Guitar Peg Low-poly 3D model

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The machine head, also known as tuning machine or gear head, is a gearing apparatus used for tuning stringed musical instruments by adjusting string tension. Commonly found on mandolins, guitars, double basses and other instruments, it's typically placed on the instrument's headstock. Traditionally, a single machine head consists of a cylinder or capstan mounted at its center with a pinion gear, along with a knob or button and a worm gear that links them. The capstan has a hole through the far end from the gear, the string is fed through this hole, and then wrapped around the capstan. To complete the string installation, the string is tightened by turning the capstan using the tuning knob. The worm gear ensures the capstan cannot turn without movement on the knob and allows precise tuning. Banjos often employ a different mechanism using planetary gears where both the knob and capstan rotate on the same axis. Classical guitars usually have worm gears that are exposed, while modern steel-string guitars typically have individual sealed enclosures with permanent lubrication. Vintage and vintage-reproduction guitars frequently have open gear tuners, housed in enclosures. Several machine head placements exist, depending on the shape of the headstock. On bass guitars, where string tension is extremely high, larger, heavier-duty machine heads are used, featuring larger knobs as well. Some guitars have microtuning tuners incorporated into the guitar bridge for tuning. In 'headless' guitars and basses, designed by Steinberger, the machine heads are located at the body end of the instrument. The worm-and-gear system has evolved over time to provide increased precision of milling, with modern standard gear ratios being 14:1, while versions with an 18:1 or even 21:1 ratio are available. The term 'locking tuners' now refers to a mechanism in the string peg (usually a cam or screw) that locks the string in place, preventing slippage. However, this term has an older meaning as well, referring to an anti-backlash design of the gears that greatly reduce slippage. Musicians playing certain instrumental families, most notably the violin family (excluding double bass), resist using machine heads and continue using friction pegs. In recent years, a new type of machine head, utilizing micro-gearing inside of a friction-peg shaped casing that can be fitted to an instrument without physical alterations was introduced but continues to face resistance from traditionalists. The worm-and-gear tuning machine is credited to Johann Georg Stauffer, while the Kluson-style design was established by John Kluson in 1925. A.D. Grover held numerous patents for musical instrument parts and accessories, refining the machine head concept through the 20th century with a design that sealed the mechanism in a cast metal shell.