You know that your sofa, the dining room, your clothes and your books will safely arrive at your new home. These items will remain in place in a moving van, and they will certainly appear at your front door. You do not need to worry about them. However, that’s probably not the case with your musical instruments. These complex and fragile items can easily be damaged while traveling around the country, even if movers are driving carefully. Therefore, you must pack musical instruments carefully. We will show you how.
If your movers are not musicians, they will not be able to fully appreciate how easily musical instruments can be destroyed with shaking, falling or extreme temperature changes. Even if you write “FRAGILE” across the entire box, it is important that you take the necessary steps to pack your tools so that they are not easily compromised. Ensuring that you safely pack musical instruments is not easy, so be sure to follow these steps and precautions.
How to pack musical instruments – each of them
Piano and organs
Most moving companies train their employees in the safe move of these instruments. You do not need to worry about their well-being during the process of moving. However, you can take steps to prepare them for the move:
- Close and lock the keyboard cover, if possible.
- Remove all removable parts, such as the music stand.
- Provide blankets, towels and a lot of bubble wrap to pack musical instruments. Secure all packing materials with packing tape.
- Put extra wrapper on the legs and pedals.
You can usually trust your long distance movers Los Angeles to do all of the above. But if you want to control the process yourself, just follow these steps.
Violins, cellos and other string instruments
Cellos, harps, guitars require extra care when packing. To begin with, the strings must be loosened. For instruments with adjustment keys, it is necessary that all keys be turned parallel to the headstock.
If you have a hard case, you will want to put the instrument inside. Since it may still shake a little, you need to add crumpled paper, especially around the headstock. Avoid using packing peanuts or shredded paper, because they can get inside some stringed instruments.
If you do not have a hard case, you need to wrap the entire instrument in plastic. A trash bag or dry bag will work fine. Seal it with tape before wrapping it in a bubble wrap. This eliminates the possibility of water entering the instrument, even if the box is dropped into a puddle.
The box you choose will have to hold several inches of packing peanuts. You can check which boxes are available at your local musical instrument store. Always note which side should be at the top. And also gently shake the box to assess whether you hear any movement. If you do, open the box and add more packing peanuts, crumpled paper, etc., to ensure greater stability.
String instruments are more fragile than other instruments, making them difficult to move. You do not want fingerboards, bows, or sound boxes to crack. But even such simple things as speed bumps can cause such damage.
To prevent cracking or deformation, follow these steps:
- Slightly loosen the strings of the instrument. Do not loosen them so much that the bridge falls, just so that the temperature does not strain them.
- Where applicable, loosen the bow hairs for the same reasons.
- Where applicable, turn all setting keys parallel to the headstock so that nothing can detach them.
- Add some extra padding. Bubble packaging is a great solution, but you can also use crumpled paper. Wrap your tool and bow in these items before putting them on the case.
- If you do not have a heavy case, buy it. Your tool will be protected from moisture and falls in this way.
After you, or your professional movers LA, pack musical instruments following all these steps, very few things could prevent your string instrument from arriving at your new home safe and sound.
Brass and woodwind instruments
These instruments should be completely disassembled first. Ideally, it will be placed in a hard case for it. If you do not have a hard case that you usually use to store brass or woodwind instruments, then you should wrap each individual piece in several layers of bubble wrap. It is important that, while moving, parts do not collide with each other. The box you use should be large enough so that you can put a layer of inflatable pillows, packing peanuts, towels, etc. on it. In addition, if you are using packing peanuts, make sure that you tape the film around the instruments. This will eliminate the possibility of peanuts from getting inside.
Drums
Start with a box at least 2-4 inches bigger than a drum so that you have enough space to add stuffing for protection. Again, contact your local music store to find out which boxes are available. Remove the rims and heads and insert the drums, placing one inside the other. Tension rods and other small parts of the equipment should be in a separate plastic bag and tightly closed. Spurs, legs, etc. will need to be in a bubble wrap or something like that. Add a layer of peanuts or crumpled paper before placing the drums in the box.
Other important considerations
- Give the woodwind and string instruments 24 hours after the move, before using them.
- Strive to store musical instruments at room temperature. If you need to store them temporarily, choose a storage unit LA with climate control.
- Never try to move the piano or organ yourself. A professional should always handle these items.
Always pack equipment and accessories, such as guitar straps, reeds, etc. separately.