Taking Care of a Violin

If your violin is not sounding well, have it adjusted.
Check first if the strings need changing. When changing them don't take off more than one string at a time. 
Check regularly that the bridge is kept upright. (Not leaning towards the scroll) especially when changing the strings.

Another cause of loss of volume is a bow that is either weak or warped.
(Close one eye and look down the stick. If it curves to the right, have it straightened.)

 

Keep your violin in its case overnight and when not in use.
Keep it away from strong sunlight and radiators.
Don't keep it in a damp or very dry room.
Wipe off the rosin every day with a clean yellow duster that is kept with the instrument and not used for anything else. Replace the duster every three months (washing doesn't remove all the rosin).
Never use domestic polish - cleaning is best left to the experts who have their own secret formulas.
Check that the bridge is kept upright (not leaning towards the scroll).
Take your violin for a check-up at least once a year.

 

WATCH THIS VIDEO ON HOW TO MAINTAIN YOUR INSTRUMENT

 

Every old violin sold is fully restored and refitted. After this the fine tuning and tonal adjustment begins. It can include trying different models of bridge, different strings and positions of the soundpost. Finding the natural voice of a violin can be a lengthy process because each piece of wood has different qualities. Further testing and adjusting is done in large rooms with different acoustics.

Only then is the violin offered to a player. Great care is taken in matching players and instruments (violin, viola & cello). Relevant factors are size of instrument and character of sound required - alongside any limitations of budget.

 

 

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