Reda Aouad - 2-18-2009 at 10:09 AM
What is the best peg material? And what is the best method to "lubricate" them if any? Is the peg material related to the type of wood used for the
pegbox?
Reda Aouad - 2-18-2009 at 10:14 AM
Well ive found some answers in this forum
http://www.mikeouds.com/messageboard/viewthread.php?tid=8807
But can anyone please explain the differences in the wood/material used for pegs?
jdowning - 2-18-2009 at 01:32 PM
Ebony is generally considered not to be the best wood for pegs because the wood contains abrasive minerals that tend to wear the peg holes quickly (as
well as the edges of cutting tools!). Ebony pegs are often chosen because of the contrasting colour (and because cost - as ever - somehow always
equates to quality).
A good peg wood should be close grained, stable and moderately hard so that it can be turned on a lathe to a good finish with fine detail. Pear wood
and plum wood are considered to be some of the best but need to be stained if the pegs are required to be black. Boxwood was often used on lutes,
violins and other instruments but as it takes' forever' to season, boxwood pegs can be troublesome - tending to pop out of the pegbox or jam with
humidity changes.
Ivory was once used on very costly lutes - presentation instruments to royalty - but that was likely because ivory was costly rather than a good peg
material (ivory also has a 'grain' - like wood - so might be subject to warping with humidity change). However, Ivory is not a practical option
today
Bone pegs, as an alternative, should be good, but perhaps Jameel could comment on that?
I have made lute, guitar and other instrument pegs from African Ebony, Indian Rosewood, Brazilian Rosewood and a boxwood like material once used for
making spindles for the weaving industry (Dogwood?). All of these have worked satisfactorily. I have experimented in the past with cheaper woods like
Beech, Sycamore and Mahogany but these are too soft and wear quickly (in a hard Maple peg box).
Unless you plan to make your own pegs for an oud, you will likely be restricted to using commercially available, mass produced, violin pegs - so
choice of material will be mainly restricted to Ebony, Rosewood and perhaps Boxwood for quality (but not necessarily costly) pegs. All good,
economical, choices in my opinion.
Reda Aouad - 2-18-2009 at 02:44 PM
Thank you 