Storage Tips for Musical Instruments

Musical instruments can vary in size which makes them one of the most difficult items to prepare for storage. From a free-standing piano or organ to a tiny flute, many people seem perplexed at how to pack them. The simplest solution for the smaller instruments is to place them in their original storage cases, but even then, moisture and humidity in the rental unit can cause problems. The other problem is that all instruments are made from different materials such as wood, brass, skins and strings. There are many parts on even the most basic instruments, and much can go wrong if they are packed and stored incorrectly. But, with our few handy tips, it should be a breeze to put those musical instruments into storage.

Keep Instruments Off the Floor

Once you have placed your musical instruments in their proper boxes, be sure to store them up off the floor. The floor is going to be colder, and the temperature changes more according to the outdoors. For the same reason, do not place instruments in front of heating and cooling vents, or the doors of the storage unit. Instead, place the instruments on top of other boxes, or at least on wood pallets or skids. Further, cover the instrument cases with cotton sheets in order to keep the dust at bay.

Clean and Disassemble Before Packing

Cleaning "mouth-used" instruments such as horns, flutes, saxophones and trombones will help to prevent rust and pitting. Also, if possible, the mouthpiece, in some instruments made from reed and others brass, should be removed for storage. Strings on guitars should be loosened so that they do not become brittle and snap while being stored. Any removed parts should be carefully packed in the boxes with the instruments for which they were intended.

Use Professionals When Needed

Typically, pianos and specific types of organ should be moved and stored by professional companies only. The inner workings of these instruments are delicate, and experts will best handle the preparations for the storage, the transportation of the items, and the subsequent unpacking of the pianos and organs.

Climate Controlled Units Are Better

If the instruments are quite valuable, either in cost, or because you are a band member and the group is storing the instruments temporarily, you might choose a climate controlled storage unit. More than likely, you will have other equipment, as well, such as mixers, amplifiers, receivers, speakers, and DVDs. Everything combined would be a major loss if something happened, so having the temperature set and left at the same throughout the storage period will be advantageous.

Take Precautions with Drums

The wide fluctuations of humidity and temperature, due to outside weather, is a problem for wood instruments and the skins on drums. Typically, what happens is, the constant changing causes the materials to expand and contract. Needless to say, much damage is caused to drums, since a perfect sound depends on the state of the materials. Some experts recommend placing the drums into hard cases, while others feel that soft cases are sufficient. The real issue is the amount of time the drums will remain in a storage unit. With both types of cases, everything should be covered over to keep the dust away. If you do not have access to climate controlled storage, at the very least, buy some gel silica packets to keep the moisture out.