For musicians and collectors, musical instruments are valuable investments that require special care and attention when moving. Whether you're relocating across town or across the country, it's essential to know how to properly pack, transport, and store your prized instruments to prevent damage.
In this ultimate guide, we'll share expert tips on moving pianos, guitars, and other musical instruments, along with resources from industry associations to help ensure a smooth and successful move.
1. Preparing Your Musical Instruments for the Move
Before you start packing your instruments, it's important to gather the necessary supplies and take some time to clean and maintain your instruments.
Here are some tips to get you started:
- Consult the manufacturer's guidelines: Refer to your instrument's owner's manual or contact the manufacturer for specific instructions on disassembly, packing, and transportation.
- Invest in quality packing materials: Purchase sturdy boxes, bubble wrap, packing tape, and other supplies designed to protect fragile items during a move. The American Moving & Storage Association offers helpful resources on choosing the right packing materials.
- Clean and maintain your instruments: Remove any dust or debris from your instruments and perform any necessary maintenance, such as tuning or replacing strings, before packing them away.
2. Packing Your Musical Instruments
Proper packing is crucial to protect your instruments from damage during transit.
Here are some expert tips for packing various types of musical instruments:
- Pianos: Due to their size and weight, pianos require special care and expertise when moving. Your piano may need to be partially disassembled before it can be packed and transported. The Piano Technicians Guild offers additional resources on piano care and maintenance such as retuning after your move.
- Guitars and stringed instruments: Loosen the strings slightly to relieve tension and prevent damage during the move. Wrap the instrument in bubble wrap or a padded moving blanket, and place it in a hardshell case or a sturdy box with ample padding. The National Association of Music Merchants provides more information on caring for guitars and other stringed instruments.
- Brass and woodwind instruments: Disassemble your instrument and wrap each piece individually in bubble wrap or soft cloth. Place the pieces in a hardshell case or a padded box, ensuring there's no room for them to shift during transit.
- Percussion instruments: Remove any removable parts, such as drum heads and cymbals, and wrap them separately in bubble wrap or soft cloth. Pack the drum shells and other large components in sturdy boxes with ample padding.
3. Transporting and Storing Your Musical Instruments
Once your instruments are packed, it's time to transport them to your new home.
Here are some tips to keep in mind:
- Choose a reputable moving company: Work with a professional moving company, like Clancy Relocation & Logistics, that has experience handling fragile and valuable items, such as musical instruments. They can provide expert guidance and assistance throughout the moving process.
- Consider climate-controlled storage: If you need to store your instruments temporarily, opt for a climate-controlled storage unit to protect them from extreme temperatures and humidity. Clancy Relocation & Logistics offers secure, climate-controlled storage solutions for your peace of mind.
- Inspect your instruments upon arrival: Once your instruments have been transported to your new home, carefully unpack and inspect them for any signs of damage. If you notice any issues, contact your moving company immediately to file a claim.
Clancy Relocation & Logistics is Here to Help
Moving musical instruments can be a challenging and delicate process, but with the right preparation, packing, and transportation, you can ensure your prized possessions arrive safely at their destination.
Trust the experts at Clancy Relocation & Logistics to help you with all of your moving needs!
Contact us today to learn more about our services and to request a quote.