Musical instruments and colleve dorms- A plan to fail?

ImMoreBetter · #1 10-20-2009, 01:04 AM

I'm heading off to college for engineering next fall. I'll be applying for housing and stuff soon, so I may as well ask for a few tips regarding musical survival.

Right now, my equipment is as follows:
- A real piece of $#!^ Peavey bass. I have since defretted it and dropped in some new pickups. Very improved.

- A MiM Fender Deluxe Active Jazz bass
- Ibanez RG5 guitar
- Markbass CMD121P amp
- A handful of pedals and what-not.

I think my amp would do pretty well in a dorm room, it has a pretty good mixture of compactness, transportability, and power for what it is. It doesn't have a headphone jack, however. Luckily, one of my pedals does. Not good sounding, but it's better than nothing. Both colleges I've been accepted to have very common-sense based rules regarding noise and the like.

But as far as my instruments go, what do you think I should take? The cheap bass is a beater and will go with for sure. None of my instruments are expensive, but I figure that less is more as far as dorm rooms are concerned. I don't want to bring anymore than three instruments. I'm trying to resist GAS as well as I can.

I currently have a gig-bag for my guitar, another for one of my basses, and a hard case for my other bass. Would it be worth investing in another hard case, at least for my guitar?

And finally, what about security and dorm life in general? Some of it is common sense; lock the door, make sure my room mate does as well, try to keep other people off of my stuff, etc. But any advice is appreciated.

jumbosilverette · #2 10-20-2009, 01:57 AM

Just know that everyone who comes into your room is gonna play your bass -- whether you're there or not.

Stanley Design · #3 10-20-2009, 02:31 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jumbosilverette

Just know that everyone who comes into your room is gonna play your bass -- whether you're there or not.

I've always wanted to somehow install some sort of key "ignition" where the on switch is on all my amps.

Jimmy Bones · #4 10-20-2009, 02:35 AM

It isn't too hard to do. I installed a turn key killswitch on the back of my Les Paul before I gave it back to the guy I bought it from. It's in the back and basically just interupts all electrical signals by breaking the circuit. It's really basic, but people who don't know about it won't think to look for it.

Stanley Design · #5 10-20-2009, 02:39 AM

I would probably have to drill the chassis of my amp though? I might someday.

dullsilver_mike · #6 10-20-2009, 04:00 AM

If the college you go to isn't absolutely terrible and you have any common sense, as your current thought process already suggests you do, then security isn't going to be a problem at all.

What is a problem is space. I say 1 guitar, 1 bass tops. Gig bags, or very streamline cases will help too. I got very very creative in college trying to cram PA gear and other things into a tiny room that I had to share with someone else. Where can those 15 inch mains go?

Maybe it's just because I went to school before guitar hero made playing an instrument cool, but why would people come in and play your gear? I or my roomates never caught anyone doing this and I'm relatively sure no one in my dorm ever gave a rat's ass or had any inclination to touch a bass. You see, it's an acoustic guitar the typical college student needs to go pick up random women and no other instrument really matters to most of them.

3506string · #7 10-20-2009, 04:27 AM

I've going on my 5th year of college and absolutely none of my equipment has been stolen. I've stayed in the seediest of dorms to the best and now have an apartment. I was fortunate that I could leave all of my cabs and amps at my church I go to while at school but I always kept my bass and preamp in my room. The trend seems to be that most college student only steal things they can use or sell ei laptops, phones, clothes stuff like that. I personally have been gotten for cologne and TP by one of my roomates. Petty theft is the name of the game in most dorms. Keep everything locked up and you should be good. Most schools will also allow you to tag and register valuables like laptops and electronics with the police department. Also most schools will offer dorm insurance

I would recommend that you find a good headphone amp. My entire stay on campus and even since i've moved off I rarely play my bass out loud mainly because even at moderate volume bass amps carry easily through walls and may irritate already irate college students. Also in somewhat noisy environments it can be difficult to hear yourself playing but with headphones you can set levels anywhere you need them and not bother anyone else.

