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Aug 9, 2026 - 3:03:53 PM

banjonz

New Zealand

12916 posts since 6/29/2003

I am in the process of purchasing two cheap Asian made necks from a seller in Australia. There is a need to for lefty banjos here (I know of 3 so far). I stock a lot of parts for my repairs etc and have a number of geared 5th pegs.
I remember quite some time ago about a thread on converting standard pegs to left orientation. I think I can remember how to do it but any pertinent advice would be appreciated. I think from memory that not all pegs can be converted.

Aug 10, 2026 - 2:58:44 AM

3912 posts since 4/7/2010

The only peg I was able to convert to lefty was the pre 2017 Schaller 5th. Schaller changed their design that year and it was no longer possible to make that conversion.

Even when done, the conversion was not ideal. The gears were backwards from what you expected and sometimes the gears didn't mesh properly, resulting in a "crunchy feel".

Bob Smakula
smakulafrettedinstruments.com

Aug 10, 2026 - 8:54:07 AM

RDP

USA

418 posts since 2/27/2009

I think gold tone has lefty tuners.

Aug 10, 2026 - 3:03:11 PM

banjonz

New Zealand

12916 posts since 6/29/2003

quote:
Originally posted by Bob Smakula

The only peg I was able to convert to lefty was the pre 2017 Schaller 5th. Schaller changed their design that year and it was no longer possible to make that conversion.

Even when done, the conversion was not ideal. The gears were backwards from what you expected and sometimes the gears didn't mesh properly, resulting in a "crunchy feel".

Bob Smakula
smakulafrettedinstruments.com


I searched online and Schaller came up. However, I checked through my supply of tuners and one of the Asian ones were pinned in two places. I have disassembled it and can modify it by drilling a pin hole on the other side of the housing. I searched Aliexpress and Temu and Temu is showing sellers with this type of tuner. The other cheapy Asian ones are impossible (at the moment) to disassemble.




Aug 11, 2026 - 12:43:53 AM

1474 posts since 8/12/2003

Yes, Gold Tone makes a Left-Handed Geared 5th String Banjo Tuner
goldtonemusicgroup.com/goldton...rts/b1221

Aug 11, 2026 - 6:08:17 PM

banjonz

New Zealand

12916 posts since 6/29/2003

quote:
Originally posted by bob chappell

Yes, Gold Tone makes a Left-Handed Geared 5th String Banjo Tuner
goldtonemusicgroup.com/goldton...rts/b1221


Those ones are on Aliexpress that have been converted. I can buy the tuners and modify them myself. I would save myself a lot of $$$.

Aug 13, 2026 - 4:54:21 PM

banjonz

New Zealand

12916 posts since 6/29/2003

quote:
Originally posted by banjonz
quote:
Originally posted by bob chappell

Yes, Gold Tone makes a Left-Handed Geared 5th String Banjo Tuner
goldtonemusicgroup.com/goldton...rts/b1221


Those ones are on Aliexpress that have been converted. I can buy the tuners and modify them myself. I would save myself a lot of $$$.


Has anyone ever purchased one of these from GT and fitted it? If so, do they have the hole in the top of the housing for a pin? The photo on thier website doesn't show that view. The tuners look like the Asian ones I see listed variously

Aug 14, 2026 - 4:59:57 PM
likes this

banjonz

New Zealand

12916 posts since 6/29/2003

I have finally modified a righty peg for left hand. This first one took a bit of experimentation. After disassembling and measuring, I started to cut the slot on my micro lathe only to find my parting tool wasn't low enough. I carried on by using a jewellers file to enlarge the width and also the slot depth. It took a while but once I got it all lubed, assembled and tightened, it works good. I found a photo here I think on someone who had done it.




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