Anti theft measures for gigs

[Fret Mumbly]

Hi I'm new to TalkBass. Not so new to the bass. So I've developed a bunch of anti-theft measures for gigging. Would like to share them and see what else folks are doing. Would like your thoughts on these measures.

My gear has to sit in a car, in an urban garage, all day while I work my day job. Amp, cab, bags, bass, etc. are in the back of an SUV, which is backed against a wall into a parking space near a security camera, in a way that the hatch cannot be opened without moving the car. Gear is covered by a tarp. Spare bass is in a slim case under a blanket across the rear seat so it looks like there's just a blanket on the seat. Sunroof is closed to keep light out for anyone looking in. Rear windows are tinted dark.

In the gig, my effects unit's cables are taped down to deter someone from easily unplugging the unit and walking off with it (Line 6 HX). Basses are on stands on the back of the stage.

For load in, the bass stays locked in the car until the last. For load out, the bass goes out to the car first and is locked out there while the rest of the gear gets out.

Anyone else doing cool things to protect your gear? Anyone using GPS trackers under the pickguard? Arranging to have people watch the gear?

Thanks!
F

 

[mrcbass]

Welcome to TB.

I hate leaving gear in a car unsupervised, but employ similar tactics when there is no other way to fulfill commitments (park in garage, backed against wall, gear out of sight - my SUV has a rollover cover the hides stuff behind the rear seats which I extended so that it extends to the front seats). With the tinted windows, you just don't know anything is there to tempt anyone.

At gigs, stuff is just always in sight of somebody in the band. I don't think any of our stuff is ever left unattended. I'm still pretty new to gigging, but have yet to ever feel a need to worry too much, but I pretty vigilant anyway.

 

[pappabass]

At our gig, our stuff sits close by the exit door. Between sets, I keep an eye on stuff best I can. We all keep an eye out for each other.

 

[Torrente Cro]

I don' bring wallet or credit cards to gigs, only driving licence and amount of money that plan to spend. That prevents me from getting drunk and buying drinks for everyone
I didn't get drunk last 20 years since got married, but the routine still remained.

 

[JRA]

Anyone else doing cool things to protect your gear?

not really. just average, common sense stuff. similar to your own routine but with less joy.

 

[BassCliff]

Hi,

I just wanted to welcome @Fret Mumbly and say that I use common sense measures. I sometimes leave all my gear locked in my trusty Astro van (it has an alarm) right outside my office window all day or overnight in front of my house. The windows are tinted and I use a sunscreen on the windshield so it's hard to know anything is in there. Other than that the guys I work with use precautions and don't leave anything exposed to those who would be opportunistic. Our keyboard player once left a keyboard by the back door as we were loading out of a pretty nice room in a nice area. But someone saw it unattended and quickly snatched it up. There's not much you can do if someone really wants to steal from you. All you can do is make it as inconvenient as possible so that they move on to easier targets.


Thank you for you for your indulgence,

BassCliff

 

[Fret Mumbly]

Thanks. Well I definitely notice a difference in sensitivity to theft between me -- raised in a high-crime city that was also dangerous in other ways -- and guys who were raised in safer suburbs. I'm a bit more vigilant than some band mates I've had. Sometimes I'm jealous of their obliviousness.

 

[Jimmy4string]

I had a good bass player friend who had a original Geddy lee setup. they left there gear (including ireplaceable vintage guitars) in a small trailer with a lock on it. Someone broke the lock and stole everything!
I felt terrible for them!! I offered up my Geddy Lee Jazz -not original (we joked that neither of us liked rush but both of us had this bass) to him to borrow anytime and gave him an old Vintage white bass case to keep. Still really sad for those guys at the time

 

[DiabolusInMusic]

Hi,

I just wanted to welcome @Fret Mumbly and say that I use common sense measures. I sometimes leave all my gear locked in my trusty Astro van (it has an alarm) right outside my office window all day or overnight in front of my house. The windows are tinted and I use a sunscreen on the windshield so it's hard to know anything is in there. Other than that the guys I work with use precautions and don't leave anything exposed to those who would be opportunistic. Our keyboard player once left a keyboard by the back door as we were loading out of a pretty nice room in a nice area. But someone saw it unattended and quickly snatched it up. There's not much you can do if someone really wants to steal from you. All you can do is make it as inconvenient as possible so that they move on to easier targets.


Thank you for you for your indulgence,

BassCliff

I live in one of the worst Canadian cities for crime. Up here, we all know the locks are to keep the honest people out. If somebody wants something, they're taking it (and the safe you keep it in.)

 

[JRA]

I'm jealous of their obliviousness.

i think that just being 'aware' helps to guard against accidents/losses. 'vigilance' is something i reserve for 'special gigs'!

 

[lfmn16]

they left there gear (including ireplaceable vintage guitars) in a small trailer with a lock on it.

All the time?

 

[paulears]

I can't imagine playing somewhere so dangerous you can't take money with you? We just take sensible precautions - don't leave the truck unattended - we did find an ark wheeling a case away down the road once in a more dodgy UK city, but one of us stays with the truck, one stays on stage and there others push boxes and cases. Once we're in the venue, we rarely stay with the kit - we're in the dressing room doing food and drink (coffee, tea and soft drinks in our case). Venue security looks after the stage. In a more open venue - we take a bit more care.

 

[Gravedigger Dav]

I would never leave an instrument in a car regardless of security measures. The temperature changes in a vehicle are more than you might expect. If it gets hot or cold enough to kill a child or a pet, you can be sure it is doing your instrument no good. My basic rule for my basses is Last In, First Out. That is, they are the last thing to be loaded into the car and the first thing I take in to a venue or home.

 

[bassbrad]

All my gear fits in the back of my hatchback under the cover except my basses and I always back up to a wall so it is not suspicious. My basses are never alone in the car, in Texas the extremes are too much, I will take the gig bag in with me either a single or double bag. It is a hassle with security at times but it's worth it for my peace of mind.

 

[twinjet]

I park as close as possible to the loading entrance and lock up between trips. Cheap stuff is hauled in first, and out last. If I have to choose one before the other, it's always bass first, amplification second.

 

[MultiScaleMale]

If that much trouble needs to be taken to prevent theft of gear, I think I'd start playing harmonica. And I'm not kidding.

 

[Jimmy4string]

All the time?

I believe they were turing overnight and had it out in front of a hotel.
Hard lesson

 

[twinjet]

If that much trouble needs to be taken to prevent theft of gear, I think I'd start playing harmonica. And I'm not kidding.

I'd just move. Chances are, instrument theft is only a small slice of the pie.

 

[devnulljp]

We used to have a sound guy with a huge pitbull that he'd leave in the van with the gear. Never lost anything that way
I'm pretty vigilant about this stuff even now, I live in a relatively low crime area. I lock the van in between trips inside to pick up gear; sometimes the others razz me about it a bit as they pop open their car, leave it open and wander inside t pick up gear, leave it open in between trips too. Doesn't work for me.

 

[MultiScaleMale]

I'd just move. Chances are, instrument theft is only a small slice of the pie.

True, but moving isn't always easy.