Violin's tuning pegs are slipping

[Violinmum1]

We've just bought a new 4/4 violin for DS. It was fine in the music store, but since we brought it home, it's been going out of tune frequently with the tuning pegs turning on their own.

Do we have to get the pegs replaced or is there anything that can be applied on them so that they stay in position more firmly?

Also, I'm not in the UK, but have someone visiting London for a few days right now, so if there's anything that would work for the pegs, it would be great to know some place in Central London to buy it.

Thanks in advance.

I always found that if I pushed the pegs a bit deeper into their holes they stayed put. When I needed to turn them, I'd wiggle them back out a bit.

The pegs aren't straight cylinders, they're slightly tapered so that they can be maneuvered in and out to make them tighter and looser for tuning.

Hopefully that makes sense?

If applying a gentle pressure when tuning doesn't tighten the pegs up, you can use either peg compound or a small bit of rosin on the pegs but that involves removing strings, taking the pegs out to apply and re-stringing. If you're not very familiar with stringed instruments I'd take it back to the music shop before going that far.

Thanks for the quick replies!

I've tried pushing the pegs in while I tune. That works for a while, but eventually they slip again.

The violin store said we could try using chalk on the pegs to increase friction, but I've read that that might damage the pegs in the long run. Is rosin safe for them?

Peg compound doesn't seem to exist in the country I live in. If there's anywhere in Central London where it could be bought, I'd appreciate the information.

Chalk rubbed on the pegs should stop them slipping OP

If chalk is okay, I'll ask the store to do that. Would peg compound be a better option though?

Chalk or rosin will definitely help and won't hurt the pegs. Peg compound will also help, and conditions long-term. I'd ask for help with either.

Hill Peg Paste on Amazon

HiderPaste at Yamaha in London

It's also very likely that the store you got the violin from carries it.

Good luck! String instruments are finicky things but worth it! Although it's been a good while, I played the cello for a long time and loved it.

The other trick is to be very careful when putting the strings on. Start from the hole in the peg then wind until the string is snug against the edge of the peg box - keeps the pegs in position - because of the taper on the pegs the act of tightening the string then pulls the peg more firmly into the hole. (I'm sure you know this already, but only ever remove one string at a time otherwise you run the risk of the bridge and soundpost collapsing).

Thank you everyone

I'll try to get hold of the peg compound through my friend in London.

If I can't, then I'll ask the store to chalk the pegs as they had suggested. Peg compound isn't available in our country, as far as I can tell. Amazon can import it, but for a scary price!

DS has played the violin for some years, but his previous violin had particularly stiff pegs and this situation is new to us.

Thanks again!

Fermat's advice is exactly right. You need a bit of pressure on the peg all the time you are tuning and always tune up from below to the right pitch. Peg paste does a great job if the pegs are correctly fitted in the first place. If they keep slipping after following all the good advice above then they cannot be properly fitted.

If you are going to use chalk try to find natural chalk, not the blackboard stuff. I used to pick it up by the roadside in Kent (think the White Cliffs of Dover). If you can't get peg paste a combination of powdered chalk and soap might fix it. Chalk alone will make the peg move jerkily.