Packing and Shipping Information

Blackstone Valley Piano requires the keys and keyframe for all key recovering and most major restorations/repairs. Proper packaging of your keys and keyframe will help ensure that they are not damaged during shipping.

We can provide you with a container for shipping your keys or keyframe separately or for shipping your keys and keyframe together, whichever it is that you need. Blackstone Valley Piano has an account with Federal Express and UPS to keep shipping costs down, we can arrange to have your packages picked up, delivered to us and returned to you at no additional cost. Call ahead and we'll make the arrangements.

A word of caution, shipping your packages from a postal center, mailbox facility or shipping outlet will add at least 40% to the cost of shipping, these companies are authorized shipping agencies but charge a considerable fee for their convenience.

Packing and shipping the keys on the keyframe

Wrap the entire keyboard in plastic wrap and make sure to cover the tops and the backchecks. Lay out the cardboard shipping box and open it up, set down a layer of foam in the back and bottom of the box. Then slide in keyboard, put foam on sides of the keyframe and on the top, fill up any remaining space with packing material and put foam in the front of the keys also. Tape the box closed and ship. A slideshow of this procedure is available for viewing.

Packing and shipping the keyframe for repair

Remove the screws that hold the top lid on. Wrap masking tape around the front and balance rail pins, this will prevent the punchings from falling off in transit. Place the keyframe in the case and shift it to one corner of the case. Place two pieces of wood, one on the front and one on the back of the keyframe, and insert the screws into the two pieces of wood from the bottom of the case. This will hold the keyframe snug in the case. Replace the screws in the top lid and snug down by hand or with a screw gun set on its lowest torque setting to prevent stripping out the wood. A slideshow of this procedure is available for viewing.

Packing and shipping the keys without the keyframe

In a sufficiently large cardboard box we recommend taping the keys up in bundles of 7-10 or so. Place a layer of packing in the bottom of the box then stack 15-20 keys per row. Pack well between rows and stagger them keytop over capstan, capstan over keytop. This will save space especially with grand keys and uprights with long capstan extensions. A slideshow of this procedure is available for viewing.

Once all of the keys are neatly stacked in the box, you must fill up the empty space. I prefer cardboard, air packs, paper and peanuts, in that order. If there is empty space the keys will shift and slide around and the box will crush most likely resulting in damage. Tape the box closed with clear or stranded packaging tape or duct tape. Masking tape is not strong enough and will rip. We have not had a set of keys or keyframe get damaged that we know of, and don’t want you to be the first.

Removing the keyframe from an upright piano

A slideshow of this procedure is available for viewing.

Mail packages to:

Blackstone Valley Piano
c/o Michael Morvan
76 Sutton Street
Uxbridge, Massachusetts 01569
(508)278-9762

Recommendations and options

• Insurance for replacement value
• Tracking number
• Delivery confirmation
• Call ahead and let us know if you ship a package so we know to look out for it. I have had carriers leave packages in the rain, snow and burning sun on many occasions.

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