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A board that says bench press clamped in a workbench.

 

Welcome to our blog series:
Bench Press - News from the Bench!




Check-in for advice and information on instrument care and maintenance, as well as featured products we find useful and interesting. 




 


Humidifying in the Classroom

Four rosins; one is new, one is lightly scuffed, one is scratched, & one is carved into.

Keeping dozens of string instruments in tune and humidified while making lesson plans, e-mailing parents, and making music is a lot to deal with. Here we go over our best tips for humidifying in a classroom setting.

Read More Posted on: 24 FEB 2023 

How to Start a New Rosin

Four rosins; one is new, one is lightly scuffed, one is scratched, & one is carved into.

Sandpaper, house keys, paper clips, kitchen knives...We've heard of a number of different ways 
customers start their new rosin. Here we discuss the best method to start a new rosin.

Read More Posted on: 1 MARCH 2022 

Humidity and Your Instrument

One activated Precipitube humidifer and one unactivated humidifier.

 Slipping Pegs. Open Seams. CRACKS! Low Bridges. Angry Wolf Tones. 
 We go over common humidity issues and how to keep your instrument and bow happy and humid.

Read More
Posted on: 30 JULY 2016
 

A sketch of the words, the growing presence of knock off strings.

Here we discuss the rise of imitation strings on the market and how to avoid purchasing them. 

Read More
Posted on 25 MAY 2021


How to Clean Your Instrument During a Pandemic

The COVID-19 virus.A quick chat about what we know (or don't know) about disinfecting a string instrument or bow during the COVID-19 crisis. 

Read More
Posted on: 30 JULY 2020; Updated on 5/1/2021


Teacher Resources

A violin teacher playing along with their young student.We have put together a list of resources that may be beneficial for those teachers who are teaching virtually this school year. 

Read More
Posted on: 29 AUGUST 2020

Wolf Tones Explained

A wolf howling an eighth note.Does it sound like you've broken your vibrato? Does your bow stroke feel like you're driving down the rumble strip on the highway when playing certain notes? You may have found a wolf tone! Here we discuss what a wolf tone is and how they are suppressed. 

Read More
Posted on: 20 MARCH 2021

 


How to Measure a Student for an Instrument

An out-stretched arm with a yardstick above for measurement.With most schools operating virtually, we thought it might be a good time to address how to measure your student for an instrument from home.

Read More
Posted on: 22 AUGUST 2020


What's the Buzz?!

A bee buzzing with little eighth notes floating behind it.
Have you discovered a buzz on your instrument? Here are some common causes of buzzes and tips for easy fixes at home. 

Read More
Posted on: 10 MAR 2021


Our (small) Case Against Finger Tapes

A violin neck with three tapes on the fingerboard.Finger tapes can be a wonderful way for players to learn note locations on the fingerboard, but they can also cause some issues. Here we discuss the mechanics of those problems and a simple solution. 

Read More
Posted on: 31 JAN 2020


 

Answers to Common Bow Hair Questions 

A blue heart made of small hanks of horsehair. We find a lot of customers have questions about the hair on their bows. 
Here we answer some of the more common questions customers have about their bow hair.  

Read More
Posted on: 23 MAY 2019


To Rent or Return: The Big Summer Decision 

A bridge over water on a sunny day with clouds in the sky. With concert and recital season upon us, many customers are deciding whether or not to continue their rental.
We go over the benefits of continuing your rental through the summer.
 

Read More
Posted on: 17 APRIL 2018
 

Unexplained Breaking/Exploding Bow Hair

A zoomed in view of the horsehair on a bow and one of the hairs has tiny bites in it. Have you opened your case and found an explosion of broken bow hair?
Here we chat about bow bugs.

Read More
Posted on26 APR 2016

Slipping Peg Strife

Violin pegs sitting on a workbench.
Here we discuss the common causes of slipping pegs and offer some helpful solutions. 

Read More

Posted on: 15 MAR 2016


Gift Giving Ideas for Your Favorite String Player

 

A Magic brand rosin which features a sketch of a snowy farm.Shopping for gifts for string players isn't always easy. Here we offer some gift ideas for your favorite string musician.  

Read More
Updated on: 19 NOV 2021

5 Popular E Strings Reviewed

 

5 different packages of violin E strings on a table.
Violinist and former restorer at Lashof Violins, Charlotte, reviews 5 popular E Strings. 

Read More
Posted on: 26 JULY 2016