How To Pack Drums for Moving – Essential Tips and Tricks

January 8, 2025 / Posted in How-to
Maya Brown

Born in Atlanta, Maya has called many places home in her lifetime. She's a content writer and moving expert who loves to help people relocate smoothly.

Drums – they’re loud, they’re proud, and when it’s time to move, they can be surprisingly fragile. Figuring out how to pack drums for moving can feel like prepping for a tour – except instead of hitting the stage, you’re just hitting the road (and hoping the snare doesn’t hit the floor). Here’s everything you need to know about drum moving, packing, shipping, and everything in between.

A white and gray drum set
The jam needs to follow you anywhere you go - here's how to keep it safe

This task requires careful preparation to keep each piece safe. Start by gathering essential materials like bubble wrap, blankets, and sturdy boxes or hard cases. Wrap each piece individually, paying special attention to fragile parts like drumheads and cymbals. Secure everything with tape, label your boxes, and ensure they’re properly cushioned in the box.

Drumming up a Smooth Move – Why Drum Packing Takes Extra Care

Did you know that the largest drumming set in the world boasts a jaw-dropping 813 pieces? Yep, someone out there decided they needed an entire percussion army. Now, while your kit is probably a bit more manageable (thankfully), it still deserves some serious TLC when it’s time to move.

Whether it’s a simple 5-piece set or a custom kit that’s been your pride and joy, it deserves proper packing organization and a completely safe move.

That’s a whole lot more than just tossing the pieces in the back of the car and hoping for the best!

The oldest drums found date back to 6000 BC

Relocating to another state is already chaotic as it is, and if the drum set isn’t properly packed? Well, let’s just say those cymbals could end up looking flatter than usual. After all, this kit is your prized possession, and it deserves to be treated like the rockstar it is.

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These Rhythm Machines Are Fragile in Their Own Special Way

Shipping musical instruments can get quite tricky, and figuring out how to efficiently pack a drum is no exception. Drums are like eggs with a leather jacket – cool, but easily cracked. Each part of the kit has its own special weakness. Shells can get dinged, heads can puncture, and cymbals don’t take kindly to rough handling. So yeah, this task is a bit like wrapping up fragile items that just happen to make a lot of noise.

A person playing the drums
This instrument can be surprisingly fragile

Having the Right Materials Is the Heartbeat of This Cross-Country Moving Journey

This is not the time to improvise with old grocery bags and a roll of tape you found in the junk drawer. To avoid turning the kit into a pile of sad, dented percussion pieces, having the right packing materials is absolutely essential.

If it’s already starting to sound like too much work (because let’s face it, it is), getting full packing services from a relocation and car shipping company such as Flat Price Auto Transport and Moving is always an option. The long-distance movers will come with their own packaging materials, and they’ll expertly wrap everything up. Here’s what you’ll need to properly protect your drum babies:

  • Bubble wrap to cushion each piece like the fragile gem it is,
  • Packing blankets for extra protection around those larger shells and hardware,
  • Foam padding to put between the cymbals to stop them from clashing together in transit,
  • Strong tape so everything can be wrapped securely,
  • Labels so you don’t have to play the guessing game while unpacking after the move.

Boxes and Cases – Choosing the Right Size for Each Drum Piece

Specialized bags and hard cases are the best choices when it comes to transport. They’re sturdy, offer excellent protection, and make sure the kit doesn’t get bruised on the way to its new home. Either option is the ultimate way to pack drums for shipping.

If hard cases aren’t in the cards, thick-walled cardboard boxes are your next best option. Just make sure to pick the right sizes – if it’s too big, the pieces will rattle around inside, too small, and you’ll be forcing it in like it’s a puzzle piece that doesn’t belong. Measure the diameter and depth of each drum, and make sure to choose boxes or cases with a little extra room for padding.

Flat Price Auto Transport and Moving Boxes
If you don't have any hard cases, quality boxes are the next best thing

How to Pack Drums for Moving One Step at a Time

Alright, you’ve got all the necessary supplies. Now it’s time to tackle the real deal – getting each piece of your beloved kit wrapped up and ready for the ride. Here’s how to handle everything:

The Bass Drum - The Foundation of Your Kit

Start with the bass drum because, let’s be real, it’s what holds everything together (literally and figuratively). Wrap it generously with bubble wrap, making sure every inch is cushioned. If you’re using a hard case, fit the bass drum in snugly, and if you’re going the box route, place it in a sturdy box with extra padding on all sides. This big guy is the foundation of your sound – treat it with the respect it deserves!

