Does anyone use the lock on their case?

Axtman · #1 10-08-2009, 01:15 PM

I have often thought it silly to have a lock on a bass case. I mean if someone is going to steal the bass a cheap lock won't stop them. I guess if your latches are broken you can lock the case so that you are assured that your bass won't fall out.

Word to the Wise (WTTW): If you put your bass in the case ALWAYS latch it with all the latches. Years ago I put my bass in its case and did not latch the latches. I just closed the lid. The guitar player went to move the case off the stage and he lifted the case up waist height. That's when the case opened and my Rickenbacker promptly fell to the stage. The guitar player was really apologetic but I could not get mad at him because it was really my fault.

Back to the original discussion. The first thing I seem to lose is the keys to the case. I guess if you are in a situation where some people might fool with your instrument, a lock is a good idea.

BTW, I used to work in the door hardware business and we had a saying that "A lock is to keep the honest people out."

Lesfunk · #2 10-08-2009, 01:18 PM

TC2112 · #3 10-08-2009, 01:19 PM

I use the lock on my case whenever I leave a bass at our church. It's not that I'm afraid of it getting stolen, but it's nice to have it locked up so little curious hands don't pull it out of the case and decide to play with it. lots of kids in and out of our church through the week, and the pastor's kids are stereotypical PK's.

Plookie · #4 10-08-2009, 01:21 PM

RobJ · #5 10-08-2009, 01:25 PM

I've never locked any of my cases after a guitar player I worked with back in the early '70s had locked his Les Paul in its case only to find he'd lost the key while we were setting up at a gig. A large screwdriver proved to be a good master key however.

I keep the keys for all my cases together with related receipts, etc. for each bass in a safe place.

mwiles30 · #6 10-08-2009, 01:26 PM

If some jerk wants to take your bass, he/she will take it case and all.

Marley's Ghost · #7 10-08-2009, 01:27 PM

Ive used it in hotels. I lock the case and then use a computer lock to secure the case by the handle to a cabinet or coat rack. Not foolproof, but discourages the casual thief.

bassplayer7770 · #8 10-08-2009, 01:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Axtman

Word to the Wise (WTTW): If you put your bass in the case ALWAYS latch it with all the latches. Years ago I put my bass in its case and did not latch the latches. I just closed the lid. The guitar player went to move the case off the stage and he lifted the case up waist height. That's when the case opened and my Rickenbacker promptly fell to the stage. The guitar player was really apologetic but I could not get mad at him because it was really my fault.

At the TB Ohio GTG a couple months ago, I did the same thing to McHack's SR5...

I was so embarrassed...

RobJ · #9 10-08-2009, 01:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Marley's Ghost

Ive used it in hotels. I lock the case and then use a computer lock to secure the case by the handle to a cabinet or coat rack. Not foolproof, but discourages the casual thief.

That's a good example of where locking a case is a good idea I think.

LCW · #10 10-08-2009, 01:31 PM

Never, i mean if someone is going to steal your bass wouldnt they just take the case to? it would actually look less obvious walking around with it in a case then walking around with a bass in your hand.

**baba** · #11 10-08-2009, 01:32 PM

Never.

Spleenface92 · #12 10-08-2009, 01:33 PM

I used to use the locks...then I forgot my keys at home and it was right before a concert...so I had to break my own lock, lol.

Fishheadjoe · #13 10-08-2009, 01:43 PM

I was advised, many years ago, to not lock my cases. I now make it a habit to throw the keys away as soon as I get the bass home. I don't have nay keys for any of the basses or guitars I have.
You cannot be tempted to use something you don't have!
Fishheadjoe

theory028 · #14 10-08-2009, 01:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Marley's Ghost

Ive used it in hotels. I lock the case and then use a computer lock to secure the case by the handle to a cabinet or coat rack. Not foolproof, but discourages the casual thief.

That's a good idea.

I use gigbags for most of my basses. Only my LTD B-4E has a hardcase but I don't have a lock for that.

My dad would use the combination locks on his Jem cases to keep younger kids from getting at them. He always used my mom's birthday, though, so the more mature people could get them out and play.

