I am in need of some advice. Am having trouble with strings, fine tuners and pegs. I use add on fine tuners on the tailpiece. Eventually, I need to loosen the tuners up all the way & adjust the strings with the pegs. Depending on the humidity, I can either end up with slipping pegs or pegs that won’t budge. Last evening, I found the fiddle fairies had been busy and my G string was broken at the tuner end. It seems lately, this is where the strings are breaking. Also, my E string was tuned to D. After loosening the tuner, I couldn’t budge the peg at all. Here’s the deal:
1. I have a fiddle-esque instrument (read that as cheap)
2. I had Corelli Crystals strings (E string is the last Corelli), been replacing them as they break with Super Sensitives as they were what I had on hand. I really liked the tone from the Corelli’s, but they do loose their tune easily. I live near the lake; Milwaukee is built on a swamp, hence, high humidity now.
3. I replaced the tailpiece with built-in tuners because I had a lot of trouble with the tuners. I now have a heavy (I think) tailpiece with add in tuners. Am really unhappy with this current tailpiece.
4. I use a heavy mute as I live in an apartment and I don’t want to disturb the neighbors.
5. I am basically a putz.
I am saving for a real fiddle. I took a look at the Ged Foley link a few discussions back, am sorely tempted. I have been checking with the local shops, but no decent used and the new fiddles are out for now. I would consider leasing, but am concerned with damaging the thing; I have a bad karma gene. Maybe adopting a barn cat and playing it’s whiskers would be an alternative.
I really like my Thomastik tailpiece with built-in fine tuners. It's light and the screws don't stick. We have lots of humidity here, too, and I've had good success with both Helicore, Evah Pirazzi, and Violino strings in terms of keeping their tuning. Once a year or whenever I re-string, I put some of that "peg dope" stuff on the pegs -- it comes in a lipstick type tube and appears to be a brown paraffin. It helps keep the pegs from sticking but doesn't make them too slippery. Good luck!
Thanks! I had thought of replacing the Tailpiece with such as you suggeted, but feel somewhat conflicted as I really don't want to invest too much on this inferior instrument. But it would be cheaper than replacing the instrument or running through strings as often as I am.
When using peg dope (don't over-use!) make sure you rewind the string onto the peg so that the angle of the string from the peg to the nut will try to pull the peg into its holes in the pegbox. If you don't do this the peg will be even more inclined to slip.
It's often not really possible to get this angle with the E-string so I always have that peg fairly tight and do all the tuning from the micro adjuster - which you've got to do anyway with such a high-tension steel string.
In the case of the G-string you can sometimes get that important angle from the peg to the nut right, sometimes not, depending on the design of the pegbox. But it's not quite so critical for the G-string because of the lower tension of that string.
Avoid letting the final winding of the string on the peg get trapped against the wall of the pegbox. This will make turning the peg difficult and unreliable, and is a famous cause of string breakages!
If the peg dope doesn't work then you'll need a technician to look at the fitting of the pegs. The pegbox holes may need to rereamed, and jf the pegs are made of inferior wood or have distorted with age and use they should really be replaced.
Deb, check out the Pusch tailpieces with built-in fine tuners. Only about $40 USD, made of ebony, and the fine tuners are the best I've used (I'm not too fond of the Thomastik tailpieces--they give a metallic sound to the fiddle).
If you upgrade your tailpiece, keep the old one. When you get a new fiddle, you can move your good tailpiece to the new fiddle and put the old one back on el-cheapo. It's not a major operation, or a shop can do it for you.
Thanks all! I will look into a new tailpiece. When I first got the fiddle, I needed to have the thing setup properly and the boy at the desk really gave it a cold stare. He told me it wouldn't be worth investing in decent strings etc. I think that's the first and only view with the younger ones. I wasn't asked for a preference when I replaced the current one.
Rosin on your pegs? That damages the finish on the scroll and can thoroughly gum up the pegs and holes. Use peg dope--it's cheap and it won't wreck your fiddle.
Actually, the pegs right now are stuck! They vary depending on their mood. I do have the peg dope but I would have to remove the strings to apply, right?? If the fairies have any feeling at all for me, they will have the E string broken when I get home(stuck on perfect D). I think I should manage to get the string off etc. But you can never count on the fairies. I'd remove the string, but I'm sure I'd loose the eye as well.
Does it matter which tyoe of string you use as to which type of tuner get on??
