Moving With Musical Instruments And Equipment: 5 Helpful Tips 

Moving is often a multi-layered and complex process, accompanied by stress and anxiety, as you have to go through many steps to get it right. And if in the case of an ordinary move to a new house or apartment, most people have an idea of ​​​​what needs to be done for a successful relocation, then when it comes to transporting bulky items, musical instruments, and equipment, the task becomes more difficult.

That is why the organization and planning of the entire moving process are crucial here. If you are living in Chicago or its suburbs and considering moving with your music studio, one of the main tips is to start looking for trusted movers in Chicago as early as possible, as such moves often require specialized equipment to transport your belongings safely. Because even small scratches and damage can not only spoil the appearance of the instrument but also affect the quality of its sound.

Moving can be intimidating, especially for the first time, as there are so many tasks involved in the process that we may not know exactly where to start.

Let’s take a look at some helpful tips on how to prepare for your move and how to organize the process to transport your equipment smoothly and stress-free.

Start Early 

This is a basic piece of advice applicable to any move. The more time you have, the better.

It is best to start preparing 3-6 months before the scheduled date. This will allow you to properly plan your move, organize the process, prioritize, and choose the best time to relocate to save money.

Sometimes we may not have enough time, so we have to plan everything on the go. But even in this case, the approach is the same. The main tasks to be solved are:

• Find a moving company and rent a truck
• Obtain packing materials for musical equipment
• Make a plan and checklist to track your progress
• Do a small part of tasks every day

Take An Inventory

The first thing to start with is to make an inventory list. Write down all the instruments, equipment, cables, and accessories you intend to move. This will give you a better idea of ​​the number of packing materials needed and the approximate cost of the move.

Determine if there is old or broken equipment that you no longer need. Sell it, throw it away, or take it apart for components.

Then sort the items by priority. Preparation for packing should begin with equipment that consists of several parts and requires disassembly before transportation (for example, drum kits). Next come large-sized items (piano, grand piano, double bass, etc.), then instruments that can be easily transported on your own (guitars, synthesizers, violins, etc.), and at the end of the list are accessories, cables, and other small parts.

Get The Supplies

This can be tedious, but collect all the packing materials you can find. These are bubble wrap, packing paper, polystyrene foam, pads, blankets, as well as specialized boxes for instruments and equipment.

You can search these materials online or contact music stores or manufacturers as they often have available supplies.

In addition, companies experienced in moving piano and other musical instruments and equipment can provide you with the necessary packing materials free of charge.

Packing Process

Once you’ve created an inventory list and prioritized items, start packing a portion of your belongings each day. You can do it yourself or hire a company, depending on your budget. It will also be useful to learn a few life hacks and packing tips.

Here it is essential to ensure that your items are securely packed and insulated from external factors such as moisture, dust, and cold air because all of these can damage the equipment.

Use bubble wrap on critical pieces of equipment to protect them from shock and moisture. Before packing the instruments in boxes, pieces of foam can be placed around the edges to provide cushioning. Also carefully seal the boxes with tape. 

Select labels, tags, and color codes. Label all your boxes and make records about it.

Before loading onto a truck, move the box a little to make sure that the instrument or equipment is securely packed. If you hear a thump or feel the instrument moving from side to side inside the box, repeat the packing process again.

Get Professional Assistance

Moving a music studio is a complex task, as the safety of your equipment is paramount. Thus, hiring professionals for this job makes the process easier and safer.

You can move some instruments yourself to save money, but large or expensive equipment is best transported by a company. This approach helps to avoid risks when loading, transporting and unloading musical equipment from a truck.

Research the available options beforehand and choose a company that either specializes in transporting musical instruments or has sufficient experience. You can also ask music stores for recommendations, as they often use moving services.