Hi there.

I`ve just bought myself a violin, bur I am having difficulting getting it tuned into concert pitch. Most of the strings are OK but the D and especially A won`t go high enough. On the A, at least, the tuning peg is completely jammed and I feel like the string or worse, the violin is going to break if I try and `force it`! Also, the end of the the peg is sticking out the other side of the head a couple of mm, which the rest aren`t: is this normal?

I`ve seen people on this forum mention finetuners - what are these, and would they help(the offending satrings can be brought within a semitone of concert pitch, albeit with some effort!).

Any help/advice would be uch appreciated
Thanx
Ed.

Right, don`t force the A peg or you will indeed break it. Probably it has jammed due to excessive humidity. The solution is very simple: a hairdrier.

Turn the hairdryer onto maximum heat and just hairdry the pegs for several mintues. Then put the violin aside for a couple of hours. If the pegs don`t turn then, repeat the whole thing. I have never had to do it more than twice.

if you are a beginner then you are going to find it MUCH easier to tune if you have four adjusters. Everyone uses at least an E straing adjuster except those playing on genuine gut strings.

Liz

hahah well dont force the pegs...

also if the strings keep going out, it could be because they are new strings.. you have to "stretch" or work them in.. with steel core it takes about a week im guessing? can anyone verify that?

If the holes are not round enough, the pegs will not turn or stop when you want them to.

PEG DOPE & PEG DROPS you can get them at any music store that seells violin acessories.