Here are some photos

That's one I haven't seen before. Have you tied pushing pulling on the large barrel while simultaneously tugging on the string? Guess we'll see/hear what the BHO jury has to say.... banjered

That is a Waverly planetary 5th string tuner. It appears the tuner shaft is partially shrouded, and the string may be jammed in.

I have no experience wth this tuner, but there are suggestions in the BHO archives:

https://www.banjohangout.org/archive/211378

https://www.banjohangout.org/archive/275954 (check post by  RB-1 - Posted - 12/15/2013:  18:22:26)

Good luck in the extraction.

Rickard could not improve upon the Gotoh 5th string tuner so he uses them in his sets. They are not expensive.

quote:

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Originally posted by Hess

I bought a used Bela Fleck signature model by Gold Tone. I went to change the strings today, and the string in the fifth string tuner seems to be locked in there. I undid both sides of the string but the middle section won’t come out.

Any thoughts on this? Is there a secret lever ;)

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Small needlenose pliers are your friend!

As posted earlier, that is not a Rickard 5th string tuner, it’s a Waverly, made by Stewart-MacDonald. I have them on three banjos and like them a lot, both for function and for looks. But they can be finicky, especially if you’re unfamiliar with them (and don’t have the instructions). If you search the Hangout you will find several threads dealing with these tuners, including a few detailed posts by me on how to use them.

As for your immediate problem, again as posted earlier, small needle nosed pliers or tweezers are the way to go. Hopefully there is a visible portion of string protruding somewhere around the central shaft. Grasp the string firmly with pliers or tweezers and twist the peg back and forth. The string should gradually pull free.

Thank you everyone for your help on this. I clipped the long end (leaving enough to pull on with pliers) and gently pulled it up and turned the tuner one way and then the other. Turning it one way and pulling on it did the trick.

I think these strings have been on it for a number of years. Hopefully restringing it isn’t as challenging. Thank you!

... what doesn't kill you will make you stronger????   

I have one of those on one of my banjos. Anytime that banjo is in the shop the guy begs me to let him swap it out but I like the look! But yes,, they can be a pain to get all the bits of string out of them when changing.

I really appreciate everyone giving me advice on this, I was stressed this morning - I had a new to me banjo and tuners. I thought, "oh no, what did I get myself into with this one." You are some of the kindest people on the internet. Thank you!