The Complete Handbook of String Instrument Cleaning Cloths

It's a solid reference, and I did learn about weave density and why my cheap cloths seem to leave lint. The chapter on washing was useful. But I felt a few sections read like the author was padding to hit a word count, particularly the glossary. Also, I wish they had addressed how to handle cloths for instruments with spirit varnish specifically, since that's a different world from oil varnish. Overall, a good starting point but not the last word.

I bought this for my shop and it's been a decent shelf reference. The material science part on microfiber versus cotton was informative, and the troubleshooting chart for streaks actually solved a problem I had with a customer's cello. My reservation is that the book is very cautious about making definitive recommendations, which I understand, but sometimes you just want someone to say 'use this for that'. Still, it's better than guessing on a forum.

Really appreciated the depth here. The chapter on how weave and edge finishing affect performance was illuminating, and I've already changed how I fold my cloths based on the technique section. It's a bit more than a player like me needs, but I'd rather have the full technical picture. I docked one star because the business chapter, while interesting, felt a bit long and speculative for a book that's otherwise so hands-on and practical.

This is exactly the kind of obsessive, practical reference I wanted. The breakdown of why a 600-thread-count cloth isn't necessarily better than a 300 does wonders was worth the price. I do wish they had included more photos or diagrams of weaving patterns, but I understand the text-only format. I've already recommended it to my orchestra's librarian.

Decent read. The selection framework in chapter three is logical and I've used it to standardize what I keep on my workbench. The book does repeat its core points a bit too often, which I suppose is for skimmers, but it wasn't too distracting. It's a useful manual to have around, especially for training new assistants in the shop. I'd like a future edition to include a section on antique instrument care specifics.

As a touring violinist, my cloth is part of my daily routine and I had no idea I was doing so many things wrong. The guide on how to avoid trapping rosin grit against the varnish has genuinely saved my instrument's finish. I also loved the maintenance schedule, which convinced me to retire cloths far more often than I did. This is not a marketing fluff piece; it's a meticulous, essential handbook.

It is a well-researched book and I can't argue with the content, but it felt a little clinical. I was hoping for a bit more on the 'why' behind the materials, perhaps a bit of history on how cloths evolved in lutherie. I did find the FAQ useful and I've already applied the washing tips. As a hobbyist, I think this is more geared toward pros, but I still got value from it.

This filled a real gap in my knowledge. I run a small teaching studio and I'm responsible for maintaining about a dozen student instruments, all with different varnishes. The book's guidance on selecting the right cloth for each situation has cut down on finish haze on my rental fleet. My only complaint is that I wish it was spiral-bound so it would lie flat on my bench.