| Tuning peg slip |
| Slipping tuning pegs are a common problem with harps....but usually not really a problem... The hole that the peg goes into is tapired, as is the tuning peg itself....this allows the peg to hold the tension of the string. IF the peg is slipping it usually means that the peg is not snugly wedged in the hole. The most common reason for this is wear, caused by tuning over a period of time....this can be remedied by putting a little inward push on the tuning wrench as you tune a string, this will re-seat the peg. If the peg goes in too deep or still won't hold ..... |
| Sometimes the peg screws into the harp head....... and still won't hold? Or after replacing a string, the tuning peg slips....then.tap it lightly with a hammer (from the key side) to re-seat it. The best practice is to apply push pressure on the key while you tune up, there-by keeping the peg constantly re-seated....... * If you tap the peg in beyond the other pegs, or if you have tried everything and your string still slips...then.....Tap the peg right out and place a piece of nylon string (.020" ) in the hole.....then place the peg in (alongside the piece of string) and tap the pin back in.... then slice off the protruding pieces with a cutting knife (using it flat against the harp so as not to mark it) Then try tuning again. If that does not hold....do it again with a thicker piece of string (.025" ) WARNING Always start with a .020" piece of string and go thicker if necessary ( .025")....do not start with a larger piece , so that you don't end up splitting the harp head. If that does not hold, check the string chart to make sure you are not using a thicker string as this will not only cause "string-slip" but will put extra stress on the bow and could eventually cause serious damage....... When winding strings to pitch, you may need to frequently tap the pegs back, so that they do not wedge too tightly and possibly split the harp head. (both pegs and holes are tapired) There is no danger as long as you start with .020" string WINDING STRINGS BACK ON For strings from the bass end, up One and a Half octaves from the top...... Wind the string once behind the tail, (outside, then cross over (towards the harp head) then wind on to correct pitch....... For strings on the last 1.5 octaves Wind once on the inside (harp head) then, cross over then wind once outside, cross over again..... then wind to pitch.... As you wind your strings to the correct pitch.......you may need to tap the peg back every turn or so to stop the peg from "Screwing" itself into the harp head. (If you don't do this, you may enlarge the hole, and prevent the peg from holding the string tight.) |