INSTRUMENT CARE / STORAGE/ MAINTENANCE
Always make sure that your instrument's case is properly zipped and buckled ALL THE WAY. Bow hair should be loosened before you put your bow away in it's case to prevent too much stress on your bow. After each practice session or rehearsal you should wipe the rosin off of your strings and top of your instrument with a clean soft cloth. A microfiber cloth to polish a car with works well or a piece of an old soft T-shirt or piece of flannel.
Too much heat or too much cold can greatly affect the integrity of your instrument. Seams can open up and lots of expensive repairs could be needed if you aren't careful to keep your instrument at an even temperature. Take care not to leave your instrument in a hot car in the summer or a cold car in the winter! Inside, store your instrument (in it's case) in the most even temperature area of your house. Be careful not to store it right near a heater or an air conditioner for example. Wood absorbs moisture so your instrument is very sensitive to it's surroundings and they can affect it's sound.
Cases that have humidifiers built in are very helpful in keeping your string instrument working properly and sounding at it's best. If you don't have one in your case you should consider buying a "dampit" to put in your instrument in the winter time.
Here's a link! Dampit link
Click HERE for a link to an article on string instrument cleaning and maintenance.
Click HERE for a link to a video about string instrument maintenance.
Local Luthiers (string instrument technicians/people who do repairs/instrument makers)
There are other options in Maine - just do a google search. The first two listed are people that I have worked with before.
Robert Miller Violins (instrument restorer, bow maker) - This is where I take my personal instrument to.
Portland
(207) 799-8909
robertmillerviolins.com/
Todd Goldenberg (violin, viola, cello luthier)
Berwick
(207) 676-9464
[email protected]
https://toddgoldenberg.com/
Jonathon Cooper
Portland
jcooperviolinmaker.com/
Always make sure that your instrument's case is properly zipped and buckled ALL THE WAY. Bow hair should be loosened before you put your bow away in it's case to prevent too much stress on your bow. After each practice session or rehearsal you should wipe the rosin off of your strings and top of your instrument with a clean soft cloth. A microfiber cloth to polish a car with works well or a piece of an old soft T-shirt or piece of flannel.
Too much heat or too much cold can greatly affect the integrity of your instrument. Seams can open up and lots of expensive repairs could be needed if you aren't careful to keep your instrument at an even temperature. Take care not to leave your instrument in a hot car in the summer or a cold car in the winter! Inside, store your instrument (in it's case) in the most even temperature area of your house. Be careful not to store it right near a heater or an air conditioner for example. Wood absorbs moisture so your instrument is very sensitive to it's surroundings and they can affect it's sound.
Cases that have humidifiers built in are very helpful in keeping your string instrument working properly and sounding at it's best. If you don't have one in your case you should consider buying a "dampit" to put in your instrument in the winter time.
Here's a link! Dampit link
Click HERE for a link to an article on string instrument cleaning and maintenance.
Click HERE for a link to a video about string instrument maintenance.
Local Luthiers (string instrument technicians/people who do repairs/instrument makers)
There are other options in Maine - just do a google search. The first two listed are people that I have worked with before.
Robert Miller Violins (instrument restorer, bow maker) - This is where I take my personal instrument to.
Portland
(207) 799-8909
robertmillerviolins.com/
Todd Goldenberg (violin, viola, cello luthier)
Berwick
(207) 676-9464
[email protected]
https://toddgoldenberg.com/
Jonathon Cooper
Portland
jcooperviolinmaker.com/