this was quick and useful. there are cheap versions of the good "precise tuning pegs" on ebay by now, btw. it's the teflon washers, that makes them work. they have the same effect on door hinges, slightly stiff but smooth movement with no sticking.
Thanks for the review. Just bought a soprano Flea yesterday and already hate the cheap stock turners which are extremely difficult to adjust. I will be upgrading to the the best and most expensive friction tuners ASAP. The peace of mind is worth it.
Very helpful. I'm looking to replace the tuning pegs on my mother's 1960's era Department Store brand Baritone Uke. I was going to consider the Gotoh geared pegs but perhaps just upgraded friction pegs will give me the control I want.
Barry are there any decent friction tuners that would be a direct replacement for the friction tuners that came on 1950s era Martin Soprano Ukulele. I have an elderly lady in our Ukulele group that has her Martin ukulele she grew up with so I am pretty sure the tuners are original but it is a constant overshoot/ undershoot on it. I don't dare want to be drilling or reaming a whole wider on an old Martin go install planetary tuners but wondering if there any higher quality friction tuners that would have the same diameter whole requirement?
Very hard to say and wouldn't want you to assume wrongly - my understanding is that Martin pegs varied a bit so think it may be down to the specific instrument. You may get peg to fit as a straight swap but you may also need to adjust holes. Sorry I can't be more specific.
@@GotAUkulele thank you for your reply. Since they are friction pegs I guess they should be pretty easy to remove one and check the diameter of the size hole and then put it back on.
How about doing an updated version of the topic friction tuners.. is graphtech tune-a-lele ratio machine head considered friction tuners? Have you tried them yet? What is your opinion on them?
The planetary ones? No - they don't fit the category of friction tuners. I have tried them. Like the way that they feel and work, but think they are extremely ugly when fitted.
friction tuners for the Kala lacewood : Hello is it normal for you that these tuners are not precise for tuning ? and have trouble getting to the notes that it is necessary to turn very slowly and slowly if not, the note that one wants to obtain will be very difficult to obtain
If they are cheap friction pegs, then very normal yes. It’s the issue most people struggle with when the friction pegs are cheap, and then claim all friction pegs are bad. Upgrade to Grover 4 series and you’ll see a world of difference
the Kala lacewood soprano has a cost of 288 euros ! all solid or 3 solid wood parts so i don't understand why these boring tuners are here ! i don't know if i must keep it or send it back to buy another with better tuners like Grover
phenixreturns yeah - you need to spend quite a bit more than that to get a uke with good quality friction pegs. I have no idea why they skimp on such important things but they do..
I have the koaloha friction tuner on my Opio. i have tried to for 2 years that i had them, but really it's becoming more and more painful for me to tune since it's 1:1 ration @@. Although they do hold the tune well once you have got them in tune. Then I decided to change to the Graphtech tuner that is very economical to buy and smooth to tune. Encouraging me to play the uku more often!
Hello, you seem to be the guy who would know this. I have tried to write grover, but they seem have a long response time. I am building a soprano/"alto" ukulele (14" scale - really not important for my question). I have a set of brand new Grover 4Bs laying around, and want to use them. Ideally I would like 4B's but the 2B's are there, and they should work okay. My issue is, and maybe someone else can help clear this up, with installation. The collar that sits on the peg head face has a cone shape, on the back - the side that goes "in" the peg head, as opposed to a knurled bushing. Now, does this conical shape need to be matched in the wood, or will an 8mm hole at the face of the peg head be sufficient. The advantage of a straight hole is that I can upgrade to 4B later, as it should be fitting with the 8mm hole, and besides it's way easier to make, rather than trying to match the cone shape perfectly - which would be close to impossible. Anyone that has tried installing these as new or an upgrade, any input would be appreciated. Thanks.
I am not a luthier so should be careful in how I advise. I believe that the best installation would be to but a taper in the face to hold the bushing collar. But, that said - when I have replaced cheaper tuners with Grover 4's I have successfully put them in headstocks that had no taper and were just a straight hole and they have worked perfectly. There 'may' however be some reason why the taper is recommended.
I have a 1960 baritone Slivertone Ukulele that wont stay in tune. I was going to have some one change tuning pegs for me. But what is a good brand and model to get. I have looked at lot deferent ones gets little confusing. Grover champions some one said where good. I like your video but you don't suggest tuners brand names or models. If you or someone had ides.
