page_title: Tuning mechanisms for stringed instruments
hierarchical_section_title: Tuning mechanisms for stringed instruments
caption_attribution_description: English: A Medieval tuning peg made from animal skeletal material, probably bone, probably dating 13th - 15th century. The tuning peg has a circular sectioned shank with a perforation at one end, through which the string would have passed. At the opposite end the cross-section changes to square approximately 10mm from the end. Similar tuning pegs are published in MacGregor (1985:147) and MacGregor, Mainman &amp; Rogers (1999:1978) they note that a key would have fitted over the square end to tune instruments such as harps, lyres or fiddles. The published examples date from the late 12th century - the end of the 13th century (MacGregor 1985:147) and the examples excavated in York mostly came from mid-late 14th century contexts but the authors note that similar groups of pegs from other sites across the country tend to derive from the 13th - 15th centuries (MacGregor, Mainman &amp; Rogers 199:1979). Dimensions: length: 55.98mm; width: 6.06mm; thickness: 5.97mm; diameter: 4.28mm; weight: 2.54g. Reference: MacGregor, A. 1985. Bone, Antler, Ivory and Horn. The Technology of Skeletal Materials since the Roman Period. Croom Helm, London and Sydney. MacGregor, A. Mainman, A. J. and Rogers, N. S. H. 1999. Bone, Antler, Ivory and Horn from Anglo-Scandinavian and Medieval York. Council for British Archaeology, York.
context_page_description: A variety of methods are used to tune different stringed instruments. Most change the pitch produced when the string is played by adjusting the tension of the strings.
  A tuning peg in a pegbox is perhaps the most common system. A peg has a grip or knob on it to allow it to be turned. A tuning pin is a tuning peg with a detachable grip, called a tuning lever. The socket on the tuning lever fits over the pin and allows it to be turned. Tuning pins are used on instruments where there is not space for a knob on each string, such as pianos and harps.
  Turning the peg or pin tightens or loosens the string. Some tuning pegs and pins are tapered, some threaded. Some tuning pegs are ornamented with shell, metal, or plastic inlays, beads or rings.
  Other tuning systems include screw-and-lever tuners, geared tuners, and the konso friction tuning system.
context_section_description: A variety of methods are used to tune different stringed instruments. Most change the pitch produced when the string is played by adjusting the tension of the strings.
  A tuning peg in a pegbox is perhaps the most common system. A peg has a grip or knob on it to allow it to be turned. A tuning pin is a tuning peg with a detachable grip, called a tuning lever. The socket on the tuning lever fits over the pin and allows it to be turned. Tuning pins are used on instruments where there is not space for a knob on each string, such as pianos and harps.
  Turning the peg or pin tightens or loosens the string. Some tuning pegs and pins are tapered, some threaded. Some tuning pegs are ornamented with shell, metal, or plastic inlays, beads (pips) or rings. 
  Other tuning systems include screw-and-lever tuners, geared tuners, and the konso friction tuning system (using braided leather rings).
caption: Medieval bone tuning pin. One end is pierced for the string; the other is squared off to fit in a tuning lever socket. The middle section, which would pass through the wood, is tapered.
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