Ken's Corner
General Care
Wipe the rosin dust from the strings, instrument and bow before returning them to the case. Clean and polish the instrument occasionally with violin cleaner-polish. From time to time check the strings to see if they are false, frayed, or unraveling. If so, replace immediately. The pegs should work smoothly, if not, apply peg compound. Always loosen the bow hair when the bow is not in use. A piece of crushed camphor will help to prevent bugs from eating the bow hair on a bow. Applauding by tapping the bow against an object can be harmful to the bow.
GAMBOGE SEALER
1 tsp. powdered gamboge
4 oz. alcohol
Dissolve powdered gamboge in alcohol and shake often for a couple of days. Let solution settle. Pour off clear liquid. Paint or rub on surface.
POTASSIUM DICHROMATE
Use one part powder to five parts water. Potassium Dichromate will turn the wood light brown. This will serve as a ground base color before you have used a filler.
GENERAL GUIDE FOR VIOLIN SIZE BY AGE
(All measurements are approximate)
| Age | Size |
|---|---|
| 3-5 | 1/2 - 1/16 |
| 4-7 | 1/4 |
| 6-10 | 1/2 |
| 9-11 | 3/4 |
| 9 to Adult | 4/4 |
MEASUREMENTS FOR VIOLIN & CELLO
(All measurements are approximate)
| Size | Violin | Cello |
|---|---|---|
| 4/4 | 14" | 29 5/8" |
| 3/4 | 13 3/8" | 37 5/16" |
| 1/2 | 12 1/2" | 25 1/2" |
| 1/4 | 11 1/8" | |
| 1/8 | 10 1/8" | |
| 1/16 | 9 1/8" |
HIDE GLUE
Use one part glue and two parts water. Water bath at 140°F
ABRASIVES
Mix abrasives with rubbing oil to polish final finishes.
Pumice stone is fine.
Rotten stone is finer.
Tripoli is finest.
GUIDELINES FOR MIXING EXTRACT
One ounce liquid extract to one pint of oil or spirit varnish.
WOOD PURFLING
Our purfling is made to our specifications in Germany.
All violin purfling is 1.3mm wide, black/white/black.
Violin Styles:
#940G - German: 0.30 mm black, 0.70mm white, 0.3 mm black.
#940I - Italian: 0.40mm black, 0.50mm white,0.40mm black.
#940F - French: 0.45mm black, 0.40mm white, 0.45mm black.
#941 - Fiber Purfling: Same as German.
Viola Purfling:
#9412 - 1.4mm wide. 0.35mm black, 0.70mm white, 0.35mm black.
Cello Purfling:
#9420 - 1.8mm wide.0.40mm black/1.00mm white/ 0.40mm black.
Rosin