tuning peg question

Subject: tuning peg question
From: GUEST,leeneia
Date: 05 Jan 08 - 11:04 AM

I play guitar and dulcimer, and I have always strung them so that the strings go higher when I turn my wrist counterclockwise.

Recently I had my dulcimer in for a tune-up, and the technician put the strings on so that the high strings go sharper when I turn my wrist counterclockwise, but the lower strings require a clockwise movement. I don't like this arrangement, but the man insisted it had to be that way. I have had to put tacky plastic arrows on the dulcimer to show me which way to turn the pegs.

It seems to me that if I am careful not to have strings touch, then it doesn't matter whether the movement is clockwise or counterclockwise. Is that right or not?

Subject: RE: tuning peg question
From: s&r
Date: 05 Jan 08 - 11:21 AM

My guitars and dulcimer all turn anti clockwise. The fiddles have no machine heads, and tune anticlockwise low strings, clockwise high strings. Your tech may be concerned with the break angle over the nut perhaps

Stu

Subject: RE: tuning peg question
From: s&r
Date: 05 Jan 08 - 11:31 AM

Or with interference where a string can foul the sting peg over/under which it passes.

Stu

Subject: RE: tuning peg question
From: Bernard
Date: 05 Jan 08 - 11:34 AM

Are you talking hammer dulcimer or mountain dulcimer?

Subject: RE: tuning peg question
From: jeffp
Date: 05 Jan 08 - 11:51 AM

If the barrels (the part the string wraps around) are perpendicular to the fretboard, the string should pass to the inside of the barrel before it wraps around, with the inside strings traveling the farthest distance. The winders should turn in whichever direction accomplishes this.

If the barrels are parallel to the fretboard, the string usually passes over the barrel as it winds. Again, the winders turn in whichever direction makes this happen.

Don't worry, you'll get used to it in time.