Music Cartage

Music cartage companies help performing artists and ensembles access instruments and equipment that they may not personally have access to or are difficult to move. Some of the most common instruments for cartage are large instruments like percussion (timpanis, drum sets, marimba, and more), keyboards, pianos, and harps. Instruments less frequently called for like contrabassoons and sousaphones are also often rented by ensembles for use at a particular concert date.

In addition to instruments, cartage companies will frequently carry a variety of stage equipment for rental. Instrument equipment like guitar and bass amplifiers, DJ set ups, or stage equipment like acoustic shells, risers, seating, and music stands (sometimes called “backline”) are common candidates for music cartage. Cartage companies allow for performing artists and groups to use these large pieces without incurring the high costs of storing and transporting them to every show.

Some cartage companies carry a wide variety of instruments and equipment, but many will specialize in a particular instrument family (percussion and drums, guitar and bass). This allows them to offer more types and models of the same instruments and additionally provide expertise knowledge in their instrument area. These specialized cartage companies are frequently owned and operated by musicians who play those instruments. A musician’s understanding of their instrument’s maintenance, tuning, and sound will allow them to guarantee the instruments are delivered and maintained in the best condition possible.