Tuning mechanisms for stringed instruments: Difference between revisions

Revision as of 10:25, 28 July 2020

Revision as of 14:32, 26 January 2021

Line 49:

[[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 |accessdateaccess-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.

Line 90:

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.

The most recently marketed pegs of this sort use [[planetary gears]] designed to fit inside a case shaped like a friction peg. They have seen some adoption as they look almost exactly like friction pegs, require no more modification of the instrument than a new set of friction pegs, and make fine tuners unnecessary. They are also durable and less sensitive to changes in temperature and humidity.<ref>{{cite web |title=Information – Perfection pegs |url=https://perfectionpegs.twofold.com.au/information/ |website=perfectionpegs.twofold.com.au |accessdateaccess-date=10 August 2019}}</ref> They are popular on banjos.<ref>{{cite web |title=Banjo Tuning Pegs Planetary vs Geared |url=https://www.folkmusician.com/blogs/blog/banjo-tuning-pegs-planetary-vs-geared |website=Folkmusician |language=en |date=30 March 2018}}</ref>

<gallery mode=packed>