Instrument Care
INSTRUMENT CARE DO’s and DO NOT’s
Stringed instruments are best kept between temperatures of 60 to degrees Fahrenheit and a relative humidity of 35 to 50 %. As winter weather causes a drop in temperature and humidity, instruments can become prone to slipping pegs (which cause loose, or flat, strings) buzzing and sometimes open seams and cracks. Follow the following tips to keep your instrument safe and performing at its best.
DO: Keep your instrument in its case in a temperature-controlled room.
Do NOT store your instrument outside the classroom, outside of its case, near a hearting vent nor in a cold basement.
DO NOT keep your instrument in the trunk of the car while driving. The trunk is not climate –controlled and even up to 15 minutes of exposure to extreme heat or cold can cause cracks. Always keep the stringed instrument in the passenger section of the car. A good rule to follow is, treat your instrument like it’s your baby---if the temperature is not comfortable for a baby; it’s not good for your instrument.
DO NOT leave your instrument in the car when you go to the store and take it in with you when parked at home to be safe from possible theft or damage. (See Above).
DO change your strings (ALL OF THEM) at least once a year. If you’ve never changed your strings, and you’ve been playing since 4th or 5th grade-‐‑-‐‑ DO IT NOW!
DO consider investing in a room humidifier and keep the instrument in that room. This will go a long way to prevent slipping pegs and loose strings during weather changes and the instrument with even sound better. Remember: string instruments are made of wood from spruce and maple trees, and trees need water order to grow and thrive. DO consider investing in a DAMPIT or other in-the-case humidifier. More information on these and all accessories can be found at: www.sharmusic.com/accessories.
DO take your instrument to your music teacher if your bridge falls, or as soon as you hear a rattling, buzzing or if you experience sticky or slipping pegs. The music teachers have been trained in basic string instrument repair maintenance and can often fix the problem immediately, and assess if more repairs need to be done. Waiting too long, or leaving it to drop it off at the music shop repair technician can often make a problem worse, and expensive.