Sargeant Boats - Posted - 06/07/2026:  15:42:45

I am making a banjo, one that I really want to play. I have a shop and plan to make more than one. My design has had a few iterations that have created configurable options: Radiused or flat fingerboard, Top-Edge or Air Gap Tone Ring. Less demanding on the geometry is Tuning Peg sourcing.

No intention (at the moment) to design or make Tuning Pegs. So, two questions: What would be a good source for

• Economical Tuning Pegs, and
• Better Tuning Pegs suitable for Maple/Walnut Neck and Hard Maple Block Rim Banjo

Many thanks

Culloden - Posted - 06/07/2026:  16:11:22

Are you looking for pegs for nylon strings, or steel strings? For nylon, plain non-geared pegs like Grover, or even wooden fiddle pegs would work. For steel strings, I would recommend Gotoh tuners. They work as well as any brand I have used, and you don't have to mortgage the house to buy them. Check with Bob Smakula. He's a member here, and a fine fellow to do business with.

smakulafrettedinstruments.com

John Yerxa - Posted - 06/07/2026:  16:17:39

Welcome to the hangout, and good luck with your building. I use 3 main sources for hardware - Smakula Fretted Instruments (Bob is a gem), Balsam Banjo Works, and Rickard Banjos. Gotoh tuners are popular and very good quality, Rickard's 10:1 tuners are reportedly great but $$$. Can't really comment on cheaper, someone gave me a set for my first build, and I've used Gotohs since.

martyjoe - Posted - 06/07/2026:  16:28:30

Bob Smakula is your man. I call the air gap in my tone rings a sound chamber.

Sargeant Boats - Posted - 06/07/2026:  16:29:31

Personally, I like steel over nylon strings. I imagine everyone has a good opinion to stand behind, that’s why I would like to standardize on a couple options.

Thanks for your feedback. Indeed, I will reach out to Bob Smakula.

I have yet to use Rickard's 10:1 tuners on anyone’s banjo. They certainly look nice.

Thanks @Mark Harper and John

banjonz - Posted - 06/07/2026:  17:05:57

Gotoh are excellent tuners. However there is now a new brand called Guyker which look like Gotoh's and are incredibly smooth to use. They are cheaper. Don't touch the really cheap ones that appear on Ebay/AliExpress or Temu. It is a lottery as to the quality.

Sargeant Boats - Posted - 06/07/2026:  17:30:32

Thanks for that tip. I’ll see how they compare.

Thanks again.

Helix - Posted - 06/08/2026:  10:55:58

Gotoh/Smakula



The best value



Rickard is real innovative but 10:1 isn’t for everyone, especially normal brains



Use 4:1’s

the eco's from Gold Tone are entirely adequate. I now spec all Gotoh

the good is in the sound, research plenum.

Edited by - Helix on 06/08/2026 10:59:41