How to Fix Tight Pegs (EASY!)

In this video, I show you a couple easy ways to loosen your violin pegs that may be too tight. It’s very common at certain times of the year to get stuck violin pegs or pegs that are just too tight. There are some easy ways to avoid stuck or tight pegs and today I’ll show you how!
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[@wohnjick8833]

*the peg is literally impossible to turn* First step: turn the peg... 😔

[@Popcorn_Kernel]

Same with me

[@lucyleney7136]

Yah same

[@bonjour34366]

Same LMAOO

[@arubalugoody8397]

Dont know if this will still help you cover the peg with a cloth and use a plier to turn it

[@Rwthless1]

@@arubalugoody8397 No pliers available.

[@pigeonsyndrome2249]

What do I do if I literally cannot move the goddamned peg enough to fix it?

[@KennedyViolins]

You pretty much have to find a very strong person to turn the peg. However, you probably don't have to worry about the pegs breaking because the pegs are generally very strong because they're made of Ebony.

[@pigeonsyndrome2249]

@@KennedyViolins Huh. I'm on summer break and my teacher always tunes my violin as I cannot for the life of me move that stupid peg lol Maybe he'll be able to fix it if I ask him, but I'll have to wait until February then. And I'm sure the pegs will be fine, I'm more worried about my wrist hurting after I spent a full hour miserably failing to tune my poor instrument But thanks for the tips! I'm sure they'll be of great use in the future.

[@timothykim4287]

me to help

[@abhinavivaturi3387]

Yeah exactly

[@aleashalockhart5218]

@@KennedyViolins well the only people that are strong enough are the people that have no experience and i'm not trying to break a string.

[@alexiso.453]

I’m struggling with my E string, the string is really tight and if I turn it farther, I’m afraid it might break and I don’t have extra strings😭 And it’s so out of tune but I can’t turn the peg and more 😭😭

[@RockStarOscarStern634]

Get geared tuners & that problem is gone

[@lexielovehdihavenot2690]

Then loosen it

[@thodgounaris4223]

​@@RockStarOscarStern634 they're ugly af

[@elsalumia9901]

This doesn’t work for me because I can’t move it at all

[@LolaBrielle]

SAME

[@dimitridiakovasiliou2453]

None of these recommendations worked so after 20 minutes of struggling I placed my violin in the refrigerator for 60 seconds and they came off.

[@lenzzywoods3777]

same

[@matthewdie9441]

Should be able to turn if u tune it down

[@pattyc4192]

​@@dimitridiakovasiliou2453 Omg!!! Thank you for commenting this! I was so desperate and just put mine in the fridge for 60secs, twice (D and G strings were still stuck after the first time) and it worked!! So scary though. 😂 Idk why, but it felt so wrong to stick such a nice instrument in the fridge.

[@elizadodds726]

what do you do if your peg is so stuck that you cant move it

[@_phong.huynh_]

The reason that I started working out is because my peg was too tight to me to turn it and to even get out of the instrument.

[@KennedyViolins]

Haha. Nice. 👍

[@_phong.huynh_]

@@KennedyViolins Okay I finally tuned my G and D string

[@oozly9291]

@@_phong.huynh_ progress?

[@_phong.huynh_]

@@oozly9291 Weight lifting is my new hobby

[@MoodyMooMoo]

A little physics for ppl who literally can’t turn it without it breaking and aren’t strong enough. “Moments” are what turning forces are called. The force needed to turn something is distance x force applied. If you bundle a cloth around the peg several times to make a big cloth ball, the distance from the point of turning is larger (since the cloth ball is bigger than the peg). Do this and you will have to apply less force to turn it!! Hope that helps/ is interesting. It’s how I turned mine!

[@jermainebutler5385]

Amazing, that really worked. Thank you so much!

[@MoodyMooMoo]

@@jermainebutler5385 Glad to hear! :)

[@skull6435]

@@MoodyMooMoo omg thankyou so much

[@evdyxz]

Thank you wise man.

[@bradygraff3248]

THANK YOU. I WAS TRYING TO TUNE MY PEG FOR LIKE 30 MINUTES. THIS WORKED ONCE I USED A SMALLER PIECE OF CLOTH. YOU SAVED ME THE EMBARASSMENT OF ASKING MY TEACHER IN MY ADVANCED ORCESTRA THAT I BARELY GOT INTO.

