Instrument Care
General Handling Tips
Handle a violin by its neck and chinrest areas only. This will prevent top cracks from too much finger pressure, especially in the f-hole wings. Try not to touch the varnish. The more it is handled the more it will need to be cleaned. Some varnishes are very soft and fingers will leave prints on them.
Never place an instrument on a chair or lean it on anything. Place the instrument on a table or in its case when not in use.
Always loosen the bow when finished playing. A lot of instrument outfits have had their bows stored under tension. Leaving the hair tight will warp or break the stick, especially if a drop in humidity occurs.
Temperature, humidity, etc.
A stringed instrument is comfortable where you are. Ideally they should be treated as dearly as an infant. If temperature or humidity conditions are too extreme for you, most likely they will be more so for your instrument. It is better to err on the side of too much humidity than too little. During low humidity conditions, cracking may occur. Using a humidifier or Dampit in your instrument when the humidity is below 35% is recommended. A good emergency humidifier can be made by placing a wet paper towel into a perforated zip lock plastic bag. This can then be placed into the case’s accessory compartment.
Do not leave a stringed instrument in an automobile. The inside temperature of an automobile can easily reach 160 degrees Fahrenheit. This would be hot enough to melt or bubble most varnishes. If the instrument is frozen do not take it out of its case right away. Allow the temperature to stabilize for a few hours before removing it. This will allow it to thaw slowly, reducing the chance of seams opening and condensation formation.
Maintenance
Always wipe the rosin and perspiration from the instrument and bow before putting them away after playing. A soft clean cotton flannel cloth is ideal for this purpose. Cleaning cloths are available at most violin shops. The rosin will build up along with dirt to form a gray-black encrustation as seen on a lot of older instruments. Perspiration is acidic and will degrade varnish, it will also corrode strings. A light polish can be applied to the instrument just about everywhere except on the bridge and where the horsehair contacts the strings. Use only a dedicated violin polish, but even these can be risky. Keep alcohol and other solvents away from your instrument; they must be used carefully. It is best to have a professional luthier clean and polish your instrument.