Care & Maintenance
Preserving Your Instrument
A well-maintained veena improves with age. Neglect leads to warping, buzzing strings, and loss of tone. Here is your guide to keeping your instrument in concert condition.
Environmental Control
Temperature
Avoid rapid changes. Do not leave in a hot car or near radiators. Extreme heat melts the beeswax fret adhesive.
Humidity
Wood expands/contracts with moisture. Ideal humidity is 40-50%. Low humidity (Winter/AC) causes buzzing frets. High humidity dampens tone.
String Care
Wipe Down After Playing
Sweat and oils corrode metal. Use a soft, dry cotton cloth to wipe strings individually after every session.
Replacement Schedule
Playing strings: Every 3-4 months (or when they lose brightness/sustain).
Drone strings: Every 6-12 months.
Tuning Down
If traveling by air or storing for months, tune down 1-2 semitones to relieve tension. Do not remove tension completely (neck may warp).
Fret Maintenance (Mela)
The beeswax holding the frets is organic and shifts over time. This is a feature, not a bug, allowing for "Mela Sari" (Fret Correction).
When to fix?
- Frets buzz when played
- Intonation is sharp/flat
- Frets wiggle or lift
How to fix?
Professional adjustment is recommended. Minor adjustments can be made by gently warming the specific fret area (incense stick method - caution required) and pushing into place.