Transporting musical instruments during a move requires specific care: humidity, impact, pressure, temperature. Guitars, drum kits, violins, wind instruments, keyboards, professional amplification equipment — each category has its own particular needs. This guide covers how to pack and transport the most common musical instruments during a move (excluding the piano, which deserves its own dedicated guide at piano transport).
Common risks for instruments during moves
- Impact: drops or knocks during loading, especially on staircases
- Humidity: wooden instruments (guitars, violins, double basses) are highly sensitive
- Temperature: sudden changes crack the wood and put strings out of tune
- Pressure: the weight of other boxes on top can deform instruments inside their cases
- Vibration: during long journeys (by sea) screws and strings may work loose
Guitars: acoustic, electric, classical
Preparation
- Loosen the strings by half to one turn (do not remove them entirely). This reduces tension on the neck during long transport
- If you have a hard case: the safest method. Always use it
- If you only have a soft case: acceptable for short moves; for long distances it is better to buy a hard case
- For electric guitars: remove the vibrato arm (Floyd Rose, Bigsby) if it is detachable
External packaging
- Wrap the case in large bubble wrap
- Place in a reinforced cardboard box (musical instrument shops usually sell specific boxes)
- Label: "GUITAR – FRAGILE – DO NOT INVERT – DO NOT STACK"
- In the container: upright position, secured with straps, NEVER crushed by other boxes
Acoustic drum kits
Preparation
- Disassemble the entire kit: individual drums, hardware separately, cymbals in separate bags
- Remove the drum heads if you will not be using the kit for months (prevents deformation)
- Loosen the tuning: tension rods to half tension (reduces pressure on the hoops)
- Hardware (stands, pedals, supports): specific padded bag
Packaging
- Each drum in its individual padded bag
- If you do not have bags: individual cardboard boxes per drum with filling (towels, old clothes, crumpled paper)
- Cymbals: specific bag with dividers between each cymbal (do not stack without protection or they will scratch)
- Pedals (bass drum, hi-hat): specific padded bag
Professional tip
A full drum kit takes up the equivalent of 6–10 boxes. If your move is large, it is worth disassembling and packing piece by piece. If the move is short and the kit is mid-range, consider ordering professional packing (cost 80–150 €) to avoid damage.
Violins, violas, cellos
Preparation
- Loosen the bow hair (release the screw) — leaving it tight can cause breakage or deformation
- Slightly loosen the strings (do not remove them entirely)
- Place in its hard case, closed correctly
- Check that the instrument's sound post (internal rod) is correctly positioned
For long-distance moves (intercontinental, by sea)
- Consider a climate-controlled case if your instrument is of high value (>3,000 €)
- Silica gel bags inside the case to control humidity
- Case humidifier (Dampit, OASIS) adjusted correctly
Cellos
Due to its size (~1.2 m), the cello is especially delicate. A hard case is mandatory for moving. Some professional cellists prefer to transport it personally in the aircraft cabin (buying an additional seat ~600–1,000 €) rather than in a removal container.
Wind instruments
Woodwind (clarinet, oboe, flute, bassoon)
- Disassemble into the separate sections (bell, body, keys)
- Each section in its specific compartment in the original case
- Reeds in their specific box with a humidifier
- Silica gel bags in the case for humidity control
Brass (saxophone, trumpet, trombone, tuba)
- Remove the mouthpiece and store in a separate bag
- Empty and clean out condensation water (important before the journey)
- For saxophones: use a specific hard case (soft cases do not protect well)
- Clean the interior with a brush before packing (prevents corrosion)
Keyboards and synthesisers
Preparation
- Switch off and unplug everything
- Remove batteries (if any) — they can leak during long transport
- Disconnect pedals, ribbon controllers, etc.
- If it is a portable keyboard: cover the keys with a soft cloth (an old T-shirt)
Packaging
- Original box if you still have it; otherwise an exact-size box with padding
- Bubble wrap around the entire keyboard
- Label "KEYBOARD – FRAGILE – DO NOT STACK"
- If heavy (Hammond, Rhodes, Wurlitzer): consider a specialist professional service
Professional amplification equipment
Combos and heads
- Disconnect all cables and store them labelled
- For valve amplifiers: special care, valves are fragile. Some models require removing the valves and packing them separately
- Original box or reinforced box with anti-shock padding
- Label with the correct orientation (some must not be transported horizontally)
Large speaker cabinets
- Specific padded cover
- Corners protected with corner protectors
- Upright position in the container
- DO NOT stack other boxes on top
Mixers, pedalboards, racks
- Flight case if you have one (the best option)
- Effects pedalboards: specific padded bag
- Cards/cables/jacks: labelled zip-loc bag
- For professional racks: specific rack case if available
What you should NEVER do
- Pack the day before: loosen strings in advance (24–48h), not at the last minute
- Leave the case in the sun: the internal temperature can reach 60°C and destroy varnishes/strings
- Stack heavy boxes on top: pressure deforms wood and cases
- Remove the strings entirely for a short move (can dislodge the sound post of a violin or the bridge of a guitar)
- Use soft cases for long-distance or international moves
Specific insurance for instruments
The standard third-party liability insurance for removals covers accidental breakage. For high-value instruments (>3,000 €):
- Request declared-value insurance: 1–2% of the value
- Provide a recent professional appraisal of the instrument
- Keep original purchase receipts and photos
- For professional instruments: consider a specific instrument policy (Lloyd's, Allianz Musik) during the moving period
Frequently asked questions about transporting instruments during a move
Is it better to take my guitars in my car rather than in the container?
If you are moving by road and have space in the car, yes, it is the safest option. The instruments travel with you, and you control both temperature and impact. Especially recommended for instruments with high sentimental value.
What about a sea move to the Canary Islands?
For the most sensitive instruments (a valuable violin, vintage guitars, professional wind instruments), consider taking them on the plane with you. As checked baggage in a hard case, or small cases (acoustic guitar, violin, wind instrument) as cabin baggage. The sea container (10–15 days with temperature variations) can damage delicate instruments.
Do you also transport upright pianos?
Yes, see the dedicated guide: piano transport. We have specialist equipment for upright and grand pianos.
How much does professional instrument packing cost?
It depends on the instrument:
- Acoustic/electric guitar: 25–50 €
- Full drum kit: 100–180 €
- Violin/viola: 40–70 €
- Cello: 80–150 €
- Saxophone: 35–60 €
- Professional keyboard: 50–100 €
Packing includes specific materials + assembly + labelling + additional insurance.
Do I need to tune the instruments again when I arrive?
Yes, all instruments require retuning after a move due to changes in humidity and temperature. If the change of location is significant (mainland Spain → the Canary Islands, cold → hot), wait 24–48 hours before retuning so the instrument can acclimatise. Tuning while the instrument is still "cold" can result in multiple retunings within a few hours.
Is there a risk of customs problems when moving internationally with instruments?
Not for personal instruments. If you are carrying a professional instrument with a high declared value (>5,000 €), it is advisable to have a recent appraisal proving that it is for personal use and not for sale. For instruments with CITES-listed woods (some vintage guitars with Brazilian rosewood, ivory, etc.) consult the specific regulations before an international move.
Professional instrument transport in the Canary Islands
At Horizont Atlantic we have extensive experience with both professional and amateur musicians. Instrument-specific packing, declared-value insurance, and personalised advice based on your collection. Request a quote specifying the type and quantity of instruments.
