What this page covers: moving upright and digital pianos, keyboards, ouds, guitars, violins, drums and similar instruments. For other heavy furniture see luxury furniture and antique movers, and for glass items see glass tables and mirrors.
Photo survey first
We do not promise to move an item before we have seen it. Send a photo of the instrument and of the current and new spaces: the stairs, the lift, door widths and how close the truck can park. From these we decide whether more crew is needed, whether the entrance suits the item or needs a special approach, and then we confirm what we can do safely and what we cannot.
Pianos: weight and sensitivity
An upright piano, and anything larger, weighs from tens to hundreds of kilograms depending on type, and it has delicate mechanical parts and tensioned strings. So it needs several people lifting together, padded wrapping around the body, and the lid closed and secured so it cannot open in motion. It is never lifted by weak outer parts such as the pedals or lid sides.
Keyboards and digital pianos
Lighter than a traditional piano, but full of electronics, buttons and screens. We take off the stand and pedal, disconnect the cables and bag them with the charger, and wrap the unit with material that protects the controls. Do not forget the adaptor and small books; they go missing easily.
Ouds, guitars and violins
These are slim wooden instruments affected by heat, humidity and knocks. The oud in particular is common in our homes and very fragile. The best approach is to carry them yourself in your car in their hard case, not in the truck. If they must travel with us, they should be in the original case with extra padding, kept away from weight and in a shaded spot. Avoid leaving them in a closed car in the sun.
Tuning after the move
After arrival, leave the piano for some days before tuning, because a change of place and temperature affects the strings. Place it away from direct sun and from air-conditioner vents. For an oud or guitar, let the strings settle for some hours before tuning.
| Instrument | What we watch for |
|---|---|
| Upright piano | Several people, padded wrapping, a secured lid and a survey of the entrance |
| Digital piano and keyboard | Removing the stand, protecting controls and gathering accessories |
| Oud, guitar, violin | Best carried with you in the car in the hard case |
| Drums and percussion | Taking parts apart and wrapping skins and metal parts |
Tip: if you can, never put your oud in the truck bed; take it with you on the back seat in its case.
Request an instrument moving quote
Tell us the type of instrument and model if you know it, the city, the floor and whether there is a lift, with a photo of the current and new spaces.