Piano Fallboard Locks

Fallboard Lock – What, When, and Why Would You Need One?

Not every piano needs to be locked, but some really do.   When pianos are in public places there are many variables that the venue manager should consider.  Is there high density traffic during the day?  Are hands off locks appropriate to the location?  Is it possible that unauthorized people might be out of control or deliberately malicious?  What about pianos in a high rise lobby?  Or a hospital?  Could unexpectedly loud music being played on the piano at unexpected times be disruptive to the workplace, or wake up patients?  If needed, one option for piano protection is a locking device for added security to protect the piano.  

School Pianos Might Need A Lock

Could a school have students who are disruptive enough to damage the piano?   Are small children at play near the piano? Might any of them be unsupervised to the point where the piano receives a bath from a squirting juicebox?  Water or any moisture on a piano can be highly damaging, but most especially the piano keyboard could be the unlucky landing place for chewing gum or a spit out fruit roll up or an abandoned sippy cup.  Sticky keys are not only unpleasant for musicians, but could also necessitate very expensive repairs.  A locking mechanism can protect the keyboard, but the rest of the piano would be fair game.  In the most serious circumstances pianos can be protected by a piano cover with locking straps beneath, but a fallboard lock might still be needed.  Of course most pianos don't need such devices, but to protect their value hands off locks can be considered.

What About Locking Straps?

One solution might be to have a custom piano cover made with locking straps, but this would require a masterlock to hang beneath the piano.  Multiple locks are not necessary, but if a piano cover is too cumbersome, or isn’t on the interior designer’s radar, then you might consider installing a piano fallboard lock. 

Installing a Fallboard Lock

A fallboard lock has to be installed by a registered piano technician.  This is because the lock needs to be installed with a drill and a screw into the underside wood of the keyboard.  The lock itself is like a clamp opening that holds the piano fallboard shut.  A key is required to remove the piano lock.  Two keys are supplied with each fallboard lock so that one will always be near at hand. Matching locks and keys are easy as there are only a couple types of key available, and the lock manufacturer can be contacted for shipping replacements for lost keys.

Shipping a piano does not require a piano lock, as long as you use a professional piano moving service.   For smaller fallboards height adjustment is only possible with pre drilled shims, which is one more reason why a piano technician is required to install a fallboard lock.

Considering the worth of your pianos, fallboard locks can be valuable accessories.  For large quantity orders an institutional discount is available – please call us to inquire!