My luthier installed geared pegs in November. Though I keep the instrument in a humidified space, the A is now slipping in the hole. He is an hour drive one way. So,
Is there a layman's trick that will solve this on my own? I have peg compound, but not sure if that will work since the peg is not wood. Also, I don't want to slop up the pegbox in the event I end up having to take it back to him anyway.
What do you think?
Scott, You could cut a a strip or two of computer paper (.004" thick) about 3/16" wide, bend a tab the depth of the wood in the peg hole to 90 degrees, remove the Wittner tuner, put the tab in the hole and place the tuner in the hole and press in. Try to avoid the end of the paper tab from showing inside the peg box.
If you crease the fold several times to weaken the paper, you should be able to rip in off fairly cleanly (or use a X-acto blade to cut the "scrap" end off) to remove the paper after the peg is installed. It may take a tab on each side of the hole to get the fit you want. You might consider using a very small dot of Elmers glue on the paper tab.
Be sure when removing the Wittner tuner that you press in on the end of the tuner to remove it. Don't grab on the tuner button and pull.
It sounds like the pegs were fitted too loosely. Weather should not affect their fit like this. The owner of the last shop where I worked always called them “weatherproof pegs” because they would could handle the drastic temperature and humidity fluctuations of the DC area.
Yes, a paper bushing can improve the fit of these pegs. It’s not as ideal a solution as a properly fitted peg but it will work if done well. Just make sure you’re not pulling on the peg heads as you remove the pegs, as that can cause issues.
Wittners are not difficult to install but you have to know how to do it right to get the best results.
quote:
Originally posted by WyoBobScott, You could cut a a strip or two of computer paper (.004" thick) about 3/16" wide, bend a tab the depth of the wood in the peg hole to 90 degrees, remove the Wittner tuner, put the tab in the hole and place the tuner in the hole and press in. Try to avoid the end of the paper tab from showing inside the peg box.
If you crease the fold several times to weaken the paper, you should be able to rip in off fairly cleanly (or use a X-acto blade to cut the "scrap" end off) to remove the paper after the peg is installed. It may take a tab on each side of the hole to get the fit you want. You might consider using a very small dot of Elmers glue on the paper tab.
Be sure when removing the Wittner tuner that you press in on the end of the tuner to remove it. Don't grab on the tuner button and pull.
I'll try this, thanks. I assume you try to get by with just the "upwind" hole, but do the "downwind" hole also if it's still slipping?
" I'll try this, thanks. I assume you try to get by with just the "upwind" hole, but do the "downwind" hole also if it's still slipping? " Yes. Place the bent tap in the smaller hole from the inside of the pegbox.
Hopefully, one tab will do the trick (in the larger hole). As you tuner was installed by you luthier, I'd bet it won't take much to keep it from turning.
If the peg is loose, both ends should be bushed. If only one end is loose, the peg hole wasn’t reamed to the proper taper when the pegs were installed and that should be rectified.
I've installed them for clients. I always put a very small amount of Elmer's Glue in the hole to lock them in. Don't bother with any paper.
Sorry I can' help. I have 2 fiddles with Wittner tuners. Never had a problem. Didn't play one fiddle for over 3 months and it stayed in tune. They work so well I don't use fine tuners.
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