As someone who hasn't gigged much, how do I stop thieves?

[interp]

Does anyone give you weird looks when you take it into the restroom?

LOL. I just use the back of the stage as a latrine.

 

[mesaplayer83]

+1. Be practical, not paranoid. From load-in to performance to breaks to load-out, security is a band-wide responsibility. Maintain awareness of your surroundings at all times and you'll generally be okay.

This - as long as your bandmates are decent people, and you all look out for each other, you'll be OK... I've been gigging for 35+ years, and never had anything significant come up missing...

 

[mesaplayer83]

Gear theft is virtually always a crime of opportunity.

The only way to prevent it is to remove the opportunity.

I'm always hovering around the stage or keeping my eye on it during breaks, or I make sure a band member or a band familiar (friend, family, spouse, etc.) is watching. Strangers approaching an unattended stage is a big attention-getter with my crew.

Load in and out is another potential opportunity. I'd rather have a band member stand guard and take a little longer to load in and out than have an unattended piece of gear stolen. Since I end up transporting the PA and lights, as we load the gear out to my vehicle, I put a guard outside to watch the pile of gear as it stacks up curbside. When loading in, the vehicle gets locked in between every trip.

Keep your wits about you, don't leave gear unattended, don't take anything for granted, and you should be fine. If you think an area has a high potential for more aggressive crime, don't take your best axe. All my gear is replaceable, except for some of the instruments. If you're that concerned, take the SX instead.

Agreed 100% with all of this...

 

[AltGrendel]

I think the best suggestion would be to buy a beater bass that you wouldn't mind loosing. Other option would be to learn to play an unlined fretless bass.

 

[Unemploid]

bike locks. lock your bass and amp together, and any other bags/cases.

 

[gazzatriumph]

Get insurance and a baseball bat

 

[Marc valero]

I have never had issues, but stay alert. But, one circumstance I haven't seen discussed is playing the same club Friday and Saturday and/or Sunday. We have a couple of places we play Friday and Saturday (years ago most of our gigs were Fri and Sat. at same club) and I take my mic, Zoom B-1 and MXR m-80 and GK M-200 with me after the show because they are small and easily lifted. I am using my cheap makeshift cabinet so no issue there. How much stuff do you pack up if you are playing the same venue?

 

[Coolhandjjl]

You are more at risk of some drunk person tripping on a cable and spilling their drink on your gear than actual theft. Or even you stepping off the edge or your gear slipping off the edge of the stage.

But whenever I am not on stage, and I see someone approaching the stage, even if it is someone who works there, my radar goes off.

 

[duff beer]

During the gig, the only things that might be in our vehicles are empty cases if we had nowhere else to store them.

I will only store empty cases in a vehicle if they are completely out of sight...the person breaking in to your vehicle doesn't know that the cases are empty until they've broken the window.

 

[Son of Wobble]

Raise an index finger in the general direction of the cad absconding with your beloved instrument and exclaim,
indignantly, "Stop, thief!"

 

[Two-Spirit]

If you can count on your bandmates, I'd take turns watching the back of the U-Haul and then don't go to the bathroom at the same time. Maybe you can have a cheap second rig for playing toilets.

 

[Two-Spirit]

Be sure to consult a lawyer about self defense. In some states its illegal to carry a baseball bat by itself, you have to have a glove a ball with it.

 

[matty1039]

If you smash all your gear at the end of the set you don't have to worry about it being stolen. Think about it...

 

[sawzalot]

I just keep an eye on my gear. I've never had anything stolen from a venue, and I don't leave anything in the car where someone might pilfer it. Insurance helps too for peace of mind.

Tom

 

[AngusHasMoxie]

Loadout as soon as possible.

Honestly, I think gear thieves are one of those things that you only hear about when it happens, and never hear when it doesn't. I've played a lot of gigs and my band has never been the victim, or ever seen another band fall victim to theft.

Protect yourself by keeping a list of all serial numbers, always have clear pictures of every piece of your gear, and keep your eye on your stuff. I try to load out right out back into my car after a set, but your gear is probably safer in the venue than anywhere else. Out of sight Out of mind for me.

 

[Bob_Ross]

I think the key is to NOT be an idiot

Crap. I'm doomed!

I was stopped on base in Germany once or twice carrying a Cort headless in a gig bag that looked a lot like a rifle bag. Nothing serious, more curiosity.

I was stopped by NYC Transit police trying to enter the New York subway system with a Steinberger L-2 back in the late 1980s. Even after I opened the case and showed it to them they weren't quite sure what it was; I had the play a walking/boogie-woogie bassline before they all nodded and let me go.

 

[Son of Wobble]

Loadout as soon as possible.

Honestly, I think gear thieves are one of those things that you only hear about when it happens, and never hear when it doesn't. I've played a lot of gigs and my band has never been the victim, or ever seen another band fall victim to theft.

Protect yourself by keeping a list of all serial numbers, always have clear pictures of every piece of your gear, and keep your eye on your stuff. I try to load out right out back into my car after a set, but your gear is probably safer in the venue than anywhere else. Out of sight Out of mind for me.

I know any number of pros who have been knocked off for their gear, but the most common scenario based on my anecdotal observation is "whole band on tour come outta the waffle house to find their van gone."

Most creative divestment of gear goes to some Portland pals who forgot to hitch the back door of their van and posited gear all across town, only a small part of which was eventually retrieved.

Best stealing of an instrument goes to some guys in SF, CA who stole a trumpet from a rival band and then recorded a tauting put-down single utilizing the horn on a solo. GENIUS.

 

[bass12]

I will only store empty cases in a vehicle if they are completely out of sight...the person breaking in to your vehicle doesn't know that the cases are empty until they've broken the window.

I've lost track of the number of times someone has justified wanting to leave a bag or case in the car with "But there's nothing in there worth stealing". Um, the thief doesn't know that - all he sees is a bag or case that could very well contain something desirable. In my experience, a car is the least safe place to store anything. A thief with the right tool can get into your car, take what he wants and be gone in under two minutes - without even leaving a trace of a break-in (broken window, lock, etc.).

 

[CaseyVancouver]

Interesting thread.

In 3 or 4000 gigs I have never had gear stolen. I have had stuff grabbed in a house break-in so I keep an inexpensive sharp looking bass in plain view they can run away with. That's my $100 insurance plan.

A couple of years ago played an outdoor jazz sidewalk gig on upright, 5 piece band with horns. We basically were just playing tunes as people walked by. You know how drummers keep their sticks in a leather pouch on the floor tom? This junkie actually tried to steal the pouch off his drum as we were playing! He snuck up behind the drummer kinda crouching like a cat about to pounce. I did not know our laid back soft spoken drummer could be so assertive.

 

[Son of Wobble]

Interesting thread.

In 3 or 4000 gigs I have never had gear stolen. I have had stuff grabbed in a house break-in so I keep an inexpensive bass in plain view they can run away with.

A couple of years ago played an outdoor jazz sidewalk gig on upright, 5 piece band with horns. We basically were just playing tunes as people walked by. You know how drummers keep their sticks in a leather pouch on the floor tom? This junkie actually tried to steal the pouch off his drum as we were playing! I did not know our laid back soft spoken drummer could be so assertive.

I was sleeping in the back seat of a car in the parking lot of a Vegas strip club one hot summer night because I could not drag my craven friends out of the lap dance lounge.... Due to the heat, I drowsed with my feet out the open car window, and as I did, some crackheads tried to silently remove my shoes. Kinda creepy!