Double Bass String tension pulling pegs!!!!!!!!!!!

[Rob Knight]

Dear all,
the benefit of your experience would be most useful. (apologies in advance for terminology errors)

The bass has metal tuning machines mounted two a side on a plate.

Question: Do basses normally have a collar or sleeve inserted into the opposite side of the peg box for the end of the peg shaft to sit in?

I've noticed the tension of the strings is pulling the peg shafts away from perpendicular and towards the nut. Only slightly but it's there.

Thanks in advance,

Rob

 

[Chasarms]

Are you absolutely certain it is the string tension pulling the shafts out of square? The shafts are really only supposed to be perpendicular to the actual gear which rests flat on the plate. Because the peg box is not square but tapers in toward the top, the shafts actually are not perpendicular to the nut, but are angeled downward slightly. All basses are like this as far as I have seen.

 

[Rob Knight]

Yes, I meant perpendicular to the plate. There is evidence in the wood of the shafts having moved.

 

[Nick Lloyd]

Question: Do basses normally have a collar or sleeve inserted into the opposite side of the peg box for the end of the peg shaft to sit in?

The peg shaft usually sits in the other side of the pegbox, onto bare wood. A metal collar or sleeve would make sense, but this would increase time during the making process, and time=money in most situations. What kind of bass do you have?

 

[Rob Knight]

What kind of bass do you have?

Ah, you'll be surprised to learn. A cheap one!

 

[Nick Lloyd]

Are the tuning machines operating smoothly?

 

[Rob Knight]

Yes they are. I'll be keeping an eye on them for further movement.

Thanks for taking an interest Nick, I appreciate it. More so after visiting your web site last night.

 

[anonymous0726]

A picture would help. Got any?

 

[Rob Knight]

Sorry for the delay. I've been on holiday for the last week.

I'll try to get pictures in here as attachments. I hope they're not too big.