Many Brits own instruments – whether they are part of a band, a collector or choose to play at home for their own personal pleasure – and if you are one of these people, you should make sure such items are properly cared for.
Whether you have a collection of vintage guitars, an antique grand piano or something else, there are many things that can be done to ensure instruments remain in good working order. Looking after them, of course, becomes even more important if they have a high net worth and/or are rare, so it shouldn’t be taken lightly.
While the particular maintenance tasks you need to perform will depend to a large extent on what instrument – or instruments – you own, there are lots of preservation tips that will apply to all products.
Given the fact that many instruments feature delicate mechanisms, you should not place them in basements or attics – as they could be damaged due to the high humidity level. It’s also important to not put wooden instruments such as acoustic guitars close to radiators. Being constantly exposed to heat can cause them to crack. As such, it is best to keep them in places where both the temperature and humidity is likely to remain consistent.
Whenever they are not being used, small instruments such as violins, flutes and trumpets ought to be kept in a case and stored in a safe place within the home where they are unlikely to be disturbed. If you have children, it might be a good idea to put your instruments on a cabinet or bookcase where they cannot be easily reached by little ones.
Regular cleaning also plays a crucial role in maintaining musical devices. Generally speaking, you will only need a soft cleaning cloth to remove dust and dirt from the surface of your possessions – and these can be bought from most music shops.
Depending on what instrument you have, you may need to apply a cleaning solution to the cloth before wiping (in the case of woodwind instruments, like recorders, you might have to put on some white spirit). Make sure you don’t leave damp cloths inside your case, though, as this can transfer moisture back to the instrument.
Saxophones and other brass instruments that have a lacquer coating can also be cleaned using a non-silicon furniture polish. If you do use this product, you need to make certain the polish does not touch the pads, as it can have an abrasive effect.
Regardless of what pieces of musical equipment you own, you should always check and follow the manufacturer’s instructions prior to cleaning. Otherwise, you might find that you end up doing more harm than good.
Even if you are extremely careful when handling and cleaning instruments, there may still be times when circumstances beyond your control see them become damaged.
With expensive pieces of musical equipment often common targets for thieves, it’s a good idea to invest in a comprehensive home insurance policy that ensures you are financially protected in the event they are stolen, as well as if they are broken or lost.
This is where organisations such as Certis Insurance Brokers can prove useful. As they have links with specialist home insurance providers, they can arrange tailor-made high value home cover that will protect your instruments, as well as your other contents. That way, the cost of any repairs or replacements does not have to come out of your own pocket.
