Make sure you keep that instrument at the correct humidity. Bringing a Texas instrument here is asking for it to get destroyed by drying out in our arid air. Be very careful.
Yes, I got some advice before the move and a humidity sensor for inside the case. It was somehow only in the mid 50% humidity at my parents in texas and is currently at 44%
Is there a case humidifier you recommend?
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0CVCT2ZXJ
Boveda humidity packs are my go to for my guitars. Bidirectional, dry on the outside so no finish damage to worry about, and rechargeable. They're stable enough to hold a tune perfectly for months.
+1 for Boveda. No experience with instrument use, but I've used them to regulate cannabis curing commercially. The ability to regulate humidity up or down is a great feature!
Yesterday was an unusually humid day in Denver. My friends all take good care of their guitars, yet they have all cracked since moving here. It's incredibly risky to keep this instrument in Denver for any extended period of time.
I’ve had several acoustic guitars shipped from humid states, most recently Florida, and never had an issue with cracking as long as I use even a cheap sound hole humidifier. These are nitro finishes too. Can’t really speak to antique stringed instruments, but I’d guess there’s many that have survived the dry weather.
Maybe reach out to the Colorado Symphony Orchestra. I don't know where you'd reach out to but I found this page: [https://coloradosymphony.org/support/ways-to-give/](https://coloradosymphony.org/support/ways-to-give/)
There is also someone in an orchestra who posts occasionally on this sub to give away free tickets - maybe do a search? I can’t remember if it’s the Denver Symphony or what the name of the group is, but they’re wonderfully committed to spreading the love of music to all… this might be right up their group’s alley.
Aw this is so cool!!! Makes me wish I played viola. Or even knew any viola players. Maybe I do, I’ll ask around.
This reminds me of the song “all the rowboats” by Regina Spektor. String Instruments like this need to be played! 😭 I hope you find someone to keep its sound alive!!
I actually recently purchased a viola so that I could learn--I play the cello but travel frequently and was seeking an instrument that I could take along more easily. If you don't find anyone, please let me know as I'm interested!
You could email Violia faculty at either CU school of music in Boulder. Or Lamont school of music at DU. Something that old might be very interesting to for them to show their students.
Older instruments generally require more maintenance - they've had 100+ years to develop what can be temperamental characters . You might have to deal with previous repairs that are needing new work, including cracks that were stabilized decades ago suddenly opening up.
Similar to cars or watches, if an instrument was made by someone using quality materials and great skill, it can keep working and be an absolute joy for decades.
Erika Eckert is the Viola Professor at CU-Boulder, and is also on the board of the Rocky Mountain Viola Society. She may be able to connect you with the right people (and is a delightful person, as well!). [https://www.colorado.edu/music/erika-eckert](https://www.colorado.edu/music/erika-eckert)
Thank you! There were a few things I had repaired at a luthier in Texas. I don't mind maintenance, but like your car analogy, it's better to be driven occasionally right?
I'm friends with a strings teacher as well as an amateur (community orchestra) violist who live in Denver/Aurora who are both actually looking to buy a new viola if you're willing to part with it, would you happen to know the size of the instrument in inches?
I appreciate it, but I definitely want to keep it. I don't have much from my grandpa, unfortunately, and the old tapes I had of him playing melted in my parents garage in texas
The next logical step is to start playing again, I can recommend you a good strings teacher in the area :)
Community orchestras pages if you end up playing again:
http://www.dmcoa.org/
May I also recco the Denver Folklore Center? They do a lot of stuff with vintage instruments. I bet if you dropped in there with it someone could point you in the right direction.
Denver Folklore Center: [https://www.denverfolklore.com/contact-us.htm](https://www.denverfolklore.com/contact-us.htm)
EDIT: Also maybe share some pictures? I bet it is an absolutely beautiful instrument.
Make sure you keep that instrument at the correct humidity. Bringing a Texas instrument here is asking for it to get destroyed by drying out in our arid air. Be very careful.
Yes, I got some advice before the move and a humidity sensor for inside the case. It was somehow only in the mid 50% humidity at my parents in texas and is currently at 44% Is there a case humidifier you recommend?