Leaving out the real boutique stuff - I stick to Grover and Gotoh. They make both friction pegs and gears and come in differing grades that you will discern from price. For example - the Grover 4 series fricton pegs I tend to use are 2-3 times the price as their entry level pegs. Horses for courses of course. Gotoh also make the hugely popular (but expensive) planetary tuners, though I think they might look odd on a baritone.
@@GotAUkulele Thank you for quick reply. When I search for Grover 4 series nothing comes up. all i can find are grover champion deluxe, Grover 88b, Grover Champion Sta-Tite, Grover 6B, Grover 6w, this crazy confusing :(
@@thebighat99 Sorry - the '4' is a series - but their labelling will be something like 4W (white buttons) or 4B (black buttons). The 6B are ver similar as are the 6W. I use those too.
Weight is the key -- regardless of instrument. Any extra weight on the end (while also considering leverage) is a bad idea. Friction pegs are simply lighter -- and it would be nice to see some even lighter wood pegs on a uke (like still on violins). This is particularly important on the thin ukes coming out where the balance is way off. So the real question is whether the weight difference enough to make it worth while to go for friction tuners? In would be nice to know the exact weights of the different types of tuners to get some idea.
+Lawshorizon weight is a part of it, but not the only part. Looks come into it for me but also playability on first position chords where i find gears can get in the way.
HI Barry thanks for the insight on the tuners just bought a koa fluke so its a top end fluke and was thinking about changing the grover 2b tuning pegs that are on the fluke Dont have a problem at the moment tuning them but recon a few more years down the line when i get older it might be a different story . Was thinking about the grover 6b pegs but want to know if they will fit in the holes with making them bigger last thing i want to do is start drill out and also are they any good as they dont come cheap in the uk double the price from the sates was thinking about getting them before the end of October you never know what might happen with prices and imports if you get my drift Cheers Derek
+GotAUkulele Can you post a link to where you got them, I can't seem to find that particular model. Is it the Champion Sta-Tite 88? What is the hole diameter for that particular one you have there?
+1777DK I am afraid YT doesn't allow links to external sites in comments. The model is the the Grover 4 series (Grover 4B are black, Grover 4W are white). Hole required is 5/16"
+GotAUkulele Thank you for your help! i did a cigar box ukulele build, and was planning to use Schaller pegs. However, the wood contracted because og humidity change and the holes are to big … These won't fit either, but if I plug and re-drill these could work because the flange will cover up the plug (the flange is bigger on these than the Schallers). I have a 8.7mm hole … Did you purchase these within the EU?
***** My first uke was a Kala soprano Joe Brown mahogany with friction tuners - uugh - couldnot keep it in tune. Now got a Kala tenor with classical guitar style pegs and vowed never to go back to friction tuners. You've now opened my eyes - thanks for the advice.
Keef Kaye The standard Friction pegs on Kala ukes are akin to the middle ones I talk about in this video - can easily cause problems. Sadly you don't see the highest end frictions on much else apart from highest end ukes. Thankfully though, they are not massively expensive to buy and really easy to swap onto a uke to replace what they came with.
Yeah - that's my point - cheap ones should never be seen on any instrument. Decent friction pegs are a joy - it's just sad most peoples first experience of friction pegs are the cheap ones, and then they think they are all like that.
Thank you. Beginner with a good uke here. Needed assurance that I was tightening correctly.
My pleasure Jean!
this was quick and useful. there are cheap versions of the good "precise tuning pegs" on ebay by now, btw. it's the teflon washers, that makes them work. they have the same effect on door hinges, slightly stiff but smooth movement with no sticking.
Yep - and multiple washers at that
Thanks for the review. Just bought a soprano Flea yesterday and already hate the cheap stock turners which are extremely difficult to adjust. I will be upgrading to the the best and most expensive friction tuners ASAP. The peace of mind is worth it.
I never really minded the stock tuners on Flea's, but they are certainly easy to change
Very helpful. I'm looking to replace the tuning pegs on my mother's 1960's era Department Store brand Baritone Uke. I was going to consider the Gotoh geared pegs but perhaps just upgraded friction pegs will give me the control I want.
Yep - world of difference between the cheap ones and the better models
Anyone know which Gotoh friction pegs come with an Ohana SK 28?
The standard / economy Gotoh friction pegs. UKB model I think.
