Specialist Piano Movers
As specialist piano movers, we have the skills and experience to move your prized possession safely. We can provide piano removals in Edinburgh, Glasgow and across Scotland.
The first practical piano was built in 1700 by an Italian, Bartolomeo Cristofori, and the name comes from his original name for the instrument “Piano Et Forte”, meaning soft and loud.
Letford Removals Ltd has considerable experience in moving pianos, including some from very well-known musicians. Instruments moved can range from an Upright, a Baby Grand, the Boudoir Grand, up to the finest concert Grand pianos. Indeed some discerning customers still possess the now rarely seen Harpsichord.
All Letford Removals Ltd staff undergo rigorous training in preparing the instrument, packing or protecting the vulnerable parts, moving, unpacking and setting up, ready to be returned to the new home.
Call us today on 01786 461244 or use our Free Quotation form.
Tuning
Regrettably, a piano needs time to get used to any environment, as it must adjust to the humidity conditions.
We recommend waiting three weeks to allow the wooden parts to settle because they shrink and swell as the humidity changes. Then, ideally, pianos should be placed on an inside wall away from windows, doors and drafts.
Also, avoid central heating points that can dry out the piano, but do not try to compensate for this with a bowl of water. Finally, remember that, unlike other musical instruments you can store for years, the piano will need tuning even though it’s not used for the period in store.
The movement and humidity changes compromise the tuning.
Piano Sizes
A Grand piano is measured from the front of the keyboard to the back of the lid:
- Concert Grand – 8″ 11″ and larger
- Half Concert Grand – 7″4″
- Parlour Grand – 6″8″
- Drawing Room Grand – 6″4″
- Professional Grand – 6″
- Living room Grand – 5″10″
- Baby Grand – 5″8″
- Upright – 5″1″ and up
- Vertical – 36″ 51″
- Studio – 4″4 or taller
- Console – 42″
- Spinet – 36″ – 38″
The largest piano known is a Challen Concert Grand. This piano is 11-feet long, with a total string tension of over 30 tons, and weighs more than a ton.
Moving pianos is a precise operation and, because of their weight, vulnerability and, of course, value, should only be undertaken by professionals.
Assessment
Before we move a piano, we check for ease of access at the collection and delivery point. Access points are part of our thorough approach to planning a client’s move and ensure minimum customer fuss. In addition, any existing damage is pointed out and noted on a piano condition report, which is jointly signed. Damage is also photographed for the customer’s peace of mind.
From small upright pianos to concert grand pianos, we understand what is required for piano transportation. Letford Removals provides piano removal services throughout Scotland.
We place a high priority on piano safety. We make sure your piano is protected during the whole process. From start to end, your premises will be secure and protected. At Letford Removals, we ensure you will receive the highest standard of service supported with complete protection.
Packing & Removal
Carefully, the crew remove or tie down all that is appropriate for the model we handle. For example, piano parts that are vulnerable to damage, such as the music stand, pedal action and grand piano legs are removed and packaged, with keyboard lids removed or locked down.
We utilise a protective “shoe”, a unique platform placed under the piano to allow easier carrying and shield the piano, where we can use the piano wheels under the shoe to move it safely. In addition, if there is any risk of possible damage by the rubber wheels to the flooring, we provide floor coverings.
The packaging used on the piano will depend upon the nature of the piano, the customer’s specific requirements and the destination. Materials range from soft thick woollen transit blankets wrapped and tied to secure, using a high breaking strain furniture web for transportation.
It is a valuable item as well as a large and complex item whether it is an upright piano, concert grand piano, Steinway piano, or Bechstein piano. It is ideal to have a piano removal service and assure that the piano is in safe hands. At Letford Removals we can help.
While pianos are exquisite instruments, they are also quite complex, because they’re big, and heavy, but have fragile parts.
Even without the added complication of moving this vulnerable piece around a home, pianos often prove to be challenging and heavy pieces to handle and lift. Manoeuvring can be as important as the transportation itself when it comes to reaching penthouses and basements and manoeuvring up and down staircases.
Transporting pianos in a secure manner can also be problematic. Specialist equipment is used to make sure pianos are properly protected during shipping so there is minimal damage to the instrument.
A piano must be moved safely by a specialist piano removal company.
Contact Us Today – Get A FREE Quote
It all starts with a phone call to better understand your moving requirements before providing a bespoke quotation based on what you need for your move. So get in touch with us today on 01786 461244.
Tell Us About Your Move
