As a string player, there are some things that are indispensable to keep your instrument up and running. These things are not only crucial, but they would greatly affect your performance especially if you are going on stage. One of these things is the peg dope. Having the best peg dopes for violin, viola, or cello could make everything for you better.
Since there are lots of peg dopes that you can find on the market, choosing the ideal product might be difficult. This is also because each of these peg dopes would come with its own distinct features and composition. To make things easier for you, we have identified ten of the best peg dopes for violin, viola, or cello that you can see on the market. To make things even more convenient for you, we also have discussed each of their features. This will allow you to identify the product that you would think would suit your preferences the most.
Overall Best Peg Drops
Easily add lubricant with these peg drops without removing your pegs.
Features:
- Drops
- Pegs stay-in
- Only need one drop per peg
Overall Best Peg Compound / Peg Dope
The original peg dope compound made since the 1700s.
Features:
- Compound
- Bestselling
- Made in England
What is a peg dope?
Before we talk about the best peg dopes for violin, viola, or cello, it is only necessary to discuss what it is and what it does. This way, you will gauge better if you would need this product or not.
Peg dope is a high-grade composition for the pegs of your stringed instruments that do not longer turn smoothly in the pegbox. Also known as a peg paste, peg drops, peg stick, or a peg compound, this substance has been used to coat the bearing surfaces of the tuning pegs of your stringed instruments. They are usually sold in either a block (peg dope/compound), as a liquid in a bottle (peg drops), or as a small stick (similar to lipstick).
Why do you need a peg dope?
There are a lot of reasons why you need to use a peg dope. Primarily it serves to lubricate the peg shaft so it would turn in the pegbox easily. Moreover, it would provide friction so that you can keep the pegs from slipping with the force of your instrument’s string tension. If you tune the pegs that are doped and well fitted, you will have a smooth rotation. Moreover, it will hold your strings firmly wherever you would wish.
Now, it is worth noting that a tapered tuning peg without the right amount of friction to hold it in place has a tendency to slip. This would make it quite difficult to maintain. Stringed instruments with pegs that are not doped will slip easily, making them out of tune within moments as soon as the peg would slip again.
In addition to the aforementioned reasons why the best peg dopes for violin, viola, or cello are important, it is also worth noting that they would also work when the weather is too hot or too cold. When the temperature changes, the violins would also change its form. So having a violin dope would be very reliable.
How do you use a peg dope?
Using a peg dope is very easy and convenient. You just need to put a few drops of your peg dope right on top of the pegs while they are out a little bit. Then, you push them into the pegbox and twist it around just a little bit. Then, you will notice how the pegs would become a little sticky, allowing you to use your violin well.
When the peg dope comes in a paste form, there is another way of placing it on your peg. This time, you need to take the peg outside the pegbox. Thoroughly apply the paste or the stick around the peg until it is all covered. Focus on the contact points. Afterwards, put the peg back to the box and test whether it would already not slip. If you have the right consistency, then you are good to go.
Alternatives to peg dope
If you don’t have peg dope readily available and your pegs are slipping, there are some alternatives that you can use. Peg dope is primarily a solution of rosin in alcohol which means that if you don’t have peg dope on hand, powdered rosin will do the trick. Just rub some low-grade sandpaper on your rosin, then run the peg through it.
If your pegs are hard to move, you can use pencil graphite instead. Just remove the peg from the peg box, rub some pencil graphite (non-mechanical pencils work best), and put the peg back in. Your peg should begin to move easier.
Best Peg Dope and Drops
| Peg Dope and Drops | Price |
| 1. The Original Peg Drops by Ardsley | $11.50 |
| 2. HILL The Original Peg Compound | $19.00 |
| 3. The Original Hill Peg Compound | $18.99  |
| 4. The String Centre Peg Drops | $16.99 |
| 5. Goetz ZW-96 The Original Violin Peg Compound | $8.95 |
| 6. Hidersine VM-30H Peg Paste | $7.39 |
| 7. Stravari Peg Compound | $13.25 |
| 8. OVERSTOCK - Stravari Peg Compound | |
| 9. HILL Original Peg Compound | $22.13 |
| 10. PASTA CLAVIJA VIOLIN - Pirastro Peg Compound | $19.99 |
All Peg Dope and Drops
1. The Original Peg Drops by Ardsley
The first peg dope on our list is The Original Peg Drops by Ardsley. This product would help cure squeaking and slipping pegs. What we like about this is that you would not need to remove the peg in order to apply this. All you need is to apply one drop of this dope on your pegs and you are good to go.
2. HILL The Original Peg Compound
We think that the HILL The Original Peg Compound (HILL-ZW-97) is also a good option. This is a quality peg compound that would help make your pegs turn smoother while reducing peg slipping and sticking. You only need to apply a little bit of this on the right places of your pegs and they would work great, with your stringed instrument holding out a tune.
3. The Original Hill Peg Compound
The Original Hill Peg Compound is a quality peg compound made from England that helps lubricate pegs that are no longer turning smoothly. After applying a small amount of this peg compound to your pegs, they will turn smoother while avoiding slipping or sticking. It is also worth noting that this product would most likely last a long time due to how efficient it is.
4. The String Centre Peg Drops
The String Centre Peg Drops would also make a great option. This product is a simple cure for the slipping and squeaking pegs of your stringed instruments. What makes this a good peg drop is that you only need one drop to stop the slipping pegs without removing them from your instrument. You should note that a little of this already goes a long way.
5. Goetz ZW-96 The Original Violin Peg Compound
The Goetz ZW-96 The Original Violin Peg Compound provides long-time lubrication on your pegs, ensuring optimal tuning and at the same time strong friction while you play. Moreover, this graphite peg compound ensures optimal lubrication and long time friction of your pegs. This particular peg compound is optimal for stringed instruments such as viola, violin, and cello.
6. Hidersine VM-30H Peg Paste
The Hidersine VM-30H Peg Paste consists of a special formula that allows pegs of your stringed instruments to turn smoothly and easily without sticking or slipping. It prevents the binding or slippage of your pegs that would often be the result of changes in the atmosphere. To use this, apply the paste sparingly to various areas of the peg that contact the pegbox.
7. Stravari Peg Compound
We also recommend trying out the Stravari Peg Compound. Being sourced from the finest all-natural ingredients, you are sure that it will not harm the pegs of your violin in any form. It is made with a base of consumption-safe grain alcohol. When you use this, the pegs would hold firm. This peg compound helps provide balance and grip on your pegs.
8. OVERSTOCK – Stravari Peg Compound
The OVERSTOCK
– Stravari Peg Compound is a revolutionary peg compound that would help keep your pegs from slipping. Unlike other peg compounds, this particular product does not gum up. Instead, it provides a better grip and glides for various problem pegs. This product has been hand-made in small batches, ensuring you that it is not made in a synthetic manner.
9. HILL Original Peg Compound
The HILL Original Peg Compound (Hil-9695) is a quality peg compound that helps make your pegs turn smoother while reducing peg slipping and sticking. You only need to apply a little bit of this on the right places of your pegs and they would work great, with your stringed instrument holding out a tune.
10. PASTA CLAVIJA VIOLIN – Pirastro Peg Compound
Completing our list of the best peg dopes is the PASTA CLAVIJA VIOLIN
– Pirastro (9041) Peg Compound. This works well with the pegs of various stringed instruments such as the viola, violin, and cello. You need to apply this particular product to make your pegs less squeaky and less slippery.
Conclusion
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