Marking Your Gear?

[konodl18]

I have a question, I'm wondering what the opinions here might be. I am thinking about stenciling my last name on all my gear, minus my actual basses. I have been thinking about it for awhile and am really torn. I think it would help ward off would-be thieves but could cause issues if I ever wanted to sell the stuff. I guess if it's easy to paint over or scratch off it would simplify resale but then it wouldn't really deter theft.

What are your thoughts everybody? The gear i'm thinking about putting my last name on are EV eliminator 15" tops, 18" subs, Peavey XR 8600, Mackie FR series amp, peavey vocal monitors, and the hardcases for my basses.

Opinions please

Oh, and my bass amps

 

[Stumbo]

I don't have a problem with it. I have cabs that have other people's names on them. You can always paint over them. Didn't make any difference to me in buying used stuff.

 

[MNAirHead]

I use polyester industrial thermal transfer labels.. I can ID my junk from a mile away.

 

[Jehos]

I never thought to label my PA gear or my amps because they're both covered in fuzzy stuff (my PA is enough for a practice room or little clubs, not really road-worthy stuff).

One thing you might also want to do though--label your cables and mics and stands. I bought a roll of bright orange duct tape and wrapped little strips around both ends of every cable that leaves my house. Same for all my mics, and my mic stands and guitar stands. It helps keep things organized when you're playing with other bands and they bring similar stuff--you don't have to worry about your last 50' mic cable going home with the other band because nobody knew whose it was.

 

[konodl18]

Thanks for all the input guys. MN, what are 'polyester industrial thermal transfer labels'? I'm not familiar with that.

Jehos, where are you at in the DFW area? I'm in WI but will be in Rowlett for a couple days next week!

 

[scsm]

Just make sure if you do label your things with Duct Tape it's an usual color of Duct Tape.

When I first started playing with a band I thought I'd be clever and wrap duct tape around both ends of all my speaker cables. (We were Frankensteining a PA to play at a house party). It would have been a great idea if the other band hadn't done the same exact thing with their cables too.

So like someone said if you mark cables with tape, make it an usual color.

 

[kalle74]

I will never put duct tape on any of my gear... The residue it leaves after coming off is nasty and very hard to get off.

 

[robd]

I also mark all my cables ect with bright duct tape. I can't think of how many times I've seen one of my cables heading into someone elses gig bag after a gig or a jam.

 

[HogieWan]

You can just write your initials with a sharpie in the control cavity or something. That way, if it is stolen, you can prove it is yours.