how to repair a violin string

4 Things you can and should fix yourself

1. Changing strings. Replacing strings is something every violinist should be able to do themselves. Violin strings are...
2. Straightening the bridge. When you replace strings, it’s a good opportunity to check the straightness of the bridge.
3. Unsticking pegs. There’s less likelihood of pegs sticking if they have been fitted...

Full Answer

How often should you change the strings on a violin?

• Are the strings hard to tune? Try tuning the strings. ...
• Are the strings sounding dull? A reduction in tone quality is one of the biggest giveaways that a string is nearing the end of its life. ...
• Is there any obvious damage to the strings? ...
• Are you unsure about the state of the strings? ...

How to change your violin strings like a professional?

• Remove the old strings by loosening the pegs. ...
• Add a little graphite to the two contact point, which is the bridge and the neck. ...
• After removing the old string, unwind the new one you are to replace it with and insert the ball end into the tailpiece. ...
• The peg has a hole drilled into it which you pass the other end of the string through. ...

More items...

How to clean your violin strings easily?

Use soft micro-fiber cloths

• Choose soft cleaning cloths to avoid scratching the body of your violin.
• Lint-free cleaning towels are the best for wiping the bow without leaving fibers behind or damaging the bow hairs.
• Be sure to keep at least two of these cloths in your violin case to ensure that they are free of dust, debris, and lint.

How do you clean violin strings at home?

Things You'll Need

• Clean rag
• Fingernail
• Spit

Can you fix a violin string?

We recommend taking your violin to your violin instructor or your luthier, the first time or two. While replacing violin strings isn't a complicated task, it's important that you learn to do it correctly. Most music stores will change violin strings for $20 or less, so it's an affordable repair.

How do you fix a violin string at home?

1:4810:06How to change a Broken String on your Violin TUTORIAL - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipSo never remove all full strings at the same time if you do need to replace them take one offMoreSo never remove all full strings at the same time if you do need to replace them take one off replace it take the next one off and a play set.

What do I do if my violin string broke?

0:317:41"I Broke My Violin String!" - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipSo I thought hey well I'm gonna just do a quick video to show you guys an easy way to not break yourMoreSo I thought hey well I'm gonna just do a quick video to show you guys an easy way to not break your strings anymore in your violin.

Can you restring a violin at home?

Yes, you can change violin strings on your own. You just have to be careful and follow the instructions step by step. If it's your first time, it can also be a good idea to ask for help from someone like your teacher. A professional can help guide you through the steps while you're doing them.

How much does it cost to get a string fixed on a violin?

Violin & ViolaRestring, including tuning$7.5 per string (strings not included)Compound pegs$40Fit pegs$25 each/$80 setReplace tailgut$40Replace saddle$758 more rows

How do you put a string back on a violin?

0:171:28Changing a Violin String - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipBy slowly turning the peg towards you. And then just pulling the end of the string out on both sidesMoreBy slowly turning the peg towards you. And then just pulling the end of the string out on both sides to install the new string.

Why did my violin string break?

Breaks between the upper nut and peg: in almost every case, this breakage is caused by tuning/tightening the string too high. The transition to the upper winding, where the string goes from metal to thread wrapped, is the weakest part of the string.

How do you tighten a violin string without breaking it?

1:362:42How to Tune your Violin Without Damaging the Strings - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipOut. You just take it out. And you just rub a little bit of pencil on the thread there like that.MoreOut. You just take it out. And you just rub a little bit of pencil on the thread there like that.

Can violin string snap?

If your strings have survived that span – and then some – a snap is the sign it's time to replace them. If you've purchased a used violin (or are renting an instrument), we recommend installing new strings pronto to avoid string breaks altogether, unless a reputable violin dealer says the strings are new.

How often do violin strings need to be changed?

every 9-12 monthsYour strings should be replaced, at minimum, every 9-12 months, but there are too many variables to assign an exact timeframe. Keep in mind that the only real downside to replacing your strings too soon is the cost, while waiting too long can actually result in a number of negative consequences.

