Instrument Care
Humidity/ temperature change steps you should take to protect your instrument
String basics and how often to replace them
Bow basics and hair replacement
The instrument bridge and proper care and alignment
The fingerboard-dirt, arch protectors, and maintenance of it
Problem solving a pesky peg
Fine tuner adjustment
Other instrument adjustments
Structural damage from changes in humidity and temperature
Repairing open seams because of instrument expansion and contraction
Advise on cleaning your instrument
Repairing open seams because of instrument expansion and contraction
Your instrument is glued together with a special type of violin makers glue that is formulated to protect your instrument. If
there is a lot of expansion or contraction of your instruments parts, the glue will crack before the wooden parts of your
instrument break. However, if a glued seam breaks open, your instrument can produce a buzz, or you may notice a loss
of tone power. If you have either of these problems, you can check for an open seam by gently tapping a knuckle on the
top or bottom of your instrument over the seams at the edges. An open seam will produce an obvious rapping sound.
You can also visually inspect the instrument for gaps between wooden parts or flakes of glue around a seam. If you
suspect you have an open seam, do not attempt to reglue the instrument yourself with ordinary household glue. Doing
so may result in damage to your instrument, since this glue will not break under stress. Take your instrument to a violin
shop, where they will clean out the old glue, apply some new violin makers glue, and clamp the seam while the glue
dries. This is an inexpensive repair. The shop will probably need to keep the instrument overnight, however. Do not
delay in having an open seam repaired, because the open seam can create tensions in the wood of your instrument that
may cause more serious problems, such as cracks in the wood.
On rare occasions, other problems may develop. For example, your instrument may develop a crack, a corner may be
knocked off, an edge may be splintered, or your varnish may be scratched. A good violin shop can do expert repairs
that will make such damage all but invisible.
Important: You should take your instrument to a qualified repair person as soon as you notice an open seam or a crack.
If left untreated, these conditions can worsen, and a minor repair can become a major one.
Humidity/ temperature change steps you should take to protect your instrument
String basics and how often to replace them
Bow basics and hair replacement
The instrument bridge and proper care and alignment
The fingerboard-dirt, arch protectors, and maintenance of it
Problem solving a pesky peg
Fine tuner adjustment
Other instrument adjustments
Structural damage from changes in humidity and temperature
Repairing open seams because of instrument expansion and contraction
Advise on cleaning your instrument
Repairing open seams because of instrument expansion and contraction
Your instrument is glued together with a special type of violin makers glue that is formulated to protect your instrument. If
there is a lot of expansion or contraction of your instruments parts, the glue will crack before the wooden parts of your
instrument break. However, if a glued seam breaks open, your instrument can produce a buzz, or you may notice a loss
of tone power. If you have either of these problems, you can check for an open seam by gently tapping a knuckle on the
top or bottom of your instrument over the seams at the edges. An open seam will produce an obvious rapping sound.
You can also visually inspect the instrument for gaps between wooden parts or flakes of glue around a seam. If you
suspect you have an open seam, do not attempt to reglue the instrument yourself with ordinary household glue. Doing
so may result in damage to your instrument, since this glue will not break under stress. Take your instrument to a violin
shop, where they will clean out the old glue, apply some new violin makers glue, and clamp the seam while the glue
dries. This is an inexpensive repair. The shop will probably need to keep the instrument overnight, however. Do not
delay in having an open seam repaired, because the open seam can create tensions in the wood of your instrument that
may cause more serious problems, such as cracks in the wood.
On rare occasions, other problems may develop. For example, your instrument may develop a crack, a corner may be
knocked off, an edge may be splintered, or your varnish may be scratched. A good violin shop can do expert repairs
that will make such damage all but invisible.
Important: You should take your instrument to a qualified repair person as soon as you notice an open seam or a crack.
If left untreated, these conditions can worsen, and a minor repair can become a major one.
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| Latoya Lamons Director Orchestra Room Voice Mail (703) 799-6225 LCLamonsSloc@fcps.edu |
Carl Sandburg Middle School
Orchestras Alexandria, VA
Orchestras Alexandria, VA
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| © 2009-2012 The Carl Sandburg Orchestra Boosters |
