What are Perfection Pegs and What Makes Them Special?

What are Perfection Pegs and what makes them special?

Perfection Pegs are specially designed replacement tuning-pegs for bowed string instruments, such as violin and cello, developed to make tuning of the instrument easier, protect the instrument and keep the tuning more stable.

How do Perfection Pegs compare to standard tuning pegs?

Normally when tuning a violin or cello, as you turn a tuning-peg, you are directly tightening the string around the peg (1:1 ratio) and the peg is held in position by a 'resistance fit'. Whilst perfectly acceptable in most instances, this can make fine tuning quite difficult, especially for beginners or where the instrument is old or well used and the pegs become stuck or loose in the peg-box. Also, as wood can be affected by surrounding atmospheric conditions and different woods are affected in different ways, tuning pegs can become loose or over-tight in humid or very dry conditions because pegs and peg-boxes are made of different woods. With Perfection Pegs the tuning is a 4:1 ratio and the pegs are in a static position within the peg-box, so making accurate tuning easier.

So, how do Perfection Pegs work?

As described, they are a planetary-motion 4:1 ratio, internal gear, tuning system with a variable tension feature, not unlike the tuning gearhead on an acoustic guitar (except the mechanism is hidden inside a Perfection Peg).

They look like a standard tuning peg when fitted but are very different in how they work and in terms of the benefits they can offer.

Four metal cogs inside the shaft of the peg change 'four revolutions of the peg head' to 'one revolution at the string' allowing for more accurate, slip free tuning.

Gently pushing in or pulling out the top of the Perfection Peg during tuning increases the resistance of the mechanism, allowing a balance between resistance and ease of turning. This mechanism will not slip.

Which bowed-string Instruments are they available for?

At Brittens we hold Perfection Pegs for 1/2 to 3/4 size violins and 3/4 size cellos. We find these to be the sizes of optimum need as they are the ones most likely to be used by beginners and early grade players, where simplicity and stability of tuning is both important and helpful when taking graded exams.

How do Perfection Pegs improve the amount of teaching time?

Perfection Pegs are ideal for music schools; teachers often have to devote a significant amount of time at the beginning of a lesson getting their pupil's instrument in tune. The ease with which an instrument can be tuned and the fact that their stability reduces the need for tuning facilitates greater teaching time in lessons. 

How do Perfection Pegs help string orchestras rehearse more?

Again, the stability, reducing the need for tuning, combined with the speed they can be tuned, cuts down the time taken for less experienced orchestras and string groups to tune, allowing more time for playing. 

Can Perfection Pegs save money?

From a teaching and learning perspective, the improvement in teaching time during lessons means better value for money from lessons.

What are the main benefits of Perfection Pegs?

They offer effortless speedy, stable tuning, excellent tuning accuracy, long term reliability, improved sound production, instrument safety (less stress on the peg box by over-pushing with standard pegs) and reduced instrument maintenance.

Will I still need string adjusters?

Perfections Pegs are designed to remove the need for string adjusters.

Do I simply replace the existing pegs myself?

No, Perfection Pegs must be fitted by a qualified luthier or string technician.

Perfection Pegs supplied by Brittens Music can include fitting to the violin or cello as part of the purchase cost.

Can I go back to standard pegs in the future?

Yes, again, a luthier or string technician will need to make the changeover, as special tools and knowledge are required to complete the task. But once you have tried them it is highly unlikely you will want to go back!

So, if you would like to avoid sudden string-slippage or pegs sticking, reduce the need for maintenance of the pegbox and remove the need for fine tuners then Perfection Pegs could be an ideal solution.

Perfection Pegs are available to order with or without fitting with prices starting at £76*

If you would like to see a set in-action or have any questions, please contact one of our team to book an appointment.

*Price for a set of 1/2 to 3/4 size violin Perfection Pegs (unfitted) - correct at the time of writing.

For more information about the workings and parts of a violin, what they do and what difference they make to the violin's playability and sound, see our post "What are the parts of a violin and what difference does it make?"

*Price for a set of 1/2 to 3/4 size violin Perfection Pegs (unfitted) - correct at the time of writing.