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Do you take your valuable basses to gigs?

#83
I'm OK up to a couple of grand. My home-made bass, my fancy guitars and my Dingwall have all made appearances at benefit events in homeless shelters.

I'm pretty sure that if I ever had an instrument that was way over that, like up into the $5-10K range, I'd be stressed.

Not so much at the thought of having it scratched or damaged, but that I would become a theft target. Who wants to get beaten or stabbed over an instrument?
 
#84
kellyrojo said:
I don't get this line of resoning. Average thieves are much more likely to steal a flashy looking "new" bass than a vintage beater looking bass in my opinion. I bet if you put a basic Ibanez with a flashy finish and a vintage worn Fender on stands next to each other the Ibanez gets stolen first out of ignorance. Just my opinion
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Most people who steal guitars are other musicians or people who know gear. The dumb kid who doesn't know anything and walks out the door with the shiny bass is a rarity. Your average thief doesn't know what a Ritter is, and isn't interested in it. But they sure do know Fender and Gibson, and know how to recogize an expensive vintage instrument. If you're going to steal a guitar from a club, then you better know that what you're stealing is worth the risk.

It's like art theft. Those that break into museums know what they're looking at.
 
#85
steve_rolfeca said:
I'm OK up to a couple of grand. My home-made bass, my fancy guitars and my Dingwall have all made appearances at benefit events in homeless shelters.

I'm pretty sure that if I ever had an instrument that was way over that, like up into the $5-10K range, I'd be stressed.

Not so much at the thought of having it scratched or damaged, but that I would become a theft target. Who wants to get beaten or stabbed over an instrument?
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You think someone prepared to beat you up or stab you is likely to be able to tell the difference between a bass worth a couple of grand and one worth five to ten?
 
#87
Well you bought the bass to play right? Then make sure it is insured properly and play that thing when ever the venue is appropriete.
BTW, where in Tampa? I am 20 min northwest of there.
 
#88
FretNoMore said:
You think someone prepared to beat you up or stab you is likely to be able to tell the difference between a bass worth a couple of grand and one worth five to ten?
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Who knows. There are thousands of people out there that are willing to point a gun/knife at you at an ATM machine just to steal $500. Imagine if one such person knew you had a $15,000 bass. Do you think he'd hesitate to follow you to a parking lot and take it at knifepoint?
 
#89
FretNoMore said:
You think someone prepared to beat you up or stab you is likely to be able to tell the difference between a bass worth a couple of grand and one worth five to ten?
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The majority of folks are going to hand over the instrument in a robbery, contrary to what internet tough guys say to the contrary. If the bag has a MIM Jazz, it wouldn't be as heartbreaking as if it held a Fodera AJ signature.
 
#91
KeddyLee said:
I'm dying to see the $15,000 bass... or at least know what it is?
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Exhale.... I just did the deal. 1956 Fender Precision, all original save 2 neck screws and a few pick guard screws. After some negotiation I paid $9,500. So it is not 15K bass, though some do go for that and higher.

I can't believe it. I have dreamed of an 1950's P-bass for many years, it is my ultimate, my bass nirvana. I about as happy as I can be. Pictures coming soon.
 
#93
shadven said:
Exhale.... I just did the deal. 1956 Fender Precision, all original save 2 neck screws and a few pick guard screws. After some negotiation I paid $9,500. So it is not 15K bass, though some do go for that and higher.

I can't believe it. I have dreamed of an 1950's P-bass for many years, it is my ultimate, my bass nirvana. I about as happy as I can be. Pictures coming soon.
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Nice. Congrats. Some of those just have pure magic tone.
 
#94
DwaynieAD said:
if you're afraid to play it outside of your bedroom i'd advise you not to get it.
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Why? What is the bass for except the pleasure of the person who owns it?

I'm not saying never play it out, but to all but a very select few number of people, seeing a $15,000 vintage bass played doesn't mean much. It's not like you're depriving anyone of enjoyment by keeping it at home. If someone wants to keep their vintage instrument in their house and never take it out, what's the difference? There are literally countless collections of art, automobiles, guns, etc. etc. in private homes that never see the world outside.
 
#95
malthumb said:
This is, to me at least, the unspoken beauty of a really nice gig bag. There are some who think expensive basses have to be transported in cases. I prefer to transport mine in gig bags because I can strap it to my back like a backpack and keep it with me while I'm loading and unloading the rest of my gear.
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^^^Yep. I've done gigs in some truly creepy bars where as soon as I got off stage I strapped my gigbag onto my back, but then wound up hanging out for another 2 or 3 hours, drinking, socializing, networking, chillaxin'...all while wearing my bass.
 
#97
steve_rolfeca said:
I'm OK up to a couple of grand. My home-made bass, my fancy guitars and my Dingwall have all made appearances at benefit events in homeless shelters.

I'm pretty sure that if I ever had an instrument that was way over that, like up into the $5-10K range, I'd be stressed.

Not so much at the thought of having it scratched or damaged, but that I would become a theft target. Who wants to get beaten or stabbed over an instrument?
Click to expand...

I don't stress because if it's a situation to worry about I:

-Wear my bass on my back or keep it by my side.

-know that my bass is unrecognized by many people. Its not a Fender, Gibson or PRS. Most randoms guess that it's an Ibanez or a Carvin.

-Know that my bass is nearly impossible to fence under the radar. Its a one of a kind in a number of ways.
 
#98
lowfreq33 said:
Several years ago a couple of crackheads broke into a rehearsal space we shared with another band. Easily $50,000 worth of gear. Only think they took was a $100 CD burner. Walked right past the Les Pauls and Marshall amps.
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Reminds me of the time kids (obviously) broke into my house when I was a teenager: Stole my entire LP collection and my cassette tape collection (plus half the contents of my parents' liquor cabinet). Completely ignored the $500 cash that was sitting right in the box with those cassette tapes!!!
 

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