Anti theft measures for gigs

[10cc]

Got a couple good ones

Drummer drove a small pick up truck and swung in the gas station for some smokes (parked right in front of the door) came out got to the bar and his cymbal bag was gone.

Left a bass on the stand after a long late show. Started partying and flat out left it there. Didn’t realize until a few days later when it came time to rehearse. Went to the bar and there was a band playing and it was still on stage on the stand.

 

[Monkey]

I had a fretless P bass stolen from beside the stage at an blues jam in a club many years ago. I was sitting close by and I think the guy who stole it walked right past me, but there were so many players milling around with cases and gig bags. I'm not a violent guy, but I put my fist through the bathroom door that night when I realized my mistake.

I play some outdoor festivals in the summer and a friend had a bag with cables and pedals stolen from under the stage, so I always bring a relatively thin, plastic-coated cable, like the ones used for bikes. I run it through the handles of my cabs and briefcase that holds my amp and lock it to something behind the stage. It would be easy for someone to cut with wirecutters, but hopefully deters impulsive opportunistic thieves. It gives me some peace of mind to walk around a bit. I always carry my gig bag with me, though.

 

[craigie]

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.)

I didn’t realize Saskatoon is so bad, but makes sense.

I grew up in suburbia (Oakville Ontario). I’d get annoyed when visiting my parents and their door was locked while they’re home. Never heard of one instance of crime in the neighbourhood growing up.

Put my sandwich on a table one at uni and walked over to throw something in the garbage. Sandwich gone! Damn sandwich snatcher!!

Ex bandleader leaves his gear in the back of the truck 24-7. Parks in the street. Complained when I wouldn’t leave my instruments or head at a bar overnight. I didn’t much want to leave my cabinet either.

Ex-friend had his truck stolen when his girlfriend left it running to warm up in the morning. “It was locked.” He thought the insurance company targeted him because he took off the theft insurance weeks before. Nothing to do with living in a high crime area. It’s a crazy world. Now he’s got webcams in his house and a doorbell cam. I’d rather live in a lower crime area than live in paranoia.

 

[tgriley62]

One thing I do on any gear I buy is that the last four of my SSN is always written in a discreet place. I live in a small town, so anything stolen ends up in the two local pawnshops

 

[Frndmoretti]

I leave my bass with the drummer between rehearsals, and it's ok because my girlfriend's bass stays at my house since she gave up her lessons. He lives 50 meters from the studio.

 

[Altitude]

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.

It can be unavoidable sometimes. I’ve had weeks where I was out of town on business for three days with a gig two hours after I got back. Nothing to do except take my gear to the airport and hope for the best. I do park indoors though.

 

[Obese Chess]

My bass stays on my person at all times. The rest of my rig can be replaced fairly easily, but the bass cannot. I will bring it in to work, even to restaurants if I go to one.

 

[logdrum]

Those living in the country or out in the boonies will perplex most city peeps. Not only are the cars unlocked but the keys are left in the ignition. The one odd time that the house needs to be locked, a locksmith is called to make keys or you buy new locks because you can't find the key. They do have deterrents like guns, bear traps and not very friendly dogs, so there is that.

I worry more about the instrument imploding due to heat and cold more than it being stolen, whether I am in the city or country and act accordingly.

The sad thing is for the non break in scenarios, musicians steal from other musicians IME.

 

[QweziRider]

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.

I do exactly the opposite. I feel the basses are safer on stage where other band mates doing setup/strike see things on stage. Including people who do not belong there. I don't, however, leave the basses near the edge of the stage.

I also have everything for gigs insured so if something does walk, I'm not out.

For multi-night gigs on the same stage (lots of casino work here), basses, effects, and mics go home or to my hotel room. The amp (usually a head and cab) gets a heavy bike lock/cable. Yes, it's insured, but if they're going to steal that, they gotta take it the hard way all in one piece, making them more obvious.

 

[ofguilt]

One thing I’ve always done is make sure all my gear cases are easily identifiable. All of my bass cases, head case and cable/pedal board case... Have a fluorescent gaffer tape stripe on the same place. This isn’t so much a theft deterrent exactly. But it does make it very easy for me to visually see all my items are together if I have to be away from it for a time. Everyone in my band uses the same color tape, so in a crowded backstage area we keep our stuff grouped together and organized in the case chaos that will ensure as all the bands show up. As a general rule, we try to always have one member with the gear at all times. The tape really helps in load out as well. It makes doing the end of the night walk through Simple.

 

[SactoBass]

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

Hey Fret! Welcome to TB!

For security, I just have this guy watch my stuff.....

 

[Nick von Nick]

One thing I’ve always done is make sure all my gear cases are easily identifiable. All of my bass cases, head case and cable/pedal board case [have] a fluorescent gaffer tape stripe on the same place.

This is pretty much my tactic. Obnoxious colors are easy to spot, especially when something "finds its way" into someone else's mitts.

Also, use a lot of hot pink. Dudes love stealing gear that's hot pink.
~Nick von Nick

 

[BAG]

Haven't read all the replies but most of them are common sense.
One negative thing that I see a lot of musicians doing is having music and/or instrument/equipment manufacturer stickers on their car. It's like screaming out "hey, there could be valuable instruments and gear in this vehicle" to any other musicians.

 

[Frndmoretti]

Haven't read all the replies but most of them are common sense.
One negative thing that I see a lot of musicians doing is having music and/or instrument/equipment manufacturer stickers on their car. It's like screaming out "hey, there could be valuable instruments and gear in this vehicle" to any other musicians.

And if it's Fender or Gibson everybody knows it's about instruments

 

[Turbo Sparky]

Welcome.
Sounds like prudent protective measures, but situation dictates.
Ir readable markings on most gear. Usually, anti-theft/sticky finger prevention centers around sleeper cells of friends with eyes on each others gear etc, and the willingness to ensure a proper swabbing of the deck(s) with the flesh of the galacticly unintelligent person(s) so willing to attempt such a remarkably short career in acquisition and re-appropriation of that which is NOT theirs.
"If you're gonna be dumb, you gotta be tough."

 

[Adjectives]

I'm in the "no instruments left in cars ever" camp. If I have my bass on me and I'm going to grab a bite before the show, it comes in with me. Same with the pedalboard bag. If they want to steal a 70lb 4x10 cab and some mic stands, go for it. I once had a bandmate take my bass after a show to bring it to rehearsal the next day. I ended up meeting him a his house. While glancing in his car as I walked by (in the AM) I saw my bass case right on top in the back seat. We had words and he is not trusted anymore in that regard.

 

[Spectre Gunner]

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]

I think I saw that episode of "Breaking Bad".

 

[logdrum]

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]

You watched too many cop shows and Breaking Bad. Sure bad mouth querque... It and Santa Fe have a high creative index. Many B type shows and films are shot there and dark plots abound . Truth and fiction roll into each other. I am not saying it's totally safe but I feel safer there than most US cities People actually believe Edgewood NM is the sex traffic center of the US because a couple CBS shows said so.. It's a sleepy suburb where things close early

On second thought, I should probably look at TB terms of use

 

[lowphatbass]

Tweakers..leaving anything in the car is a calculated risk. Sometimes you have to make quick stops on the way to/from gigs. I always take my bass(s) with me...brought it into the bank once. I don’t stop at the bank on the way to gigs anymore.
If you’re doing a “light tour” always try to get a hotel/motel room on the ground floor. I NEVER leave gear in a car on the road.
Take pictures of all your gear. One full frame and one shot of the serial number/model tag. Always file a police report of your gear is stolen and call/email every music store/pawn shop in town.

 

[maxifunk]

if the bass is in my car it goes where I go.