Bringing Instruments To College

Icarus26 · #1 02-16-2009, 06:59 PM

I just got lectured by my dad once again and he keeps going on and on that i shouldn't bring my bass to college. A lot of people responded to my first college thread way back when (Colleges?) and i have news, i've been accepted to San Francisco State, my primary choice.

My dad and mom think that people are gonna walk into my dorm and steal my instruments within the first week i bring them there. For all you other bassist who decided to major in music, did you experience anything like this? My major is music performance and i'd like to join the jazz ensemble, so i'm gonna need my bass, so doesn't it make sense that i bring my instrument? What are your experiences with this? Advice? My parents didn't even go to college, so i don't know how they 'know' so much about it.

-Kramer- · #2 02-16-2009, 07:04 PM

College is just like anywhere else, if you leave your stuff unattended, it will be stolen. If you don't lock your doors, your stuff will get stolen.

DudeistMonk · #3 02-16-2009, 07:05 PM

I've had some very expensive stuff in my dorm when I went to school, and so did most folks...

Laptops are easier to carry and cost more than the average bass, would you bring that to school? You should be more worried about someone vomiting on it after too many beers.

I think I heard of one person who had something stolen from them in 4 years. Plus you can get dorm/renters insurance for like 8 bucks a month if your parents are that worried.

Bring your bass, your a music major...I was a comm arts major and I had my bass at school.

fdeck · #4 02-16-2009, 07:37 PM

I brought my bass to college, and I was a physics major, but I took bass lessons for credit.

It is vital that you educate your roommates to keep the door locked, and that your bass isn't for anybody but you to touch. A lot of college kids leave their doors unlocked to avoid the inconvenience of carrying their keys. I kid you not. This is reported every year in the local paper, usually after a rash of dorm or off-campus burglaries.

You will need your bass. Inquire as to whether the music department has lockers. Mine did. They may have some instructions about instrument security as well. It might reassure your folks if they knew that having an instrument at school is typical for music students, and that the college shares their concern. Also, the orchestra students will have instruments worth many $k.

I'm nervous about my kids going to college, and it's still 10 years away.

So I sympathize with your folks. On the other hand, they must be proud as all get out.

Kyon` · #5 02-16-2009, 07:39 PM

Also keep it out of plain site or try too. If you really want to avoid someone to take it well sleep nude with it and take pictures as proof and you know might no nevermind

. I know some music programs provide storage and locker services.

synecdoche · #6 02-16-2009, 07:41 PM

Just make sure you don't leave it somewhere where somebody can get it! Lock your door when you're not in your dorm room, and don't let people you don't trust near it without your supervision. I had a bass and an electric guitar in my dorm room, and was glad I did--playing music is a great way to make friends and, at least in my residence, it seemed like every other person had an instrument. There was always somebody to jam with. Good times.

fdeck · #7 02-16-2009, 07:42 PM

I should also mention that, like what DM says, the burglars usually go for laptops, small electronics, and jewelry.

Yes, jewelry. When I was in school, the paper reported thousands of dollars worth of jewelry stolen from a house.

lbanks · #8 02-16-2009, 07:43 PM

Its been a looong time ago, but I'd advise maybe getting a cheaper bass (like an SX or a Squier) to take to school and maybe a Behringer or similar amp. I remember plenty of thefts when at school, though all the thefts were done by one dude.

HaVIC5 · #9 02-16-2009, 08:21 PM

Yeah, there really isn't any reason to be worried, just be smart and lock your door. A laptop is way more likely to walk than a bass. I've never heard of an instrument being stolen from a dorm room here at Berklee, and any would-be burglar knows that there are valuable instruments in EVERY room. People being idiots and leaving gear in unlocked practice rooms on the other hand...

Slackerprince · #10 02-16-2009, 08:25 PM

+1 to bringing a lower-end bass. Just because it's a Squier or SX, doesn't mean it won't sound good. It's about the learning and playing, not gear porn/prestige.
Good luck and don't drink too much.

