How to Pack Move Drum Set into New House: 7 Tips to Know

Moving is never easy: many fragile items require careful protection. Neglecting preparation is a must if you plan to transport instruments. The safety of your drum set depends on your actions. But you can prepare yourself with simple and effective drum set moving tips.

Why Moving a Drum Set Requires Special Care

You can protect the body and leather of your instrument from damage. Simply pay attention to proper preparation for the move. By contacting 5 Points Moving, you’ll save time and money. Plus, you won’t have to worry about the safety of such a fragile item.

Tip #1: Never skimp on covers and cases

Soft covers (trunks) are an excellent option for frequent city trips in your own car. Choose covers with a thick layer of padding and high-quality zippers. The padding should be at least 10-20 mm thick. Hard cases are essential for long trips.

Tip #2: Completely disassemble the kit

For comfortable moving a drum set disassemble the instrument using the following procedure:

• Remove all toms from their holders and cymbals from their stands;
• Disconnect the bass drum pedal;
• Fold all stands.

Do not overtighten the latches and clamps on the folded stands. Strong vibrations during travel can cause the metal to jam, making it impossible to assemble the kit.

Tip #3: Pay special attention to cymbals and drumheads

Cymbals should never be allowed to smash against each other or be under heavy weight. Use a special cymbal case with soft dividers between them. If there are no dividers, place thick cloth, pieces of felt, or bubble wrap between the cymbals.

While transport drums safely in a car, place the case with the cymbals flat on a flat surface and on top of all other cargo. Make sure the drumhead doesn’t come into contact with sharp corners of the hardware.

Tip #4: Protect the bass drum and rims

The bass drum is the largest and most expensive component of the kit. Its wooden rims are extremely susceptible to chipping. If you don’t have a special bass drum bag, wrap it in several layers of stretch film, or better yet, entrust the packing to musical instrument movers, as they know how to move a drum set.

Tip #5: Create a “life box” for hardware and small items

Drummers know how easy it is to lose felt pads, cymbal screws, tuning keys, and pedal springs. To pack drum set for moving, follow these life hacks.

For drum stands, use a long, sturdy bag with wheels (a hardware bag). Stands are heavy, so a regular duffel bag will quickly tear. Place a cloth between the metal parts inside the car to prevent them from rattling or scratching each other.

For small items, buy a small construction organizer or plastic container. Store all the wing nuts, wrenches, spare springs, dampers, and nuts in it.

Tip #6: The “Nested Doll” Method (Smart)

If space in the car is critically limited, resort to the “Nested Doll” method: remove the resonator heads and place the snare drum inside the floor tom, and the toms inside the bass drum. This is acceptable, but only if you follow strict rules:

• each inner drum should be wrapped in a thick layer of insulating material (bubble wrap, foam, or a thick blanket);
• there should be no free space between the shells.

Remember that this method wears out the screws and hardware due to the constant installation and removal of the heads. Use it only in extreme cases.

Tip #7: Proper Loading

Remember the rule: heavy on the bottom, fragile on the top. Place the hardware bag and bass drum on the floor. Place the toms on top (or nearby). Place the cymbals and snare drum on top.

Final Thoughts

Transporting your instrument requires responsibility. Make sure the kit won’t slide around in the trunk. Secure them with special straps. Wood “breathes” and reacts to humidity and temperature. If the kit does get cold while traveling, don’t remove it from its cases immediately upon arrival at the venue. Let it sit for 20-30 minutes, otherwise microcracks may appear in the wood and varnish, and the drumheads may lose tension.