The Perfection Peg is a deceptively simple mechanism with a size, shape and overall appearance
closely matching a conventional ebony peg. The patented design enables easy, accurate and stable
tuning of the violin, viola or cello without the use of tailpiece-mounted string adjusters. In concept,
this is equivalent to mechanisms already in use on the guitar and string bass.
In basic terms, they employ gears—small, precise, incredibly strong helical gears. Rather than
whole-peg rotation and wood-on-wood friction, operation of the internally housed gearing brings
each string to its desired tension, and holds it securely in place.
Stated a bit more technically, a player, rotating the head of the peg, is actually turning the main gear
(called the sun gear). The sun gear drives smaller gears (called planet gears), which “orbit” between
the sun gear and a toothed outer housing (called a ring gear). As the orbiting planet gears are spun
about the sun gear, they force the rotation of an elongated housing (called a carrier), which serves as
the shaft portion of the peg. The gears are also designed so that the shaft rotates once for every four
turns of the peg’s head (called a four-to-one gear reduction). That allows the Perfection Peg to also
function as a fine tuner.
If anything, the Perfection Pegs may be over-engineered to ensure durability and longevity.
In fact, one might expect that Perfection Pegs will outlast any instrument in which they are installed!
Here are some of the details.
The working gears are made from 8650 thru-hardened steel alloy. This same alloy is commonly used
for the shafts that drive the propeller blades on helicopters. The ring gear assembly for the cello peg
is brass, while for the violin it is aircraft grade aluminum. The carrier/peg shaft assembly is also
aluminum. All of the internal parts are permanently lubricated with an ultra-viscous lubricant named
767A Nyogel, the same thing used in various sealed microscope, telescope and binocular gear
assemblies. The head is molded from a high-tech plastic called PBT/ABS and the opposite end of
the shaft is Delrin, both extremely durable materials.
For any reason, Perfection Pegs can be easily removed by a qualified luthier or technician, and
replaced with new Perfection Pegs or conventional ebony friction pegs.
Ease, accuracy and stability of tuning. Perfection Pegs turn with great precision and
hold in the desired position until manually adjusted.
Time and effort. More class time and effort can be devoted to teaching and playing
rather than tuning.
More fun learning, and less hassle for players, students, teachers and parents.
Tuning proficiency. Because of its ease, students can actually learn this important
aspect of playing their instruments in their first year of training.
Higher reliability and lower costs of maintenance. Perfection Pegs are virtually
maintenance free and don’t create wear-and-tear on the peg box. In addition,
all the costs and risks associated with fine tuners are eliminated.
Better tone. By eliminating the fine tuners on the tailpiece (which were never part
of the original design of the string instrument), Perfection Pegs restore the full sound
potential of the instrument, and remove a main source of rattles and buzzes.