Am I being paranoid?

[Snert]

Being protective of your gear is not a sign of being paranoid. It’s a really nice bass that you probably worked hard and saved hard to get. I don’t know a reason why not to put the tag in there.

Agreed and it's not like it's easily replaceable either.
The sad thing is that if stolen, the thief would get nothing for it as it's going to be impossible to sell at market value.

 

[Wolf Tone]

On the insurance side of the discussion, I make sure to do the following things whenever I purchase a new instrument:

1. Save copies of the order confirmation email, sales order, invoice, and/or the shipping email. Preferably in a .pdf format (for future compatibility) saved in a designated folder that is backed up to a cloud-based service like Dropbox. These records will be needed if you add the instrument to an insurance policy and if you later file a claim. You will want to have evidence of when you purchased the instrument and the price paid. It is preferred to have the instrument serial number documented in these records.
2. Save photos or take photos of the instrument. I like how Sweetwater usually provides photos of the specific instrument you purchased with the serial number visible. They send these photos to you in an email.
3. I maintain a spreadsheet of instrument serial numbers and other information in case I purchase a used instrument from a friend and pay cash.

It is better to have this information readily available in the event an instrument is stolen, lost, or damaged. You don't want to have to go digging for a serial number or record of purchase right after an incident has occurred.

I do think it would be difficult for a thief to quickly sell a higher-end instrument at a decent price. Especially if the stolen serial number is known and the instrument is less common or custom.

 

[superheavyfunk]

I have an Apple tag in each of my gigging basses.

I had a situation like 20 years ago where a band tried to walk away with a vintage guitar of ours. They claimed they didn’t realize they took it but I mean, you know how many guitars you came in with, right?

 

[Mr. Jiggy Fly]

Things I keep in the case with my own Skjolds:
- Apple Tag
- Mini Code Lock
- Humidity + Temp Gauge
- A Flash Drive labeled READ ME with key information plus directions for contacting me (in the event that the instrument ended up somewhere)
- A tiny piece of paper with my name underneath the ramp / one of the pickups; underneath the bridge and in the control cavity are also great spots

I have digital spreadsheets of serials, photos, and purchase info backed up to multiple locations, and I highly recommend doing that for all gear

 

[legalbass]

Always report stolen goods to your local police, tracked or not, as you never really know what their efforts (if any) may produce. Depending on the value of the gear and your state's laws, theft of your bass may constitute a felony, and depending on how motivated your local police are, they may be very willing to help you track it down. A search warrant may be necessary if your stuff ends up inside something like a private residence, however. Never place yourself at risk of harm over a stolen instrument.

Short version: no, not paranoid, although I'm not sure how helpful Apple Air Tags themselves really are.

Anybody really concerned over theft of a very valuable bass guitar may want to consider buying the biggest, heaviest aluminum flight case possible for it. A b---- to haul around, but also a b---- for anybody to try and steal. Anybody who thinks they've making a quick, discreet getaway with my B-2, lots of luck.

And might I add, the person standing next to you, might not be who they appear to be. So take precautions.

I'm reasonably certain that 100% of lead singers are actually pod poeple.

 

[BazzaBass]

You might want to take a look at this, or other articles - they are quite capable of being hacked…

Some are using Apple Air Tags to track strangers. Here's what security experts want you to know about the devices.

Apple have recently released an update to address this issue

 

[bassgrackle]

Probably true. Perhaps a side slot on the bottom edge of the instrument . . . Like the sim card slot would be less discoverable. One wouldn't think to look there.

The compartment that I’m planning on using has small hex style screws that keep it closed. Not your normal build for sure. But that’s Pete’s style. And I like it.

 

[wysiwyg248]

If the instrument you bought is used and valuable, an appraisal from a known shop always helps with the insurance. Installing tracking devices is not being paranoid, just sensible.

 

[glocke1]

I’ve been toying with putting an Apple Tag inside the rear cavity of my Skjold Fire Drake for peace of mind taking it to gigs. Has anyone else done this or am I being paranoid?

Photo for eye candy.

View attachment 4677858

not at all paranoid...I've been thinking of doing the same...m

 

[Oldbasslover]

What would you use to track your equipment?

I guess I don’t actually “track” my equipment. I keep things visible, or in a locked storage area.
If someone came in with a gun and demanded my equipment for my life, I guess I will have lost my equipment.

My car is worth 10x what my bass is worth, but I don’t have it lo-jacked. I think the likelihood of stolen equipment / stolen car / being held up / being shot on the street is small. Certainly it happens, but the actual risk is small. I may well be wrong, but I think that having electronic surveillance ie. Tracking devices increases my risk rather than decreases it. It seems to me that electronic “surveillance” is far easier and far more common than actually having a person seeking out a specific item.

 

[Addison]

I’d like to resurrect this thread and see if anyone has been regularly using an AirTag as an added precaution …

Are people only using them in cases or have people tried storing them in the control cavity?

Any control cavity issues?

I just picked up some of these and I’m going to add one to my pedal board and cable/tool/utility case - was going to hide one inside my gig bag as well, but the thought of having one inside the control cavity seems even better.

Thanks for your input!

 

[Snakeman1066]

I'm not a big fan of Apple products in general

there are a lot of alternatives on the market including small pet trackers that work just as well or better in some cases...

but yes all the stuff I take out to gig with has GPS trackers installed including my head and cabs...

 

[Addison]

I'm not a big fan of Apple products in general

there are a lot of alternatives on the market including small pet trackers that work just as well or better in some cases...

but yes all the stuff I take out to gig with has GPS trackers installed including my head and cabs...

Yeah, we like what we like. I’m aware there are other options.

AirTags are completely integrated with the OS on my phone and laptop, so I don’t have to sign up for a service, install any third party apps or pay and subscription fees. They’re also really accurate and small and I like the features. They’re also only $25 a piece.

For your amps, how do you attach them?