[@janaecleveland5710]

the only video that actually helped! thanks.

[@banana491]

Thank you so much! My peg would literally NOT turn, so this helped a lotttt :)

[@lundynh3383]

Thank you so much!! This really helped

[@gopanklm]

Thank you very much for the guidance. It is really very helpful. Keep posting such useful tips.

[@ralphiecherryrabor2175]

Thank you very much I was so worried that I might break my pegs....VERY VERY VERY BIG HELPU🥰

[@ademadem7298]

thank you that was very very useful 👍

[@KennedyViolins]

Glad you liked it and thanks for letting me know! 👍

[@bobsink6236]

Great info.

[@kellyldavis652]

Very good video. Thanks!

[@KennedyViolins]

Glad it helped and thanks for the comment!! 👍

[@plj63]

The A string peg was impossible to turn and as I was trying to turn it, it broke off flush with the scroll. I don't know how to get it out of the scroll. Do you have any suggestions: Help.

[@schwarzesonne6529]

I used a pin hammer from a gun cleaning hit it has a rubber punch in it

[@Unknown-uc4ro]

Thank u. It really works. My peg is now fixed

[@KennedyViolins]

Glad to help!

[@curtpiazza1688]

Great info ...thanx! 😊

[@KennedyViolins]

Glad to help. Thanks!

[@deanjones2525]

Thank you for this video. I need to get some peg compound, because I have this issue. However, do you have a video which deals with tuning problems? I use an electric tuner, but I can't seem to get my strings to maintain their pitch. I tune E. I get it right. I move on, and I have to redo all of the strings again. What's wrong please?

[@reneeontop39]

Video starts at 2:20

[@omg_squid6949]

One time i tried to adjust my A sting with my peg, i forgot i needed to push while turning and i accidentally broke the string and that day was my violin exam day but luckily my mother bought some A strings before i went to the violin exam

[@RockStarOscarStern634]

Get geared tuning keys cause they're the easiest to install & use. String winders also make them easier to crank.

[@abanuogladys8399]

How do we make the A string tighter I never get it plz make a A string tighter video

[@CottonCor]

Um trying to tune my e string because it’s super out of tune but I feel like it might snap at any second-

[@highlandlaura]

Thank you. My pegs won't move at all. I'm afraid that if I force it, it might break.

[@MoodyMooMoo]

Did you manage to do it? I really feel imma break mine too it’s so stuck 😰

[@highlandlaura]

@@MoodyMooMoo I used pliers bc it hurt my thumb to try to turn the stuck pegs. I wrapped them with a thin cloth & turned them with pliers, yes, it worked.

[@MoodyMooMoo]

@highlandlaura thanks! I eventually managed to do mine too using cloth ^.^

[@Lakersin2x3]

Yeah, I’m a kid and I am too weak to do either situation. First of all, I can’t loosen the peg and my hand is too weak. There’s also the fact my Teacher can’t remove my string because it’s my performance the next time I see him. And he also has to tune everyone else’s Violin since he never taught us.

[@KennedyViolins]

Oh no! Well, I guess it's time to make friends with some large people! 🤪

[@Lakersin2x3]

Kennedy Violins thanks. I can ask my friend that can probably bench press my weight x3

[@KennedyViolins]

@@Lakersin2x3 lol. That's awesome. 👍

[@jade-qb5sh]

but im using a cello and it’s actually impossible to take it out to put graphite

[@lisarichards1956]

How about the bridge? Do I have any reason to mess with that? :) (Or the tailpiece, I believe it's called?)

[@wenyu7779]

Don’t move the bridge if you don’t know what your doing. If you know there is a problem , go see a luthier

[@francisbelen394]

You can also use a small bar of soap on the peg as an lubricant

[@LaMissa1]

Thank you!!!!!!! It worked!

[@Amphibilaterz]

0:06 sunny during the argument of him and mari from omori: NO LITERALLY I JUST POSTED A MEME VIDEO OF IT 😭- still tysm this helped alot!! there was just this moment from a game that fit that first part lmao

[@jasmineyeo9697]

hi, does this work for cello? I think my cello is in situation 2 but the thing is i also face difficulty unwinding the A string….

