When you’re a musician, your instrument might as well be your baby. You would do just about anything to make sure it stays safe and in pristine condition. That becomes harder to do when you’re moving and a variety of factors feel out of your control. Stressing over putting your guitar in the back of a moving fan with a dozen other pieces of furniture can be nerve-wracking. Worrying about your violin or cello getting smashed by someone who doesn’t know how to handle it can make you anxious.
Take a deep breath.
Moving is a part of life, and if you’re a musician, your instruments are coming with you. Thankfully, there are several steps you can take to ensure the safety and protection of your stringed musical treasures.
With a bit of planning and proper packing techniques, you can enjoy a successful move without worrying too much about the safety of your stringed instruments.
Preparing a Checklist
A moving checklist can be helpful whether you have instruments or not, but it’s a necessity when you’re hauling precious cargo like your prized violin or your Gibson.
Having a plan in place – especially in the form of a checklist — will help you to keep things organized and stress-free as you prepare for your move. It might include things like:
- How many trips you’ll need to make;
- Whether to hire moving professionals;
- Considering which items might be difficult to move;
- Considering the space in your new home;
- Packing must-haves first.
This is also a good time to consider decluttering and potentially parting with items you no longer want, need, or use — including instruments. It can be difficult to part with instruments, especially if you’ve had them for a while. But, if you no longer use certain ones or you’ve made upgrades, it’s worth it to try to sell or donate them. Doing so will reduce stress, make it easier to prioritize packing your prized instruments, and you can take some comfort in knowing your stringed instrument will get a second life with someone else.
Packing the Right Way
First and foremost, if you don’t already have a hard case for your guitar, violin, or any other stringed instrument you plan on moving with, it’s a worthwhile investment. A soft body case is great for gigs and quick traveling since it’s light and easy to carry. But, if your instrument is going to be away from you and potentially “tossed around” in a moving truck, a hard body case is its first line of defense.
The next step is to pack it so your instrument doesn’t get jostled around inside the case itself. You can do that by filling in any gaps with clean towels, clothes, or bubble wrap. Pay special attention to make sure the neck of the instrument is protected.
Finally, pack the instruments into a truck, van, or even your car the right way. Instead of having their own designated space, consider packing your instruments on top of everything else —including your packed boxes, furniture, etc. This will allow you to keep an eye on them and check at every rest stop to ensure they aren’t moving around too much. It also reduces the risk of them getting smashed by a large piece of furniture.
Keeping Your Instruments Safe in a New Space
Hopefully, with the right packing and prepping techniques, your stringed instruments will arrive at your new place without so much as a scratch. But, now it’s time to consider how you can keep them in pristine condition once you take them out of the cases and display them in your practice area.
One of the best ways to ensure they stay safe in a new space is to create an ideal environment for them. Stringed instruments can be “picky” when it comes to temperature. They should be in an environment that consistently remains at 60-70 degrees with about 50% humidity. This will help to ensure the wood doesn’t warp or crack. At the very least, it will also help to keep your instruments in tune.
An easy way to ensure your instrument room stays at the right temperature is to invest in smart home technology. Smart thermostats are becoming more popular thanks to their ease of use. You can install one quickly, hook it up to your phone, and control it remotely no matter where you are. You’ll be able to monitor the temperature of your instrument room 24/7 and make adjustments even when you’re not home. As a bonus, smart thermostats can save you energy and money on your utility bills.
Moving can be stressful enough without having to worry about the well-being of your instruments, whether you’re traveling across the country or the world. With a little time and effort, you can eliminate that “extra” stress and have peace of mind in knowing your instruments will get to your new place safely, so you can enjoy your first jam session in your new home right away.
By Indiana Lee
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