Care of bowed instruments

For an instrument to serve for a long time and to require a master's attention as rarely as possible, a few simple rules must be followed.

### Storage Conditions and Temperature

An instrument should be stored away from heat sources and direct sunlight. Humidity levels must also be maintained. The optimal relative humidity for an instrument is 50-55%, the same as is maintained during its creation. A range of 45-60% is considered normal for instrument storage. With low humidity, the wood can dry out, which can lead to cracks in the body, displacement of the soundpost, bridge, and other "ailments" that are difficult to cure. With high humidity and insufficient ventilation, irreversible processes can also occur, and the wood may be affected by fungus or mold.

It is especially important to monitor humidity during the winter heating season, when it can drop to 20% indoors. The instrument should be stored in its case, and a hygrometer can be placed in the case for accuracy. If humidity drops, a humidifier or damper should be used. The instrument is very sensitive to sudden temperature changes. In cold weather, it should not be taken out of its case immediately upon entering a warm room from outside. Leaving the instrument in a closed case for 15-30 minutes will reduce the temperature shock.

### Instrument Care and Cleaning

To keep an instrument looking beautiful, cleaning should not be neglected. After each playing session, the strings, neck, and soundboards should be wiped with a soft, dry flannel or a special microfiber cloth. To remove grease and dirt, special cleaning products should be used. For example, the Laubach cleaning and polishing product is suitable for polishing the soundboards and neck. A small amount of the spray is applied to a soft cloth or pad, and the body is polished with circular or figure-eight motions.

### Bridge Placement

The bridge can shift for various reasons: when changing strings, under the influence of vibration, due to the stretching of the tailpiece gut, and so on. It tends to lean especially quickly with new strings. In this case, its position should be checked daily, and multiple times on the first day. A leaning bridge negatively affects sound production and can also damage the soundboard. A severely leaning bridge, resting on the front edge of its feet, can press dents into the soundboard. It is then difficult to properly fit a new bridge to such a damaged soundboard. It's important to monitor the correct position of the bridge on the instrument. It should rest firmly with the base of its feet on the soundboard; even the slightest gap between the soundboard and the bridge feet is unacceptable. The correct angle of the bridge is 90° relative to the soundboard on the tailpiece side.

### Bow Care

After playing, the bow hair must be loosened. The frog and stick should be wiped with a dry, soft cloth. To prevent dry rosin from dusting the instrument, the bow should be stored in a special silk bag that allows for sufficient ventilation. When the frog and stick become dirty, special cleaning products should be used. Alkaline products like soap should be avoided.

### Bridge and String Replacement

A String Lifter can be used to fix the bridge's position. This tool allows the bridge to be replaced without removing the strings.

To avoid displacing the bridge, strings should be changed in stages. This can be planned over four or two days, changing one or two strings each day. First, the first and fourth strings are changed, allowing the bridge and soundboards to get used to the new tension. After playing the instrument and letting it settle, the second and third strings can be changed.

It is recommended to install strings only once. Reinstalling strings after they have been removed is not advisable. A soft graphite pencil should be used to apply graphite to the parts of the bridge and nut where the strings touch. Graphite will reduce the coefficient of friction and extend the life of the strings.