Tech: Instrument parts - Psaltry pegs

Subject: Tech: Instrument parts - Psaltry pegs
From: GUEST,Kristine
Date: 28 Feb 07 - 08:02 PM

My son has to construct an instrument and we're trying to find the metal pegs that the string attaches to and then it can be tightened. I don't know what they're called, but they're used on psalty's and autoharps, etc...Do you know where I could acquire some? Thanks, Kristine

Subject: RE: Tech: Instrument parts - Psaltry pegs
From: Andy Jackson
Date: 28 Feb 07 - 08:06 PM

Piano tuners

Subject: RE: Tech: Instrument parts - Psaltry pegs
From: catspaw49
Date: 28 Feb 07 - 08:12 PM

Stewart-MacDonald Supply

Do NOT use piano tuners as most are a larger size. The hole is slightly smaller that you drill (9/64 is good) and you drive the pin in about halfway and then turn it. This gives it a surface for the threads to bite on.

Spaw

Subject: RE: Tech: Instrument parts - Psaltry pegs
From: GUEST,Kristine
Date: 01 Mar 07 - 12:35 AM

I'm a little confused...if we don't use piano tuners, then what should we be looking for? Some kind of pins? Would we get them from piano tuners? Sorry to be so dense here, but I'm a complete novice at this. Thank you for your suggestions.

Subject: RE: Tech: Instrument parts - Psaltry pegs
From: Chip2447
Date: 01 Mar 07 - 02:25 AM

here you go, at least a good place to start.

psaltery hardware

Chip2447

Subject: RE: Tech: Instrument parts - Psaltry pegs
From: catspaw49
Date: 01 Mar 07 - 02:47 AM

Piano tuniong hardware is sometimes a different size. If you check my link to Stewart MacDonald Supply you will see the EXACT thing you are after. I've used them in over a hundred Hammered Dulcimers and I have built a number of psalterys as well.

What is not clear?

Spaw

Subject: RE: Tech: Instrument parts - Psaltry pegs
From: nickp
Date: 01 Mar 07 - 03:58 AM

I've always known them as 'zither wrest pins' that might help the search

Subject: RE: Tech: Instrument parts - Psaltry pegs
From: catspaw49
Date: 01 Mar 07 - 04:56 AM

............geeziz................

WHAT SEARCH?????

Go to the link in my previous post to Stewart Macdonald and that is the one and only, exact thing needed!!!!!!!!!!!

Here is the webpage addy if you can't click the hot link:
http://www.stewmac.com/shop/Hardware,_parts/Dulcimer:_Tuning_pin/Tuning_Pin.html

Subject: RE: Tech: Instrument parts - Psaltry pegs
From: JohnInKansas
Date: 01 Mar 07 - 10:00 AM

I'd suggest going FIRST to the Stewart Macdonald page Spaw suggested and find out what you're looking for.

After that, IF you just want to do some scrounging about, you can look for other sources. I doubt that you'll find them elsewhere at a better price, or with more convenient delivery; but it's possible that your next door neighbor has some in a tin can in the garage once you know what you're looking for.

At the Stew-Mac page, you'll see a "related items" link, that will also show you a "hitch pin" and a tuning wrench. You can use tuning pins on both ends of the string, but the hitch pins are a bit cheaper and are intended for holding the "fixed end" that you don't need to turn to adjust. Depending on how sophisticated an instrument you plan to make, you can "invent" a method for holding the fixed ends of the string, using nails, screws, or other kluges.

If your instrument will have only a few strings, you could use tuning pins on both ends of each string, but if it's going to have lots of strings you may want equal numbers of hitch pins and tuning pins.

I'd also suggest, while you're placing your order at Stew-Mac, that if you intend to mess with the little buggers at all you should order a decent "tuning wrench" because without one you'll work a lot harder than necessary getting something useful done with them.

The link by Chip2447 offers a "kit," but is vague about what it's supposed to make. Apparently you have to order the plan separately (another $20) to find out what to do with the pieces.

If, in fact, you're wanting to make a psalt^ery, you may have better luck finding plans and instructions on the web using the more conventional spellings, psalter or psaltery, although psaltry will give some results.

