One thing you obviously don't have in your violin case but I do is a needle nose like tweezer and I use it when changing strings so I can get the strings through the hole easily. I got it from my overlocker/sewing machine that is used to thread the machine. It was part of my overlocker/sewing machine accessories. I got a spare one now.
Im a luthier. Just my two cents on using peg dope-- often when someone has otherwise usable pegs that they've doped up to smithermeens, they'll complain about sticky or ornery pegs. I clean more Hill paste off than I apply it. When I make a brand new set of pegs, I apply a little bit of Hill to check that Ive achieved good contact around the entire fit, but that's it. Well-fit pegs in a properly prepared peg hole should not need much lubrication. If your pegs are that troublesome, you need them fitted properly or cleaned and re-fit, not doped further. The Wittner geared pegs are perfectly fine. I've installed them on several instruments for arthritic clients, and they're excellent for elders who play cello-- cello pegs hurt *my* wrists, and I'm not even 30. Just get them fitted by a luthier who knows what they're doing.
Great list! I'd add something to control humidity. Dampits are popular, but I've recently started using the Boveda gel packs to control the humidity level in my case, and they work great. Awesome video, and Happy New Year! 🎻🙌🏾👍🏾
I’ve actually heard from luthiers that they don’t recommend dampits because the water can potentially drip inside the Violin and can cause damage. I’ve used dampits for a little while and after finding that out I stopped using them. Didn’t hear a difference in my violin 😎
A good hand cream is another essential item. Especially in winter. I always treat my hands after playing and teaching. And be careful with used string. Tried to give one of my students an old A string of mine and it just snapped. That strings was may 1 to two months old and it snapped right in my face.
Great list, you got all the essentials and even some extras that some stores don't include in their instrument outfits. I've been curious about the geared fitted pegs too. My teacher told me to avoid them because of extra metal on the instrument but I played a friend's viola who had them and it still sounded fine. If you do get them that would make a good video at least
I live in Arkansas where the weather is humid in the summers and fluctuates wildly other times of the year. Given this the luthier that made my violin suggested Wittner geared pegs for better string stability and easier tuning. Geared pegs are the way to go in my opinion.
Are the pencils there to tap out a rhythm on the violin back? Have you ever heard of a shoulder rest loosening the top or back of the violin? I love planetary tuners, they’re on my custom ukulele. I have that practice mute, but I don’t like it. I can’t see the sweet spot of the strings. Will you do a review of the different rosins? Shoulder rests? What do you think of the different chin rests? I have the old style wire mute. Do you like/hate those? Which are your favorite strings? Why? Thank you!🙏
For a second there I thought you were going to pull out a second (third) set of Dynamo strings when you were making a point of having two backup sets :)) But yeah I agree. As they say, "one back" up means "no backup".
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I'm embarrassed to share this, but my favorite mute is a clothes pin. :)
One thing you obviously don't have in your violin case but I do is a needle nose like tweezer and I use it when changing strings so I can get the strings through the hole easily. I got it from my overlocker/sewing machine that is used to thread the machine. It was part of my overlocker/sewing machine accessories. I got a spare one now.
Not going to lie, I do need those tweezers sometimes 😂
Im a luthier. Just my two cents on using peg dope-- often when someone has otherwise usable pegs that they've doped up to smithermeens, they'll complain about sticky or ornery pegs. I clean more Hill paste off than I apply it. When I make a brand new set of pegs, I apply a little bit of Hill to check that Ive achieved good contact around the entire fit, but that's it. Well-fit pegs in a properly prepared peg hole should not need much lubrication. If your pegs are that troublesome, you need them fitted properly or cleaned and re-fit, not doped further.
The Wittner geared pegs are perfectly fine. I've installed them on several instruments for arthritic clients, and they're excellent for elders who play cello-- cello pegs hurt *my* wrists, and I'm not even 30. Just get them fitted by a luthier who knows what they're doing.
These are great tips from an expert. Thank you for contributing your knowledge to our community!
Great list! I'd add something to control humidity. Dampits are popular, but I've recently started using the Boveda gel packs to control the humidity level in my case, and they work great. Awesome video, and Happy New Year! 🎻🙌🏾👍🏾
I’ve actually heard from luthiers that they don’t recommend dampits because the water can potentially drip inside the Violin and can cause damage. I’ve used dampits for a little while and after finding that out I stopped using them. Didn’t hear a difference in my violin 😎
A good hand cream is another essential item. Especially in winter. I always treat my hands after playing and teaching.
And be careful with used string. Tried to give one of my students an old A string of mine and it just snapped. That strings was may 1 to two months old and it snapped right in my face.
Neutrogena Norwegian Hand Cream, not too oily on the hands and gets the job done right 😁
Great list, you got all the essentials and even some extras that some stores don't include in their instrument outfits. I've been curious about the geared fitted pegs too. My teacher told me to avoid them because of extra metal on the instrument but I played a friend's viola who had them and it still sounded fine. If you do get them that would make a good video at least
I remember the concertmaster of Philadelphia orchestra, David Kim, has them on his violin. Although I could be wrong
I live in Arkansas where the weather is humid in the summers and fluctuates wildly other times of the year. Given this the luthier that made my violin suggested Wittner geared pegs for better string stability and easier tuning. Geared pegs are the way to go in my opinion.
Very wise!
Are the pencils there to tap out a rhythm on the violin back? Have you ever heard of a shoulder rest loosening the top or back of the violin? I love planetary tuners, they’re on my custom ukulele. I have that practice mute, but I don’t like it. I can’t see the sweet spot of the strings.
Will you do a review of the different rosins? Shoulder rests? What do you think of the different chin rests?
I have the old style wire mute. Do you like/hate those?
Which are your favorite strings? Why?
Thank you!🙏
Don’t tap with a pencil on your violin back, use the pencil to write notes fingerings and bowings in your score.
For a second there I thought you were going to pull out a second (third) set of Dynamo strings when you were making a point of having two backup sets :)) But yeah I agree. As they say, "one back" up means "no backup".
Haha 😆