Question: Keeping your Bass from being stolen while on a gig?

[RaginRog]

So in light of one of our Forumites getting his Bongo stolen, something dawned on me and figured I'd ask my fellow MusicMan lovers.

When you're out on a gig, especially a crappy dive bar, what measures do you and your band take to keep your gear from being stolen?

I've always hated wandering audience members who like walking up on stages, or the corner of the room where the band is set up, and start eyeing one's equipment. In my last band, our poor guitarist had his $2500 PRS guitar scratched up by some idiot who decided to sling it on to play "air-guitar" with. The entire backside was scratched up by his belt buckle. I had a guy try and pick up my one of my basses between sets when we were getting refreshments...Of course my, "Hey Mother F'er, do you want to put that down", quickly solved things. You just don't know who's a thief, and who's an admirer simply wanting to look at our gear up close.

Rule of thumb for most gigs was that one band member always stayed with the equipment. It certainly helps. Also, when loading up the car at the end of the night, guitars and basses go last....right when you leave.


Anyone else have any stories, close calls, suspicious characters??

[five7]

Introduce them to friends of the band, Mrs. Smith and Mrs. Wesson.

[Aussie Mark]

Rule of thumb for most gigs was that one band member always stayed with the equipment

That all you need to do. ie. "Yo, dawg, I'm going for a squirt/beer/burger, can you keep an eye on the stage for me".

[Caca de Kick]

We do the same thing with always having one of us stay with the gear. Also the reason I carry them hardshell cases, If I'm not playing it, it immediately goes right back in the case.

[oli@bass]

Reading stuff like this makes me feel blessed to live at a place where such thoughts are of no concern!

[MrMusashi]

Reading stuff like this makes me feel blessed to live at a place where such thoughts are of no concern!

+1

MrM

[Musicman Nut]

Reading stuff like this makes me feel blessed to live at a place where such thoughts are of no concern!

No one steals over there, Very cool what a perfect world, here we just keep our Glocks loaded.

[five7]

Reading stuff like this makes me feel blessed to live at a place where such thoughts are of no concern!

There are no thieves where you live or perform?

[rizzo9247]

Yeah, I've done more than my share of dive bars, and have brought some expensive basses with me. Thankfully nothing has been stolen at a show. To me, musicians wont steal gear, the non musician does; and most likely they wont know the difference between your pre CBS Fe**** and a squier anyway. Their goal is not to get caught (duh), and its easier to spot someone walking out of a bar with a bass than the crook who smashes into your car and grabs it IMO.

My only advice is to know your exits, and position your basses in a spot that it would take a little more time getting to (ie the nook between your cab and drummer).

Good luck kids

[cellkirk74]

Always have someone watching your stuff if you have to leave Guitars on the stage. If there is a backstage area, you are safe there or behind the bar.

It is also a good idea to keep things out of reach for people. It can help tro put the bass behind your rig or the drumset, so it can not be easily grabbed.

(Switzerland really is a very safe place, Oli is blessed in that, ....and cheese)

[shakinbacon]

So in light of one of our Forumites getting his Bongo stolen, something dawned on me and figured I'd ask my fellow MusicMan lovers.

When you're out on a gig, especially a crappy dive bar, what measures do you and your band take to keep your gear from being stolen?

I've always hated wandering audience members who like walking up on stages, or the corner of the room where the band is set up, and start eyeing one's equipment. In my last band, our poor guitarist had his $2500 PRS guitar scratched up by some idiot who decided to sling it on to play "air-guitar" with. The entire backside was scratched up by his belt buckle. I had a guy try and pick up my one of my basses between sets when we were getting refreshments...Of course my, "Hey Mother F'er, do you want to put that down", quickly solved things. You just don't know who's a thief, and who's an admirer simply wanting to look at our gear up close.

Rule of thumb for most gigs was that one band member always stayed with the equipment. It certainly helps. Also, when loading up the car at the end of the night, guitars and basses go last....right when you leave.


Anyone else have any stories, close calls, suspicious characters??

What did your guitarist do after he saw the mess the idiot did? Just curious.

[koogie2k]

We have two guys that are huge powerlifters. They stand on either side of the stage and keep an eye on our gear and don't let anyone other than the band up there. They are actually "employed" by us. Believe me...no one goes up there.

Once we load off...one stays to watch the gear...the other goes outside to watch the gear there.

Plus, I play a bongo. No one steals an "ugly, toilet seat, cheap looking bass"...lol.

My bass is so well known it would probably roll the theif and take his wallet and possibly his shoes if they are my size.

[Duarte]

There are no thieves where you live or perform?

You should see Switzerland man, it's the most beautiful and perfect place I have ever been. Everyone is friendly and you would be lucky to find a single person who owns a gun...It doesn't suprise me that there is no need to worry about thieves there.

Here, well it's a different story.

[Jim_F]

Always got someone watching the gear, whether its on stage or after teardown...
Once had someone in a support band walking off with my guitar case from backstage after a gig. Excuse was the case looked like his ...

[Smallmouth_Bass]

On the load in and load out, I always try and have one person at the car while the other does the loading and I always keep an eye on the equipment or make sure someone is there when I'm not.