mike gregory - Posted - 04/28/2021:  14:53:53

just got a mountain banjo.
Wooden pegs.
Expletive Deleted to try tune.
Nearest music store has no peg dope.
What do you folks use on YOUR wooden pegs?

s_ou_b - Posted - 04/28/2021:  15:04:38

Bees wax

Alvin Conder - Posted - 04/28/2021:  15:29:13

Violin Rosin- powdered up.

Or

Bees wax mixed with chalk.

Or in a pinch- Lava Soap.

All work, but order the peg dope. It really works much better.

mike gregory - Posted - 04/28/2021:  16:39:17

I've only got 5 pegs, and a tube of the real stuff costs $13, so I'll try all the substitutes, first.
Thanks for the answers.

bradlaird - Posted - 04/28/2021:  16:40:50

First consider how well they are fitted. If the taper matches and is nice and even they usually turn easily and stay put—humidity aside.

Second, depends on whether you cant get them to turn (too grabby) or they turn easy but dont stick.

There are various “peg dope” products sold in the violin world. They perform well, both lubricating and grabbing, IF the peg taper fits well.

Generally, yanking the peg out and rubbing it with rosin will make it grab better.

Zachary Hoyt - Posted - 04/28/2021:  16:50:47

I know I am a weirdo, but out of all of the fiddles I have built and the few banjos I have made with fiddle pegs I have never used a product of any kind on the pegs. If they're fitted well they seem to work okay without it. Do the ones in your new banjo stick or slip?

G Edward Porgie - Posted - 04/28/2021:  18:13:04

Bradley and Zachary have the right ideas. Nothing will fix pegs that aren't properly fitted.

thisoldman - Posted - 04/28/2021:  18:25:40

Being cheap, I read about using bar soap on (a cheap fiddle) pegs and used that on that fiddle.

Bob Smakula - Posted - 04/28/2021:  18:35:17

mike gregory



When my dad died 12 years ago I inherited his stock of peg dope. I have gone through 2 of 13 tubes and my kids don't want to have to get rid of the remaining 11 when I croak (not imminent mind you). I will mail one to you tomorrow. Heck, I might even give one to Zach Hoyt the next time I mail him banjo parts.



That's just what you get for keeping us laughing with your wise cracks here on the hangout.



Bob Smakula

Edited by - Bob Smakula on 04/28/2021 18:38:57

mike gregory - Posted - 04/28/2021:  18:42:41

Right neighborly of you, Mr. Smakula!

Kookaburra - Posted - 04/28/2021:  20:31:21

quote: Your timing is impeccable.  I have a newly acquired SS Stewart Thoroughbred that plays really well but the 5th string peg has started slipping terribly.  I have some W.E Hills Composition that has mostly sorted it but it will not hold at the exact position for G.  A tad either side no problem but bang on G it just slips to almost completely off the whole peg.  I suspect I am off to the luthier to have the hole plugged and re-reamed.  I think the pegs are original and really don't want to change them.  The other strings are solid as a rock.  A bit frustrating, although my teacher did say, just tune to that and carry on!

cheers

Kookaburra

  

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Originally posted by mike gregory

just got a mountain banjo.

Wooden pegs.

Expletive Deleted to try tune.

Nearest music store has no peg dope.

What do you folks use on YOUR wooden pegs?

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mike gregory - Posted - 04/28/2021:  20:40:14

I knew a guy who put a violin  fine tuner between the tailpiece and the bridge.