String Instrument Maintenance Checklist

Name:
No Matric:
Instrument:

Needs
OK INSTRUMENT Attention
 Cleaned Polished 
 
 Pegs Stick Slip 
 
 Tension Loose Need tightening 
pegs  
 Strings Wound Frayed False Replace 
straight on   
all pegs

 Fingerboard Clean Grooved Needs dressing 
  

 Bridge Off-center Leans Warped 

  

Grooves to Curvature too Replace 

deep flat
  

 Sound post In wrong place Missing 

 

 Tuners Too low Need to turn up 

 

Bend Replace 
 

 Tail loop Too long 



 End button Poor fit 

(violin and 
viola)
 End pin Too short Bent 
(cello and  
bass)
 Opening in Upper bout Lower bout Sides 
seams   
 Open cracks In top At bottom saddle 
 
 In rip Other 
 

Needs
OK BOW Attention
 Tightened too tightly 

 Bow grip Loose Missing Need 
  replacement


 Bow stick Needs cleaning Warped Too straight 

  

 Bow facing Cracked Missing tip Replace Chipped 

   
 Frog Cracked Ferrule loose 
 

Slide cracked Screw worn 

 

 Bow hair Twisted Dirty 

 

Need rosin Repair 

 

Replace 


Needs
OK CASE Attention
 Fasteners Loose Lock doesn’t close tightly 
 

 Handles Worn Loose Replace 

  

 Bow clips Bent Worn Broken 

  
Recommend  
 instrument
be covered
in case
 Needs
OK MISCHELLANEOUS Attention
 Shoulder  
pad
 Endpin stop  
(cellos and
basses)
 Cleaning  
cloth

Student’s signature Lecturer’s signature

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Date:
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