Common issues when transporting musical instruments

Musical instruments are delicate and sensitive items. Moving such items always represents a challenge. Therefore, if you want to avoid common issues when transporting musical instruments, your best bet is to find reliable long-distance movers and let them handle them. On the other hand, maybe you do not want to pay professionals and you would like to do it on your own. If that is the case, this article should show you how to do it properly.

The expected difficulties depend on the size of your musical instrument

Complications you might expect when moving musical instruments mostly depend on your instrument. It is not the same when you are moving a piano or moving a mouth organ. For a piano, you will need a moving crew, loads of equipment, and a big truck. While on the other hand, a mouth organ you can fit in your pocket. Therefore, everything depends on your instrument. Of course, sometimes you might have more than one instrument to move. If you are moving an entire orchestra gear, you will surely need the help of professional movers. That is if you want your items to remain functional after transport.

A mouth organ
You will not have many issues when transporting musical instruments that are smaller in size

If you want to avoid common issues when transporting musical instruments make sure that you hire experienced movers

The best way to avoid issues when moving musical instruments is to hire a professional moving company to help you. Of course, as those are delicate and awkwardly shaped objects you should try to find a moving company that is specialized in moving such items. Or at least to find a moving company with vast experience in moving all kinds of different items. Of course, it is better to find specialized movers. And can often find movers that advertise their piano moving services. If you find such movers, it is recommended to hire their services. Unfortunately, it can be difficult to locate the best and most reliable movers. So make sure that you know who you are hiring before you sign your moving contract.

Sometimes you cannot avoid issues when transporting musical instruments but if you have proper insurance you do not have to worry that much

Finding a reliable moving company is crucial to avoid problems with moving musical instruments. However, even the best movers can’t guarantee that everything will go perfectly. As musical instruments are sensitive and expensive, every mistake could create unnecessary expenses. And moving companies are not covering the damage accordingly. They will offer some kind of basic coverage. But if you want to make sure that every damage will be properly covered, you need to get proper moving insurance. Find an insurance company. Lay down your case. And get the insurance policy that will protect your items throughout the move.

If you want to avoid issues with a DIY move, make sure that you prepare properly

Hiring a moving company is the best and most convenient way to move musical instruments. However, hiring specialized movers is usually expensive. So, many people try to avoid hiring their services and to do a DIY move. Of course, this is possible to do. But to do it properly you will need to prepare well. Here is what you will need:

  • To avoid common issues when transporting musical instruments make sure that you have someone to help you.
  • If your instrument can’t fit in your vehicle you will need to rent a moving truck or a van.
  • Set of tolls if your instrument needs to be disassembled
  • Protecting your items during transport is done with the help of proper packing materials.
  • Loading your musical instruments into a truck and later unloading is one of the most difficult parts of this process. Prepare a dolly and a loading ramp.
Harmonica in a case
Original protective casings are the best packing material

You cannot avoid issues when moving musical instruments if you do not have a helper

As mentioned above, if you are moving a mouth organ, you can do it without reading internet guides and any special equipment. However, if you are moving a piano, for example, you will certainly need everything from the list above. The first thing that you should take care of is to find someone to help you. If you will be moving a piano, make sure that you have at least three persons who will be dealing with it.

Find and rent a fitting vehicle

After you find your helpers, you should worry about the means of transport. If you are moving an instrument that can fit in your vehicle, great. If not you will have to rent a suitable vehicle. Of course, in most cases, you will be renting a moving truck or a van. When renting a moving truck, the most important thing is to rent a vehicle that is neither too big nor too small. If you rent a vehicle that is too big, you are wasting money. And if your vehicle is too small. Well, you know.

Prepare proper tools for disassembling

A lot of times, your instrument will need to be disassembled before packing and moving. And you cannot do that without proper tools. So, the tools are one of the things that you will need to prepare. You will need a few different screwdrivers, mallet, pliers,  torque wrench, and similar. Of course, you also need to know how to use those. If you don’t, make sure that persons that will be helping you do.

A set of tools
Prepare a set of tools before you begin

Use proper packing materials to protect your items during transport

Next, to protect your items while in transport, you need to have proper packing materials. To avoid issues when relocating musical instruments the best solution is to use original protective casings. If you do not have those, you can, of course, use regular packing materials. This means, cardboard boxes, packing peanuts, bubble plastic sheets, packing tape, moving blankets. If you make sure that everything is properly wrapped, these items will protect your instruments during transport well enough.

To avoid the biggest issues when transporting musical instruments rent a dolly and a loading ramp

Finally, one of the biggest issues when transporting musical instruments is maneuvering and loading them into a moving truck. This can be quite a problem especially if you are moving a grand piano. Luckily, there are items that could ease this process immensely. Those are the moving dolly and a truck loading ramp which you can also rent for your move.

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