Barry are there any decent friction tuners that would be a direct replacement for the friction tuners that came on 1950s era Martin Soprano Ukulele. I have an elderly lady in our Ukulele group that has her Martin ukulele she grew up with so I am pretty sure the tuners are original but it is a constant overshoot/ undershoot on it. I don't dare want to be drilling or reaming a whole wider on an old Martin go install planetary tuners but wondering if there any higher quality friction tuners that would have the same diameter whole requirement?
Very hard to say and wouldn't want you to assume wrongly - my understanding is that Martin pegs varied a bit so think it may be down to the specific instrument. You may get peg to fit as a straight swap but you may also need to adjust holes. Sorry I can't be more specific.
@@GotAUkulele thank you for your reply. Since they are friction pegs I guess they should be pretty easy to remove one and check the diameter of the size hole and then put it back on.
thank you so much, i just bought some of these and did not know how to install them 🙂
My pleasure!
Thank you! This was very helpful.
Glad it was helpful!
Good video Barry, Thanks
This so informative ! Thank you Barry !!
My pleasure!
Thank you, very helpful! Just bought the "best" ones after your recommendation.
Excellent - good luck with them. I far prefer friction tuners on ukes - they just 'look' better - and the good ones are a joy to use.
Hi, could you do a updated review on GraphTec Ratio tuners aslo? They are plastic, but also very light weight? Are they any good?
If I get time. I’ve had two with posts that snapped and seen several similar stories. Don’t recommend them
How about doing an updated version of the topic friction tuners.. is graphtech tune-a-lele ratio machine head considered friction tuners? Have you tried them yet? What is your opinion on them?
The planetary ones? No - they don't fit the category of friction tuners. I have tried them. Like the way that they feel and work, but think they are extremely ugly when fitted.
Great demo my friend
Thanks Todd
friction tuners for the Kala lacewood : Hello
is it normal for you that these tuners are not precise for tuning ?
and have trouble getting to the notes
that it is necessary to turn very slowly and slowly if not, the note that one wants to obtain will be very difficult to obtain
If they are cheap friction pegs, then very normal yes. It’s the issue most people struggle with when the friction pegs are cheap, and then claim all friction pegs are bad. Upgrade to Grover 4 series and you’ll see a world of difference
the Kala lacewood soprano has a cost of 288 euros ! all solid or 3 solid wood parts so i don't understand why these boring tuners are here ! i don't know if i must keep it or send it back to buy another with better tuners like Grover
phenixreturns yeah - you need to spend quite a bit more than that to get a uke with good quality friction pegs. I have no idea why they skimp on such important things but they do..
I have the koaloha friction tuner on my Opio. i have tried to for 2 years that i had them, but really it's becoming more and more painful for me to tune since it's 1:1 ration @@. Although they do hold the tune well once you have got them in tune. Then I decided to change to the Graphtech tuner that is very economical to buy and smooth to tune. Encouraging me to play the uku more often!
Yes, what matters most is you need to be happy with what you are using.
Hello, you seem to be the guy who would know this. I have tried to write grover, but they seem have a long response time. I am building a soprano/"alto" ukulele (14" scale - really not important for my question). I have a set of brand new Grover 4Bs laying around, and want to use them. Ideally I would like 4B's but the 2B's are there, and they should work okay. My issue is, and maybe someone else can help clear this up, with installation. The collar that sits on the peg head face has a cone shape, on the back - the side that goes "in" the peg head, as opposed to a knurled bushing. Now, does this conical shape need to be matched in the wood, or will an 8mm hole at the face of the peg head be sufficient. The advantage of a straight hole is that I can upgrade to 4B later, as it should be fitting with the 8mm hole, and besides it's way easier to make, rather than trying to match the cone shape perfectly - which would be close to impossible. Anyone that has tried installing these as new or an upgrade, any input would be appreciated. Thanks.
I am not a luthier so should be careful in how I advise. I believe that the best installation would be to but a taper in the face to hold the bushing collar. But, that said - when I have replaced cheaper tuners with Grover 4's I have successfully put them in headstocks that had no taper and were just a straight hole and they have worked perfectly. There 'may' however be some reason why the taper is recommended.
I have a 1960 baritone Slivertone Ukulele that wont stay in tune. I was going to have some one change tuning pegs for me. But what is a good brand and model to get. I have looked at lot deferent ones gets little confusing. Grover champions some one said where good. I like your video but you don't suggest tuners brand names or models. If you or someone had ides.
Leaving out the real boutique stuff - I stick to Grover and Gotoh. They make both friction pegs and gears and come in differing grades that you will discern from price. For example - the Grover 4 series fricton pegs I tend to use are 2-3 times the price as their entry level pegs. Horses for courses of course. Gotoh also make the hugely popular (but expensive) planetary tuners, though I think they might look odd on a baritone.