Lady Kayri · #8 10-20-2009, 06:14 AM

If you bring an amp/combo make it a practice amp. Takes up less space, and volume should be more than enough for most small gigs you might get involved in. If you get in a band that starts playing out, then bring up your big stuff from home. Bring your cheapest instruments; if your gig bags have loops at the top so you can hang them from the pole in your closet that's the best bet for storing them; roommates & roommate friends can be real careless with other peoples' stuff and knock stuff off of stands. If you can, find yourself a roommate who is also a musician, they'll be a heck of a lot more understanding about your gear than a non-muso will be.

fdeck · #9 10-20-2009, 06:36 AM

Just make sure there's a rule that nobody touches your instruments. I would be less concerned about the amp. If a problem develops, get a hard case that you can lock.

As for theft, the biggest thing is locking your door and making sure your roomie does the same.

ThatGermanDude · #10 10-20-2009, 07:10 AM

I have my Line 6 300 watt amp and a Ibanez sr505 in my dorm room. If you already know your room mate and trust him then you're good. This is my second year and he plays guitar, so we just decided that each of us can play the others instrument.
My first year I just made clear that I don't want anybody to touch my instruments.

You probably will have to fill out some sort of room mate agreement. Make sure you put in there who's allowed to play your instruments and what you expect with regard to looking doors, etc.

Regarding noise, as long as you are considerate you shouldn't have a problem. I rarely use headphones and have never been asked to turn down.

Space-wise, I wouldn't bring more than one amp, one instrument and maybe a few effects.

emor · #11 10-20-2009, 07:28 AM

How about one these for the amp?

http://www.familysafemedia.com/power...plug_lock.html

I use a Tascam Bass Trainer for almost all of my personal practice.

http://www.musiciansfriend.com/navig...m+bass+trainer

Joe Gress · #12 10-20-2009, 08:08 AM

I have my GK 700RB-II and Avatar 210 combo that I fire up with my pedals o' doom on the weekends and such. I have gotten many comments of people walking by that its "pretty cool", "cool music", and "you know any sublime?", but never "shut it off, it's to loud". I am going to move it to the music building however since I can leave it set up over there.

bassist 4 life · #13 10-20-2009, 08:44 AM

just so you know, some residence halls consider amps a fire hazard.

bui · #14 10-20-2009, 09:01 AM

I've posted in this type of thread before, but here's what I did:

Change the lock on your closet to a locking deadbolt...store your valuables in there when not in use, or when you know you'll be away for a long time. College dorm thefts are usually crimes of opportunity. You may be great at locking the door when you leave, but one day, your roommate might forget...or he might prop it open while he's "just down the hall", and someone happens to walk by...the less opportunities that present themselves, the safer your gear is. Best of luck!

Happynoj · #15 10-20-2009, 12:50 PM

Whatever happens, make sure you have insurance that covers your instruments. Get a separate policy if you need to.

Din Of Win · #16 10-20-2009, 01:27 PM

Spikes.

Like that sword in 'Blade'.

CamMcIntyre · #17 10-20-2009, 01:42 PM

Your amp will be fine. I kept an SWR WM12 in my dorm room with no problems, granted, I was a bass major.

If you aren't going to have a car on campus, stick with gig bags. I ended up just shoving my hardshell case under my bed.

I'd bring which ever bass you play the most. Just off of reading, I'd say take the MIM Fender and leave the rest.

As far as security goes, just tell your roommate that your instruments are off limits. As long as they are decent people, they won't pester with this. If your closet is big enough, when you aren't playing the bass, put it in there. Like the others have said, most thefts are crimes of opportunity.

WookieeForLife · #18 10-20-2009, 01:47 PM

Pick up an SX, Drop some sweet pickups in it, and get a small combo.

rr5025 · #19 10-20-2009, 02:15 PM

Just make sure you have a case and put it under your bed you should be ok. I play peoples stuff when I go into their room but I always ask before I do so. I'd say just make sure you have protection against alcohol spills, that'll probably be your biggest worry.

+1 for space too those rooms ain't exactly spacious.

TallLankyBastyd · #20 10-20-2009, 02:17 PM

I really think you should leave ALL your music gear at home... and STUDY!!

...at least until you can actually spell "college".