[@KennedyViolins]

Yes, it works with any stringed instrument. However, it can be more difficult with the cello because the pegs are so big.

[@susiejohnson8024]

So basiclg just get a stronger person to twist the pegs forward and back until it loosens it

[@augustinechinnappanmuthria7042]

Super 💓

[@tannertuner]

I have a violin that has been this way since I bought it 30 years ago. You have to crank it into the hole so tight you can’t turn it or it won’t hold the pitch at all.

[@KennedyViolins]

Yes, more than likely the peg holes are too big/worn and it's in need of a long-overdue (and costly) repair.

[@tannertuner]

@@KennedyViolins nah, it would be impossible to call them worn. Been like that since new. I’ve had to keep from lubricating them the whole time. They’ve stayed pretty much put since I got it, using four fine tuners most of the time to keep from having to move them. The pegs are still barely poking through the other side of the pegbox. I’m not a proficient player and it’s not an expensive instrument. But the pegs feel like they are fit well, they just won’t hold unless you cram them in there pretty tight.

[@Scrober417]

I found and got a product called Boveda. It helped reduce the humidity and I was able to turn the pegs. I got this product at Sullivan Violins.

[@pswapnavaruna7353]

nice

[@be_aninspiration2354]

how about in cello its so hard when its to tight

[@justanoob3444]

IKR it’s too hard

[@serene3461]

*casually turns peg with teeth*

[@augustinechinnappanmuthria7042]

Super

[@naomicarlon1324]

How much peg should show on the other side of the scroll???

[@KennedyViolins]

It really depends on the tastes of the luthier who built/set-up the violin. There are many different lengths. As a general rule, most violins will not have the peg sticking out more than 1/8th of an inch or so past the outside wall of the scroll box.

[@cinzia2504]

Hi, what should we do if the peg is STUCK?

[@violaracer8168]

Askingg a friend that looks like a gorilla is helpful. If that doesn't work, sometimes you can use a towel or other kind of cloth and tightly wrap around the peg and that will give you more leverage to turn it.

[@jeetray11]

I heard ppl use soap as peg lubricant. Is that any good? Also for weather related reasons, hair dryer blowing on the affected peg may dry out the moisture making the pegs contract a bit. Any comment on that?

[@KennedyViolins]

Soap will work and there are peg doping compounds as well that people use. Probably very similar to most soaps. The blow dryer will work, if the humidity is high and the peg will probably loosen but just remember that whatever you do is quite temporary because the violin will fairly quickly go back to ambient temp etc and a hairdryer too close to the violin can do some serious damage! Just gotta be careful.

[@naishamundra]

But my pegs wont even turn what should i do

[@KennedyViolins]

Find a strong friend/gorilla! Actually, some people will attach objects for leverage but you have to be careful with this. Sometimes the pegs can be stuck so hard that forcing them too much will break the peg. It just depends on if your pegs are high-quality ebony or not. Some cheaper violins use a died pear wood of sorts and they can break fairly easily.

[@vishu5163]

What if you like can’t move it at all. It literally won’t turn at all and I don’t want to ask my parents cuz I’m scared they will break it cuz neither of them know anything about violins

[@KennedyViolins]

Find a very large friend! It's doubtful the peg will break. That is fairly rare because they are made of ebony.

[@vishu5163]

Kennedy Violins Ok thank you so much, this video was very helpful. I’m going to buy the lubricant.

[@spxrkledamber5669]

@@KennedyViolins will the string break when you turn the peg? I'm young and I'm scared I might break the Peg while moving it

[@Rwthless1]

When a friend has put too much peg binder it is immovable either way.

[@rayaeparker8973]

None of this worked, my violin is now even more out of tune. Wasted an hour doing this only to have to take off all of the strings and completely restring my instrument - it took me and my mother to get the pegs out.

[@ayushofficial2798]

Very very very!ありがとうございました

[@Popcorn_Kernel]

Not useful at all my tuning pegs are not turning at all

[@luisaf1836]

You should ask someone strong lol

[@Popcorn_Kernel]

@@luisaf1836 believe me I've tried that

[@aleashalockhart5218]

@@luisaf1836 the only people that are strong are the people with no experience who are gonna break the string.

