Last night, a national piano moving company picked up a fully restored
Fischer Ampico A upright piano for a move from Rochester NY to New York
City.  Everything went well until I saw how they had put the piano in
the truck (just as they were leaving). The truck was full, so in order
to fit the piano in the truck they put it in on its side.  Well padded,
but on its side.

My question for the experts is this:  Am I being alarmist to think that
shipping a reproducing piano on its side with the heavy electric motor
and large, heavy rotary pump and other components might be a disaster
waiting to happen?  I worry about the components in the bottom of the
piano (now sticking up in the air) breaking loose during the long truck
ride (the truck was headed to Vermont before going to NYC) and doing
a lot of damage.

The two movers didn't seem concerned when I pointed out that this was
a reproducing piano.  They stated that they move pianos on their side
"all the time".  On the other hand, they didn't seem to know anything
about a reproducing piano.  Any thoughts or experiences would be
appreciated.

Mark Kaplan

 [ I have moved my grand and upright player pianos several times,
 [ while tipped on their sides, without any consequences.  I assumed
 [ that the pianos were intended to survive this sort of handling.
 [ After all, the piano manufacturers must have realized that piano
 [ movers weren't likely to treat a player piano any differently from
 [ an ordinary piano.  :)  -- Robbie