Stringed instruments, which are complex and fragile, need care and maintenance to perform to their best possible capacity. We are here to show you some of the most commonly needed adjustments. Some are almost needed daily. Others should be carried out with professional skill. As professional violinmakers, we would like to inspect your instrument and bow once a year to see:
any seams are unglued or cracks open, *If the soundpost and bridge are standing correctly,
*If the fingerboard has become worn through playing and needs resurfacing (shooting), *If the pegs are working to best advantage,
*If the instrument needs thorough cleaning, *If the working parts of the bow function firmly and smoothly, and
*If the bow hair is of good length and not too worn Learn to see your instrument and bow in detail and examine them frequently. Many people do not even spare a glance for them, either when taking them out of the case or putting them away. Talk to us about your instrument and bow and learn a little about their technicalities - they will serve you better and last longer.
Care of Strings
Both player and instrument will benefit from replacing all four strings together, even though the strings under
greatest tension wear more quickly. This will aid a richer harmonic glow in tone, and in addition, intervals are more accurate across the strings. If constantly used, gut strings should be replaced every few months and metal strings once or twice a year. Plain or covered gut strings, especially when first fitted, should be rubbed with olive oil to keep them fresh and to resist penetration of acids from the fingers. See other products page for a list of string prices.
Woodworm Damage
In recent years, several instruments have come to the workshop with woodworm damage. Fortunately, only one instrument was infested with live woodworm and that instrument was promptly packed off to the vacuum chambers at the Department of Agriculture.
If your instrument has numerous round holes to 3 mm in diameter or if galleries or borer dust is apparent, or if
there are clicking sounds quite apart from any playing, it should be checked immediately by your violinmaker for woodworm and/or woodworm damage.
Spraying instruments with insecticide is not recommended as this contaminates the wood. Woodworm do not like living in musical instruments that are used regularly, so one major form of protection and prevention is to practice. To prevent damage to instruments, which are stored, store a small quantity of mothballs (naphthalene) with them. Damage to bow hair by moths can also be prevented by naphthalene.
For technical information concerning woodworm, there are several CSIRO reports available to the general public. Copies of these reports may be found in the reference files of our shop as well.
Daily Care *Resin dust and finger grease should be removed with a soft clean cloth from both instrument and bow.
*The bow should be loosened when it is not in use.
