How to change the strings of your violin?

The strings of a violin play a vital role in the quality of the sound. When they are broken or worn, the music coming out of the instrument is no longer pleasant to the ears. It therefore becomes essential to replace them to restore the justice of the sound. How to achieve this? This is what we cover in this article.

Know the best way to change your violin strings

Experts will tell you: there is no right or wrong way to change violin strings. However, it is important to emphasize that some techniques are simpler and more reliable.

Poor handling of the violin string may have a negative impact on the instrument. Without tension, the entire assembly becomes more fragile. The pegs and the bridge can move. Furthermore, it is possible to hear the soul rolling inside the violin.

All this shows that the strings are of paramount importance for the cohesion of a violin. This is why it is recommended to take care to maintain tension when changing strings.

Replace the strings one by one

Depending on whether you are dealing with a C, D, E, G or A, it may be necessary to change a dominant violin string. In all cases, you must ensure that you change the rope individually to maintain at least 3/4 of the tension at all times.

To replace a violin string without making a mistake, you must follow the following steps.

Start by undoing the rope

Of course, you have to get rid of the old rope before attaching the new one. To do this, simply loosen the ankle by turning it towards you. Once it is unlocked, it becomes easy to unwind the rope by simply pulling.

Check all components

Once the rope is undone, it is time to check all parts that come into contact with it to ensure that they are in good condition.

Regarding the ankle, it must be clean and without any defects to function properly. Of course, it is difficult to resize it yourself. However, a few wipes will help clean it to better detect imperfections. When checking, you should pay special attention to apparent cracks, chips and other problems. Also don’t forget to check the hole for wear and its position.

Indeed, if the hole enters the wall of the ankle, problems can arise afterwards. By releasing the peg from its rope, you can easily turn it in its cavity to observe and feel how it moves. If you notice difficult and uneven mobility, this is a sign that the ankle is defective and requires special attention. To make modifications to this component, it would be best to contact a competent luthier.

After removing the rope to be replaced, it becomes easy to check the operation of its tensioner. If necessary, you can clean it and return it to neutral position. Depending on the case, you can also lubricate it with paraffin to promote its proper functioning.

Regarding the string passages, check in particular the bridge and the top nut. Make sure everything is in place for perfect vibration of the string. If necessary, you can take advantage of this check to put a little graphite from a 9B or 8B pencil at the different points of contact with the rope to make it easier to slide.

When tuning your violin after changing the strings, the bridge may be pulled slightly forward. In the event of a strong inclination, it risks leaving its position and hitting the table violently. This will cause inconvenience when you try to tune your instrument. To avoid this situation, remember to push the easel back gently.

Install the new rope

After the stage of checking the components and the various readjustments, it is time to install the new rope. Start by taking it out of its packaging, then thread it directly into the ankle. Then exert slight tension on the rope while rotating the peg in the opposite direction.

Once the peg is firmly seated, simply insert its end into the tensioner or tailpiece to secure it in place. Finally, you can pull lightly on the rope to maintain its tension while continuing to turn the peg. At this stage, all that remains is to tune the violin to produce beautiful melodies.

Ensure the correct location of all components

When making the change, you must ensure that the rope wraps perfectly around the ankle. In turn, this component must rest on the internal wall of the ankle brace. This is important to get better grip.

Please note, however, that the pressure should not be too strong. Otherwise, the dowel risks going a little deeper into the wood. In this case, it will be difficult to turn it. Note that the ankle brace could also split.

If you notice that a component is out of place, loosen the rope and rewind it. Continue until everything is perfect.

Proceed to tune the instrument

Did you know ? One thing is replacing strings on a violin. But, the other is to tune the instrument well. It goes without saying that even if you manage to change a string, you will absolutely have to make the adjustments carefully to obtain a good sound.

Sometimes new strings may take a few days to stabilize. So don’t expect an immediate catch. Also remember that sounds evolve over time. As the strings are used, the sounds evolve to reach their full potential.

You now know how to replace strings of your violin. Follow these tips to get the most out of your instrument.