How to Prevent Cello Pegs From Slipping?
~ By Jin Loh

How to prevent cello pegs from slipping? How to make the tuning pegs stay put? What to do if the cello pegs are very loose or tight? How to tighten the cello pegs without slipping?

Below are some solutions for slipping cello pegs or loose cello pegs. There are also some DIY cello slipping pegs solutions for cellists to prevent the cello pegs from slipping/rolling/flipping by itself.

1)  Push the cello pegs in while turning the pegs

While tuning or adjusting the cello pegs, try to push the cello pegs in a little, to make sure the pegs stay put.

2)  Apply some chalk to the cello pegs.

This is one of the inexpensive ways of solving problematic cello pegs. 

Loosen the cello strings one by one and apply or rub some chalk on the cello pegs. Then tighten the strings by adjusting the tuning pegs again and check for the tuning.

3)  Apply some peg dope to the cello pegs.

Peg dope is also known as peg stick, peg compound or peg paste. Peg dope comes in various shapes, for example, a small 'lipstick'-like stick, liquid (in a bottle) or even a block. It is used to make the cello pegs turn more smoothly.

Apply some peg dope directly on the cello pegs where it rubs in the peg holes will cure slipping cello pegs or sticking cello pegs. Then try turning the cello peg a few times to distribute the compound evenly on the cello peg. 

If you applied too much peg paste on your cello pegs, remove some extra peg paste by lightly sanding the cello pegs with 220 grit paper. 

Some cellists and professional luthiers considered peg dope method to be the safest to use when compared to cello peg drop or chalk method that may cause damaged to the cello pegs.

4)  Apply cello peg drop to the cello pegs.

Try applying one drop of peg drop to your cello pegs. If it still slips then try another drop. Be careful not to apply too much on your cello pegs. 

This peg drop method is a quick, easy to use solution to slipping or very tight cello pegs. However, I suggest sparing use of this cello peg drop on our cello pegs. 

5)  Check if the cello strings are stringed properly. 

Are your cello strings all tangled up inside the cello peg box? Sometimes the cello strings may be the cause for the cello pegs problem. In that case, you may want to re-stringed the cello strings again.

6)  Check if all the cello pegs are perfectly round.

If your cello pegs or the cello peg holes are indented or not perfectly round, even if cello peg dope,  cello peg drop or chalk are used or applied on the cello pegs, the cello pegs problem may remain. 

In this case, please get professional help.

7)  Try to avoid the cello being exposed to a sudden change of temperatures.

The cello pegs may slip and go out of tuned if the cello woods contract or expand. It could be due to a sudden temperature changes from a cold place to a hot place or vice versa. 

8)  Try to protect your cello pegs by maintaining certain humidity for the cello pegs

Cello pegs tend to dry out during winter time when humidity level is very low.