[@luisaf1836]

Try going to a colder place it worked for me

[@konkodioda3486]

I cant move it also but then i got the thought of working out so yeah after some workouts i was able to move it really easy. So workout lads yall just too weak so u cant move it :)

[@minty_fresh8899]

No one : Girl about to smash her violin because of frustration in the beggining be like

[@johnsharpe734]

Pegs completely jammed?

[@KennedyViolins]

Ya, that's a tough one. The video is mostly for pegs that are hard to turn, not for ones that don't turn at all. The easiest thing to do is find a friend who may resemble a gorilla. I've heard other people using/wrapping cloths or towels around the end of the peg to create some leverage and can get them loose that way. 😳

[@Amphibilaterz]

@@KennedyViolinsthe emoji makes this sound so wrong and im scared now lol

[@divanshuchandra7159]

I cant move my peg at all, removing it for lubrication is a far cry

[@llllll5801]

situation 3???????? my peg cant even make a sound, just a rock

[@arzirafael3471]

i just buy a violin and its dificult tune

[@user-se1om4bh6p]

anyone else watching this after they’ve already broken their peg? 😭 if so, how’d you get the remaining piece(s) out without bringing it to a luthier? just my luck, i have none nearby🥺

[@KennedyViolins]

You'll probably just have to drill it out. Once you drill a hole in the center of the broken peg, it should loosen up and then you can pull the remaining pieces out of the hole.

[@user-se1om4bh6p]

@@KennedyViolins thank you for this! i ended up putting a cloth over the smooth end of the peg and lightly tapped it out with a small hammer. no damage done & i should be receiving my new set of pegs in a couple of days ☺️

[@KennedyViolins]

@@user-se1om4bh6p Sweet. That works!!

[@ronb7062]

the notchy sound is what i hate the most. i broke lots of strings because i was careless. hahaha.

[@jimbrunett5025]

Peg is completely stuck! This was a waste of my time. I don’t want break peg and certainly not the peg box

[@ousama_purin4315]

I'm having a hard time with all stings 💀

[@KennedyViolins]

Just make friends with more people that like to smash beer cans on their foreheads and you'll be alright. They love to help with tight pegs!

[@jennybear1408]

I tried turning the peg and I snapped something on the inside ahahahahahah 😅😅😅

[@KennedyViolins]

Hmmm.... more than likely you turned the peg the wrong direction and tightened the string instead of loosened it. This error resulted in the string breaking. It happens to all of us!

[@dimitridiakovasiliou2453]

None of these recommendations worked so after 20 minutes of struggling I placed my violin in the refrigerator for 60 seconds and they came off.

[@KennedyViolins]

Interesting idea. Never tried that. I don't know how much good it will do for your instrument to be in the fridge (moisture, plate separation, etc) but perhaps if it's not too long, this is a good method. Thanks!

[@dimitridiakovasiliou2453]

@@KennedyViolins Yes, for my situation I think the high humidity made the wood expand (i.e. summer = warm and humid) so the quick dry-cool air inside the refrigerator helped pull some of the moisture out (I wouldn’t do more than 60 seconds).

[@lunarminous9081]

wow girl just gonna break your violin. You spent all your money for it.

[@rodrigorodriguez8920]

You went from a stuck peg to removing the peg and smearing it with stuff, but you never showed how to remove the stuck peg...easy?

[@KennedyViolins]

Just make friends with a gorilla and you'll be set!

[@pytys]

No offense but this video was misleading and pisses me off. My peg is impossible to turn right now during heavy rainy season. I come here. Solution to situation: Apply peg compound....wtf? How do I apply it if I can't turn it let alone get it out? Wait till the rainy season's over before I can play again? Crud video.

[@djmove2]

Absolutely useless. It's after midnight, I need to record a track right now and my peg will literally not move.

[@matthewdie9441]

I only got one fine tuner on my E string so have to tune with the pegs. Totally fucked up.

[@KennedyViolins]

Yes, that kind of setup is not ideal for a violinist without a lot of practice tuning. I'd recommend going to the local violin shop and getting the tailpiece switched out with a tailpiece with 4 built-in fine tuners. OR, if you are "handy", you could buy one and watch a vid and do it yourself. It's frustrating trying to do it for the first time though.