Instrumental upkeep · Strings
Care for your instrument throughout your musical life. This page helps experienced players make informed decisions about maintenance, specialist services, and the practical demands of owning and using an instrument.
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Explains how playing can leave grooves and unevenness in a fingerboard, and how planing, also called dressing, addresses that wear. The guide places this work among the repairs to discuss with a qualified string-instrument repairer.
Guide to Proper Care and Maintenance of Violin Family Instruments and Bows (PDF, page 3)Source reviewed
Describes the importance of a precisely fitted soundpost for sound production and the instrument’s structure. A useful starting point for a conversation with a luthier about fit and adjustment, rather than a do-it-yourself procedure.
Guide to Proper Care and Maintenance of Violin Family Instruments and Bows (PDF, page 3)Source reviewed
A specialist dealer’s guide to defining your needs, setting a budget, arranging trials, and seeking teacher feedback. Originally published in 2000; use it for the evaluation process, and confirm current trial and trade-in terms with the shop.
Eleven Tips for a Player or Parent on Buying a Better Violin (PDF)Source reviewed
Discusses old French and modern bows, materials, balance, response, and testing bows with your own instrument. Includes makers such as Tourte, Peccatte, and Voirin. Originally published in 2004; the comparison and trial process are more useful than its historical prices.
Best BowSource reviewed
An illustrated article index covering Antonio Stradivari, Nicolò Amati, Giovanni Battista Rogeri, David Tecchler, and the Gagliano family. Provides background on makers and their traditions when researching older instruments.
Instrument MakersSource reviewed
A specialist archive introducing François-Nicolas Voirin and his connection to Jean-Baptiste Vuillaume’s workshop. Complements the Tourte, Peccatte, and Voirin discussion in the bow-selection resource above.
Bows & Bow MakersSource reviewed
Explains booking an adjacent seat for a cello in its case. At review, the additional seat had to be arranged through the airline or a travel agent, not online, at least 48 hours before departure. Check the current case limits, seat restrictions, and requirements for your itinerary before purchasing.
Flying with musical instrumentsSource reviewed
The musical-instruments section explains additional-seat booking through the Service Center. At review, this seat had to be booked at the same time as the passenger ticket. Check current dimensions, weight limits, and the operating carrier’s rules before booking.
Sports baggage and special baggage — Taking musical instruments with youSource reviewed