S.

3506string · #11 02-16-2009, 11:23 PM

I'm A senior in college now. I've stayed in 5 separate dorms and now I stay in an apartment. I've never had a single thing stolen out of my dorm room, apartment, or car except toilet paper and cologne. 4 of the dorms I stayed in were common area dorms and they all had somewhere (usually a closet) large enough to lock up my bass. I've left doors unlocked and things out and I haven't been robbed. Just be careful, use common sense and observe your surroundings. I just want you to think college is some villain infested place where thieves are running wild.

DreadyDiggs · #12 02-17-2009, 12:27 AM

I've had my basses since I got here. I Play something everyday. Have never had any problems. My roommates better not think about stealing from me, they leave me alone, I leave them alone. We'll mingle but people ain't in and out of my room all the time. NO ONE goes in when I'm not here. Damn that.

They will steal your bass same day if you let them man. No need to be paranoid like that.

trust24 · #13 02-17-2009, 06:10 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DreadyDiggs

I've had my basses since I got here. I Play something everyday. Have never had any problems. My roommates better not think about stealing from me, they leave me alone, I leave them alone. We'll mingle but people ain't in and out of my room all the time. NO ONE goes in when I'm not here. Damn that.

They will steal your bass same day if you let them man. No need to be paranoid like that.

Isnt this just typical parents over reacting though. They see all young people as out to get you and your bass. Just lock it up and itll be fine

Silas Martinez · #14 02-17-2009, 01:27 PM

Depends on your bass. I'd worry a lot less about a $150 SX than a $1500 us P bass. For a lot of reasons.

TLW · #15 02-17-2009, 02:37 PM

I go to University of Missouri Columbia (Mizzou)

and I keep a Lakland Skyline DJ4, Ibanez TR500, a GK 1001-RB, and an Avatar B410.

My laptop sits right on my desk and I'm more worried about THAT getting stolen....

Protip: Write down the Serial # of your bass and take good pictures of it. Keep this somewhere safe.

With all the security cameras at all the exits and entrances, someone would have to be pretty daring to steal something so big, when they can just steal 2-3 laptops in a backpack and not look very suspicious at all

IdealWay · #16 02-17-2009, 02:41 PM

I had 4 basses and 2 guitars in my dorm room at UNC-Asheville and never had a problem at all. All together they were probably worth over $4000. Now that I'm living off campus I just take my acoustic-electric and leave it locked up in the music dept.

I think you can get renter's insurance for your dorm room, like you would a house or apt, to cover the cost of anything that gets stolen. Might be a good idea to look into that for security. Don't worry though, you'll probably be fine

Have fun!

Bardley · #17 02-17-2009, 02:43 PM

I had multiple basses in my dorm room in college. Just make sure you AND YOUR ROOMMATE (if you have one) lock the door. I worried more about my stuff being stolen at gigs than my dorm room.

And +1 for the insurance. It's super cheap.

Milky · #18 02-17-2009, 02:43 PM

I just kept my bass in its hard case and the amp either in the closet or under the bed. Really with all the laptops, TVs, Xboxs, etc. if people are going to steal things it will probably be one of those.

Audiophage · #19 02-19-2009, 03:25 PM

I usually only bring my cheaper bass guitar to school with me, but unless you really feel uneasy about it, I don't think you need to worry about bringing any musical instruments to school. Especially as a music major where you'll be needing your instrument.

lunker · #20 02-19-2009, 03:35 PM

My freshman year, my roommates and I never locked our door EVER! We never had anything stolen either which is somewhat amazing since theft was rampant in the dorm. I mean we would all be gone for the weekend, door left wide open. People would go in, play video games, watch TV, whatever. A lot of the neighbors would lose microwaves, TVs, laptops, etc. Nothing ever disappeared from our room and we had some nice stuff. Even our food and booze never went anywhere.

I guess the conclusion then is that locking doors causes a direct increase in theft.

So just make sure that you leave your door open all the time, display your bass prominently and you'll be fine.