Ultimate Instrument Care Guide
If you play viola, violin, cello or, or bass, we created this checklist to help you keep your instrument in top condition!
Proper care and maintenance of your instrument are essential to ensure it stays in top condition, sounds its best, and remains a joy to play. This guide, created by the expert luthiers at Johnson String Instrument and Carriage House Violins, covers daily, seasonal, and yearly maintenance tips to keep your instrument in perfect harmony.
Use this guide as a checklist for keeping your instrument in top condition, and follow the included links to learn even more about instrument repair and maintenance.
As always, contact our customer care team if you have any questions about your instrument.
Daily maintenance
Check for bridge straightness
The back of the bridge should be 90 degrees to the top, feet firmly in place with no gaps front or back of the feet. If your bridge is leaning, adjust it so it is upright. A leaning bridge if left under tension will warp, and a warped bridge over time will break. Catch it early to prevent costly repairs!
If you aren’t comfortable adjusting a leaning bridge, please bring your instrument to a professional! And be sure to study up on the caveats of DIY instrument repair.
Loosen your bow hair before storing
Loosening the bow prevents the hair from stretching and maintains the curve of the stick, and will better protect the bow against other accidental damage.
Clean rosin and perspiration
Bow rosin is sticky, has a tendency to fuse with the instrument’s varnish, and is difficult to clean off of furniture. Perspiration and other substances if left in contact may also damage the varnish and wood over time.
Cleaning the surface of your instrument is one of the easiest and quickest ways to keep it maintained. Polish off the instrument body and strings, and the bow stick and frog, with a soft microfiber cloth. Avoid touching the bow hair! It can absorb oils from your hands and make it less likely that rosin will stick- and since there's no real great way to clean bow hair you'll have to get a rehair. Why use microfiber? We have the answer.
Products for daily maintenance
Our favorite instrument polish:
Our favorite overall polish is developed in-house by our luthiers. This handy catch-all polish is ideal for all instruments and cleans and shines better than anything we’ve tried! It’s so good that we decided to stock it on the shelves.
Our best solution for instrument tuning pegs:
W.E. Hill Peg Compound
Be sure to stock up on not just on polish but lubricant for your pegs. Like WD40 on a door hinge, if the pegs are starting to stick, you need W.E. Hill Peg Compound. Likewise, if the pegs spin too freely in their sockets, a coating of peg compound also helps.
The best polish for preserving your fine instrument:
W.E. Hill & Sons Conservation Wax
A blend of microcrystalline waxes and citrus oil helps to preserve the wood of your viola, violin, or cello. It has been shown to aid in the effective removal of rosin build-up and act as a gentle polishing agent without the need for petrochemical solvents.
Seasonal maintenance
With the changing of seasons, temperatures and humidity levels will fluctuate. Here are best practices and products to consider in caring for your instrument during the cold season.
Humidify your instrument
In the winter or in dry climates, providing humidity to your instrument is critical in preventing damage. In most instances, humidifying the smaller environment of your case is easiest.
Invest in a good in-case humidifier and leave your instrument in the case, closed when not in use, and away from outside walls and heat sources. Keep to 35-45% humidity or higher. Low humidity is a risk for cracks or other damage.
Check out our article on cold weather protection tips.
Best products for instrument humidification
The best 2-way humidity control system
Boveda 2-Way Humidity Control Kit
If you’re looking for the ultimate insurance against fluctuating temperatures, look no further than the Boveda 2-Way Humidity Control Kit. This system responds to ambient conditions, maintaining a constant 50% humidity level. This gives you peace of mind even as the seasons change. This is also the only humidity product we offer that responds to too much humidity, making it perfect for the summer months as well as the winter ones.
The best compact humidifier
Stretto compact humidifier
If you’re looking for something small and discreet, The Stretto humidifier works wonders. Made in Switzerland, it maintains safe humidity in your case for up to two weeks. Its compact size helps it fit into any case.
Our Best humidity & temperature sensor
D'Addario Hygrometer
Looking for a little extra insurance? Knowledge is power, and the D’Addario Hygrometer and Temperature Sensor which indicates your humidity level on a relative scale. This helps you quickly monitor your environment and move your instrument to a new location as needed, helpful if you’re storing multiple instruments in one location.
Best practices for traveling
If you have to travel with your instrument in and out of temperature extremes, leave the instrument closed in its case for five minutes when you arrive at your destination, allowing it to acclimate to the room before opening the case.
Avoid leaving your instrument in a hot car or direct sunlight- too much heat can result in damage to the varnish and may cause additional issues.
Check for seasonal shifts in your setup. Cellists especially will notice changes in string heights and may need a seasonal bridge, and seasonal adjustments for sound and performance may be necessary.
For even more travel tips, be sure to check out our helpful article.
Yearly maintenance
When to install new strings
Old strings will start to sound dull and become unresponsive, or return a “false” note. Typically your strings will need to be replaced every 9-12 months. The more often you regularly play, the sooner you may want to change your strings to sound your best. Some developed players who play often will change their strings as early as 3-6 months.
When changing strings, lubricate the pegs with Hill peg compound, and apply graphite from a pencil in the string slots in the nut and on the bridge. Do this one string at a time to prevent string tension coming off the instrument entirely. Keep an eye on your bridge for straightness as you bring new strings to pitch.
Don’t forget to clean your strings as well! Doing so can extend their lifespan and tone, preventing the need to change strings multiple times a year. For further reading, see our helpful guide on string cleaning.
String cleaner for viola, violin, or cello
The String Cleaner for Guitar
Extend the life of your strings and preserve your tone. This cleaner can help revitalize old or damaged strings - no cleaning solution required.
Get your bow rehaired
Yes, the hair on your bow needs to be replaced. Old hair will lose its tooth and start to “skate” over the strings/not grip as well as new. How often should you re-hair your instrument? Check out our handy guide.
If you touch your bow hair, it can absorb oils from your hands and make it less likely that rosin will stick- and since there's no real great way to clean bow hair you'll have to get a rehair.
Visit your luthiers for a checkup
Like your annual doctor’s visit, it’s good practice to bring your instrument to a professional. You can line it up with new strings and a bow rehair, or any time you notice a change in sound. Do not hesitate to ask your Luthier any questions for instrument care best practices.
