WITTNER^® FINETUNE‑PEGS

Tijdschrift voor Ergonomie - Volume 37 - Nr. 2 - Juni 2012 - Page 27

Ergonomics and Patents
Doctor Wouter Kanneworff und Danielle Vossebeld
WITTNER Finetune-Pegs
Publication: WO2009059873A2, 14. Mai 2009 - Introduction to the market: 2009

Accurate tuning of a bowed instrument is crucial prior to playing it. Even when the instrument itself is of exceptional quality, playing the strings under wrong tension would ruin the performance. The strings are mounted between the tailpiece and the pegs, and by altering the tension the pitch will vary accordingly. The pegs allow quick modification after which the final adjustments can be made by using finetuners on the tailpiece.

The construction of classical instruments is greatly determined by tradition. Electronics and high tech materials offer great opportunities but are adapted slowly because of that focus on tradition. The German company WITTNER specializes in small mechanical products for musicians like metronomes, tuning forks and finetuner tailpieces. WITTNER invented a traditional shaped peg with a light alloy gearing system built-in, greatly improving tuning ease and accuracy. Less force is needed and the tuning increments were brought down 8,5 times compared to a standard peg, thus eliminating the need of a finetuner on the tailpiece. As only the peg head and the mechanic end are rotating, no friction caused by the pegbox have to be overcome.

The new pegs are constructed of black composite material to resemble the normally used ebony wood as much as possible. Adapting the pegbox to the pegs is an easy job for a skilled luthier. The pegs come in different sizes to match the great variety of instruments available.