How to put it on a violin fingerboard.
How to reposition a violin bridge.
How to refit a Half Size Fretless Finger Guide®.
Here's how easy it is to
"Put it on and Play"™. Learning violin has never been easier.
Step One: No need to remove or loosen the strings. Start by separating the Guide from the plastic backing sheet. 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. Step Seven: The Guide is ready to use. The vinyl will be smooth and flat on the fingerboard. You are ready to get started. Additional help for fitting Half Size Guides To determine your instruments scale length: To reposition the bridge: Refitting the Half Size Guide:
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Measure from the fingerboard side of the nut to the body side of the bridge stop. Usually the nut is a black piece of bone or acrylic 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. The bridge is at the other end of the strings. On a violin the bridge is usually made of wood. The bridge also has grooves filed in it to "cradle" the strings and it holds the strings up off the body of the instrument. What you are measuring is the effective vibrating (scale) length of the string. For best results using our products the string length measurement for the Full Size violin should be 330 millimeters or approximately thirteen (13”) inches. The string length measurement for the Half Size violin should be 287 millimeters or approximately eleven and one third (11.3”) inches. The bridge can be moved if needed.
Tuning the strings tends to pull the bridge forward or towards the nut. Additionally the feet of the bridge should always be aligned with the v shaped cuts in the f holes (sound holes) called the f notches. The bridge must be kept in a perpendicular position to avoid warping or even breaking. A perpendicular bridge sounds better too. If the bridge requires adjusting, slightly loosen the strings then place the violin in your lap with the tuning pegs by your knees. Grasp the bridge in the upper corners with the thumb and first two fingers of each hand while firmly bracing the instrument. Then carefully pull the top of the bridge to a perpendicular position. Re-tune your instrument.
If you do not feel confident repositioning your bridge, we recommend that you take your instrument to a qualified instructor or luthier and have them do it for you.
If you are having difficulty getting the Half Size Guide to fit all the way up to the nut, don't fret. Just follow these simple instructions. Measure 3 and 1/16 inches (3 1/16") down the fingerboard from the nut. Mark with a small pencil mark. Cut about 1/16" to 1/8" off the top edge of the Guide. Line up the bottom edge of the Guide with your pencil mark and re-apply. Repeat if necessary.
