The lifespan of string instruments varies depending on the conditions of storage and handling, but usually it is about 200 to 300 years.
They are like human, getting mature and deep as the time passes, but also they can not avoid deterioration from aging just like human beings.
Unlike humans, string instruments do not need the cytogenesis (growing of the new cells) process to delay aging, so with proper measures, it is possible to extend their life span for additional 100 to 200 years. Still, whether the instrument with the extended life will keep producing the original healthy sound or not depends on how ‘proper’ the measures are.

Restoration is needed when an old instrument show any of the following symptoms.

- lacks responsiveness
- produces noisy and coarse sound
- gets difficult to apply complicated techniques like continuous trills
- loses original sound after a repair
- shows uneven sound balance among its 4 strings
- has the sound collapsing on high pitches
- its sound does not reach far