How to Pack a Synthesizer for Moving

When moving, the last thing you want is something precious like your antique acoustic piano or your digital keyboard breaking due to inadequate packaging. Musical instruments can be pretty delicate. If not carefully handled when moving, they can easily break. 

So if you are not hiring a full-service piano moving service, how do you ensure that your keyboard gets to its new home safely? Here are tips and tricks to help you package your keyboard DIY safely and avoid any accidents.

Choose the Right Packaging

Portable pianos are made for easier transportation - hence the name. However, you must pack it with great care to avoid causing damage. Consider investing in a keyboard hard case for long trips, e.g., interstate moving, or if you are using it for regular traveling gigs and moving it a lot. Otherwise, ensure to use a hard-sided soft case or, at the very least, a padded keyboard bag.

The right packaging is the first step to ensuring that you transport your instrument safely while moving.

Disassemble Your Musical Instrument

After choosing the proper packaging, the next step is to disassemble your synthesizer. The process should follow the instrument’s manufacturer’s instructions. However, it typically involves separating the keyboard from the console and separating the legs, pedals, and music stand.

There are many instructions and tutorials on how to dismantle a keyboard online.

Protect the Keys and Stay Organized

A piano’s keys are the most delicate part of the whole instrument. So while dismantling it, handle it with care as even the slightest mishap can break off the ends of the keys and cause significant damage. 

Also, remember ti stay as organized as possible. You do not want to get to your final destination and find that a part of your instrument is missing or was forgotten.

Now Pack Your Keyboard

Now that your keyboard is dismantled and ready, it is time to pack it. You need to ensure that you use enough padding to have the instrument snug fit inside the package to ensure it doesn’t slide and jack around during transport.

Note: Even with a hard case, you still need padding.

Here is a step-by-step guide:

What You Will Need

1. Package (a hard case, a soft case, or a keyboard bag)
2. Bubble wrap
3. Packing peanuts (or any packing material of your choice)
4. Packing tape
5. Scissors 

Process

1. Ensure that your case or box is the right size for your keyboard. It should have 2-3” around all dimensions of your instrument. 
2. Bubble wrap your keyboard with 2-3 layers of wrap and tape it into place using the packing tape. 
3. Place the power chord on the portable pianos and make 2 more layers of bubble wrap. 
4. Place 2-3” of packing peanut into the box or case and slide the instrument in. 
5. Now line all sides snug with the packing peanuts. 

Note: A quick test to see if the keyboard is safely packaged is to check if the package passes the shake test. If there is no movement in the package when you shake it, you are good to go.

 Conclusion

If in doubt, consort a professional (your moving company should be able to help or recommend a qualified professional). Local movers also provide full-service moving, which includes professional packaging.  It is especially crucial to talk to a professional when you are moving long-distance, e.g., to another state.

Give us a call at (800) 430-1537 to experience extraordinary service from the best moving company in town!