Ernest M - Posted - 12/02/2009:  07:33:12

I am having a new banjo built and had asked for Peghed tuners. Yesterday I read some comments on them that is making me think twice. Can I get some opinions from those that have used them? Good, bad, indifferent? Can be used with different types of strings with no problems, or are they better with one type? Any info is welcome as it is not too late to change.

Ernest

Gomer - Posted - 12/02/2009:  08:22:04

Well counsel, I think all you really need to know about tuners is Keith www.beaconbanjo.com

jmack1745 - Posted - 12/02/2009:  08:33:31

Never used them myself, but I will on one of my future banjos. I've heard nothing but good things said about them. If you are wanting the real old time wooden peg look with modern adjustability, you made the right choice.

Ernest M - Posted - 12/02/2009:  08:45:39

Gomer, I found your reply to be a little cryptic. Could you be a tad more transparent? I have found that us lawyer/banjo players are usually not as smart as regular folk.javascript:insertsmilie('')

rudy - Posted - 12/02/2009:  09:00:03

Ernest,
I noticed the same post that you did. It's the first person I've seen that didn't love them. I second what Jmack said about selecting them based on looks coupled with the convienience of a modern mechanical tuner. I've got a set to go on my next personal banjo which is a 12" pot 25-1/2" scale equipped with nylgut strings. That has to wait til after the reset of this month's instrument work is done, though.
I played a friend's Enoch fretless with Pegheds and knew instantly I needed a set of these on my next banjo.

beegee - Posted - 12/02/2009:  09:36:42

My professional violinist friend does not like them nor the Knilling Perfection pegs. She avows that properly fitted wooden violin pegs work flawlessly without the cost of the geared pegs. Cello players like them because the larger version works better on an instrument where thee are no fine tuners fitted. I guess the problem would be finding someone who can properly fit violin pegs. Otherwise, for the "peg-look" with the accuracy and convenience or geared tunings, the Peghed or Perfection tuners are a pretty good option.

J-Walk - Posted - 12/02/2009:  09:39:51

I have Pegheds on a Chuck Lee open back. I've had some problems with the 5th string tuner. Every once in while, it just won't hold the tuning. I have to loosen the string, pull out the tuner, and then reinsert it. Sometimes it takes a few tried, but I've always gotten it to work. This happens mostly when I tune it up to A. It's not a HUGE problem, but it's something I'd rather not have to deal with.

I like the looks of them, but I don't think I'd want them on another banjo. But don't let that discourage you. Most people love 'em, and my experience is probably a fluke. Or maybe I just got a bad one.

fretlessinfortwayne - Posted - 12/02/2009:  09:58:47

I have the Pegheads on a Ramsey minstrel banjo. Because of their superior performance, I will have another set installed on a minstrel banjo built by Dan Knowles. Bob Smakula, a well-known West Virginia luthier, installed the first set at Clifftop. He said they can be tricky to install and if not properly installed may not perform to your satisfaction. Obviously, Bob installed them right.

Ernest M - Posted - 12/02/2009:  10:09:51

quote:

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Originally posted by fretlessinfortwayne

Because of their superior performance, I will have another set installed on a minstrel banjo built by Dan Knowles.

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LeeBanjos - Posted - 12/02/2009:  11:50:58

I have installed 200 or so sets. Only a few complaints and most were my fault. I made a mistake on a few 5th string tuners a few years ago (issue now remedied). Maybe that was J-Walk's problem. Most of the other few complaints were with folks that didn't mesh well with the friction tension on the gear set. I have only received one tuner back as "defective" that I personally replaced. I installed it in a personal banjo and it worked for me without problem. I think they work well for most folks but not so well for some. I am not part of the food chain on this product. I am only a happy user. I don't sell or profit from the sales of the tuners. I don't get any special discounts or pricing that isn't available to any other quantity buyer. I install most major brands (Keith, Waverly, Gotoh & such, along with Pegheds) and I am pleased with the fine selection of tuners on the market today. I know of several violin family instrument makers that now install the Perfection tuners as standard issue. I am sure some folks won't prefer one brand or another, but you could insert any brand name in that category.

It's a great time in history to be a banjo player.

Enjoy,

Chuck Lee

steve davis - Posted - 12/02/2009:  12:00:27

I absolutely agree that this is the high point so far in banjo evolution.
A large selection of instruments and parts of very high quality.
A deeper understanding of the finer points of the instrument helps a lot,too.

fretlessinfortwayne - Posted - 12/04/2009:  22:10:35

Ernest, absolutely superior to violin type pegs although the pegheads have the same outward appearance. And for that reason, I employ them on a minstrel banjo. Putting modern looking geared tuners on a minstrel banjo wouldn't be appropriate in my humble opinion.

oldwoodchuckb - Posted - 12/05/2009:  19:17:11

Pegheds/Precisions - same peg no matter what they say - are the best answer to putting tuners on any banjo that you would prefer not look like it came out of the UGLY shop. My wife has them on about 6 fiddles and we have several friends who have switched to them. I have a set on my Lee, and a friend of mine has installed them on a couple banjos.

They are not perfect but installation is everything. I consider it well worth the 40 bucks our fiddle man charges to install a set because he's good and it is worth the money to know they are properly fitted.

My wife has had two problem pegs in the 4 years she has used them. In both cases it was a matter of breaking nylon (or similar material) strings. Because the pegs are not wood, they have to be carefully chamfered and smoothed before use. Both pegs were gone over and are still in use. That's all the problems she has experienced and she has about 24 - 30 of the pegs.

I only have 5 of them - on my Chuck Lee banjo - I think they are the best banjo pegs I've ever owned. I particularly like that the 5th string peg is geared at 4:1 just like the pegs for the long strings. Only the Waverly 4th is geared properly among the 'metal' pegs.

Ernest M - Posted - 12/05/2009:  19:57:10

Thanks to all who responded. I'll be sticking to Pegheds.

EM