How to Care for...
String Instruments
Introduction
All string instruments are made of thin organic materials that are kept under tension. By their nature they are fragile and prone to damage by use, handling or the environment. The notes here are very basic and deal only with the general issues of cleaning and protection. CCI's publication The Care of Historic Musical Instruments contains detailed advice. As always with musical instruments that are meant to be played, specialist help should be sought on the care of these instruments.
General Care
String instruments are resonators that are kept at considerable tension. It is always a good idea to check if the tension of the strings is doing any damage. Are the wooden parts of the instrument strong enough to hold the tension? Have the correct strings been used? Sometimes, heavier strings have been substituted, which may cause excessive stress. In guitars and similar instruments, for example, this stress is seen in distortion of the softwood front in the area of the bridge.
Slackening the strings is advisable if it is clear that harm is being done. In the case of most solidly built instruments in good condition, a tension slightly lower than playing pitch can be maintained indefinitely. Be sure not to slacken the strings of bowed instruments too much because the bridge is held in place by string tension alone.
Cleaning the wooden parts of string instruments should be done initially by dusting. A soft paintbrush can be used, brushing towards the nozzle of a vacuum cleaner. In places where there are fragile pieces, such as around the strings and tuning devices, a piece of window screening gauze should be held over the parts being cleaned. This will prevent any loose pieces from being sucked away. Keep all loose pieces in a safe place.
If dusting fails to remove ingrained stains and dirt, damp dusting can be done provided the finish of the instrument is in good condition. Intact and smooth paint or varnish can be gently rubbed with a soft cloth moistened in water to which has been added a few drops of detergent. Musical instrument dealers sell a range of products that can be used to keep working instruments in clean condition, but use these with caution, especially for those instruments in storage or static display. The cleaning fluids can build up causing staining and discoloration.
Handling
If you have a case for the instrument, this will be the best place to keep it provided it is in good condition. Check that soft padding and lining fabrics are in good condition, and that the instrument fits the case properly. If there are wide variations in humidity where the instrument will be stored, enclose it in a polyethylene bag before putting it in the case. This will buffer sudden changes and prevent stress to the wood. It is always advisable to examine objects that are not normally exposed to air to ensure that all is well with them. Objects that are put away in cupboards or attics tend to be neglected because they are "out of sight, out of mind." Make a habit of checking regularly on heirlooms, especially those made of fragile materials.
Heritage objects should be handled with more care than might be expected for other objects that are used routinely. Try to maintain the fine distinction between the working musical instrument and the heritage object. Treat it gently, pick it up carefully and place it on a soft surface to avoid scratching.
Many transparent finishes are sensitive to light. Colours can be bleached out in time and even the richness of the underlying wood can fade. Always keep the instrument away from sunlight and ensure that it is illuminated only by incandescent bulbs. These do not emit ultraviolet radiation, the most damaging for sensitive materials.
A Note on Stradivarius Violins
Things are not always what they seem to be. During the 19th and 20th centuries, factory-made violins were produced in large quantities by European manufacturers. These were sold through dealers and catalogue stores by the thousands. Very often these instruments had spurious labels pasted into them, usually facsimiles of those used by Antonio Stradivari. It is not unusual to find a violin of very indifferent quality labelled "Antonius Stradivarius Cremonensis Faciebat Anno 1721." The dates sometimes vary. Here are a few pointers:
- If the date on the label is printed in full, it is not original. Like all other makers, Stradivari had batches of labels printed with only the first two digits on them. The year (the last two digits) would be inked in when the violin was finished.
- The purfling (the decorative banding around the edges of the body) is normally inlaid with three strips of wood — two black strips on either side of a white one. On some of the cheaper imitations, strips are painted onto the wood.
- The neck angle was changed on all Stradivari instruments in the 18th and 19th centuries. The scroll at the top will show signs of having been grafted on to a new neck. New necks are morticed into the top of the body, instead of being attached with nails, as was typical earlier.
When in doubt, take the violin to a reputable dealer for an assessment. You will be charged for this, but it will take doubt away. And remember, even though your violin may not be as old as you thought it was, it may still be a good musical instrument!
