How to put it on a violin or fiddle fingerboard.

How to determine violin, fiddle, cello or upright bass scale length.

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.

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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 1 is to peel the first position violin fingering guide off the plastic backing

 

 Step Two: Slide the Guide over the fingerboard and under the strings. Make sure to get the Guide under all the strings.

Step 2 slide the violin fingering guide over the fingerboard and under 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 3 position the guide correctly with the two red center position markers

 

 Step Four: Stretch and smooth the Guide over the fingerboard to form a vinyl "skin" on the fingerboard.

Step 4 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 5 Wrap one flap around the back of the neck and press flat

 

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 5b shows one flap floded over the back of the neck with any wrinkles or bubbles smoothed out

 

 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 6 shows the 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 and the back of the neck. You are ready to get started. Please see Step Eight below.

Step 7 shows the Guide on the violin finger board and ready to use

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.

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Refitting the Guide for Half size violins and "low setup" violins or fiddles:
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)

  • Half size violins and fiddles: between the second and third strings, measure 3 and 1/16 inches (3 - 1/16" or 77.78mm) down the fingerboard from the nut

  • Three Quarter size violins and fiddles: between the second and third strings, measure 4 and 1/3 inches (4-1/3" or 110mm) down the fingerboard from the nut

  • Full size violins and fiddles: between the second and third strings, measure 4 and 3/4 inches (4-3/4" or 120.65mm) down the fingerboard from the nut

  • Mark the measurement with a small pencil mark

  • In a straight line, cut 1/16" (1.58mm) to 1/8" (3.17mm) off the top edge of the Guide

  • Line up the bottom edge of the Guide with your pencil mark and re-apply following the original instructions.

  • Repeat if necessary.