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Violin storage doesn’t have to be complex, but taking a few extra minutes to ensure you’re tucking it away properly can help to preserve it for years to come. Violins are valuable investments, and with proper care, they will not just last but also sound better. Poor maintenance is one of the most common problems for older violins, often leading to poor resonance and tone.

Whether you’ve inherited a beautiful, old violin or you are just putting yours away for a while because life is too busy, consider a few tips to ensure you store your violin properly in long-term storage.

How Do You Store a Violin in a Case?

When storing your violin for any period of time, put it into the hard case. This is the best way to minimize damage risk to the violin. It also helps to keep dust and debris from damaging the wood. The case also helps minimize damage to the strings and intricate components that are expensive to repair later.

Using a hard case for storage of the violin, even for short periods, is recommended. Any type of impact on the exterior of the violin can damage its functionality and alter the sound it produces. More so, it is possible to add extra protection to this. If the violin, for any reason, does not fit snuggly into the violin case, it is best to wrap it in fabric to minimize any movement within the case. This will provide the best overall protection to minimize jostling. Some people use a silk bag, while others favor bubble wrap.

Should You Loosen Violin Strings When Storing a Violin?

For short term storage, there’s no need to loosen the strings on the violin. The tension of the strings is necessary to maintain the soundpost. If you end up with problems with the soundpost, from this or other reasons, it may need the luthier fixed.

If you plan to store it long term in a temperature-controlled space, you don’t have to loosen the strings either. However, in these longer-term situations, it can be beneficial to loosen the strings just slightly prior to placing it into the hard case. This slight loosening can help to violin to flex a small amount to accommodate the change in temperature.

What Temperature Should I Store My Violin?

Temperature control for violin storage is important, especially when it comes to humidity. The hard case will provide some protection from the elements, but because violins are organic material, they will be impacted by high or low temperatures as well as humidity levels.

The ideal temperature range is between 60 and 70 degrees. Keeping it at this temperature minimizes any risk of significant damage. If it is too cold, such as in the basement of a home, this can cause warping of the wood, often ruining the wood. Heat can dry it out, also creating complications for the use of the violin later.

Most importantly, keep relative humidity between 35 and 50 percent. If the space is too dry, this will pull moisture out of the wood, which will make it fragile and brittle while also warping the wood. Too much humidity can lead to mold and mildew growth on the surface. Choose long-term storage locations with temperature control for the best overall protection.

Can Cold Damage a Violin?

Many people believe that storing a violin in cold temperatures poses no risk of a problem. However, doing so can lead to complications. In cold temperatures, the moisture content within the wood dries out. The cold air often leads to low humidity, which then allows for the wood to become brittle and weak. The more moisture that’s lost, the more likely it is that the wood will contract, especially in extreme conditions.

As the wood contracts, the plates will begin to shrink. This creates more pressure on the soundpost. In other cases, you may notice damage to the bridge. Cold weather can cause the bridge to shrink as a result of the loss of moisture.

More so, not just does cold damage the violin, but the fluctuations between hot and cold are problematic. For example, after going through a cold spell, the wood is very dry. When the humidity in the area improves, the wood will absorb that moisture in the air naturally. This can lead to the swelling of the wood. This is often noticeable if the plates begin to separate along the sides of the violin. This swing in temperature can lead to warping but also cracking, which may render the violent unusable.

Does Violin Rosin Go Bad?

Most violinists have a block of rosin they use to help the bow grip the strings. You probably do not use much of it, and a single block may be used for years. Most people don’t use much of it when they do use it, making it easy for it to get old.

However, rosin can go bad even in typical conditions. If it dries out, the most common problem, it will be less effective. Higher-quality products will have an expiration date on the packaging. Lower-quality products will go bad and develop a white, powder-like residue on the violin when used. If the material is no longer soft, it’s best not to use it.

Proper storage of your violin can help ensure it lasts the lowest possible. It can also create a situation where you can pass that violin down to heirs years later or pull it out of storage and play whenever the mood strikes you.