Hi
Forget peg dope it does not really cure the problem. Here is what to do, get some ordinary dry soap and rub it on the peg where
it makes contact with the pegbox then put the peg in the pegbox and turn it until you have transfered the soap to the pegbox wall.
Take out the peg and wipe it clean, then repeat the process with chalk, you can add more soap or chalk until it feels right. once done you can clean the peg as the soap and chalk are in the pegbox hole. This method has been in use for centuries and always works on pegs that are a reasonable fit, if the pegs dont fit well you are wasting your time.
Goodluck
Mike
Well, there's two kinds of peg dope. One for helping stuck pegs turn more easily, and one for helping slippery pegs stick better. But for all I know they're both made of soap and chalk....
Lia, no doubt it's just because I'm a time zone or two ahead of you
Thank You all! Actually, there are 2 resolutions. One temporary, am taking the instrument in to have the pegs checked yet again(done once before) and will replace the d*mn tailpiece and the Permanent solution, a real instrument. That will have to wait until I find one which suits.
There is a third actually, I could switch to that vibra slap thing or cow bell.
I spent last eve. listening to Kevin Burke to remind me why I am going thru the frustration. That lifted my tension level greatly! Deb.
Are the Fiddle Doctors In??
Are the Fiddle Doctors In??
I am in need of some advice. Am having trouble with strings, fine tuners and pegs. I use add on fine tuners on the tailpiece. Eventually, I need to loosen the tuners up all the way & adjust the strings with the pegs. Depending on the humidity, I can either end up with slipping pegs or pegs that won’t budge. Last evening, I found the fiddle fairies had been busy and my G string was broken at the tuner end. It seems lately, this is where the strings are breaking. Also, my E string was tuned to D. After loosening the tuner, I couldn’t budge the peg at all. Here’s the deal:
1. I have a fiddle-esque instrument (read that as cheap)
2. I had Corelli Crystals strings (E string is the last Corelli), been replacing them as they break with Super Sensitives as they were what I had on hand. I really liked the tone from the Corelli’s, but they do loose their tune easily. I live near the lake; Milwaukee is built on a swamp, hence, high humidity now.
3. I replaced the tailpiece with built-in tuners because I had a lot of trouble with the tuners. I now have a heavy (I think) tailpiece with add in tuners. Am really unhappy with this current tailpiece.
4. I use a heavy mute as I live in an apartment and I don’t want to disturb the neighbors.
5. I am basically a putz.
I am saving for a real fiddle. I took a look at the Ged Foley link a few discussions back, am sorely tempted. I have been checking with the local shops, but no decent used and the new fiddles are out for now. I would consider leasing, but am concerned with damaging the thing; I have a bad karma gene. Maybe adopting a barn cat and playing it’s whiskers would be an alternative.
Any help is much appreciated. Debputz.
# Posted on July 29th 2004 by Agnes Nutter
Re: Are the Fiddle Doctors In??
I really like my Thomastik tailpiece with built-in fine tuners. It's light and the screws don't stick. We have lots of humidity here, too, and I've had good success with both Helicore, Evah Pirazzi, and Violino strings in terms of keeping their tuning. Once a year or whenever I re-string, I put some of that "peg dope" stuff on the pegs -- it comes in a lipstick type tube and appears to be a brown paraffin. It helps keep the pegs from sticking but doesn't make them too slippery. Good luck!
# Posted on July 29th 2004 by lcox
Re: Are the Fiddle Doctors In??
Thanks! I had thought of replacing the Tailpiece with such as you suggeted, but feel somewhat conflicted as I really don't want to invest too much on this inferior instrument. But it would be cheaper than replacing the instrument or running through strings as often as I am.
# Posted on July 29th 2004 by Agnes Nutter
Re: Are the Fiddle Doctors In??
General peg advice for any fiddle.
When using peg dope (don't over-use!) make sure you rewind the string onto the peg so that the angle of the string from the peg to the nut will try to pull the peg into its holes in the pegbox. If you don't do this the peg will be even more inclined to slip.
It's often not really possible to get this angle with the E-string so I always have that peg fairly tight and do all the tuning from the micro adjuster - which you've got to do anyway with such a high-tension steel string.
In the case of the G-string you can sometimes get that important angle from the peg to the nut right, sometimes not, depending on the design of the pegbox. But it's not quite so critical for the G-string because of the lower tension of that string.
