How do I keep my ukulele in tune?
April 13, 2010 by baritone ukulele
Filed under Questions
My ukulele’s tuning pegs are slipping. I tightened the screws with a screw driver, but it hasn’t help. Basically, I try to tune my uke by tightening the pegs, but the second I let go of the peg, it slides backwards again, putting it back out of tune.
Is there anything I can do to fix it since tightening the screws doesn’t work? Or will I have to buy new screws or pegs?
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Ember Solis,
No, don’t go buy new pegs….yet. How old is your ukulele? If it’s old sometimes the washer on the tuning peg gets worn or imbedded in the wood of the head, from tightening, and it’s at it’s limit. You’ll need a new “thicker” one…or another one the same size and install it too. Also, a few times a new person will come to class with the same problem. They don’t understand the peg is not supposed to turn when the screw is tightened. All the person was doing was turning the whole peg with his screwdriver. Hold the screw still while you tighten the screw.
If holding the peg steady, while tightening the screw, doesn’t work here’s how to replace the washer. It’s quite easy, a learning experience, and fun.
1. Take the string off your loose tuning peg.
2. Loosen the screw till the whole peg comes apart. REMEMBER how it came apart b/c you want to put it back together the same way.
3. Replace the little washer with a new one. It may be metal and you can pick one up at most Tru-Value or Ace Hardware stores. If not make yourself one out of shoebox cardboard. You can lay the cardboard one over the washer that’s already there.
4. Put the peg back together….with the new washer.
5. Put the string back on the peg.
6. Tune it.
Hope this works b/c it’s worked for me. If not, your local music store can help you.
Have fun,
CowUkeA