• TalkBass has been independent since 1998. Add your voice.
    Create a free account to reply to discussions, view embedded media, and browse with fewer display ads.
    Join free Log in
    Want zero display ads or expanded classifieds tools? Compare plans.

Anti theft measures for gigs

#41
All of the above plus insurance. Doesn't cost that much, covers everything. I know it will not get back your most precious instrument exactly but it helps me sleep at night.
On the back of Mesa Subway 800 in small print, Do not expose to rain moisture or thieves.
Love it!
 
  • Like
Reactions: mmon77 and BMGecko
#42
Years ago I lived in a pretty high crime area. And street parking was tough to get.
I also had a fenced front yard and 2 dogs with a combined weight of about 180 lbs.
Double park the car, lock it, go open the front door and loose the hounds (who would come out because they were glad to see me), then load the gear in, and park afterward.
The dogs saved my bacon on at least one occasion when a sketchy character was veering toward me while I had the hatch open. Dogs hit the gate hard, in full beast mode. Mr. Sketchy bounced himself to the other side of the street and kept walking.
 
  • Like
Reactions: BurnOut, barrenelly, mikewalker and 1 other person
#43
Fret Mumbly said:
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
Click to expand...

Interesting, and thanks for posting. After taking zero precautions to prevent theft, other than locking my car, in over 55 years of performing, I’ve lost a total of one 15ft instrument cable, and one set of Shure ear buds, both disappeared at my Church. I’ve also experienced a lot of door dings there as well, and never a note of apology.

Anyway, I guess I’d better get with the program and be a little more careful. Thanks for the wake up call.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Vinny Vincenzo
#46
One bit of advice for all musicians (and people in general).

If you are travelling through Albuquerque, do not stop. Just pass through with all your stuff and it will remain in your posession. So many meth heads and junkies here that many people have had their entire vehicles/lives stolen. A couple recently had their cats and a dog in their moving truck with their Jeep. When they awoke, it was all gone. The Jeep was stolen and the moving truck was set on fire. I think one of the cats was found and perhaps the dog, too. They even managed to make grandma's ashes dissapear.

[Invalid or Expired Link Removed]
 
  • Like
Reactions: mikewalker
#47
Fret Mumbly said:
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
Click to expand...

I have thought about installing a tile like device in my MTD basses and effects board. Running off with a cab unnoticed is very unlikely.
 
#50
@Danny C got there first. I know it sounds like "old guy" stuff, but extra insurance, in addition to your homeowners or renters insurance (which really doesn't cover much, if anything, if you have a lot of stuff) in addition to common sense and true friends. I pay around $250 a year for all my gear, and I have a ton of gear between keys and bass. Peace of mind.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Scribbler
#52
My wife wanted an Avalanche pretty bad years ago, so we bought one understanding that it would be hers except on gig days. Covered/locking pickup bed. :thumbsup:

I went to practice the other day in the Carolla and made a quick stop at the store on the way. Parked right in front of the Door and ran in and out quick (and a Lil nervous the whole time, ya never know)
 
#53
Had a spare snare snatched and taken from 4 feet behind the drum riser where I was playing. The only people back there were club staff and guys from other bands.

I had a friend with a pretty big online violins, viola, cello shop in WI. About 15 years ago he tried to start a program of installing RFID chips in the end blocks like they put in dogs. They're the size of a grain of rice. It didn't fly. He couldn't get enough luthiers and shops to be willing to buy the code reader. I guess they don't make as much money at Veterinarians.
 
  • Like
Reactions: mikewalker
#55
Put identifying marks and i.d's on everything. Important with multi-band gigs to discourage cables, mics, etc from "accidentally" getting loaded in another band's van. I had a lovely ShureSM57 and later when I opened the bag, someone had swapped it with some POS mic. Grrr!

And if you are a venue owner, watch the band at tear down. It's just too easy for someone to say, "Ohh, they just told me to load all this stuff, I didn't realize this was yours." They'll load up chairs mats, pitchers, fire extinguishers if you aren't watching.
 
  • Like
Reactions: mikewalker
#56
I just park really close to the stage where I can keep an eye on my stuff:
upload_2019-2-20_20-0-11.png
 
  • Like
Reactions: BurnOut, earthimmigrant, BassCliff and 10 others
#57
DiabolusInMusic said:
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.)
Click to expand...

(somewhat off-topic) Saskatoon is CRIME CENTRAL? That sucks, I was planning on visiting there a day or two this spring (recently bought some property a ways outside of Humboldt). I found your assertion hard to believe, til I checked the StatsCan pages:

"The province with the highest crime rate for the 9th straight year was Invalid Link Removed with 13,711 per 100,000. Regina is the city with the highest crime rate followed by its provincial counterpart Invalid Link Removed."

Whoa! Saskatchewan?? Who'dathunkit?? I guess every Canadian city has gone downhill, nowadays. Still, for a bad time, nothing touches WinterPeg (The official 'Violent crime' capital of Canada...)
 
  • Like
Reactions: DiabolusInMusic

Latest posts

Top Bottom
Back