Maintaining a stringed instrument requires consistent attention over time. At Dixon Strings, our In-House Set-Up and Repair Staff has extensive knowledge of how to optimize an instrument's potential and practices safe repair techniques. Whether you need basic adjustments to your instrument’s setup, a bow rehair, or a more extensive restoration, we can help you. We regularly provide services to professional musicians and students alike. We have competitive affordable rates and would be glad to discuss any work needed.
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The following are some tips and techniques of proper instrument care. It is important to understand the basics of your instrument so that any maintenance issue may be handled in a timely manner.
Strings and Bow Rehair
An instrument’s strings and the bow hair require replacement on a regular basis. For most musicians, strings should be replaced about three times a year. The bow should be re-haired at least once a year as bow hair length changes with humidity and stretches over time.Clean Instrument
Keep your instrument clean. Wash your hands before you play and wipe any rosin dust and residue off after playing. Over time, rosin build-up can be hard on the varnish and appearance of an instrument. A player should use a basic polish sparingly to assure that there is no polish residue. Excessive build-up requires a professional to safely remove dirt and rosin.Soundpost
The soundpost is a dowel that spans between the top and back of the instrument near the bridge. It provides support to the bridge through the top, and its proper placement is important for structure and tone. Instruments require soundpost adjustment regularly. The soundpost often becomes tighter in the winter, when cold and dry, and loose in the summer, when warm and humid. This can affect the instrument’s response to the bow as well as the tone of the instrument. In addition, a soundpost may need to occasionally be replaced. Only a qualified luthier should work on soundpost adjustments and replacements.Bridge
The bridge transfers the strings’ vibrations to the instrument’s body. Its proper placement and crafting is important for the instrument’s tone and long-term health. A bridge's feet should closely fit the top of the instrument, and should stand perpendicular to the body of the instrument, or lean slightly towards the tailpiece. Bridge structure, placement, and orientation is very important for a balanced sound. An improperly adjusted or warped bridge can affect the tone of the instrument as well as comfortable playability. If you are concerned about your bridge, please bring your instrument to us for proper servicing or replacement.Fingerboard and Nut
The strings of a violin pass over the fingerboard. A fingerboard's shape is critical for comfortable playability. A smooth regular scoop, or shallow curve, of the fingerboard over its length will provide a consistent feel for the left hand as well as unhindered vibration of the string. Over time, grooves are worn into the fingerboard from playing. It is important to have these grooves removed from time to time for free and easy vibration of the string. The nut is the part of the instrument between the pegbox and fingerboard. The height and spacing of the nut works with the fingerboard to provide comfortable playing. A spacing that is too wide or uneven could make playing difficult. A nut that is too high may be uncomfortable on the fingerpad. A nut that is too low may cause a buzzing sound in the instrument. If you are concerned about either the fingerboard or nut on your instrument, contact us to have them carefully inspected.Pegs and Pegbox
The pegs should be able to turn smoothly and stay in place for proper tuning. Over time, the pegs may come loose as the pegholes become too large. This will make tuning and staying in tune challenging. If you are experiencing problems with loose or stiff pegs, please contact us for assistance.Seams, cracks, etc.
From time to time the connection between the plates (top and back of the instrument) and the ribs (sides of the instrument) may open. This is a good thing. It means that tension was relieved between different parts of the violin and a crack was possibly avoided. Usually when a seam opens, it affects the tone of the instrument. Seams should be closed promptly when an opening is discovered. In general, if there is a sudden change in the performance of the instrument, it is important to inspect of any crack, seam, setup, or other condition that should be repaired. As with most instrument issues, prompt attention will ensure long-term instrument health, as well as better playability and tone.