Avoid letting the final winding of the string on the peg get trapped against the wall of the pegbox. This will make turning the peg difficult and unreliable, and is a famous cause of string breakages!
If the peg dope doesn't work then you'll need a technician to look at the fitting of the pegs. The pegbox holes may need to rereamed, and jf the pegs are made of inferior wood or have distorted with age and use they should really be replaced.
Trevor
# Posted on July 29th 2004 by Trevor Jennings
Re: Are the Fiddle Doctors In??
Deb, check out the Pusch tailpieces with built-in fine tuners. Only about $40 USD, made of ebony, and the fine tuners are the best I've used (I'm not too fond of the Thomastik tailpieces--they give a metallic sound to the fiddle).
If you upgrade your tailpiece, keep the old one. When you get a new fiddle, you can move your good tailpiece to the new fiddle and put the old one back on el-cheapo. It's not a major operation, or a shop can do it for you.
# Posted on July 29th 2004 by Will Harmon
Re: Are the Fiddle Doctors In??
Thanks all! I will look into a new tailpiece. When I first got the fiddle, I needed to have the thing setup properly and the boy at the desk really gave it a cold stare. He told me it wouldn't be worth investing in decent strings etc. I think that's the first and only view with the younger ones. I wasn't asked for a preference when I replaced the current one.
Now, about that barn cat idea.....
# Posted on July 29th 2004 by Agnes Nutter
Re: Are the Fiddle Doctors In??
If pegs are slipping, add rosin.
# Posted on July 29th 2004 by Choonz
Re: Are the Fiddle Doctors In??
Rosin on your pegs? That damages the finish on the scroll and can thoroughly gum up the pegs and holes. Use peg dope--it's cheap and it won't wreck your fiddle.
# Posted on July 29th 2004 by Will Harmon
Re: Are the Fiddle Doctors In??
Rosin not such a good idea. It does work, but in the long run the rosin can fuse your pegs in place. Peg dope is cheap.
# Posted on July 29th 2004 by Lia Zito
Re: Are the Fiddle Doctors In??
Actually, the pegs right now are stuck! They vary depending on their mood. I do have the peg dope but I would have to remove the strings to apply, right?? If the fairies have any feeling at all for me, they will have the E string broken when I get home(stuck on perfect D). I think I should manage to get the string off etc. But you can never count on the fairies. I'd remove the string, but I'm sure I'd loose the eye as well.
Does it matter which tyoe of string you use as to which type of tuner get on??
# Posted on July 29th 2004 by Agnes Nutter
Re: Are the Fiddle Doctors In??
Ha! Hi Will, you beat me again!
# Posted on July 29th 2004 by Lia Zito
Re: Are the Fiddle Doctors In??
Hi
Forget peg dope it does not really cure the problem. Here is what to do, get some ordinary dry soap and rub it on the peg where
it makes contact with the pegbox then put the peg in the pegbox and turn it until you have transfered the soap to the pegbox wall.
Take out the peg and wipe it clean, then repeat the process with chalk, you can add more soap or chalk until it feels right. once done you can clean the peg as the soap and chalk are in the pegbox hole. This method has been in use for centuries and always works on pegs that are a reasonable fit, if the pegs dont fit well you are wasting your time.
Goodluck
Mike
# Posted on July 29th 2004 by Mikea
Re: Are the Fiddle Doctors In??
Well, there's two kinds of peg dope. One for helping stuck pegs turn more easily, and one for helping slippery pegs stick better. But for all I know they're both made of soap and chalk....
Lia, no doubt it's just because I'm a time zone or two ahead of you
# Posted on July 29th 2004 by Will Harmon
Re: Are the Fiddle Doctors In??
Thank You all! Actually, there are 2 resolutions. One temporary, am taking the instrument in to have the pegs checked yet again(done once before) and will replace the d*mn tailpiece and the Permanent solution, a real instrument. That will have to wait until I find one which suits.
There is a third actually, I could switch to that vibra slap thing or cow bell.
I spent last eve. listening to Kevin Burke to remind me why I am going thru the frustration. That lifted my tension level greatly! Deb.
# Posted on July 29th 2004 by Agnes Nutter
Re: Are the Fiddle Doctors In??
DON'T PUT ROSIN ON THE PEGS!
# Posted on March 1st 2003 by dafydd