Expensive basses need a fireproof home.

[micguy]

I disagree with the premise that some basses are expensive. Compared to classical instruments (bought a good cello lately?), pianos, and harps (yes, I have played a gig where all of these were present), there are no expensive bass guitars. A Fodera is cheap compared to a lot of musical instruments.

That said, some of you hoarders may have a collection that's worth a bunch.

 

[chris_b]

I don't have specific musical instrument insurance. Never have.

I reckon the premiums I've saved have paid for my gear several times over.

 

[68Goldfish]

I feel you! I'm terribly paranoid about my basses. Here's my bass storage safe. I usually take the shelving out so I can get more guitars in there. I can usually fit five or six basses with cases in there. Gives me peace of mind when I'm gone for the night or more.

 

[fretno]

I would need like 10 safes. Instead i have one insurance policy. But the truth is the instruments and stuff have no real value , only things that matter are getting the living to safety. Sure some things are not replaceable and we would miss those things but we’ll move forward to live and play another day.

 

[groooooove]

 

[groooooove]

couldn't help myself with that last post..

real answer: you probably don't need anything.

yes, there are occasions where fire destroys things. every day safety features prevent the majority of this stuff.

assuming your collection is in the $15,000 or so range, yes that's a lot of money. but for reference, over on the DB forum that amount would get you a "nice student instrument" or something like that. you'd be shocked at how many $20K+ basses just get placed in a corner of an apartment in brooklyn - and never see a problem.

I remember in college a violinist i knew had a really fine violin, priced over $50k. it amazed me how she just treated it the way i would treat my $3,000 bass. not reckless, but it just got used, like it was anything else. She was a top-notch player and was working all the time.

the idea of investing in something over the top like that to keep your basses safe is like a healthy person wearing diapers every day "just incase." just take care of your basses, buy insurance if that gives you peace of mind, and keep on rockin'.

 

[Jeff Hughes]

Sometimes the water from the fire being put out is also a problem.

Just get it all insured, and if something happens, time to buy more basses.

 

[akukulich]

I'm not in the fire service, but have worked with firefighters for a long time. A closet with a real door will do a pretty good job protecting what's inside even in a room that sustains heavy fire damage. If you put a fire door on that closet, your chances of survival improve, and it also deters theft.

Your next problem will be water damage. If you can keep water from flowing into the cases (maybe a simple tarp?) and keep the cases off the floor (maybe 2x4's on bricks to keep the cases elevated) your chances of survival start to look pretty good. If you want to get really involved, I'd have a hard tile floor instead of carpet, and I'd think about hanging something like moving blankets on the walls for insulation against heat. Of course, all of that assumes the fire doesn't burn the place to the ground, at which point all bets are off.

If you're fortunate enough to have a fire suppression system in your house, that's likely your best friend. I've seen them save many homes and businesses. Past that, keep an extinguisher on every floor and in the garage. Functioning smoke detectors are obvious.

 

[el basso]

"a lot"

 

[arbiterusa]

Insure them and forget about it.

If I'm ever so unfortunate as to have a fire, the ONLY things I'm worried about getting out of the house are my wife and dog, period. The rest can burn to the ground. You can replace things. You can't replace people.

PS yes my dog is people

 

[fretno]

for some folks who own homes a "safe room" is a good idea . You build those in to be hidden from intruders . I'm sure you could fire proof it as well .

 

[Killing Floor]

6” layer of bubble wrap and ship them to yourself, just add new stamps every time you get them back and repeat. The post office will keep them safe. That’s how they got to you in the first place, right?

 

[dalkowski]

Having been through a fire I'll echo those who've said:
a) Worry about water.
b) Yes insurance.
c) Odds are your basses will be low on your priorities list in the unfortunate event.

A lot of other good guidance in this thread — in the end, you do whatever works for you. Good luck and stay safe.

 

[spade2you]

View attachment 4569007

Most will do the job and alert you, but not if you're not home. Had neighbors have an electrical fire. They had working smoke detectors and a security system, but the two weren't connected and nothing happened until neighbors saw fire coming out the roof.

 

[Pings Bass]

Insurance is my answer. But my real answer is that i don't own and truly expensive instruments. My 38 Kay is just about irreplaceable (if not super expensive), but if I locked it up, I couldn't play it.

 

[31HZ]

To address the OP, I believe that Anthony uses a Liberty Fatboy Jr., which is rated for 75 minutes at 1200 degrees. Seems like a good solution if you have concerns about theft and/or fire, best used in conjunction with other measures (alarm system, sprinklers, lighting, cameras, doors/locks, etc.).

Link Removed

 

[kesslari]

I use a gun safe.
And insurance.

 

[db59]

There absolutely are fire proof gun safes.

Indeed and I have one

 

[db59]

Different problem..........

 

[Meenkya]

Forget above recovering basses from a "fire-proof" safe. True the flames may not touch the insides but the interior temperature rises enough to ruin most items inside. And as others have stated, the water damage doesn't help. I have two Liberty Lincoln 35's bought about 25 years ago, both "fire rated" for protection for a certain amount of time, don't remember the specs because its a non issue for me. Having seen countless firearms post fire from inside a safe, I have zero faith in the fire protection but I do rely on the safe giving somebody a hard time trying to get in plus they weigh about 850lbs empty and you can bet they are not empty, lol. Read the fine print ( times at certain temps) on "fire proof" safes and look up some photos of guns "surviving" a fire.

Again as others have said, Ill doubt Ill be thinking about my basses, my guns, or any of my stuff, till my family is safe and still probably wont care afterwards....just me though