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I posted this on the 'General' forum, but got no responses. Maybe someone here can help?
I'm having trouble getting exact tuning with the wooden friction pegs on my new custom-built negra. I'm wondering if I should have the pegs replaced with a set of those new geared pegs ("Pegheds") that some guy in South Carolina sells for about $120/set.
Anybody have any experience replacing friction pegs with these type of pegs?
Posts: 302
Joined: May 27 2005
From: Zürich, Switzerland
RE: Converting friction pegs to gear... (in reply to britguy)
Hi britguy
The problem you mention is common for "newbies" on wooden peged guitars. Pegs are indeed more difficult to tune than the mecanical tuners, but that's normal. I don't think that the problem is in the guitar. It just requires more practice and a certain amount of feeling to tune it right. Part of the problem could be that the pegs are not lubricated and therefore stick when turned. This problem can be solved by using either graphite powder or a bit of candle parafin. Nevertheless a peg head won't ever be that easy to tune as mecanical tuners.
I don't actually recommend though to change the pegs to mecanicals as it would decrease the value of the guitar. Peged Headstocks lock better to my opinion and they also distinguish from common guitars. Soundwise i find peged guitars to be superior as a peged headstock is much lighter than a mecanical one.
Yes, it would be possible to change it. It is much easier to change from peghead to mecanical than vice versa, but it requires slotting of the headstock and drilling of the tuner holes on either side of it. This should be done by a professional if it is a valuable instrument.
Posts: 298
Joined: Jan. 19 2011
From: The Netherlands
RE: Converting friction pegs to gear... (in reply to britguy)
@ britguy
Try to do a search on the foro for geared pegs, pegs, pegheds, or something similar, its been talked about a couple of times, including installing, tuning and also converting (if i remeber correct).
I'm sure you will be able to find some more info, I also believe there are a few makers of geared pegs, Pegheds is 1 or them.
Asfar as I remember from threads I read, the instalment is almost the same as regular pegs, you need to ream the hole to the right diameter matching the pegs, only difference is that the peg has a fine thread (like on a screw), and you screw the base part of the pegheds into the headstock.
In other words, It's advisable to take it to a luthier with experience in installing pegs and the proper tools and he/she should be able to get the job done.
RE: Converting friction pegs to gear... (in reply to britguy)
The geared pegs that I have installed (pegheads) should be easy to install on a peghead. Its a matter of drilling a 9mm hole and follow the instructions. I think you know that I´m not a fan of those geared pegs, but if it makes your life easyer, then go for it. I dont believe that changing the tuning mechanisms being geared pegs or machineheads on a new guitar will make it loose value. Thats something to do with collectors. A good guitar will continue to be a good good good guitar no matter the tuning mechanism.
RE: Converting friction pegs to gear... (in reply to britguy)
I've just finshed a peghed (mech pegs) guitar today. It's my second with them and I actually really like them. I can't see any reasons to dislike them really. The ones I have just used are from peghed.com and should fit a tapered hole nicely. I had another set that required two different size holes to be drilled for it to work so those ones might not work aswell.
RE: Converting friction pegs to gear... (in reply to britguy)
re-reading an old thread but i currently have two guitars with pegs one friction...87 1A ramirez one planetery..73 kyairi
the one with planetery pegs is a new addition
i am noticing the geared pegs 'slip' more than my friction pegs particulary on the 6th and 3rd string at least a sudden drop of a tone or more i can see the 'peg' loosening ...in two seperate part...ie the peg and the shaft that is routed into the headstock...
i imagined them to be more like 'tuners' but seem quite loose and not able to hold the 'lower' tension strings in tune
Posts: 271
Joined: Sep. 19 2011
From: Louisville KY
RE: Converting friction pegs to gear... (in reply to britguy)
I'm a fan of Planetary Pegs myself, the 4 to 1 ratio feels better than a 1 to 1... On the guitars I have played with their pegs installed, I never noticed any problems with the tuning, or the pegs holding tension. I do wonder though if they would need to be tightened in the hole once and a while. It seems that the hole would shrink and expand as any screw hole does, and obviously, this would make them be looser in the threaded hole...
I also like friction pegs when they work right, and lots of times they do. For my almost completed negra from Castillo I ordered friction pegs, and plan to use them as long as I'm happy. When I become unhappy I will have Planetary Pegs installed.
Didn't you have a problem a while back Britguy where you mixed up the pegs when cleaning the guitar? Or maybe that was a different guitar... Never the less they look easy to install, and if your pretty handy you probably could do it yourself. If that's not a step you want to take, it would probably run you around $200 or so to get a luthier to do it. I would say just get a price for the labor and order the pegs yourself. You may come out a little better on the cost that way.
Posts: 1708
Joined: Jan. 29 2012
From: Seattle, Washington, USA
RE: Converting friction pegs to gear... (in reply to Guest)
I have been using Pegheds for a while now and I think I know your problem: The ones you are having trouble with have come unglued. The aluminum part needs to be unscrewed from the wood and reglued into the wood with a drop of superglue. It has to be done carefully, first of all knowing whether it is a right- or left-handed thread, and second using pliers (if necessary) with thick leather between the pliers and the Peghed to avoid scratching the anodized finish. Once installed correctly you will love them.
I'm on my first peg head and at first I thought, 'WHAT possessed me to get this thing...?'. This clip from Anders Eliasson was a massive help. I'm glad I persevered.
RE: Converting friction pegs to gear... (in reply to Guest)
I have them installed in five guitars and no problems.If they are stiff ;give them a pull.If they are slipping; push them in.I just had them installed w/ pearl dots on the end (From Pegheds) on my "59" Miguel Rodriguez.The guitar is now FANTASTIC!The tuning is a dream. BTW Guillermo Rios installed them for $40
RE: Converting friction pegs to gear... (in reply to Richard Ogilby)
How about the reverse? Does it diminish value? You might get a kick out of this one. Counterintuitive, perhaps, but here we go. You can follow the link for more photos...
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