Banjo: 5th String Pegs Tuning Friction Peg

Subject: banjo repair
Date: Fri, 23 Jan 2004 21:10:07 -0700

I have a 5 string banjo that had a mishap with the 5th string peg. It split and the person at the repair shop glues it together tightly but it does not seem to be able to hold the string in tune. It takes several tries to get it in tune because after I turn it it then slides back. After I do get it in tune after a short while it will turn back on its own. Is there a way to fix this or do I just need to live with it the way it is?
Thanks
Connie Smith

Greetings Connie,

Glad to assist...

Did you notice if there's a screw on top of the peg...if so, try tightening it slightly and test if the peg holds pitch...if not, try tightening it slightly more...take note: since the peg itself was repaired, there's a good possibility that by tightening the screw the repair may come undone. The best fix is to have your 5th string peg replaced...these tuners are relatively inexpensive, and are easy to refit where the old one resides.

Mickey

Subject: 5TH string friction peg
Date: Mon, 19 Jan 2004 15:17:05 -0500

Hi Mickey, Hope you can help.My friend has an old Harmony Banjo, very nice shape.We put new strings on it and once they stretched out they stay in tune pretty good even bells on the 12th fret. But the 5th string peg just won't hold with any tension on it. hopefully by the time he gets up to pluckin he'll be hooked and want new banjo altogether.It would still be nice to have this one working properly.Also should it take a few days for the strings to stretch.I don't want to stretch them like a gtr.Also how do you like the deering good time for beginner? I think, I know i'm hooked now.Thanks for any help you can give, excellent site. Tad

Greetings Tad,

It sounds like your 5th string peg is a friction peg (which was common for old Harmony banjos)...with no ratio...meaning the string tunes up in the exact same amount as the peg is turned...most of these pegs have a screw on top which can be tightened to ensure that the tension holds well...if yours doesn't have a screw on top, then it must have some other internal problem...which means it probably will need to be replaced...

Yes, it can take a day or two for the string to stretch properly...I pull the string up a few times very lightly...which takes a lot of the slack out and minimizes the necessary wait for the string to settle in...

The Goodtime is the perfect starter banjo...it has a very pleasant tone...and makes for an easier banjo to listen to while learning...it's solid maple and lightweight...has a very easy neck as long as it's set up properly...

Mickey