Can I repair my own violin?

Even for minor repairs, take your violin to a professional luthier. There may be certain tasks you can do on your own, but it's simply not worth the risk. However, there is a strong tradition among serious musicians that calls for caring for your instrument yourself.

Is my violin worth repairing?

Perfling—although not always a true indictor, perfling offers an excellent clue about a violin's worth. If you can see that the decorative inlay around the edge of the violin is actually wood, not painted, then that is a sign that the violin is worth repairing.

Can you play a violin with a crack?

If the crack reaches the soundpost, the instrument's value will be a small fraction of its normal retail. If you're just looking for a violin that sounds good, there's a bit of risk. If the repair work is done well, it won't harm the sound, but you can't really know its potential until it's whole again.

How do I replace my E string?

4:508:39How to change the E string on the violin - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipAre on the right side of the peg. Box. Whereas we don't have the e on here and the a is on the rightMoreAre on the right side of the peg. Box. Whereas we don't have the e on here and the a is on the right side this is very important because our pegs are held in by tension.

Can I repair my own violin?

Even for minor repairs, take your violin to a professional luthier. There may be certain tasks you can do on your own, but it's simply not worth the risk. However, there is a strong tradition among serious musicians that calls for caring for your instrument yourself.

How often should I service my violin?

A violin should ideally be cleaned after every use. Using a soft cloth, wipe rosin from the fingerboard and under the strings, this will prevent a build up over time which will prevent it breaking down into a gum like residue.

How do you restring a violin with a fine tuner?

2:484:14How to Replace a String on a Violin & Tune Using Pegs, Fine Tuners ...YouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipTowards the scroll winding the string so that the coil goes towards the edge of the peg box once theMoreTowards the scroll winding the string so that the coil goes towards the edge of the peg box once the string is relatively taut make sure the string sits in the grooves on the bridge and nuts.

Introduction

This guide is intended to help users through the process of fixing broken or worn out violin strings. A violin has four strings: E, A, D, & G. The order of the strings from left to right is G, D, A, & E. The G string is the deepest pitched string and the E is the highest pitched string.

Step 1 Strings

Turn the peg belonging to the string you are wanting to change to loosen the string.

Learn from a pro

We recommend taking your violin to your violin instructor or your luthier, the first time or two. While replacing violin strings isn’t a complicated task, it’s important that you learn to do it correctly.

4 Steps for changing a single violin string

The following steps are taken from, The Musician’s Ultimate Guide to Violin Strings. We recommend bookmarking the guide and keeping it handy as it answers virtually every question you’d have about violin string types, gauges, sounds, maintenance, and so on.

Are you changing the entire set?

While you don’t have to change your violin strings in any particular order, most violinists opt to remove/replace them to streamline the process.

Breaking in new Strings

You’ll notice your new strings don’t feel – or sound – quite like they used to. Quite frankly, the strings will sound horrible at first. This is because they need to be “broken in.” Also, if you fail to break them in properly, the strings will need to be re-tuned too frequently for comfort.

Routine maintenance preserves strings

It’s true that all violin strings need to be replaced every 300 playing hours or so, but it’s also true that good string maintenance is key for reaching the 300-hour mark. Make sure you wipe down your strings and your instrument after each practice/playing session. This removes excess resin, sweat, moisture, and dust that deteriorates the strings.

What do you use to stop strings on a violin?

When an instrument has frets, it is those frets that stop the strings, but on a violin you use your fingers to stop the strings. Frets may help you learn the correct finger positions when you are starting out, but once you have the fundamentals down, they would just get in the way.

What to do if violin pegs are broken?

If your violin has literally snapped around the tuning pegs, only an experienced repair man will be able to save it. If one of your tuning pegs has fallen off, simply screw it back on.

What is the nut on a violin?

What Is The Nut Of A Violin? The nut combines with the bridge to define the length of the vibrating section of the strings. It is located on the opposite side of the strings from the bridge, which means it is on the end closest to the scroll.

How to attach violin mute?

