Why a grand piano is dismantled
The legs of a grand piano carry the weight only straight downwards. Sideways forces, which arise unavoidably when carrying down a staircase, they cannot take. A grand piano transported on its legs may lose them, and the body with them.
So the legs and the lyre are removed, the body is tipped onto its straight side, strapped to the padded piano board and moved on its castors. At the destination we put everything back together.
People and route
A baby grand weighs around 300 kilograms, a concert grand well over 400. We work accordingly with four to six people, depending on the route and the stairs.
In older Lucerne buildings with winding staircases the route through the house is often impossible. Then the furniture lift comes, which for grand pianos is more the rule than the exception.
Climate and where to place it
A grand piano reacts more strongly to room climate than an upright, because the soundboard is larger and more exposed. It should stand neither directly against an outside wall nor next to a radiator nor in full sun.
If the instrument has to go into storage in between, we recommend climate controlled storage; ordinary storage rooms swing too much across the seasons.
How the grand piano transport runs
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Survey
We check the route, the stairs, the door dimensions and the lift at both addresses.
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Quote
You receive a fixed price including the furniture lift if needed, and the insured value.
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Dismantling and transport
Legs and lyre off, body onto the piano board, secured for the journey.
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Reassembly
Rebuilt at the destination and placed where you want it.
Frequently asked questions
Is a grand piano really always dismantled?
For every transport beyond the same room, yes. It is the only way to protect the legs, which cannot take sideways forces.
How many people does a grand piano transport need?
Four to six, depending on the size and the route. For a concert grand down a staircase, more likely six.
Do we need a furniture lift?
In older buildings with a winding staircase, almost always. We check that at the survey and say so beforehand, not on the day.
When should it be tuned after the move?
One to two weeks later, once the instrument has settled into the new room climate.
