How to take care of your STRING INSTRUMENT
NEVER do home repairs: one false move can destroy the value of your
instrument. We strongly recommend that all repairs be done by a
professional.
Keep the instrument away from radiators. It's best to keep it in a
humidified environment in the winter as dryness can cause cracks. (As an
alternative to expensive electrical humidifiers, try using a
"Dampit." These small accessories are extremely affordable and fit
right in one's case.)
Never leave the instrument in the trunk of your car. Summer heat can
actually cause varnish to bubble or melt off. Glue also dissolves in heat,
leaving one's instrument vulnerable to open seams. It goes without saying that
one should never (ever!) expose an instrument to bright sun.
Never leave the instrument in plain sight in the passenger part of your
car. This can be an invitation for a thief.
Do not put scotch tape, masking tape, or lick-on stickers on your
instrument, bow, or case. (If you must, use adhesive tape or peel-off stickers
ONLY on the fingerboard.)
Always loosen the bow after playing. Use a natural fiber cloth to wipe rosin off the instrument
whenever you've ceased playing for the day. Too much leftover rosin is bad for
the sound, as well as the finish.
Periodically check your bridge for straightness (or have your
teacher check it). A
warped bridge will eventually fall over and/or crack.
Occasionally check any fine tuners to make sure they are not wound too
tight. If they are, loosen them and retune with the pegs. It is possible for
tuners to get stuck; in some cases the tension can cause a string to
break.
When you need to change an entire set of strings, do not remove all of
the old ones at once. You will lose the proper placement of the bridge, and the
lack of tension may cause the soundpost to fall down.
Please read more about strings here.
Be careful not to tap the tip of your bow against anything solid (even
gently). This very delicate part of the bow breaks easily and is very difficult
to repair. If any parts of the bow should fall off
(such as the ivory button
or slide), hang on to them and take the bow in for immediate repair: these are
very expensive to replace.
If you use a shoulder-rest, be sure to remove it before closing the
case over your instrument. Forcing a case closed could crack the top of your
violin or viola. Always check to
see that the case is fully latched and zippered before you pick it up.
Cellos should be carried in an upright position against the body - not
down like a suitcase.
In crowd situations, put your instrument in an out-of-the-way place so
that no one will sit on it, step on it, or trip over it. Cellos in soft cases
are particularly vulnerable.
Label the instrument case with your name, address and phone number,
just Òin case.Ó