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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.  

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Updated on: 19 NOV 2021




4 cakes of rosin sit in a circle.

Bench Press - News from the Bench!
Product and Industry Highlights


Here are our blog entries highlighting products and string-industry specific topics. 

 


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. 

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Posted on 25 MAY 2021


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 

What is in that Fiddle?

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

If you look at the violin pictured here, inside the F-Hole you might notice something that slightly resembles a tiny ear of corn. 
Thankfully it's not corn in there, but many players might prefer corn to this alternative.


Any guesses as to what IS in there?

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Posted on: 2 FEBRUARY 2022

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. 

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Posted on: 31 JAN 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. 

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Posted on: 20 MARCH 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

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Posted on: 26 JULY 2016

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.

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Posted on: 26 APR 2016

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 the best humidifiers to keep your instrument and bow happy and humid.

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Posted on: 30 JULY 2016