Care of instrument

Surface treatment

The musical instrument is made of low carbon steel, where the main component is iron. During production, each one piece passes several heat treatments, which provides a specific sound of the instrument, but also provides a protection to corrosion. Nevertheless, small microscopic breaks on the surface may cause corrosion of instrument.

All models from autumn 2017 are provided with additional sealant that seals surface of instrument and protects against outside environment. Despite that fact it is important to obey all suggestions mentioned below.

Protective oil

As the final step of the instrument production process is putting a layer of protective lacker and oil that fills all pores to not let moisture get to the bottom layer of material. This layer on the other hand should not be too thick, because then the instrument loses nice sustain of tones, since the vibrating surface of tones do not have enough freedom to move.

Cleaning

The instrument should be regularly cleaned from grease and salt, which are produces on the surface of the hands and thus brings them to the surface of the instrument. It is recommended to wash your hands to dry before and after playing. Also, each time you finish play on the instrument use suitable micro fiber cloth to clean instrument so that any residue of grease and salt were taken away. Preventive maintenance should be done preventively once a few months even when the instrument is stored in a warm and dry environment.

For long-term stays by the sea or in a humid environment, it is advisable to do a spot check on the presence of surface rust more often, for example once a week.

Temperature

Large temperature differences greatly affect the status of the instrument. High temperatures may detune tones, especially while keeping the instrument in direct sunlight. It is undesirable to remain an instrument in direct sunlight. However if instrument was on direct sun for some period of time, it needs to be naturally cooled down and any notes out of tune should return to its original position.

During winter time instrument can be played in lower temperatures. This should not have a major effect on detuning tones. It is important to ensure to properly dry the instrument after bringing it into a warm environment where it is very likely that will mist appear on its surface. It is undesirable to keep the instrument in the package, it is very likely that after coming in from the cold to warm environment will mist. Then keeping instrument in the closed case for longer exposure of wet conditions is very likely to cause corrosion.

Transportation

The instrument should be transported in a container intended for that purpose. If the using soft case without mechanical protection against hits, instrument must be placed in case with the side of tones on other side the back when worn on the shoulders. It also is not appropriate to throw the instrument in such a package, otherwise there is a high probability of detuning of instrument due to strong external blows.

Water

Please avoid contact with water. It is necessary to keep the instrument dry and warm. It is inappropriate to  immerse instrument in water, wash with water, or other long-term exhibition of instrument to such conditions.

Corrosion

If you already observed that some rust appeared on the surface of instrument, it must be immediately removed mechanically and the place has to be treated with some preservatives. All steps in this manner are done on owner’s responsibility and must be consulted with the manufacturer of the instrument. All necessary steps depends on level of corrosion of surface.

Scratches and other mechanical damage

If during use of the instrument player encounter various surface damage, it is necessary to treat each of them separately. The most appropriate method depends on the level of damage or on the level of detune of tune instrument. In general owner needs to promptly contact maker of instrument and discuss treatment options or possible remedies.

 

Information on this page is informative and serve for sake of general knowledge about instrument care. Any improper consequences with the instrument without previous consultation are the on responsibility of the person who implemented the such treatment.