Moving a Bosendorfer or Fazioli: what changes for a premium grand

Moving a Bosendorfer or Fazioli is not the same as moving a standard grand, and the difference is not simply one of adding an extra crew member. Both instruments are built to a standard where the margin for handling errors is extremely small, and both carry a value that makes the consequences of a rough move significant. A specialist crew approaches either instrument differently at every stage: in the preparation, in the choice and condition of transit covers, in how the legs and lyre are handled, and in what is communicated to the client before and after the job. This article sets out what that looks like in practice.

For an immediate price on moving your Bosendorfer or Fazioli, go to book.pianospeed.com. If you want to talk through the method for your specific model before booking, call 020 7164 0000.

What makes a Bosendorfer different to move

Bosendorfer has been producing pianos in Vienna since 1828. The current range runs from the 175 baby grand up to the 290 Imperial, the instrument with 97 keys instead of the standard 88. The additional bass keys on the Imperial, and on several other models in the range, are covered by a folding panel and connected to a separate key rail that sits below the standard keyboard. This component needs to be secured in a specific way before the piano moves. A crew that has not handled an extended-keyboard Bosendorfer before may not be aware of the correct procedure, and a fallboard that is not positioned correctly over the full keyboard assembly, or a cover that presses against the extended key section during transit, can cause damage that is costly to rectify.

Bosendorfer instruments are also heavy relative to their external dimensions. The cast-iron frame and the construction of the Viennese action contribute to a weight that tends to exceed comparable instruments from other makers of the same length. The correct crew size for a Bosendorfer grand depends on the model: the 175 and 185 can be handled with a standard grand crew, but the 214, 225, 280VC and 290 Imperial need a crew matched to the weight. Telling the booking team the model at the time of enquiry ensures the right crew is allocated.

What makes a Fazioli different to move

Fazioli has been producing pianos in Sacile, in northern Italy, since 1981. The output is small relative to volume manufacturers: each instrument is individually built and regulated before it leaves the factory. The range runs from the F156 to the F308, the longest grand piano in regular production at 308 centimetres. A Fazioli at the top of the range is heavier than a Steinway Model D and requires the same approach as a full concert instrument, with a crew size that matches both the weight and the value.

Fazioli grands are fitted with individually made legs. Each set of legs is made for the specific instrument and is not interchangeable with legs from another piano. During transit the legs must be kept together with the body they came from and returned to the correct positions on reassembly. On a first move with a Fazioli, this is worth confirming with the crew before the legs come off: they can be identified by position and kept together in a padded bag through the transit so there is no confusion at the destination.

The action on a Fazioli is regulated to very precise individual tolerances. Rough handling that shifts action components or vibration that loosens regulation screws can alter the feel of the keyboard in ways that a Fazioli-trained technician would need to address. This is an avoidable problem when the crew handles the instrument with the attention the tolerance requires.

Transit covers and case protection

For both instruments, the transit covers used need to be in good condition before they go anywhere near the case. A cover with a worn seam, a stiff fold or a bunched edge can leave a mark on a high-polish lacquer finish during transit, particularly through a long drive. Before placing any cover against a Bosendorfer or Fazioli case, the crew checks that it lies flat and that there is no debris or grit between the cover and the surface.

Bosendorfer offers the range in a number of finishes including high-polish ebony, mahogany and walnut. Fazioli cases are typically finished to a very high polish across the range. On either instrument, a mark from a bunched transit cover is visible and disappointing at delivery and may require specialist attention to remove from a lacquer this deep. The correct approach is to prevent it, not remedy it afterwards.

Stairs and access for Bosendorfer and Fazioli grands

Stairs are chargeable for a Bosendorfer or Fazioli as they are for any piano. The charge reflects the crew size and the time required for the specific instrument and access. When you enter the stair details at book.pianospeed.com the charge is calculated automatically.

For the larger models, the F308 and the Bosendorfer 290 Imperial, a staircase assessment is essential before the day. The staircase width, landing dimensions and ceiling height at the top of each flight all need to be measured and confirmed so the method is established in advance and the price is fixed. These are full concert instruments, and the planning appropriate for a concert grand delivery applies to each.

Where a staircase is not possible, the alternative is a crane lift. The piano is rigged and raised externally through a window opening or over a balcony. The access is assessed and the method confirmed before the day so there are no changes on the morning of the move. Describe any unusual access accurately when you book.

Documenting condition before and after

Before a premium instrument moves, documenting its condition at the collection point is worth doing. Photographs of the case, the legs, the lyre and the keyboard taken before the transit covers go on give a clear reference point at the destination. Any surface marks already present before the move are on record. If anything is noticed on delivery, it can be compared directly to the pre-move images. PianoSpeed crews carry out a condition check at collection as a matter of course: the crew documents anything already present before the instrument is wrapped.

If your Bosendorfer or Fazioli is insured under a specialist musical instrument policy, check what your insurer requires from the moving company before you book. Some policies specify conditions about transit methods or require written confirmation of the method used.

After the move: settling and tuning

Both Bosendorfer and Fazioli instruments need time to settle in a new room before a tuning will hold reliably. The wooden components adjust to the temperature and humidity of the new space over a period of two to four weeks. Tuning before that adjustment is complete tends to result in the pitch drifting again before the next visit.

Bosendorfer instruments are built with a Viennese action, which has specific regulation characteristics. After a long move or a move from one part of the country to another, the regulation may need checking alongside the pitch once the instrument has settled. A Bosendorfer specialist or a technician familiar with the Viennese action is the appropriate person to advise on whether any adjustment is needed.

For a Fazioli, the action regulation was set at the factory to individual tolerances for that specific instrument. A Fazioli-trained technician is the correct person to check and reset the regulation after a significant move or a change in environment. When you book the service call, tell the technician that the piano has recently moved so they can assess the action alongside the pitch and voicing.

For a fixed price on moving your Bosendorfer or Fazioli, go to book.pianospeed.com and describe the access at both ends accurately. Piano moves start from £125. You can also call 020 7164 0000. PianoSpeed is rated 4.9 out of 5 on Trustpilot from 77 reviews, all from real piano moves across London, Surrey and the UK. PianoSpeed London Limited, 71-75 Shelton Street, Covent Garden, London WC2H 9JQ.