Caring For Your KanteleKanteles don't require a lot of care, but there are some basic things you need to do. One of the most important ways you can protect your kantele is by keeping it out of extreme temperatures and humidity. Over time, dampness, dryness, heat and cold will cause the wood to crack or split, even if your instrument is lacquered or waxed. Storing your kantele in a case will help moderate temperature and humidity. I keep mine in a hard case because I take it with me when I travel, but if your kantele doesn't travel in the luggage hold of a bus or plane, you might want to consider buying a soft case instead. Soft cases will protect your instrument from the weather and protect it while traveling to lessons or a local performance. Sue Vollmar of Duluth MN makes beautiful decorative cases and Patty Chaput's carrying cases come with a padded lining for extra protection. You can order cases from either woman by visiting Gerry Henkel's site. For information about Erkki Okkonen's hard kantele cases, email him at soitinrakentajat@amf.inet.fi. Some people also buy instrument humidifiers. These pocket sized humidifers are stored in the case with your kantele where they slowly release moisture into the air and help keep it from drying out. Instrument humidifers are inexpensive and cost between $4.95-$7.95, depending on the one you choose. Two sources for buying them online are:
If your instrument seems to be drying out, apply an oil based furniture polish to the surface of the wood. Use a feather duster to clean the dust that accumulates underneath the strings. You can remove rust from the strings by rubbing the rusty spot gently with a small piece of very fine sandpaper (320 - 400 grit). Support your kantele upside down so the bits of rust and grit fall on your worktable instead of on your kantele. The rust occurs because the moisture in your fingers reacts, chemically, with the metal strings. Using a guitar string lubricant will also help to extend the life of the strings. |