Care of your Violin or Stringed Instrument
Problem Pegs
1. For slipping pegs, use peg compound. Hill pegdope works best but String Drops will also work. In emergencies, use chalk, or rosin. As a last resort, try winding the string tight against the scroll to force the peg in.
2. For sticking pegs, use peg compound. In emergencies use dry soap.
3. If pegs don't respond, check for uneven wear on the shaft of the peg. Check to be sure that the string hole in the peg is clear of the sides of the scroll.
Bridge Basics
1. The back face of the bridge should stay perpendicular to the plane of the top. The front face will lean slightly at an angle.
2. The bridge is placed between the two inside notches on the f-holes. Use both hands when adjusting the bridge, bracing them against the body of the instrument.
3. Check for correct arching. Sight across the bridge and line up the E, A, and D strings. When E and D strings are lined up, the A string will rise above by a sixteenth of an inch (for violin). Adjustments can be made by using a small file. In the same way, check the G, D, and A strings. You can shim individual strings with paper, but be sure the shim doesn't project past the front of the bridge.
Soundpost Situations
1. The basic soundpost position should directly line up with the treble foot of the bridge, and should be behind the foot a distance of about one-half the thickness of the foot.
2. A properly fitted soundpost should stay in place without problems, though the hardbumps and weather changes can cause it to fall.
3. Learn to use a soundpost setter. There are two types; the S type and the scissor type. The S type is the "professional" model used by violin shops. With practice, both can give good results.
Loosen the strings before setting the post, but leave the bridge on so that you will have a reference point. For most instruments, insert the soundpost through the f-hole on the soundpost side. On small violins, 1/8 to 1/32, the post is easier to insert through the bass bar side. The post should stand vertically between the top and back. It should be snug so that the movement of the instrument will not cause the post to fall. You can take the strings, tailpiece and endpin off and sight through the endpin hole if you want to recheck the soundpost fit and position
Nuts!
The string should clear the fingerboard by one business card thickness. If too low, shim with paper. Lubricate the string notch by rubbing with a pencil so the string will slide smoothly.
Tailpiece Topics
1. The tailpiece should be close to the saddle (roughly 1/8" for violin, 1/2" for cello, 1" for bass). Adjust or replace the tailpiece loop as necessary. Keep one in your desk.
2. On violins, check to see that the chinrest isn't touching the tailpiece.
Chinrest Clues
1. Carry a chinrest adjuster (or a big paper clip). Keep an adjuster on your key ring.
Soulful Strings
1. Steel strings last longer and require less tuning. Choose carefully; some brands are a lot more metallic than others. Always use fine tuners for all four strings. Always use the bridge protectors when supplied with the strings.
2. Synthetic core strings have a better tone, but are not as durable as steel strings. Fine tuners are optional on the A, D, and G strings (for violin) but for classroom use, should be used anyway.
3. If you can't change strings on a regular basis (at least once a year?) at least keep an eye on the violin E strings. They go bad two to three times more quickly than the other strings.
4.If possible, use the correct size string. On a half size instrument, for example, the correct size string will help to maintain string tension, thus resulting in a fuller sound.
5. The popular Dominant string requires more care and attention than the usual string. The notches in the nut must be smooth and not pinch the string. The string should be wound carefully on the peg, avoiding pinching or jamming of the string against the pegbox. Avoid tuning above pitch.
Blazing Bows
1. Basics. Loosen the hair every time the bow is put away. Don't touch the hair with fingers. Be careful of the fragile tip.
2. Be on the lookout for weevils if bows look as if the hair was cut with a pair of scissors (in a straight line and all in a row). Treat cases with mothballs.
3. If bow won't tighten, the bow must be rehaired (the hair is stretched out or too many of the original hairs have broken, allowing the remaining hairs to stretch). In a pinch, try putting a spacer beneath the hair at the tip.
4. If the eyelet is stripped, it must be replaced by a shop. In an emergency, squeeze the eyelet slightly with a pair of pliers so that the remaining threads will catch. You can also try turning the eyelet into the frog a half turn to give additional grip to the screw.
5. If the hair falls out at the tip (and you find the tip wedge!), you can try refitting the hair and wedge back in, holding everything back together with a drop of Krazy Glue. Don't use the glue on anything resembling a good bow!
Cleaning off Rosin
For student instruments only! Use sudsy ammonia, dilute 50%, work on a small section at a time and follow with the usual instrument polish. Or, use Windex (with ammonia) which is slower, but safer. For normal instrument cleaning, and all fine instruments, use a good brand of violin cleaner.
NEVER DO THIS LIST:
-Never attempt to glue anything unless it really is an emergency, and be prepared to pay extra to have the glueing redone properly in the violin shop.
-Do not expose instruments to extreme temperature changes (especially heat).
-Do not leave your instrument in the trunk of your car when you travel. It gets unbelievably hot in there on a sunny day.
Repair Shops
See our links page for a local luthier and other resources.
Temperature and Humidity
Cracking and shrinkage can be caused by environments that are
too dry or humid. If possible, keep your instrument in an air-conditioned
room. Keep relative humidity between 30%-60%. To measure humidity, use a
hygrometer, a tool that measures relative humidity. In the desert, humidity
stays below approximately 30% year round. Look for case and instrument
humidifers online. Never leave your instrument in your car, as heat can be
devastating to it. Drastic temperature changes from winter to summer are most
dangerous to your instrument, especially in the winter months. If it is below
freezing outside, humidity inside drops dramatically. Do not store your
instrument near a source of heat!
Strings
Try different strings on your instrument to find the best sound
and response or your particular style of playing. We can help you with
strings, or look on our links page for dealers. Always keep your strings
fresh. Strings should be replaced between 6 months to one year of regular
playing. Otherwise, they will gradually stiffen and affect the tone and
response. Keep a spare set on hand!
The Bow
Rehair your bow with non-bleached horse hair on average once a year,
under regular playing conditions. The hair becomes clogged with rosin and dirt
over time. Do not touch the horse hair, as oils from your skin will interfere
with the rosin/hair relationship. Loosen the bow when not playing to keep the
hair from stretching and to relax the stick to avoid warping.
The Bridge
Look at the bridge periodically to ensure the feet are fitting
completely and the bridge is in an upright position. Changing strings can
cause the bridge to creep forward towards the fingerboard. The bridge should
remain upright and not be allowed to lean. If not vertical, the pressure from
the strings can cause the bridge to warp and eventually fall over and break. A
properly fit bridge can last the life of the instrument, if cared for.
The Pegs
Pegs will shrink and swell with changes in temperature and humidity, and
it is not uncommon for them to slip in winter when humidity is low. When
tuning, push insward while turning the peg. If they slip, you may have to
press inward substantially. If they refuse to stay in tune, peg compounds and
drops are available that can lubricate the pegs and keep them from slipping
badly.
The Fingerboard
A properly surfaced fingerboard should not buzz when bowing or plucking
the strings. If your instrument is difficult to play or is buzzing, call me or
contact a luthier found on my links page.
The Soundpost
Changes in relative humidity can affect how the post is fitting.
Adjustments can restore the original tone and response. Have your instrument
looked over once a year when changing strings and having the bow rehaired.
A Music Connection offers restoration and repairs.
Daniel Swetlik, A Music Connection
(888) 322-3406 Fax: (650) 344-1588
E-mail: dswetlik@yahoo.com
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