John

Subject: RE: Tech: Instrument parts - Psaltry pegs
From: nickp
Date: 01 Mar 07 - 10:15 AM

Stew-Mac are a real treasure trove and the catalog(ue) is hours of fascinating reading but from memory there is a minimum order value so I have yet to find a reason that would satisfy my wife to enable me to make an order - certainly to ship here to the UK. One day...

Subject: RE: Tech: Instrument parts - Psaltry pegs
From: JohnInKansas
Date: 01 Mar 07 - 10:25 AM

nickp -

I've never run into a problem with minimum orders. Instrument parts and pieces are just so.o.o da*****d expensive that it's always been pretty much an academic thing.

There are a few other good luthiery supply places, but the requirements are fairly consistent. "Luthiers International" is one other that I've dealt with and that is reliable and helpful. I've got an appointment to make, but perhaps can get back with a link later.

John

Subject: RE: Tech: Instrument parts - Psaltry pegs
From: catspaw49
Date: 01 Mar 07 - 10:36 AM

John may be talking about Luthier's Mercantile in Northern California. A great place and a great catalog as well. One of the most "educational" catalogs ever!

Stew-Mac is really fun to go to in the real world as well and I am fortunate to live only about 40 miles from them. Then again........But I don't build much anymore so the trips ar less frequent. 10 years ago I used to find ANY excuse to run down to Athens!

Spaw

Subject: RE: Tech: Instrument parts - Psaltry pegs
From: GUEST,Kristine
Date: 01 Mar 07 - 10:54 AM

I must be completely color blind! I didn't even see the link you left Cat...so sorry. I really appreciate all of your suggestions. I'm sure we can manage to come up with an eight note instrument now :-) Thanks again.

Kristine

Subject: RE: Tech: Instrument parts - Psaltry pegs
From: nickp
Date: 02 Mar 07 - 09:01 AM

Wow Spaw, thanks, another site to drool over! Nick

Subject: RE: Tech: Instrument parts - Psaltry pegs
From: catspaw49
Date: 02 Mar 07 - 10:26 AM

Nick, it sounds like you would have been fun to have around back when we ran The Brazilian Rosewood Thread.

Spaw

Subject: RE: Tech: Instrument parts - Psaltry pegs
From: JohnInKansas
Date: 02 Mar 07 - 12:08 PM

Gosh Spaw, you're gonna get everybody started searchin' up old threads, linking in that old classic.

That one dates back to when some of us were still young enough to remember stuff we'd learned.

John

Subject: RE: Tech: Instrument parts - Psaltry pegs
From: Songster Bob
Date: 02 Mar 07 - 03:17 PM

Zither tuning pins are the commonly-used pins for hammered dulcimers. Typically, you use two pins for the two strings that comprise a "course" of strings. That is, the strings are doubled, and those "wrist pins" or "hitch pins" are what the one wire that comprises the course goes around at the other end of the instrument.

That reads funny. Let's start again.

You probably would want to double the strings, which you do by putting two tuning pins in the pin-block on one side, and a single hitch-pin on the other block. Run your string from one tuning pin across the bridge to the hitch pin, then back across the bridge to the second zither tuning pin. Tighten carefully till both strings in the course are at the same note. Do the same for the rest of the strings.

Then retune interminably till it settles in.

Now, for a kid's project, you may want to use single strings. In that case, put a hitch pin lined up with the first tuning pin, and a second a decent distance up the pin-block, in line with the corresponding tuning pin. Now the single string goes from one tuning pin, around the first hitch-pin, up to the second, and back across to the second tuning pin. The result is two single strings, each tuned to a different note, and separated enough to be played as separate notes. If you want the strings an inch apart, your pins will all be more or less an inch apart (allowing for the fact that the instrument is a trapezoid, and one inch in the middle, across the bridge, is really slightly more than an inch on the slanted end-blocks.

So one string can be one note (in courses) or two notes (in separate locations).

Does this help?

Bob

Subject: RE: Tech: Instrument parts - Psaltry pegs
From: Chip2447
Date: 03 Mar 07 - 01:06 AM

JohninKansas,

My link was for just the hardware used in the Hog nosed Psaltery by

MusicMakerskit

I just recently finished a hog nose kit supplied by them (under $80.oo USD)

Chip