Violin, Viola, and Cello Care Instructions
Always make sure your hands are clean before touching your instrument or bow.
Keep your instrument dry and away from temperature extremes. Do not leave it the car, or store in direct sunlight, or near heaters or fireplaces.
Regularly wipe dry rosin dust and finger prints off your instrument with a soft dry cloth. Instruments should only be cleaned with a cloth, or a cleaner/polish specially made for use on violins, violas and cellos. Do not use household cleaning products.
Inexperienced players should have their music teacher tune their instrument until they have been taught how to tune properly, as it is very easy to break strings this way. The fine-tuners (on the tailpiece) can be used to control small changes in pitch, but only experienced players should use the pegs.
The shoulder rest or sponge must always be removed from the violin or viola while in its case and not in use.
It is advisable to leave your instrument in its case while it is not being used. Avoid putting it down on the floor, bed or chair. If you need to put a violin or viola down for a short period, it is best to place it in or on its case where possible. If leaving a cello for a short period, place it carefully on its side on the floor, and ensure the spike and neck are not jutting out where people might trip over them. Do not leave cellos leaning upright against furniture.
Never put your instrument face down, even when it is in its case, as the bridge is fragile and can be easily damaged or dislodged.
Do not allow others to play your instrument.
Do not attempt any repairs - contact 4Strings
Bow Care
Avoid touching the bow-hair with your hands and fingers. Small amounts of grease or dirt from your fingers can affect the performance of the bow and blacken the hair.
The bow hair must not be stored under tension. It needs to be tightened using the end screw each time the bow is taken out for use, and loosened again each time the bow is put away so there is no tension on it.
Do not over-tighten the bow. The correct amount to tighten your bow is until the hair is pulled away from the stick about a pencil's thickness at the narrowest point. The bow should remain curved.
Loosen the bow hair tension while it is not being used. Bow hair kept under tension may break.