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How to Age a Violin

There is no quick method to naturally age a violin. The best you can do is store the violin in a way that will keep it in good condition and allow the violin to age naturally. In most cases, aging a violin is not necessary, and consistent play will help to break-in the violin and procure the best sound possible from the instrument. However, if you want to store a violin and age it for posterity, there are some necessary preparations you must make to preserve the instrument's mechanical integrity.

Things You'll Need

  • Violin case
  • Cloth
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Instructions

    • 1

      Loosen the strings on the violin by one-half turn counterclockwise. Complete this process on all four strings to prevent the tension in the violin strings from eventually bending the neck and warping the instrument.

    • 2

      Wipe the strings with a damp cloth to remove the rosin from the bow hairs. Rub the strings in a single direction from the tip of the bow to the frog.

    • 3

      Wrap the violin in a clean, soft cloth to protect the instrument from movement and potential damage from transit.

    • 4

      Place the violin in its case and store it in a location that does not have extreme temperatures or humidity as both heat and cold can damage a violin.

    • 5

      Place the bow properly in the case by securing the stick with the notches at the top and bottom on the inside of the violin case.

    • 6

      Drop a cloth over the top of the violin to provide extra padding and protect the instrument while in storage.

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