Author Topic: On RFID protection... (Read 172 times)

JuancarlinBass · « **on:** November 10, 2011, 12:23:25 PM »

Greets!. I' ve just received a newsletter from Carvin, and they mention there something I thought would be useful to discuss on here. Carvin says they have been, for 10 years now, working with the people at SNAGG (www.snagg.com) implementing RFID devices on some of their instruments as an additional safety measure, in the unfortunate case the instrument may be stolen. Although it doesn't avoids any chances of it being stolen, at least it seems to provide an increased chance of getting it back, depending on the area. They say it is a permanent installation of the device inside the instrument, which cannot be removed after that without destroying the instrument (and therefore ruining it).
It seems interesting.
Now my question is... Wouldn't RFID make interference with the active electronics? Would it still be working properly, although embedded inside, say, my Alembic bass's body? Has anyone of you had any similar experience on this matter?

jazzboy621 · « **Reply #1 on:** November 10, 2011, 01:33:47 PM »

Very interesting idea!!!!

jazzyvee · « **Reply #2 on:** November 12, 2011, 09:34:15 AM »

There is something like this available in the UK called http://www.musi-trac.co.uk

Jazzyvee

JimmyJ · « **Reply #3 on:** November 13, 2011, 07:40:14 AM »

Pretty sure they're talking about the microchip my dog has between her shoulder blades. It is a very small passive component - no battery or transmission - which contains a unique ID number detectable via handheld RFID scanner. When veterinarians or animal control encounter a new dog they scan the animal for that chip and check the number against a database to determine the animal's owner and if the dog is reported lost or stolen. Great idea since dogs don't have serial numbers and are sometimes reluctant to talk!

These RFID chips don't broadcast and thus wouldn't interfere with your electronics (although I'd turn down the amp if you were going to use the scanner). And I suppose it would serve as another way to identifying an instrument you were trying to recover. But unless somebody brings the instrument to a vet ... or until music stores and pawn shops start scanning gear regularly, I'm not sure how valuable it is.

If I was going to be cynical I would say this new feature is simply built in to make inventory easier at Carvin. HA! No disrespect intended, I understand the Carvin people are nice folks and I'm listening to one of their new guitars right now...

Jimmy J

sonicus · « **Reply #4 on:** November 13, 2011, 08:24:50 AM »

I have heard stories where pets have been reunited with their people with such chips . Variations are possible with your items utilizing GPS technology and a GEOCOIN or a smaller NANOCOIN and this is something that you can do at home as well. A geocoin or nanocoin can be hidden in an instrument case or within the instrument somewhere as well. GEOCACHING _______http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Geocaching