Security of our treasured instruments

[jazzyvee]

We hear now and again about members instruments being stolen and I do worry about that since it took me years of saving to get my own instrument. Which I want to keep.
 
Recently I bought a laptop computer and also got a security cable with it. It works by locking itself into a slot in the side of the computer with a code after you loop the cable through a fixed object like radiator or desk part.
 
Now i thought that if there was a way of putting a similar slot onto a brass or other metal plate on the back or side of the instrument, then that cable could be used also to secure my bass to a suitable fixed object at a gig venue, changing room or even in the car to stop it being removed easily by an unsavory opportunist person.
 
Here is a link to the web site where you can see an example of the cable lock.
 
http://www.mobiledatadirect.co.uk/product_info.php?cPath=136_122&products_id=663
 
Yes i know it wouldn't stop a determined hardened criminal, but as most people don't walk to gigs with a pair of industrial strength bolt croppers i think it would be a useful option to stop a light fingered person.
 
What do you think Mica?

[palembic]

Hi Jazzy,  
 
I think it could work technically. I mean: there must be a way to fix that kinda locks to a bass. However for what use? If I'm searching my memory on HOW instruments were stolen -not with me thank God- most of the time it happens while leaving the premises. In the hassle of packing, people walking inside and out with guitars in hand or flightcases, the line-up before everything is well stored in truck or car ....that hassle is the dreamed occasion for those vaul creatures that steal instruments. On stage an accident can happen: somebody dead-drunk falling over cables, those morons trying to impress others (girlfriends) etcetera ... but no theft.  
Just my idea.  
 
Paul the bad one
 
(Message edited by palembic on February 01, 2004)

[alembic76407]

I had a 50 foot steel cable made down at the hardware store with loops at both ends, so if we do more than one night I just snake the cable through all of the amps, speaker boxes and amp racks then put a good lock on it. and take all the guitars home. at least I sleep better
 

[Jan R]

That is why we have a strict policy in the band while we are packing the gear.
We first start to make everything transportable.  
Then, there will always be 1 guy on stage with the gear, and 1 guy at the van putting everything in it.
The others move the stuff from the stage to the van. Simple but safe.
I use those targus locks all the time with my laptop.
They exist in numeric keys versions, and with normal keys.
Even at home, the laptop is always in lock mode in case they brake in and they are in a hurry.
I guess that must be possible on the back of a bass, with some kind of a small plate fixed to it. Why not ?
But the best way of preventing this will always be :
NEVER leave your bass alone if you're going out with it.
At home is another issue ...

[jazzyvee]

Yep I hear yo guys and maybe I'm a bit edgy about it because you don't see too many alembics at gigs here in the UK.  
 
Whenever I do a gig with it I always get far too much attention from curious punters saying.... man that bass sounds and looks very expensive.. how much did it cost
That level of interest is uncomfortable so I was just thinking of a way of securing it until I get in the car with it. I do mainly session gigs and as we never travel together in the same transport so its not easy to get someone to watch the equipment whilst I unload and load up.
 
I'm just looking for a way of making the bass secure whilst I load and unload for a gig.
Any suggestions would be welcome.

[thebass]

A non-serious suggestion to Jazzy: Just tell the suspect guys that your Bass is just a crappy old pawn store beauty which you still keep for sentimental reasons and because its not worth selling it. Most of them won't see the difference anyways ;-)

[bracheen]

Werner, that's not such a non serious suggestion.  If it's not one of the mass produced brands lot of people will have never heard of it anyway.  How many times have you been asked by people looking right at your bass, what is that?
 
 
Sam

[thebass]

Almost everybody doesn't know about Alembic. Even my bandmates doesn't know much about it and how expensive they are. I also have a MM Sterling which I sometimes use for rehearsals. Almost everybody guesses the MM would be more expensive than my MK signature. Well, I feel comfortable with that ;-)

[bigbadbill]

Couldn't agree more. The only reason my bandmates know the value of Alembics is cause I keep telling them. I've yet to find a member of the general public or casual musician who has a clue. Ironically the only comment I've ever had was when I was playing a Warwick Dolphin; the bassist in the band we were playing with asked if it was an Alembic. I told him unfortunately not....(great bass though!). My Rickenbacker is in far more danger at most gigs; it seems EVERYONE knows what they are (Sir Paul has a lot to answer for!)  

[jazzyvee]

Well they may not know what the bass is but for sure they usually say What bass are you using.. it looks very expensive....
 
And they dont' need to know the brand name to steal it....
 I watch mine like a hawk....
 

[llobsterbass]

Lots of Deadheads go to see our band, and they all know Alembics by sight. Hey, you got a Phil bass!

[David Houck]

Welcome to the group Steve.  Do you have a picture of your Orion?  I'm sure there might be a few folks around here who would love to see it.

[mint_bass]

welcome to the club steve look forward to talking to you  
 
ANDREW