How to clean your viola strings

Cleaning...

String Cleaning Guide

Cleaning strings? Keeping your Larsen viola strings in optimal condition is all about regular maintenance. The process is straightforward, but we do recommend regular cleaning, as follows.

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Dr. Thomas Zwieg Vice President, Product Development.

Daily Clean

After each use, wipe off rosin dust and other residue with a dry microfibre cloth. Then about every month or so or when the sound quality noticeably diminishes, becomes muffled and the higher harmonics fade, a deeper clean will be needed using isopropyl alcohol (rubbing alcohol) as the cleaning agent.

Thorough Clean

​Viola C & G
For a thorough clean of the C & G strings, it is recommended to loosen each string individually beforehand. Because of the flexible construction of these strings, the winding layers tend to slightly open when under tension. Over time, these windings can collect a residue of sweat, sebum, dried skin (nice!) and rosin dust. Loosening the strings allows this residue to be removed as the tension is released, enabling the cleaning process.
Before you start cleaning, make sure to shield the instrument’s body with a large cloth, clean towel, or something protective to avoid marks and potential damage to the varnish. Then, taking it one at a time and not all at once, loosen and clean each string according to the instructions as below. Once cleaned, tighten to original tension before moving on to the next string.

Viola D & A
For the D & A string, it’s recommended to clean while both strings are still under tension. Again, protect the instrument with a barrier, as above, to avoid any alcohol marks. Then, proceed with the cleaning process again as suggested below.

 

Larsen Viola String Cleaning Guide

View PDF Guide (print optional)

How to clean viola strings

Cleaning Process


-Always protect the body of your instrument with a protective cover against potential alcohol damage.

-Apply a small amount of isopropyl alcohol carefully to a clean microfibre or cotton cloth.

-Loosen the C and G strings, one at the time not both together, then clean the string from the nut down to the tailpiece.

-Repeat the process three times, ensuring that you always move in the same direction without rubbing. Finish with a dry cloth.

-Before tightening the C and G string again, remember to lubricate the grooves of the bridge and nut with a soft pencil.

-Bring each string back to tension before proceeding to the next.

-Keep the D and A strings mounted at tension.

-Again, one string at a time, from nut to tailpiece in one direction for three passes and dry to finish.

-Note: Depending upon the amount of residue present, switch to a clean area of the cloth as required and repeat.

Congratulations! Your Larsen strings will now have regained much of their vibrancy with significantly more overtones.


 

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Our Options for Viola

Versatility by design: finding your perfect blend.

Larsen Strings Viola Virtuoso ®

Virtuoso ® Viola

 

Larsen Strings Viola Aurora Fractional

Aurora Fractional

 

Larsen Strings Viola Original

Original Viola

 

Larsen Strings Viola Aurora

Aurora Viola

 

‘It’s all about the music’

Laurits Th. Larsen. Violinist and Founder, Larsen Strings A/S

Larsen Strings North America

Larsen Strings North America

LSNA East: 270 Oak Tree Road, Unit B, Palisades, NY 10964

LSNA West: 645 Front St., Unit 1612, San Diego, CA 92101

Tel.: 718.994.1613

Email: mail@larsenstrings.us

Larsen Strings North America is the exclusive source for Larsen Strings in the United States, imported by Glasser NY.

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