is very important, of course, as is the nature of the contacting surfaces there. Raw wood on raw wood never works well, so a preparation is usually applied to facilitate a smooth turning of the peg. }}</ref> of the tapered tuning pegs of [[string instrument]]s (mainly [[violin]]s, [[viola]]s, [[cello]]s, [[viol]]s and [[lute]]s ). Manufactured varieties are generally sold in either a small stick (resembling [[lipstick]]), a block, or as a liquid in a bottle. Commonly used home expedient treatments may include soap, [[graphite]], or [[talc]].

Peg dope serves two different (and almost conflicting) purposes. It both lubricates the peg shaft so it turns easily in the [[#Pegbox|pegbox]] and provides friction to keep the pegs from slipping with the force of [[Vibrating string|string]] tension. Tuning pegs that are well fitted and properly doped will both turn smoothly throughout an entire rotation and hold firmly wherever the player wishes.

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Some pegs and pins are threaded with a shallow, [[fine adjustment screw|fine thread]]. They are not tapered, but straight, and they go into straight-sided holes.

Like tapered pins, threaded pins must be set in a pin block of fairly hard wood, such as [[cherry wood|cherry]] or [[white oak]], or they will not stay in tune well.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.sligoharps.com/8book.pdf {{Bare|title=Chapter URL8. Fabricating the Neck and PDFPillar|format=Book chapter|website=sligoharps.com|access-date=January1 February 20222023}}</ref> Some pin block woods come from endangered trees.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.wood-database.com/wood-articles/restricted-and-endangered-wood-species/ |title = Restricted and Endangered Wood Species {{!}} The Wood Database}}</ref> Some specialized plywoods can also be used (piano pin block stock or the die maker's ply used for [[rotary die]]s).<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.sligoharps.com/2book.pdf+|title=Chapter {{Bare2. URLCreating, PDFBuying, Borrowing or Stealing a Design|format=Book Chapter|website=sligoharps.com|access-date=January1 2022February 2023}}</ref>

Threaded tuners are durable, will take very high string tensions. They do not push outwards on the hole and wedge the wood apart, which can reduce the risk of splitting it. They can be set in [[blind hole]]s, which allows the wood to retain more strength for a given weight.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://folcharp.com/zitherpins.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080724215944/http://www.folcharp.com/zitherpins.html |archive-date=2008-07-24 |title=FolcHarp - Zither pins}}</ref> They can, however, also be set in holes drilled right through the wood, to look like older pins. Threaded pins can be installed with an [[arbor press]], and do not need to be re-set, but should be backed off a few turns when changing a string to keep pin height even.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://manufacturing.dustystrings.com/harps/accessories-hardware/hardware/threaded-tuning-pins |title = Threaded Harp Tuning Pins {{!}} Dusty Strings}}</ref><ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20170810021404/http://manufacturing.dustystrings.com/application/files/2014/7516/8049/Replacing_Harp_Strings.pdf {{DeadReplacing harp link|date=Februarystrings] 2022}}</ref>

===Use===

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{{main|machine head}}

Pegs for [[double bass]] and [[guitar]] family instruments are usually geared, and are called tuning machines or [[machine head]]s. They often use a [[worm gear]]. The [[Gear train#Speed ratio|gearing ratio]] varies; while higher ratios are more sensitive, they are also more difficult to manufacture precisely. Machine heads may be open, with exposed gears, or closed, with a casing around all the gears.

Geared pegs for [[violin family]] instruments also exist, although they have not gained wide use, which has to do with the extensive and irreversible physical modification that must be made to the peg box in order to mount them, which is often viewed as ruining the aesthetics of the instrument, combined with a bad reputation they acquired due to poorly designed early models that were prone to failure, often with catastrophically damaging results.

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==Konso==

[[File:Kora-Player2.jpg|thumb|[[Griot|Jali]] Fily Sissokho playing a [[kora (instrument)|kora]] tuned with konso (braided leather ring) string terminations.]]

The konso system is traditionally used on [[kora (instrument)|koras]]. It consists of braided leather rings that wrap around the neck of the instrument. The rings are pulled along the neck of the instrument to change string tension. It can be quick to adjust but requires a fair degree of strength.<ref>{{cite web | url=http://dennishavlena.com/newneck.htm | title=Make an easier-to-tune replacement neck for a leather-ring (Konso) African Kora neck }}</ref>

==Rong Kou==

[[Image:Jade Tuning Pegs.jpg|thumb|left|150px|Tuning pegs of the guqin. The twisted Rong Kou cord goes through the bottom hole, through the side hole in the neck, around, under and through the hole in the neck again, and out the top hole. Pegs can be made from wood or jade]]

The 7-string Chinese [[Guqin]] uses braided cords or (''rongkou'' 『[[wiktionary:絨|絨]][[wiktionary:剅|剅]]/绒扣』) as a tuning mechanism. At one end, the zither's strings are looped around stationary pegs (''fengzu'' 『鳳足』 "phoenix feet" or ''yanzu'' 『雁足』 "geese feet") at the underside of the instrument, across the nut (''longyin'' 『龍齦』 ''dragon gums'') before they pass over the face of the instrument. On the tuning end of each string (near the right hand of the player, at the bridge), a butterfly fly knot (''shengtou jie'' 『[[wiktionary:蠅|蠅]][[wiktionary:頭|頭]][[wiktionary:結|結]]/蝇头结』) is tied, and inserted through the loop end of a braided cord (traditionally made of silk due to its inelasticity) which passes through holes behind the bridge to the underside of the instrument. The Rong Kou cord is inserted through the centre of, and then twisted around, tuning pegs. When the strings are at tension, these pegs are held flush to the underside of the instrument in the peg pool (''zhen chi'' 『[[wiktionary:軫|軫]][[wiktionary:池|池]]/轸池』). The pegs are then twisted individually by hand to achieve the desired tension for each string.

==See also==

{{Commons category|String instrument tuning}}

* [[Machine head]]

* [[Guqin tunings]]

==References==

{{reflist}}

{{Strings (music)}}

{{Violin family}}