How to Install Tuning Pegs on a Guitar
- 1). Remove the strings from the guitar completely.
- 2). Remove the tuning peg retaining screws on the rear of the headstock, and put aside.
- 3). Remove the tuning peg retaining nuts on the top of the headstock using a deep socket wrench, retain the nut and washer, and push the head of the tuning peg through the headstock, and remove at the rear. Some models of tuning pegs incorporate a bushing in the tuning peg hole in the headstock; if so, push through using a screwdriver, taking care not to damage the lacquer finish on the headstock.
- 4). Check to ensure the replacement set you have acquired uses the same diameter holes and retaining screw pattern on the rear of the headstock. With so many suppliers of guitar parts, there is no need to have to custom fit nonmatching tuning pegs. If necessary, bring one of your broken tuning pegs to your local musical instrument supply store to ensure a proper replacement is purchased.
- 5). Insert the new tuning peg from the rear of the headstock, and gently screw the retaining nut onto the string end of the tuning peg on the top of the headstock using a socket wrench. If new bushings are included in the new tuning lug package, press these in first, and gently tap into place with a small hammer.
- 6). Screw the retaining screws into the headstock using the existing holes in the rear of the headstock. If the holes are slightly stripped, coat the screw with a little wood glue prior to screwing it in.
- 7). Restring the guitar with new strings and tune. Some adjustment will need to be made with new strings on the guitar shortly after the first tuning, as they will stretch slightly.
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