Fix it Yourself or Bring to Your Luthier?

 Written by: Amy Tobin at Fein Violins

Violins, violas, and cellos, because they are made from wood, can change. In fact, they are designed to do so. That way, when the weather changes, and the wood shrinks or swells, it protects the main body of the instrument from cracking. So, when things happen to your instrument and it ceases to operate smoothly, which things can you do yourself, and which things should you bring your violin in to your luthier to take care of?

One of the most common things that can happen is a tuning peg that either slips or sticks.

10 Things You Can Do Today to Make Your Violin, Viola, or Cello Sound Better

Written by Andy Fein, luthier at Fein Violins

Every string player wants to sound better. Here are 10 things you can do today (not tomorrow, not next week) to make you and your instrument sound better.

1) Practice. Hah! Bet you didn't think that was one of the 10 things. But it is. Practice the hard parts, practice with quiet concentration, put the time in and you'll get multiple dividends out.

The Soundpost

Written by: Andy Fein, Luthier at Fein Violins

The soundpost is the dowel of wood that you see inside the treble (E or A) side of your violin, viola or cello. For a small piece of Spruce that's about 6mm thick (about 7mm on a viola, about 10mm on a cello) it makes a tremendous difference on how your instrument plays and sounds. In French, the soundpost is called "l'âme", the "soul" of the instrument. I completely agree.