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Philj200
Approved
| Joined: | Thu Jun 2nd, 2005 |
| Location: | New York USA |
| Posts: | 1240 |
| Instrument Interest: | Clawhammer Banjo, Bluegrass Banjo, Guitar, Harmonica, Dulcimer, Mandolin, Fiddle, Autoharp |
| Status: |
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Posted: Thu Jan 24th, 2008 12:52 pm |
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Okay, it was an extravagance, but I bought a set. They work perfectly… exactly as they should. Matter of fact, and from my last experience with “Scrugg’s Pegs” a long time ago, they work even better.
Interesting engineering. There are two thumb screws on each tuner. When you start, both are supposed to be loose. You tune to open-G. Then tighten one of the screws on each machine. Drop the B string to A, and the G to F# and tighten the other two thumb screws.
The tuning range of the second string is now A to B, the tuning range of the third string is F# to G. And it will stay that way until you retune. That requires loosening all four thumb screws.
Not very complex. And it really works. If you play in open-D a lot as well as open-G, this is certainly a consideration. I got them to reduce the amount of equipment I bring to contradances. And since the tuners are on a banjo I take to them, t just may serve that function, since we play several songs in D. I had thought I might figure out the chords in the D-tuning that would let me play in A-major. But … slap of the farhead… why bother since A is usually G, up two.
(On a long neck an easy way to play in A, is use the C-tuning [gCGBD] but no capo. The chords for the key of C will sound in A-major)
Back to the D-tuners: Of course, some 5th string capo is necessary. Since that string has to go up to A (two frets). It is also possible to tune down to F#, but most people take the easy way out and go up.
My opinion. I have them. I enjoy them. I will use them. Are they necessary …
Not at all.
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