Caring for Your Instrument

 

Handling an instrument

When handling a stringed instrument, one should constantly be aware that the varnish of a fine violin, viola, cello, or bass is very fragile. Players should avoid putting their hands directly on the varnish of the instrument whenever possible. While playing, care should be taken to protect the instrument from damage by jewelry, buttons, and zippers. While in their cases, violins and violas should be protected against possible damage by using a blanket or instrument bag.  

Humidity

Humidity control should be of great concern to players of wooden instruments. Bowed string instruments in particular are made of a number of pieces of wood of different types and grain direction which can be susceptible to fluctuations in humidity. Too much or too little humidity can be the cause of arching distortion, cracks, neck projection problems, glue joint separations, strings which are too high or low, sound posts which are too loose or tight, and many other problems.  The level of relative humidity which is mostly considered to be ideal for the preservation of wooden objects is 55%.

 In climates with severe seasonal temperature and humidity fluctuations, maintaining consistency can be a difficult task. While several case or instrument-held humidifiers are available, it is most advisable to humidify or dehumidify the environment in which the instrument is kept the majority of the time. It is important to remember that humidifiers for use inside the case or instrument are only effective when the case is closed. Once the case is opened, all of the humidified air quickly vanishes.

Humidity is most easily measured with a wall-mounted hygrometer kept in the same room in which the instrument is stored. Smaller hygrometers are available, but their readings may not be as accurate.   Instruments may, of course, be taken from their properly-humidified environments in order to be played for reasonable periods of time. This can be done without harm as long as the instrument is returned to its environment of proper humidity before the wood loses or gains an undue amount of moisture.

 Strings 

Strings have three vibrating sections: in the pegbox, between the nut and bridge, and between the bridge and tailpiece. In order to help prevent repeated breakage, these three lengths must all be able to adjust themselves to the same tension. A properly shaped nut should allow each string to make a smooth, even curve from the fingerboard into the pegbox. The grooves on the nut should be wide enough to allow the strings to pass over the nut to the pegs without binding. Similarly, bridge grooves should be cut with the proper width, depth, and curve to allow the string to pass to the tailpiece with ease. When changing strings, graphite from a soft "lead" pencil applied to both nut and bridge grooves will help the strings slide more easily, thus equalizing tension and prolonging string life. If strings break continuously, a technician should inspect both the nut and bridge grooves and make necessary adjustments.

Pegs

The proper fit and operation of the pegs is important to both the health of the instrument and the convenience of the player. A common complaint is sticking or excessive slipping. Humidity changes play a large part in causing this problem since wood pegs will tend to become oval when they shrink or swell. Out-of-round pegs do not contact the pegbox walls effectively. Should this be a chronic problem, a technician should be consulted and the pegs adjusted for better fit. Pegs which fit well should be lubricated with any of several peg compound products on the market. An old-fashioned remedy for slipping pegs is the application of rosin dust, however, we DO NOT suggest this remedy since rosin dust may fuse pegs to the pegbox.

Winding the strings on the pegs correctly is also very important for the pegs to function smoothly. Strings should leave the peg on the thicker end of the shaft (towards the peg head). Additionally, by adjusting the length of the string winding which is inserted through the peg hole, a player can adjust the position of the peg head so that it is comfortable for tuning.

A common complaint often voiced particularly by younger players is that pegs do not hold. Often this is caused by the player who neglects to put pressure on the end of the peg while turning it. An easy cure to this problem is for the player to visualize the peg as having threads which "screw" into the pegbox as the peg is pushed in and turned in either direction.

Cleaning

The recommended method of cleaning is to use a soft cloth to remove rosin dust, oil, and dirt from the instrument immediately after each use. We recommend an untreated cloths and these may be purchased specifically for cleaning instruments.  If a treated cloth is used, one should take great care not to use it on the strings or get it near the hair of the bow. Other cloths may also be used provided they are soft, lint-free, and non-abrasive.

There is a wide variety of polishes and cleaners available for stringed instruments. However, we recommend only one and that is Renassaince Wax.  If using a polish or cleaner, always test for compatibility with the varnish in a small inconspicuous area of the instrument. On a related note, using commercial or household solvents near an instrument is to be avoided since, in some cases, even the vapors can cause serious damage.  

 Temperature

In addition to damage caused by drastic humidity changes, instruments are also susceptible to damage caused by rapid fluctuations in temperature. While in colder climates it is often impossible to avoid subjecting an instrument to low temperatures, it is important to make certain that the rate of temperature change is as slow as possible. This may be accomplished by allowing an instrument to warm up to room temperature inside the case. Excess heat may soften the varnish which can pick up impressions of shoulder rests and case lining fabric or, in extreme cases, may "alligator" or cause the instrument to stick to the inside of the case. Instances of excess heat can happen at any season and are most often caused by leaving the case in the direct sun, next to a heater, or unattended in either the passenger or luggage compartments of an automobile.