Pianos are more than furniture
A piano is often much more than a musical instrument. One of the most common instruments in households across the world, it becomes a part of the landscape of a home. It is one of the first instruments that most children are introduced to at a young age. Pianos have been around since the late 1600s, thus becoming a part of life.
Pianos have sensitive moving parts
When families move, their possessions are also relocated, often through professional packers and movers. Pianos, however, are expensive and are often heirlooms that require special knowledge and attention to the parts while moving a piano. With many kinds of pianos and specific parts that are sometimes detachable, moving a piano can be risky if left to inexperienced hands. Improper, inadequate packaging and moving might cause the piano to play discordant tunes. With the emotions and sentiments attached to a piano, piano owners should employ professional piano moving services.
Pianos are delicate
Pianos, despite their weight and size, are delicate instruments. The casing or the outer covering of a piano is often as sensitive and expensive as the interior moving parts. Inadequate workforce and equipment that is not matched with the weight of the piano can cause damage to the interior and exterior of the delicate musical instrument. Professional piano moving services often have trained staff who have access to equipment matched with the particular piano in question. Moving the piano without professional help might pose a risk of damaging the tuning, which might be very expensive to fix.
Always Hire Specialized Piano Moving Services
Unlike professional movers equipped to handle packing up a household and relocating, piano movers in Vancouver are trained to maneuver a piano safely in and out of tight spaces. Hiring a professional piano moving service is a safe bet as clients can ensure the companies worthiness through content insurance, workman’s safety and automotive insurance. With insurance in place, clients can rest easy as the precious musical instrument’s safe arrival can only be imminent. Apart from the insurance, however, the industry experience plays a significant role. Inexperienced professionals might not be aware of the roadblocks that different scenarios bring into play. Clients should always ensure that fully trained professionals are entrusted with moving the piano.
Moving Guitars Safely
Guitars, whether acoustic, electric, or bass, are among the most commonly moved instruments. The neck and headstock are the most vulnerable parts. Always loosen the strings slightly before a move to reduce tension on the neck, as temperature and humidity shifts during transit can cause warping. Place the guitar in its hard case with a snug fit. If you only have a soft gig bag, wrap the instrument in bubble wrap first, paying extra attention to the headstock. Stand guitar cases upright in the vehicle rather than stacking items on top of them.
Protecting Drums and Percussion
Drum kits should be fully disassembled before moving. Remove all heads, cymbals, and hardware, and pack them separately. Cymbals are particularly prone to cracking if stacked without padding, so place a layer of foam or a towel between each one. Wrap individual drum shells in moving blankets or bubble wrap. Hardware such as stands and pedals can go in a dedicated hardware bag or a sturdy box. Label each component to make reassembly straightforward at your new home.
Handling Brass and Woodwind Instruments
Brass instruments like trumpets, trombones, and tubas should be placed in their original cases whenever possible. Remove any mouthpieces and wrap them separately to prevent them from rattling around and denting the bell or slide. For woodwind instruments such as clarinets, flutes, and saxophones, disassemble them into their individual sections and wrap each piece in a soft cloth before placing them in the case. Reed instruments benefit from having their reeds removed and stored in a reed case to avoid warping.
Climate Control and Temperature Considerations
Musical instruments are highly sensitive to temperature and humidity fluctuations. Wood expands and contracts with moisture changes, which can crack acoustic guitar bodies, warp piano soundboards, and loosen the glue joints on violins and cellos. Brass and metal instruments are less affected by humidity but can still suffer from condensation if moved between extreme temperatures.
During a move, keep instruments in a climate-controlled environment as much as possible. In winter, never leave instruments in an unheated moving truck overnight. In summer, avoid leaving them in a hot vehicle for extended periods. When you arrive at your new home, allow instruments to acclimatize gradually by leaving them in their cases for several hours before opening them in the new environment.
Insurance for Musical Instruments
Standard moving insurance may not fully cover the value of high-end musical instruments. A professional-grade piano, vintage guitar, or orchestral instrument can be worth thousands or even tens of thousands of dollars. Before your move, check whether your homeowner’s or renter’s insurance policy covers instruments during transit. If not, consider purchasing specialized instrument insurance or a moving rider that specifically covers musical equipment.
When working with professional movers like Simple Moves, ask about their liability coverage for specialty items. Document the condition of each instrument with dated photographs before the move. This provides clear evidence in the unlikely event that a damage claim needs to be filed.
Choosing the Right Packing Materials
The materials you use to pack instruments matter just as much as how you pack them. Avoid using newspaper directly on instrument surfaces, as the ink can transfer and stain finishes. Instead, use acid-free tissue paper, soft cotton cloths, or purpose-made instrument wraps. Bubble wrap is excellent for outer padding but should not touch lacquered or varnished surfaces directly.
For items without hard cases, create a custom box using a sturdy corrugated carton. Line the interior with foam padding and ensure the instrument cannot shift inside the box. Fill any gaps with packing paper or foam peanuts. Always mark boxes containing instruments as fragile and indicate which side should face up.
Let Simple Moves Handle the Heavy Lifting
Moving musical instruments requires care, experience, and the right equipment. Whether you are relocating a grand piano across Vancouver or moving a collection of guitars to a new home in the Lower Mainland, Simple Moves has the expertise to get your instruments there safely. We treat every item as if it were our own.
Ready to move your instruments with confidence? Request a free quote or call us at (604) 670-6050 to discuss your move.