@@GotAUkulele Thank you for quick reply. When I search for Grover 4 series nothing comes up. all i can find are grover champion deluxe, Grover 88b, Grover Champion Sta-Tite, Grover 6B, Grover 6w, this crazy confusing :(
@@thebighat99 Sorry - the '4' is a series - but their labelling will be something like 4W (white buttons) or 4B (black buttons). The 6B are ver similar as are the 6W. I use those too.
@@GotAUkulele Ok got it thank you.
Awesome review. Thanks for sharing.
My pleasure
Weight is the key -- regardless of instrument. Any extra weight on the end (while also considering leverage) is a bad idea. Friction pegs are simply lighter -- and it would be nice to see some even lighter wood pegs on a uke (like still on violins). This is particularly important on the thin ukes coming out where the balance is way off. So the real question is whether the weight difference enough to make it worth while to go for friction tuners? In would be nice to know the exact weights of the different types of tuners to get some idea.
+Lawshorizon weight is a part of it, but not the only part. Looks come into it for me but also playability on first position chords where i find gears can get in the way.
HI Barry thanks for the insight on the tuners just bought a koa fluke so its a top end fluke and was thinking about changing the grover 2b tuning pegs that are on the fluke Dont have a problem at the moment tuning them but recon a few more years down the line when i get older it might be a different story . Was thinking about the grover 6b pegs but want to know if they will fit in the holes with making them bigger last thing i want to do is start drill out and also are they any good as they dont come cheap in the uk double the price from the sates was thinking about getting them before the end of October you never know what might happen with prices and imports if you get my drift
Cheers Derek
Derek Scott ‘fairly’ sure the 6s are a straight swap for 2s
Where can I buy these Ukulele Friction Tuners online?
Most uke specialist stores will carry a range of them. List of recommend stores on my website
@@GotAUkulele Thank you very much.
Very educational. Thank you.
Hello Bazz, do you have experience with Wittner friction tuner , I mean the black one's ???
No, never have, sorry.
Thanks for explaining friction tuners!
Thanks Peter - I DO think they get a bad press - rightly so with the horrible cheap ones I guess, but good ones are not all that expensive.
Thank you mayn!
good video! Thanks :)
+KT glad you like it! I'm on a mission to prove friction pegs are not all bad!!
What is the make of the good one you show?
+1777DK Grover
+GotAUkulele Can you post a link to where you got them, I can't seem to find that particular model. Is it the Champion Sta-Tite 88? What is the hole diameter for that particular one you have there?
+1777DK I am afraid YT doesn't allow links to external sites in comments. The model is the the Grover 4 series (Grover 4B are black, Grover 4W are white). Hole required is 5/16"
+GotAUkulele Thank you for your help! i did a cigar box ukulele build, and was planning to use Schaller pegs. However, the wood contracted because og humidity change and the holes are to big … These won't fit either, but if I plug and re-drill these could work because the flange will cover up the plug (the flange is bigger on these than the Schallers). I have a 8.7mm hole … Did you purchase these within the EU?
+1777DK Yes, UK - Southern Ukulele Store.
And there's me thinking they were all the same - doh.
Not at all Keef - it's why they get a bad press - people play cheap ones and understandably find them difficult to use.
*****
My first uke was a Kala soprano Joe Brown mahogany with friction tuners - uugh - couldnot keep it in tune. Now got a Kala tenor with classical guitar style pegs and vowed never to go back to friction tuners. You've now opened my eyes - thanks for the advice.
Keef Kaye The standard Friction pegs on Kala ukes are akin to the middle ones I talk about in this video - can easily cause problems. Sadly you don't see the highest end frictions on much else apart from highest end ukes. Thankfully though, they are not massively expensive to buy and really easy to swap onto a uke to replace what they came with.
I hate friction pegs
All I really use - but I choose good ones which are smooth as silk
gawd I hate those ,,,,,,,,blah
Why?
boss never got along with cheap ones
Yeah - that's my point - cheap ones should never be seen on any instrument. Decent friction pegs are a joy - it's just sad most peoples first experience of friction pegs are the cheap ones, and then they think they are all like that.
thanks.........question?......any reviews of lanikai SB spruce tenor ?.....my first uke
Sorry not played one - tend to prefer Kala over Lanikai in most comparisons though