Viola/violin tuning pegs: Pegheads vs Knilling vs Grover?
I have a cheap viola which stays in tune just fine _until_ I forget to dampen the case humidifier, then the pegs slip horribly. Eventually I would like to put mechanical pegs on it, but wondered which are best, Perfections, Peg-Heads or the much less expensive Grover Sta-Tites?
FWIW, taking this viola to a luthier to have the peg holes adjusted is out of the question because A: the work would cost more than the instrument is worth, and B: there are no violin shops within 150 miles of where I live. I don't mind spending the extra on mechanical pegs because in the unlikely event that I someday upgrade to a better viola (I would need to win the lotto!) I would swap the pegs out into it.
bka2016-03-22T13:29:45Z
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nono, don't do that!
first, its normal to have pegs slip with extreme weather shifts, even if you have really well adjusted pegs.
second, the mechanical pegs, you really cant fit them yourself, and its way more expensive to get them fitted in a shop than to get regular pegs fixed. and while those pegs are kinda neat, they are not as reliable as you hope, and most of my students who have gotten them have had to have more maintenance on them than standard pegs, so its not something you want if you don't have good access to a shop.
just get some peg dope and be more consistent in controlling humidity if its such a big factor where you live!
Justin, I wouldn't be to quick to act. Wait until our string experts chime in, but if I understand correctly, the mechanical pegs need to be fitted at a shop. According to the websites, the pegbox has to be reamed to match them. It's not a DIY project.
It seems like the real problem is forgetting to recharge the humidifier. Think of ways to remind you of that. You're using a device at this very moment that could be programmed to remind you every few days. That sounds like a way better solution than upgrading a cheap fiddle you'll replace, only to have the pegs refitted again anyway, spending bucks both times, even if you HAD a shop available.
As far as those products go, I've seen the Perfection planetary tuners and the Grover geared tuners. They are very high quality products. Top quality machining, exquisite craftsmanship, best materials. They are the good stuff, but it doesn't sound like that's your best route to solve the problem.
Wittner Fine Tune pegs are the best of the geared pegs. No to Grover. All need professional installation, these are not DIY install, just the tool is around $100.