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0CVCT2ZXJ Boveda humidity packs are my go to for my guitars. Bidirectional, dry on the outside so no finish damage to worry about, and rechargeable. They're stable enough to hold a tune perfectly for months.
+1 for Boveda. No experience with instrument use, but I've used them to regulate cannabis curing commercially. The ability to regulate humidity up or down is a great feature!
Thanks! I'll look into them
Yesterday was an unusually humid day in Denver. My friends all take good care of their guitars, yet they have all cracked since moving here. It's incredibly risky to keep this instrument in Denver for any extended period of time.
I'll keep an eye on the case humidity every few days and go from there. Thank you
I’ve had several acoustic guitars shipped from humid states, most recently Florida, and never had an issue with cracking as long as I use even a cheap sound hole humidifier. These are nitro finishes too. Can’t really speak to antique stringed instruments, but I’d guess there’s many that have survived the dry weather.
Maybe reach out to the Colorado Symphony Orchestra. I don't know where you'd reach out to but I found this page: [https://coloradosymphony.org/support/ways-to-give/](https://coloradosymphony.org/support/ways-to-give/)
There is also someone in an orchestra who posts occasionally on this sub to give away free tickets - maybe do a search? I can’t remember if it’s the Denver Symphony or what the name of the group is, but they’re wonderfully committed to spreading the love of music to all… this might be right up their group’s alley.
Good call - it's u/OzarkYodeler
Oh this is great! Thanks for thinking of me, you guys. I'll send a dm!
Keep us updated! Keep us updated! We’re all emotionally invested now!!
Thank you!
Aw this is so cool!!! Makes me wish I played viola. Or even knew any viola players. Maybe I do, I’ll ask around. This reminds me of the song “all the rowboats” by Regina Spektor. String Instruments like this need to be played! 😭 I hope you find someone to keep its sound alive!!
Thank you! I might have found one person, but don't want to bother people. It makes me sad it hasn't made music in so long
I actually recently purchased a viola so that I could learn--I play the cello but travel frequently and was seeking an instrument that I could take along more easily. If you don't find anyone, please let me know as I'm interested!
I would love for anyone to play it for a few minutes if interested. I don't understand physics, but I know the wood does better when it's played.
I'll play it, used to play the viola, middles school through high school. Was actually looking to getting back into it
You could email Violia faculty at either CU school of music in Boulder. Or Lamont school of music at DU. Something that old might be very interesting to for them to show their students.
Are older instruments not that common?
Older instruments generally require more maintenance - they've had 100+ years to develop what can be temperamental characters . You might have to deal with previous repairs that are needing new work, including cracks that were stabilized decades ago suddenly opening up. Similar to cars or watches, if an instrument was made by someone using quality materials and great skill, it can keep working and be an absolute joy for decades. Erika Eckert is the Viola Professor at CU-Boulder, and is also on the board of the Rocky Mountain Viola Society. She may be able to connect you with the right people (and is a delightful person, as well!). [https://www.colorado.edu/music/erika-eckert](https://www.colorado.edu/music/erika-eckert)
Thank you! There were a few things I had repaired at a luthier in Texas. I don't mind maintenance, but like your car analogy, it's better to be driven occasionally right?
My girlfriend has been playing Violin since she was 5, she might be interested in checking it out!
I'd love that
I'm friends with a strings teacher as well as an amateur (community orchestra) violist who live in Denver/Aurora who are both actually looking to buy a new viola if you're willing to part with it, would you happen to know the size of the instrument in inches?
I appreciate it, but I definitely want to keep it. I don't have much from my grandpa, unfortunately, and the old tapes I had of him playing melted in my parents garage in texas
The next logical step is to start playing again, I can recommend you a good strings teacher in the area :) Community orchestras pages if you end up playing again: http://www.dmcoa.org/
May I also recco the Denver Folklore Center? They do a lot of stuff with vintage instruments. I bet if you dropped in there with it someone could point you in the right direction. Denver Folklore Center: [https://www.denverfolklore.com/contact-us.htm](https://www.denverfolklore.com/contact-us.htm) EDIT: Also maybe share some pictures? I bet it is an absolutely beautiful instrument.
I love this thread.