Loose pegs

[mochimunch]

I got my guqin from my uncle from some obscure shop in Shanghai. I don't know the brand or anything much about what or how it was made. I basically use this guqin to practice with.

However, I've been experiencing some trouble with the pegs. 3 of the pegs are loose and they untwist as I play. I basically have to retune allll over agaaaiiinnn every 5-10 minutes I play.

My teacher tells me that I could use some moist tissue and shove it inbetween the pegs so that they will hold while I play. But once the tissue dries up, the pegs become somewhat loose again.

Does anyone else have this problem? Any other suggestions on how to keep the pegs from being loose?

[Charlie Huang]

There are three methods which you could use to correct your situation (use which as appropriate):

1. Re string the instrument to a higher tension. This will eliminate the problem if the strings were too lose in the first place. Make sure that the cord is not taught when you do it or you're back to square one.

2. Instead of tissue, use a material that has more grip/friction. Ideal candidate would be the non-slip pad plasticy material. Cut a tiny bit off and stick it under the tuning pegs (note that it will make the pegs difficult to turn but does the job). Don't use sandpaper as it will wear out the lacquer of the peg pool and in fact make it more worse by smoothing it.

3. Change the tuning pegs. Some pegs are badly made. The bit that touches the peg pool (i.e. where the cord comes out of that goes through the string holes) should be concave and not flat. If it is flat, it does nothing to keep the friction therefore it will slip. Either get new tuning pegs or start carving with a knife.

[mochimunch]

My pegs usually untwist when the strings are tight, which causes the string to loosen up and make it hard to keep it in tune. I don't really want to invest too much in this guqin since its kind of not that great, so I don't think I would be buying any new pegs.

I'll be trying out that rubbery-plasticy material to put in between the pegs. Hopefully this works out cuz its a pain to keep retuning all the time.

Thanks for the help! ;D