How to Move Your Musical Instruments Safely and Securely

Last Updated: March 2026

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These moving tips apply to instruments worth $500 or $50,000. Temperature shifts crack violin tops. Humidity changes warp guitar necks. A single bump can knock a piano out of tune for months. Musical instruments are among the most damage-prone items on any moving truck because they combine fragile materials, precise calibration, and shapes that don't fit standard boxes. Safebound Moving & Storage (USDOT 2900155) has completed 35,000+ moves with a 4.9-star rating from 2,401 Google reviews. Get a free quote or call 561-510-7191.

Moving a Piano

Pianos are the heaviest and most complex instruments to move. An upright piano weighs 300 to 800 pounds. A grand piano weighs 500 to 1,200 pounds. Both contain thousands of moving parts that respond to vibration, impact, and temperature.

Upright pianos are wrapped in blankets and secured to a piano board, then tilted onto a four-wheel dolly for transport. The keyboard lid stays closed and locked or taped. Grand pianos require more steps: the lid is removed and wrapped separately, the legs are detached and padded, and the body is placed on its side on a piano board.

Never move a piano in a pickup truck or open trailer. Exposure to sun, rain, or wind causes immediate damage to the finish and internal components. Safebound's enclosed moving trucks protect pianos from weather and road debris during transport. After delivery, wait 2 to 4 weeks before tuning. The instrument needs time to acclimate to the new room's temperature and humidity.

Moving Guitars and String Instruments

Guitars, violins, cellos, and other string instruments travel best in their hard cases. If you don't have a hard case, wrap the instrument in a soft cloth, then surround it with bubble wrap and place it in a box with padding on all sides. Loosen the strings by one full turn before packing. This reduces tension on the neck during transport, which prevents warping from vibration and temperature changes.

Acoustic guitars are particularly vulnerable because the top is a thin piece of wood held under constant tension by the strings. A sudden temperature drop can crack the top. On long-distance moves from Florida, where the truck may travel through colder climates, the temperature inside the cargo area changes significantly. If the instrument is irreplaceable or worth more than $1,000, transport it in your own climate-controlled vehicle.

Electric guitars are more durable but still need case protection. Detach the strap, loosen strings, and place the guitar in its hardshell case with a small silica gel packet to control moisture.

Moving Drums and Percussion

Drum kits disassemble into individual components: shells, hardware, and cymbals. Remove all heads and pack them separately in padded bags. Wrap each shell in a blanket or towel and stack them inside each other if sizes allow, with padding between layers. Cymbal bags protect against cracks and dents. Hardware (stands, pedals, throne) goes in a hardware case or a sturdy box with padding.

Snare drums and toms are resilient but scratch easily. Electronic drum kits need their cables labeled and taped to the corresponding pads so reassembly is straightforward. Pack the brain module separately in its original box or wrapped in anti-static material.

Moving Brass and Woodwind Instruments

Trumpets, saxophones, clarinets, and flutes travel in their original cases. Remove the mouthpiece and pack it separately to prevent damage to the receiver. For saxophones, close all keys and place a soft cloth inside the bell to prevent the body from flexing during transport.

Brass instruments dent on impact. Even inside a case, a hard bump can push a bell out of round. Place the case inside a padded box or between soft items in the truck, never under heavy boxes. Woodwinds with wooden bodies (oboes, clarinets) are sensitive to humidity changes and should be in a climate-controlled space whenever possible.

What Movers Handle and What You Should Carry

Professional movers handle pianos, drum kits, amplifiers, and large items that require equipment to move safely. Safebound's crew wraps and loads these items onto the truck with blankets and straps. For smaller instruments worth more than $1,000, carry them in your own vehicle where you control the climate and handling.

Safebound's local rates for moves that include musical instruments:

Crew SizeHourly RateMinimum2 movers$135/hr$5403 movers$180/hr$7204 movers$225/hr$900

Every local job includes 3 hours of labor plus 1 travel hour. Piano moves may add time depending on stairs, tight corners, and distance from the truck to the instrument. Long-distance moves are priced by shipment size and distance. Request a free quote or call 561-510-7191.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much does it cost to move a piano?

Piano moving cost depends on the piano type, distance, and access. An upright piano on a local move with a 3-mover crew at $180 per hour typically adds 30 to 60 minutes to the total job. Grand pianos require more time for disassembly and reassembly. Safebound includes piano handling as part of the hourly rate with no separate piano surcharge. Call 561-510-7191 for a quote that includes your piano.

Should I loosen guitar strings before a move?

Yes. Loosen each string by one full turn to reduce neck tension during transport. Temperature and humidity changes during a move cause wood to expand and contract. Full string tension combined with wood movement can warp the neck or crack the top on acoustic guitars. Retune after the instrument acclimates to the new environment for at least 24 to 48 hours.

Can movers handle musical instruments?

Professional movers handle pianos, drum kits, amplifiers, and large speakers. Safebound's crew blanket-wraps instruments, uses piano boards and straps for uprights and grands, and secures all items in the truck to prevent shifting. For smaller high-value instruments like violins, guitars, and brass, transport them in your own vehicle for maximum climate and handling control.

How do I protect instruments in a moving truck?

Hard cases are the first layer of protection. Inside the truck, instruments should be loaded between padded items, never under heavy boxes. Piano boards and straps prevent pianos from shifting. Drum shells nest inside each other with padding between layers. The crew loads instruments after heavy furniture so they sit on top, where they receive less vibration and are unloaded first.

Is $100 per person a good tip for movers?

For a move involving pianos or fragile instruments, $100 per mover is generous and appropriate given the care required. For standard local moves, $20 to $40 per mover is typical. Base the amount on job difficulty: stairs, heavy or fragile items, and total hours worked. Tips are not required but are appreciated for good work.

How long before a move should I start packing instruments?

Start packing instruments 3 to 5 days before moving day. This gives you time to source hard cases, packing materials, and silica gel packets. Loosen strings on guitars and other string instruments at least 24 hours before the move so the wood adjusts gradually. Leave pianos in place until moving day since the crew handles the wrapping and transport.

What items will movers not pack?

Federal regulations prohibit movers from transporting hazardous materials including propane, gasoline, paint thinner, pool chemicals, and ammunition. Perishable food and open liquids cannot go on the truck. Musical instruments are not restricted, but irreplaceable instruments valued over $1,000 should travel in your own vehicle for maximum protection.

Does Safebound insure musical instruments during a move?

Safebound carries $750,000 in insurance coverage on every move. Individual item claims fall under the valuation level you select: Released Value Protection covers $0.60 per pound per item at no cost, and Full Value Protection covers repair or replacement at current market value. For instruments valued over $100 per pound, declare them on the High Value Inventory form before moving day.
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Licensed (USDOT 2900155 | MC MC00975408 | FL IM2839), insured ($750,000), and certified: BBB Accredited, ProMover Certified, AMSA Member, Forbes Featured. Safebound Moving & Storage, headquartered in West Palm Beach, Florida, serves the continental United States. Verify credentials at fdacs.gov or safer.fmcsa.dot.gov