How to put it on a violin or fiddle fingerboard.
How to reposition a violin, fiddle, cello or upright bass bridge.
How to refit a Guide for Half size violins and "low setup" violins and fiddles.
Here's how easy it is to
"Put it on and Play"™. Learning violin or fiddle has never been easier.
Before starting, thoroughly clean your violin neck and fingerboard with a product specifically formulated for fine wooden musical instruments. If needed, consult your local violin maker for more information. For best results be sure to apply the Guide to a clean, dry fingerboard and neck.
Step One: No need to remove or loosen the strings. Start by separating the Guide from the plastic backing sheet. Be sure to save the backing sheet for later use. Step Two: Slide the Guide over the fingerboard and under the strings. Make sure to get the Guide under all the strings. Step Three: Position Guide correctly. Slide the top of the Guide up to the nut. Usually the nut is a black piece of acrylic or bone that is at the very top of your fingerboard, right where the strings start over the fingerboard. It has little grooves filed in it to "cradle" the strings. Position the two red center markers on the Guide (one at the top and one at the bottom), in the center of the middle two strings. Step Four: Stretch and smooth the Guide over the fingerboard to form a vinyl "skin" on the fingerboard. Step 5a: Wrap one flap around the back of the neck and press flat. Smooth out any wrinkles or bubbles on the back of the neck. Step 5b: This step shows one flap folded over the back of the neck. Any wrinkles or bubbles have been smoothed out at this point. Step Six: Fold second flap around the back of the neck and smooth out any wrinkles or bubbles. Look carefully at the space between the bottom of the strings and the fingerboard to make sure no vinyl is touching any of the strings. If vinyl is touching a string, simply undo the second flap, re-stretch the vinyl over the fingerboard and re-fold the second flap on the back of the neck. Step Seven: The Guide is ready to use. The vinyl will be smooth and flat on the fingerboard and the back of the neck. You are ready to get started. Please see Step Eight below. Step Eight: After removing the Guide from your instrument, reapply the Guide face up onto the plastic backing sheet by smoothing it flat onto the surface of the plastic. Avoid stretching the vinyl as it will naturally try to relax back to it's original shape. Store in a cool, dry and dark place. Refitting the Guide for Half size violins and "low setup" violins or fiddles:
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If you are having difficulty getting the Guide to fit all the way up to the nut, don't fret, follow these simple instructions:
(please read all instructions before proceeding)