CARE OF INSTRUMENTS & BOWS

1. Wipe the top of the instrument, strings, and finger- board clean with a soft, dry cloth after each use to ensure that no rosin remains anywhere.

You are in possession of a very fine instrument, the varnish of which is a key component in producing the sound that you have selected. Rosin left on the instrument can react with the varnish and cause it to break down. We do not recommend the use of polishes, since improper use and the chemicals in some polishes may harm the varnish; cleaning and polishing is best left to a professional violin maker.

2. NEVER leave the instrument unattended in a vehicle at any time.

Excess heat and humidity can cause varnish to melt, even in the winter. Extremely cold temperatures can cause wood to shrink, and the accompanying dryness may possibly cause cracks to develop.

3. Put the instrument away in its case at all times when not in use.

The case helps protect the instrument from physical damage, and it also serves as a very effective barrier to sudden changes in temperature and humidity.

4. Loosen the bow hair to the point that it is slightly
relaxed, or not taut, after each use.

Hair may shrink as much as 1/2" in dry weather; thus a bow left even slightly taut after use may become much tighter in the case, putting unnecessary stress on the stick and even causing breakage in extreme cases.

5. Washing your hands before opening the case to remove bow and instrument.

This will ensure that strings, bow hair and varnished surfaces remain clean, free from fingerprints and help to keep rosin (which can badly damage varnish) from adhering to these surfaces.

6. When handling your instrument be sure to only touch those surfaces which are bare wood or wood which has no colored varnish on it.

Please note that most better instruments have no varnish at all on the neck but that the neck has been sanded down to a satin smooth bare wood finish. When handling the bow, please do not touch the bow hair.

7. Warning! Stickers, tapes and adhesive backed items can damage delicate varnish.

We have had serveral instruments come in to our workshop for repair or adjustment, and at least one for trade against another instrument which had decorative stickers or tapes indicating good bow position applied directly to the varnished body of the instrument. This should never occur if you wish to preserve the value of your instrument. While these stickers may come off without harm to the instrument, many times they will not and great harm can be done to the value of the instrument this way. If your teacher has suggested this please bring this article to his or her attention.

- From the WGV brochure