Wrapping up the Snare Drum - The Heartbeat of the Band

Next up is the snare drum, the one that always gets the spotlight (and for good reason). Wrap it in bubble wrap or a soft blanket to protect the shell and the head, especially the snare wires underneath. Secure it in a case or box, adding extra padding for good measure. That’s how you keep this essential piece safe and sound for its next performance.

Tom-Toms and Floor Toms - Keeping Them Safe in Transit

The tom-toms and floor toms may not steal the show, but they’re essential to your kit. Give each one the bubble-wrap treatment, paying extra attention to the drumheads. Once wrapped, place them in their respective cases or boxes, adding extra padding where needed. These guys are all about filling the sound, so make sure they arrive in one piece to keep your beats booming.

Cymbals and Hardware - Avoiding the Clash

Now for the cymbals, the most fragile (and dramatic) members of the family. Cymbals love to crash, but not during a cross-country move, so wrap each one in foam or a soft blanket to avoid any unwanted clashes. Stack them in a cymbal case, with padding in between each one to prevent metal-on-metal contact.

Don’t Forget the Small Stuff – Accessories Matter Too!

While the drums and cymbals get all the attention, accessories like drumsticks, pedals, and stands are next in line. First things first – drumsticks. You don’t want them rolling around like rogue pencils, so bundle them together and secure them in a bag or a small moving box. For pedals and smaller hardware, wrap them in bubble wrap to prevent them from turning into a pile of metal spaghetti mid-move.

As for the stands, break them down into their most compact forms and wrap them up like the awkward metal sculptures they are. Place them in a sturdy box or a hardware case, and throw in some extra padding for good measure.

Label Everything to Avoid Any Confusion

Moving day can turn into a game of Where’s Waldo if you don’t use labels. Slap one on every box – snare, bass, cymbals, and so on – so you don’t have to dig through random boxes later, wondering where your hi-hat stand went. You’ll be ready for a jam session in your future home as soon as you get there!

A checklist marked red with a red pen
It's a good idea to make an inventory of everything as well

Loading the Truck and Moving Drums – Here’s How to Handle It With Care

Loading the kit into the moving truck is a crucial part of the whole ordeal. The goal here? No dents, no scratches, no disaster. Start by loading the heaviest pieces first, like the bass drum and hardware, placing them at the back of the truck for stability. Make sure everything is cushioned and doesn’t bump against other furniture pieces.

Of course, this part can be tricky (and honestly, stressful), so why not let cross-country movers handle it? They’ve got experience, muscles, and probably some godly Tetris skills. All you’ve got to do is book long-distance moving services from a reliable relocation and auto transport company.

The pros will treat your kit like the precious cargo it is. They’ll strategically load everything to ensure nothing shifts or crashes into other items during transit. All in all, this means peace of mind – and let’s be real, a much smoother move.

Make Sure That Everything Is Nice and Secure

Once everything’s on the truck, it’s time to lock it down – literally. Use straps, bungee cords, or blankets to tie down the larger drum cases and boxes so they won’t slide around. No one wants to find out their bass drum has gone on a solo tour across the truck bed, right? Keeping everything tight and snug means your kit will arrive just as intact as when it left.

Flat Price auto transport company packing a truck with boxes
The pros will make sure everything gets through the trip unscathed

Here’s How to Get Your Kit Back in Top Shape After the Move

It’s time for the big moment – unpacking and setting everything back up. First things first, inspect each piece. Check for any scratches, dents, or loose parts before you start assembling. Hopefully, everything’s in one piece and ready to rock, but if something looks off, better to catch it now than during your first practice session.

After inspection, it’s time for the fun part – tuning up. Tighten up the heads, adjust the hardware, and make sure the cymbals are ringing like they should. Give everything a quick test run, and before you know it, your kit will be back to its old self, ready for some serious jam sessions in your new space!

A person holding a cymbal
When everything's said and done, it's time for a jam session!

It’s Easy to Move to the Beat With a Little Help From Our Long-Distance Moving Company

Now that you’re fully equipped with all the tips and tricks, there’s no reason to let the stress ruin your groove. From bubble-wrapping the snare to making sure the cymbals don’t turn into pancakes, you’ve got the knowledge to keep everything safe and sound on the road. Who knew drum-packing could be this… entertaining?

But if it still feels like more chaos than concert prep, why not let the professionals take over? Whether it’s packing, loading, or making sure your kit arrives ready to rock, our expert movers at Flat Price Auto Transport and Moving can handle it all. Contact us today and let’s make this move as smooth as your next jam session!

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