Sorry to ask such a basic question but some of Gemmy's pegs are sticking and very difficult to turn. What should I put on them to help the situation? If, on the other hand, his pegs were slipping, what would I put on them then?

W

Peg paste, which for some bizarre reason will solve both problems.

Liz

Thanks - that's what was confusing me... I knew it worked for one problem but wasn't sure which...

W

Two different types of paste though. Hill's peg paste to make them turn more smoothly. Hidersine peg paste to stop them slipping.

My D refuses to turn, and then when it finally does, it slips. Which should I use?

Yes, but the Hidersine paste (which I've only used for the first time recently when we had a peg paste crisis) seems to work fine as a lubricant too - I've been using it for a few days and its been as good as the Hill for making the pegs run freely and a lot less messy.

Or am I about to have half a dozen customers phone up complaining of totally jammed pegs?

Liz

This may sound like I'm sitting on the fence for this answer, but a bit of both might help. I think a lot depends on the fit of the pegs in the holes. A tight fit on one side and loose on the other could create the double problem of sticking and then slipping. Maybe a luthier could advise?

Interesting . I always find the Hidersine makes the pegs hold quite firmly, but without sticking. My experience is that it wears off quite quickly and needs reasonably frequent application.

Eventually, after months (or sometimes years, if you're lucky!) the holes just get too big for the pegs to fit properly and it then means the peg hole needs to be filled, reamed and a new peg fitted.

I've never seen that on a Gliga, though I suppose there is a first time for everything. Tight pegs are very common on Gamas but I have yet to find one that can't be fixed with peg paste. Tight pegs do of course have the advantage that when the humidity drops they won't actually start slipping - usually!

I wonder if the peg slipping is something much more obvious like just needing to push it in a bit more when tuning?

Liz

Frequently with many students I teach, this is the case. I also come across those who have pegs that are so worn, the bulk of it is sticking out the other side. Definitely time for the skills of a luthier.

Thanks Amanda, I might try the sticky one for my G (which slips a lot), and if that works, try a little on the D. If that makes it too sticky, I'll take a trip to my luthier

Call me old fashioned, but I find that chalk or a dark artist’s pastel works really well on pegs that are slipping, and an old piece of dry soap helps to lubricate those which don't turn smoothly.

Couldn't say about the soap, but I think you'll find that in the long term chalk can abrade the pegs so that they slip more - not helpful.

Yes Sarah, you're right.

*phew* glad I'm not talking complete nonsense

and by the way I just realised that I wrote chalk twice - I'd edited it - I meant to say I don't know about soap!