Peg Dope???
What is your opinion about using peg dope? Love it? Hate it? Never should be used?
Replies (20)
I have a bottle of it , but so far I have not needed it
I prefer to mess with the pegs and recoil the strings around them than to use peg dope, but that's just me.
have it but never have seen a need to use it
It seems the big question is emerging. Has anyone actually used the stuff, or does everybody just buy it for the pretty bottle?
I am 99% sure that all of you have some sort of peg dope on your peg shafts even if you didn't put it there yourselves. Certainly your luthier lubricated the peg shafts and peg holes the last time you had new pegs installed or had the old ones shaved. Without something between the two wood surfaces, the peg will either stick hard or chatter loudly whenever you turn the peg, which will make fine adjustments difficult. The best of the peg dope sticks for many years was the original Hill's formula. I have never been in a violin shop that didn't have some on the workbench.
We use it every time we change strings or have the pegs loose for any reason, or whenever we encounter pegs that don't work properly. We prefer Hill's and Goetz peg compound that come in a stick. It gives just the right amount of friction so that pegs neither stick nor slip but are easy to tune, and it helps reduce pegbox wear. If pegs still slip, we might use a little soft chalk. If that doesn't work, the pegs need to be re-fit. We never use peg drops, although we have them in the shop..
I have some on my pegs but they make have these black stains which make the pegs look ugly. I have a bottle in my case which was free but never used it.
Hello Elinor and fellow Bausch bower! I'm doing great! I have a gig playing the violin at an employees party in two weeks. So I have been keeping the horse's tail on the 4!
The Eastman violin that I have had a peg compound (brown) on it's pegs, when Mom bought it, that made fine tuning with the pegs alone pretty easy. It's wearing off and was curious what others have expirienced? I may try some?
I've never really liked her.
Her????
Royce--glad to hear you have a gig, you just jummin' man!
Best of luck on your up coming gig! Knock their socks off!
Peg dope is unecessary for me. If my pegs stick a bit I loosen the string, pull it out just a tad and rub it with the led of a pencil. Works like a charm.
On the reverse, if my peg is too loose I pull it out likewise and rub it with a bit of chalk.
I like to avoid both pencil lead and chalk. Both contain mild abrasives which will wear the wood over time. If abrasives are avoided, pegs can last almost forever.
The exception is that pencil lead contains enough graphite to be an excellent "extreme pressure" lubricant for string grooves in the bridge and the upper nut. In this case, the lubrication advantage outweighs the abrasive content, and will reduce wear.
Nothing like making your pegs high to make them happy!
Scott,
When you say you've never really liked her, are you sure you are talking about the same Peg Dope? The one with the big head and the tapered body; kind of a twisty little thing.....Not sure where she's from, but lives near some kind of nut.
Sorry, I had to delete this post because it didn't make sense, even to me! ;-)
I ordered some peg dope and rubbed it on this morning. It sure makes tuning a whole lot easier.
Thanks Folks-
Maestro Hong!- I'm looking forwards to the finale of your California experience! And Pegs being high & happy..... brings back memories dude, and not too bad!
I lubricate the bridge grooves and nut with pencil every time I change strings.
I apply a little bit of Hill peg compound as well. As with most things, I find that the key is moderation.
This discussion has been archived and is no longer accepting responses.
Violinist.com is made possible by...
Dimitri Musafia, Master Maker of Violin and Viola Cases
Johnson String Instrument/Carriage House Violins
Laurie's Books
Discover the best of Violinist.com in these collections of editor Laurie Niles' exclusive interviews.
Violinist.com Interviews Volume 1, with introduction by Hilary Hahn
Violinist.com Interviews Volume 2, with introduction by Rachel Barton Pine
July 6, 2009 at 01:59 AM ·
Hey Royce--how's it is goin'?
I use Peg Dope, it works though, esp. here, where I am, when the weather is way too humid and hot, and the temp drops, low enough to get the violin changes its form during winter season, (if we get it). Its reliable.
I'm not crazy about it, but hey, its works!