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CelloBass
Registered User
Posts: 82
(9/2/01 6:29:57 pm)
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How are pegs
handled correctly?
Hi,
switching from the bass to the cello I still have
problems with the handling of the pegs. The bass has a tuning
machine using gears... on the cello, to hold the tension of the
strings, the pegs have to sit firmly in their holes, fixed. Tuning
while the peg is fixed is risky because you can easily break the
string if the peg suddenly turns too far. Therefore I loosen the peg
which allows very precise tuning. But how do I fix the peg after I
have found the correct tuning? I can't simply push the peg back into
its holes to fix it, I have to turn and press the peg
simultaneously. But, by turning the peg I change the pitch again, so
I end up with a fixed peg and, again, wrong tuning. Is there a
trick? Yes, I do have finetuners and I know that they are necessary
to tune steel strings. But there are people who play gut strings
without finetuners, so there has to be a way to tune precisely using
the pegs only. I know, this sounds silly, even to me, but I have
played pegless instruments only so far  Or have I just
found the reason why cellists sometimes play out of tune?
Horst
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rosebud499
Registered User
Posts: 10
(9/2/01 8:01:43 pm)
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tuning with
pegs
Don't actively loosen the pegs before tuning. Just turn and push.
The force you are spending to turn and push at the same time should
be very close or equal to that which is required to fix the peg.
It's not the easiest thing to do at first, but you'll get the hang
of it. The hardest part for me at first was getting the courage! Every
instrument is different and sometimes it is a matter of getting the
feel for the instrument. When in doubt, at first, get the pitch up
as close as you can, erring on the flat side, and tune up with your
fine tuners. Also when using pegs, check the bridge feet often to
make sure they are remaining flush with the table. Frequent use of
the pegs sometimes aids leaning and warping of the bridge toward the
fingerboard. Someone once suggested to me tuning with one hand and
hold the bridge with the other. That's a little trickier.
I
don't know what climate you live in. That may be part of the
problem.
Hope this helps.
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samcn
Registered User
Posts: 21
(9/2/01 9:37:34 pm)
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get used to
it..
I have to say: get used to it with the peg.. Especially when new
string is put on.. A lot of time I have to tune A-d-g-c then c-g-d-a
then (and so on) I set A in tune and as soon as I tune D then A is
out of tune again.. It seemed after a while ( could be weeks or
maybe more) to have the string to memorize the tension - the tune..
And then peg tuning will be flawless.. Usually, it is easier to tune
a little higher then Push in-release, so the peg will stay tight in
the peg hole.. I never discuss this with anyone, even with my
teacher..
Always interested to hear from other cellists' question
for me to re-look at the issues I have never paid attention
with..
Sam
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 Steve
Drake
Registered
User
Posts: 452
(9/2/01 10:29:24
pm)
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Community Supporter
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Re: How are pegs
handled correctly?
This comes up once in a while. There are basically two things you
have to get right to make pegs work right, so they can turn smoothly
without having to push and pull on them. The first is to make sure
both the peg and the hole are fitted correctly - you need to have a
professional shape both of these so the fit is smooth, and have some
professional peg compound applied. The second is learning how to
wind the string onto the pegs so that it applies just the right
amount of pressure on the pegbox wall to hold the peg in place, but
not be so tight as to lock up the peg. This can take some trial and
error to get right, especially if you use gut strings, but if you
use steel strings you can make it a little too tight, as you will be
using the fine tuners most of the time.
I believe there's
something in the faq about this - it may make more sense than what
I've written.
BTW - even though I have figured out how to
use my pegs, I'm still perfectly capable of playing out of tune, no
matter how in tune my strings are!
A side note - pegs shrink
in the winter, and swell up in the summer. You may need to rewind
your pegs seasonally to compensate for this. One November concert, I
had 3 strings come unwound at the start, making my performance a bit
hairy!
There are geared tuning mechanisms available for the
cello also - a popular brand is pegheads. There is also a company
out there who makes a geared mechanism similar to the ones bassists
use.
My MP3's
My Cello
Homepage Edited by: Steve
Drake at: 9/2/01 10:32:19 pm
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Len
Thompson
Registered
User
Posts: 206
(9/3/01 8:19:53
am)
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Using
Pegs
When I have to tune using the peg, I generally tune the string down
first (a small amount) and then tune up to pitch as I push the peg
in. If I go to far, I repeat the process, down, and then up to pitch
with inward presure. Usually I'm content to get very close with the
peg, and then use the fine tuners, but I'm sure with practice you
can tune to exact pitch using your pegs. Hope this helps!
Len
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Andrew
Victor
Registered
User
Posts: 397
(9/3/01 9:09:30
am)
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Best
practice
I have heard that what Len has suggested is the recommended
approach with all the pegged string instruments. I've done it this
way for many years.
But still, you need to pegs that fit well
- and it soun like you don't.
Sometimes a peg compound can
help. Some people suggest using LAVA soap once. This lubricates the
pegs so they turn easily and helps lock them to keep them from
slipping, and best of all, the grit in the LAVA soap helps create a
better fit between pegs and holes. BUT DON'T use it again - and
watch to be sure you are not cutting deeper into the pegbox walls.
(having the pegbox plugged and re-holded by a luthier can likely
cost you $50 -$80 per hole plus the cost of new pegs ($100/hole with
new pegs). Next time you change strings rub off the old LAVA soap
and use a regular peg compound.
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