Violin Forum/Message Board

[caeman]

I got out the cello tonight and spent 15 minutes tuning it. Ya know, it just ain't worth the hassle on this student cello. I did a Google search and found where someone else used bass guitar tuners to replace the friction tuning pegs.

So, begone with you friction tuners! For less than $20, I won't have to worry about that whole tuning. It's not that expensive of a cello. Taking it to a luthier might cost more than it cost me.

[polkat]

Thought I heard that Precision Pegs was now making them for cellos. A little bit pricy, but if the cello is any good, they are a far better idea then bass guitar tuners.

[caeman]

My cello is a laminate student model. It cost me all of $200 and I am 7th owner. Or close to it.

[polkat]

Bass guitar tuners have a string shaft that probably won't be long enough to pass through both cheeks of a cello pegbox. If they won't, string pressure will pull the shafts off center, eventually making the connection between the shaft and it's tuner gear weak and the tuning unstable, or loosening the screw between them. You'll end up with a similar problem.

The best bet is to have the pegs and pegholes reconditioned, but if you can't afford that, try to find a used but good set of double bass tuners. You'll need t0 cut their frames to fit, and enlarge the pegbox oeg holes. They will look silly, but work better then bass guitar tuners. Note that if you do any of this, your peg box will need major surgery if you want to go back sometime.

I'm a big proponent of Precision pegs and Pegheds. You might even find a good used set, but they will probably still not be cheap.