Anti theft measures for gigs

[Tori2013]

And you think that makes it safe? What country do you live in?

Same country and state you live in. Enclosed parking, CCTV, men with guns. Yeah.

 

[Hambone70]

I was always worried about being vanjacked at 3 am on the way home (in the UK, so no firearms). I bought the biggest, brightest Maglite. In case somebody stopped me, they were going to get 1000 lumens of LED to the eyes, followed by the end of the flashlight. Luckily, I never needed it!

 

[jbybj]

Same country and state you live in. Enclosed parking, CCTV, men with guns. Yeah.

I saw "The Shield", I'd be very cautious.

 

[WannabeBassman]

Put a big padlock around the neck, so the bass is unusable unless they saw the headstock off.

 

[BergerHead]

Put a big padlock around the neck, so the bass is unusable unless they saw the headstock off.

I like simple solutions! ;-)

 

[RustyAxe]

I have a concealed carry decal in my rear window. Seems to dissuade the curious from even looking in my car.

 

[trevcda]

When I had to leave gear in the van, I'd take basses and bags in with me and pad lock the rest of it together through the handles. If nothing else, I'm going to make it super inconvenient to take my stuff.

Caring for your rig during/after gigs and parking lot safety.

 

[Hambone70]

I like simple solutions! ;-)

Hmmm... something tells me that security system could be flawed. Could be the headstock... or lack thereof!

 

[WannabeBassman]

I like simple solutions! ;-)

View attachment 3331872

Well, it may not work with every instrument

 

[Scribbler]

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

If in a situation where I have to leave the car, I put a Toy Story duvet (comforter in the USA?) over all the stuff in the back and place a children's picture book, teddy bear and fluffy pink cushion on top of that in a random, messy way. It's worked so far.

 

[Scribbler]

Try to make sure nobody sees me load my Steinberger L2 in the car... the case looks just like a gun case, which in England is not a good thing.

 

[Scribbler]

Once left a WAL fretless propped against a car park wall after a gig. Went and got it the next morning when I realised what had happened.

 

[Scribbler]

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.

Simple but brilliant (possibly because it is so simple...)!

 

[Scribbler]

There’s the story about the accordian player who left his instrument in the car overnight. When he went out in the morning the window was smashed and there were two accordians in the car.

I play with an accordionist... can't wait to tell him this one!

 

[Scribbler]

We seem to play a fair number of army/airforce garrisons... they often provide muscle to help us in with gear and to keep a look out for it. They're a darned sight more secure than some places we play, in any case.

 

[Tori2013]

I saw "The Shield", I'd be very cautious.

Luckily, I can separate TV and movies from reality.

 

[swarfrat]

If in a situation where I have to leave the car, I put a Toy Story duvet (comforter in the USA?) over all the stuff in the back and place a children's picture book, teddy bear and fluffy pink cushion on top of that in a random, messy way. It's worked so far.

Throw some cheerios around and see if you can find a plastic chicken-nugget to leave with it.

 

[Scribbler]

Throw some cheerios around and see if you can find a plastic chicken-nugget to leave with it.

Love it!

 

[gln1955]

plastic chicken-nugget

Isn't that redundant?

 

[2112]

Wives and friends go with us to gigs, they help watch equipment during load-in/out and during breaks. If anyone outside the band's circle gets close to the stage or vehicles during these times everybody knows it.

Stage setup is kept as simple as possible. We don't take anything terribly pricey or irreplaceable. We don't leave leave anything in the vehicles while we're at the venue. After the show we load out and leave, making sure we're not followed, and head back to the practice space we unload everything right then.

Played tons of gigs, never had anything stolen. But if we did, insurance would cover it.