Are Your Fine Tuners Shot?

June 11, 2007 at 8:54 AM

My violin had a shot E tuner and I changed it. Now, my A is showing me it needs to be replaced. I think this is why I was getting a halo around the tone on A and had JohnsonStrings send me a replacement. I will mail them a check. Their A string (Evah) was O.K. and not defective, it was my tuner.

Please note that the highest pressure is always on the E and the A strings and they should be the first to go.

My violin is eleven years old and I have had it for four months. I am wondering who makes the best fine tuners? I will probably replace all of them, even the new one, to get them to match.

From Bart Meijer
Posted on June 11, 2007 at 10:05 AM

I'm amazed that your fine-tuner has given up the ghost after only four months of use. Could it be that it needs some oil? (Only very little, of course). When you need a lot of force to turn the screw, you might not sense the end of the thread and so destroy it. The same applies to the tightening screw on a bow.

From Tom Holzman
Posted on June 11, 2007 at 4:34 PM

Most violinists would not use a fine tuner on the A string. Why not try without it?

From Robert Berentz
Posted on June 11, 2007 at 5:42 PM

I think you are right Tom. I will try removing the G,D, and A and just run with the new E. Thanks.

This entry has been archived and is no longer accepting comments.