That's what I'll probably do when I get my Atkinson Precision. I'm not around children very often but I do have a young nephew that is really interested in playing our instruments. It is great to see that interest, though. I leave a bass out for him to play but it'd be nice to keep him away from the more valuable basses until he's more experienced.

Axtman · #15 10-08-2009, 02:01 PM

I was in a local music store shooting the breeze with the sales guy when a frantic a customer came in with a Les Paul case. The customer had locked the empty case and forgotten the combination. He wanted to know the best way to break the lock and then if they had a replacement lock. Also wanted to know if he should break the hinges and how to repair the broken case. Or if he should chuck it in a dumpster and buy a new case.

I asked if I could look at the case. While he was discussing his options with the sales guy I picked the lock. "Here you go!" I said opening the case. They both turned to me with stunned looks and with open jaws. "How the hell did you do that??!!!" "I have been fooling with that lock for days trying to remember the combination!!!" The customer thanked me profusely, shook my hand and left the store. The sales guy was happy because he did not have a clue what they were going to do about the situation

BTW, those cheap 3 tumbler combination locks are easy to pick. It took me less than a minute to open the case.

Fetusyolk · #16 10-08-2009, 02:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Axtman

I was in a local music store shooting the breeze with the sales guy. A frantic a customer came in with a Les Paul case. The customer had locked the empty case and forgotten the combination. He wanted to know the best way to break the lock and then if they had a replacement lock. Also wanted to know if he should break the hinges and how to repair the broken case. Or if he should chuck it in a dumpster and buy a new case.

I asked if I could look at the case. While he was discussing his options with the sales guy I picked the lock. "Here you go!" I said opening the case. They both turned to me with stunned looks and with open jaws. "How the hell did you do that??!!!" "I have been fooling with that lock for days trying to remember the combination!!!" The customer thanked me profusely, shook my hand and left the store. The sales guy was happy because he did not have a clue what they were going to do about the situation
BTW, those cheap 3 tumbler combination locks are easy to pick. It took me less than a minute to open the case.

teach me, oh wise one.

on a serious note.. about a year back i was at my friends basement/jam room (really nicely done). we were ready to pack up and go and i put my bass in the case for safe storage while we were unloading. i didn't think to zip the case (it's one of the relatively cheap hard-cases that only zip). Five minutes later, my friend, trying to be nice says. 'ill get this for you'.

before i could say anything the case opened at chest height and my relatively new (and flawless!) Fender V came a-tumbling out.

the floor was cement

a good few scratches and finish chipping. no big deal...
a short while after i noticed a hair line crack in my headstock leading to my B string's tuner...

months later, guess what happens? i'm still rocking the V as a four string... i should get that fixed some time soon

Frankjohnson · #17 10-08-2009, 02:13 PM

I have - but usually no

Caca de Kick · #18 10-08-2009, 02:16 PM

The locks aren't there to keep people from stealing the instrument, it's to keep the latches from accidentally coming undone in travell.

But no, I never use them either.

theory028 · #19 10-08-2009, 02:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Axtman

BTW, those cheap 3 tumbler combination locks are easy to pick. It took me less than a minute to open the case.

I'm not trying to keep you out of it, Inspector Gadget.

Cool story, though. It would really suck to be in that guy's situation. At least the case was empty when he forgot the combination.

Axtman · #20 10-08-2009, 02:26 PM

Okay here is how to pick a tumbler lock. Please use this for information good purposes like I did. Remember: There is a special place in hell for those who steal musical instruments!

Start with a locked case.

With your thumb slide the lever as you were to unlock the case. (Some locks are to the right and some to the left).

Keep pressure on the slide and turn the 1st tumbler closest to the slide. The correct number should fall into place and not allow you to move the tumbler.

While still keeping pressure on the slide turn the 2nd tumbler. It too should fall into place.

Sometimes the 3rd tumbler is harder to fall into place, but heck you only have 10 numbers to try!

If it does not work you should release the pressure on the lever, scramble the numbers, and start all over. It might take a few tries but you will get it.

And they say that inmates don't learn anything useful in prison! ;-)