My son is playing an older mountain dulcimer (early 70s, unknown maker) with fiddle-peg style friction tuners, and he’s experiencing some frustration with them. His folk ensemble teacher suggested these:
http://www.stewmac.com/shop/Tuners/Dulcimer_tuners/Five-Star_Dulcimer_Tuning_Pegs.html
Is the installation of these or similar geared tuners something I can tackle or should I get a luthier to do it?
Dulcimers with violin pegs have tapered holes in the peg box (just like a fiddle). Those with planetary tuners have straight bored holes like a guitar peg head, and only half as many of them. Most folks use the Stew Mac tuners as replacements for some of the low quality planetary tuners that come on some import instruments. The installation is, in some ways, much simpler than changing guitar tuners, as long as you don’t have to modify the peghead. If they will fit directly into the existing holes, you may be OK. Otherwise you’ll want a luthier to make the modifications.
Before you spend all the time and money, have you properly doped the existing pegs? An undoped peg can be a serious frustration. Here’s a good peg dope:
http://band-orchestra.musiciansfriend.com/product/Hill-Peg-Compound?sku=420367
90% (well, at least a lot) of problems with wooden pegs comes from not having the pegs properly doped.
JS, these might be worth looking into, since they’re geared but designed to maintain the look of violin tuners. And they should hopefully work better with the tapered holes.
http://www.elderly.com/accessories/items/PVP1.htm
Thanks for the help. I’ll start with the peg dope and see how it goes from there.
Unless you have really big pegs in there already, the holes will have to be reamed out to accommodate a planetary peg. You can get a set of 4 from McSpadden for $45
If you want to buy him a new dulcimer, check with harpmaker. He’s a great luthier! He has a fantastic “student” model, up to fine quality high end models.