Crossedover Posted February 10, 2014 Report Share Posted February 10, 2014 My husband would love to take our piano .... I just see all the complications with moving and then moving again until we find where we want to be. He is unable to play but wants to learn so it is not as if it is an essential part of our lives. Has anybody taken a piano with them? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jordy Posted February 10, 2014 Report Share Posted February 10, 2014 I cant see it being any different to any other furniture. The only thing that is a negative to me is that generally they build a huge wooden crate around the piano (as they do with large mirrors). This doubles the size of the piano and of course costs you to have it done. So if you have the space in the container then go for it, but if you are short on space then give it a miss. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Johnno Posted February 10, 2014 Report Share Posted February 10, 2014 Unless you move yourself, moving is an expensive exercise in Oz and since you'll be renting there will no doubt be more than one move involved. Unless the paino is a collectable or it has sentimental value, leave it behind. It's like pets. As much as we love them, the cost and hassle with finding pet friendly rental homes is very tough. We found a very loving home for our dogs months before we left SA and it was the best (and cheapest) thing ever Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RichardH Posted February 10, 2014 Report Share Posted February 10, 2014 I think the costs of moving a Piano from rental to rental could be huge since most removal companies are likely to charge an extra fee to handle it.. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sunnyskies Posted February 10, 2014 Report Share Posted February 10, 2014 We brought a piano with us. It costs about $100 to move in each move. Now that my son is taking lessons we have realised that it will probably never be in tune again and it will have to be replaced. Speaking to professionals they say that a piano has a lifespan unless kept in tip top condition at all times and even then it needs a major overhaul every now and again.If you just want something to bang away on then you can pick up a cheap one no hassles. If you want a good quality piano, second hand yamahas that come out of the music schools cost about $3,500. For now my son plays a piano that I don't believe can be tuned properly (we have tried) from the 1940s - courtesy of my mother in law! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
McCabes Posted February 10, 2014 Report Share Posted February 10, 2014 I wouldn't... technically a piano should be tuned after every move, and that's an expensive excercise on it's own.Rather check on the other side for a decent second hand one, or look into getting an electronic one, as with those you don't have to worry about moving or tuning all the time. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sunnyskies Posted February 10, 2014 Report Share Posted February 10, 2014 Yes, a piano needs to be tuned after each move and every 6 months even if not moving. Piano tuners here are good and can rebuild and replace the strings and keys if necessary, but at the cost you should just buy a new piano.Walking through a music shop a few weeks ago I saw new pianos for $6,500.So, in sum I would say bring your piano if you play regularly and it's a good piano. Otherwise leave it behind, it's not worth the hassle and you are so caught up with other things when you arrive you won't take lessons for a couple of years anyway. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bronwyn&Co Posted February 10, 2014 Report Share Posted February 10, 2014 We bought a digital piano on a rent-to-buy deal for $70pm for about 18 months (I think). It's not a masterpiece but it plays amazingly well & best of all, the learner can use earphones while practising also you can upload what you play to a pc (I think). We don't even really notice the payment, and there are no hassles with tuning. My son is teaching himself from Youtube tutorials. 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
patrice Posted February 10, 2014 Report Share Posted February 10, 2014 we brought our old very heavy piano - two guys with trollies moved it no problem - twice Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Crossedover Posted February 10, 2014 Author Report Share Posted February 10, 2014 Thanks everyone.... Decisions, decisions.... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RYLC Posted February 14, 2014 Report Share Posted February 14, 2014 I've been in Oz for 14 years with a fair number of moves and I'd say don't bring it. You have no idea what sort of house you'll end up in. The humidity / dryness of wherever you choose to live will play havoc with the inner workings, it's really heavy and if it has ivory keys I think you may have trouble getting it through. Golden rule: when in doubt, don't.If I was coming again I wouldn't bring appliances (White goods) or beds. You need those straight away and don't have time to wait 6 weeks for a container. We camped in our first house and didn't have kids so not too bad but I wouldn't do it again. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jamie Posted April 17, 2014 Report Share Posted April 17, 2014 Sorry about chipping in now, but I've only just seen this topic. Just a word of advice if you are moving your piano. Make sure that your removal company is up to speed with the Cites permit requirements.We are in the midst of an ongoing dispute (since Oct 2013) after moving my father-in-law's boudoir grand piano to our neice in London. Stuttafords omitted to give us any indication that we would require a Cites permit, as the keys are ivory. Piano has been impounded since arrival in the UK and they are threatening to destroy it. Cites SA and the UK authorities can't agree on what is needed and it is a complete and utter nightmare!!!Sounds like a few people have successfully moved their pianos to Aus so it looks like they got the right advice, thank goodness! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Diveup Posted April 21, 2014 Report Share Posted April 21, 2014 I brought our piano and after three moves it was a waste of money bringing it from Johannesburg. The piano keys started to get stuck and every move the piano added $100. At the end the end I had to give it away for free as nobody wanted it on Gumtree. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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