Hi Matt,
The mounting threads do in fact differ for each kind of peg and I
think that's the important difference. The cores differ as well,
however: the teeth on the core do not run vertically on the shaft, but
instead at a slight angle and the left- and right-handed seem to be
mirror images (which makes sense). I think that by using the proper
one, there is a tendency for the natural pull of the peg when under
tension to keep the head pulled down as a result rather than tending
to force it up a little. But I think it is so slight a difference that
it wouldn't matter under normal string tension. So I believe that the
operative difference is the threading and since I've glued them in, as
you note, it doesn't really seem to matter much. I certainly haven't
(yet) noticed any problems from having put them in backwards, and as
Alden noted, their supplier tells them to do them "backwards."
Best,
-Arle
On Feb 10, 2008, at 6:25 PM, Matthew Szostak wrote:
Perhaps this is a question for Brian, but maybe some other list
members would be interested, so I'll start here.
Why are these pegs left- and right- handed? From what I understand
about the way these planetary gearing systems work, I would think
that, like banjo tuners, they would work the same regardless of
which side of the peg the string wound on. Is there something about
the construction which makes these only work in one rotational
direction?
Perhaps it's the *mounting* threads which are different? The
tensioning motion of the left-handed peg (our tourne-a-gauche) would
naturally have a tendency to unscrew the threaded housing unless the
threads were "reversed". But if they're glued in...
~ Matt