If you want to attach a violin mute, you put it on the bridge. Some types of mutes, like torte mutes, can hang loosely on the strings between the tail piece and the bridge, when they are not in use. Then you slide them upward and attach them to the bridge when you want to use them.

What is a scroll on a violin?

What is it? The scroll is the decoratively carved piece of wood at the head of your violin, opposite where you rest your chin. Theoretically, the scroll has no effect on the actual sound of the violin and how you play it.

What are the parts of a violin bow?

The different parts of a violin bow are the bow stick, the bow hair, the tip, the frog, the screw, and the grip (made up of the winding and the pad). For most of those, the function or purpose is readily apparent from the name. The two exceptions are the frog and the screw. The frog is the part at the base of the stick that holds ...

Where is the sound post on a violin?

The sound post rests inside the body of your violin. It spans the space between the front-piece and back-piece. Its positioning is absolutely critical. Moving it by a small distance can make a huge difference to the quality of sound.

When replacing violin strings, is it a good idea to check the bridge?

When you replace strings, it’s a good opportunity to check the straightness of the bridge. Some people recommend loosening all of the strings, but I’ve rarely found it necessary, especially with smaller violins. I’ve gently straightened and even stood them up at correct pitch for many years without mishaps.

What does a new violin bridge do?

A new bridge has a profound effect on the tone quality of the violin and fitting one must be done by an expert, who will be happy to accommodate your preferences about the bridge’s quality, shape and height relative to the fingerboard.

What to do if fingerboard comes loose?

If the fingerboard comes loose, it must be glued back on by the violin repairer, who will use the correct adhesive – animal/hide glue. 2.

What is the groove on a violin?

It’s rather common for the grooves at the nut to be too shallow on new student violins, so that a lot of pressure is needed for the first semitone – especially B♭ and F♮ on A and E strings. This is a small delicate task with a significant benefit for the player. Leave it to the repairer and test it out in the workshop.

How old are violins?

It’s quite satisfying to know that the most sought after violins are around 300 years old! It’s hard to think of any other item in daily use that comes close to their longevity.

Can you polish violin varnish?

Tiny scratches can be polished out by the repairer. For everyday use, just clean the varnish with a soft cloth. Violin polishes should be applied sparingly and are best avoided, especially on older instruments.

Do violins need strings replaced?

Replacing strings is something every violinist should be able to do themselves. Violin strings are replaced one at a time, and the new string brought up to approximately the correct pitch before changing the next one, to maintain a constant tension on the neck and sound post, and to keep the bridge in position.

How to change violin string?

First, place the violin in a secure position, such as on your lap. It's important to make sure that the instrument doesn't slip out of place when you're changing a string. Firstly, remove the old string. You'll need to gently unwind the peg so that the string is loosened. Gently Unwind The Peg.

Why do you have to change the strings on a violin?

It's best to change violin strings one at a time so that you don't disturb the setup of the bridge. Remember that the bridge - and the soundpost inside the violin - are only held in place by the tension of the strings. This means that if you remove more than one string at the same time, the bridge can become unstable.

Why do E strings have tubes?

The purpose of the tube is to provide extra support between the string and the bridge.

How to change a string that has a tube?

If the string you're changing does have a tube, then slide it along the string until it reaches the bridge. Depending on how tightly you have already wound the string, you may need to loosen it very slightly in order to lift the string away from the bridge momentarily.

How to check if violin bridge is in horizontal position?

Changing a string is also a good opportunity to check that the bridge is still in the correct horizontal position. Look directly at the face of the violin, and check the G and E strings are both positioned correctly in relation to the edge of the fingerboard.

How long does it take for a new string to settle?

Remember that a new string can take a while to 'settle' as it gets used to the new level of tension. Sometimes this can take several days, or even a few weeks! So you are likely to need to tune the new string several times more than usual in the first few hours of playing.

What happens if you remove more than one string at the same time?

This means that if you remove more than one string at the same time, the bridge can become unstable. We're going to assume that you already have a replacement string, ready to use! A Violin String Packet. Remember that the type of string can greatly affect the sound of the violin.