Suggestions on transporting my B3 a long distance

[carioca100]

I'll be making a move from Illinois to Florida in the very near future and will be moving household goods with professional movers. i want to make sure they do not damage my cherry organ and Leslie and wonder if anyone has made the move themselves and have any suggestions. Besides bolting down the TWG and detaching the half moon switch so it does not get knocked off, i was thinking of removing the amp from the Leslie and tubes from the AO28 and transporting those myself . I also know these movers sometimes wrap furniture in plastic but wonder if that really is such a good idea with the organ.

thanks for you comments.

[andyg]

The movers who brought my large Kawai organ down from London wrapped it in soft blankets and the covered it very securely in bubble wrap. Protected it perfectly. My current Roland only came 15 miles so that was not bubble wrapped but the guys used blankets. Both firms had (and still have!) good reputations as piano and organ movers.

Assuming that it's kept upright, I think the tubes would be quite secure on the AO28. I've heard the opposite opinion given here, though! As for the leslie, I've shifted so many of them, upright and on their backs, that I wouldn't even think about taking out the amp. If it's staying upright - and you're paying for the service so insist on it - then, again, I wouldn't even remove the tubes.

As always, take photos of the organ and leslie, just in case of cabinet damage in transit.

[Tonewheel]

Andy's right. And I like the idea of a photo record.

Not long ago, I had to move a 1955 B3 and 21H Leslie with almost perfect finish from the US to Canada by myself in an enclosed trailer. Thick packing blankets really helped. And a C3 and Leslie from my home to another location, bu this was done by pro's.

Boils down to three concerns: cosmetics, lumber and electromechanics.

The movers used multiple layers of plastic, not bubble wrap. After the first couple of layers, they incorporated horizontal belt webbing so they could lift via the belt. Moving blankets and straps can rub against the wood, and if there is any dirt or grit in the blankets, it can be worse, so I would make sure these guys wrap first in plastic. Be there when they do this.

The lumber in the B3 is different than the C3, because of the legs, which are vulnerable. Ask them how they will prevent any damage to the legs. Movers may be called professional, but some are anything but.

You should bolt up the TWG yourself to make certain it is snug. And then don't forget to unbolt it...Tubes are cold so should be no worries re jolts.

I remember in downtown Toronto when our band played at the Hawk's nest, hearing someone yell, "Oh no, the B3!" as somebody dropped it down the stairs. And seeing very bad gluing attempts and deep gouges on the B3's at other venues. And one guy using a 2x4 on the amp of his previously dropped Leslie, on a table just behind him, to get the Leslie slowed. Bad tube, but the jolt somehow put the brakes on.

Ask the movers if they had ever been roadies working in Toronto during that era...;-)

Dave

[carioca100]

Thanks guys for the tips. I had not thought of the plastic wrap and then the moving blankets and to also watch them Photos are a good suggestion as well. Do you remember how they handled the bench and pedals?

[David Anderson]

It's easy to remove the Leslie amp. With the organ, tubes won't come out. They are protected.

If the finish on the organ and Leslie cabinet is nice, the biggest threat will be scuffing/abrasion/dings on the finish. The more padding around the veneer, the better. Just rubbing slightly against something else on a long trip will leave a mark.

And it's best to transport the Leslie upright.