Acoustic Banjo Pegs
The majority of people probably associate the acoustic banjo to American folk music. While this remains true, the very first acoustic banjo is said to have been brought to American land by African slaves. Nonetheless, there were many other stringed instruments being played in the Middle East and neighboring regions. They were later spread over to Europe, and eventually found their way to the new continent. But, wherever they were to be found, they needed to be brought to the right key by tuning the acoustic banjo pegs. Today, banjo pegs can be found quite easily on the web or at any music store that has banjos for sale. The pegs can be made of different types of materials, such as nickel and gold.
Types of Banjos and Pegs
The banjo has gone through different stages throughout the years. When the acoustic banjo was first built, it featured only four strings, which were probably made of nylon. As time went by, these strings were replaced by metal strings and the acoustic banjo pegs were eventually made mostly of nickel. Regardless of the material that was used for the strings, the acoustic banjo pegs always played an important part when it came time to tuning the banjo. If you’re a beginner, the tuning task might be a bit overwhelming, and at times it might even seem impossible. However, only with practice will you be able to do it faster. You will find three basic types of banjos, which are:
- Four-stringed (original)
- Five-stringed
- Six-stringed
In addition to these, you will find electric banjos and hybrid banjos. Whenever you go shopping for banjo pegs, make sure you give them the exact specifications of your banjo; this way, you are provided with the correct ones.
Finding Banjo Pegs
Most people purchase their acoustic banjo pegs from the same store that sold them their banjo. However, if the instrument was given to you as a gift, you may have to look around prior to making your purchase. If it becomes a bit difficult, you can use the internet to access a store’s website directly. For example, Stew Mac (or Stewart-MacDonald) is very well-known for their vast collection of music-related equipment. In addition to acoustic banjo pegs, you will find:
- Knobs
- Glue and adhesive
- Bridges
- Bodies and necks
- Fretting supplies
Anything that is related to your instrument chances are that you will find them at this store. You can also visit Janet Davis Music, Amazon and eBay for current prices.
Tuning Your Acoustic Banjo
Once you locate the store that sells your acoustic banjo pegs, always inquire about their return policy. Even though it might be rare, it’s possible that the set of pegs is damaged. Most stores offer a return policy, but this is limited to a certain period of time. When you’re set, don’t forget that the banjo is usually tuned to the key of G. In order to accomplish this, you must be capable of manipulating the acoustic banjo pegs correctly. A useful tip is to always listen to a banjo that has already been tuned; this should give you a reference on how it’s supposed to sound like when it’s done the right way.
