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.

 

[ivbenaplayin]

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

I prefer my colt...

 

[Psycho Ward]

Touching any of my stuff causes nose bleeds, strangest thing really.

 

[ZiggyDude]

I guess that I should count myself the lucky. After decades of gigging I have yet to have something stolen at a gig - or any of the other band members for that matter.

I keep my basses well on the stage. Anyone going up there would be the most obvious. And if we set up early I either don't leave them or they get hidden.

I would think the biggest danger is load in and out. We try to keep a person watching on each end. Common sense stuff like keeping things covered, park the truck so the tailgate can not be opened, don’t leave little stuff like a wireless remote hanging around.

I guess one reason is that over the years I did a lot of private clubs. The members are always better behaved. No fights, this and that. But, there are the other rooms I play – I guess the common sense stuff is number one.

Having something stolen can be a huge hurt to the mind and heart. I had a Traynor YBA-2A head stolen from a locked music room when I was in high school. To this day there is a “hole” in life where it was supposed to be. Rare as poop to find also – so I have not replaced it yet.

 

[Calaveras]

Well I live in Oakland. I have had some microphones and PA gear stolen but never anything more dear (like a bass!). I make it a policiy to always have an eye on my gear. Or have someone in the band watching it. If I can stash it in a backstage I will, but even then it is not safe. Some other bands have some very lame friends!
I always stack my gear backstage in a way that makes it daunting to fiddle with it. EG, put the gear box on the floor against the wall. Put the bass on top of it. Put the cabinet in front of those two. put the head on top of all of that. Now they cant get at your pedals or your bass without moving the big heavy stuff!
I also never leave my axe out on stage. Way too easy for some drunk to knock it over.

 

[TheAntMan]

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

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.

Wow, sounds like the perfect place for a criminal to set up shop since everyone is so complacent. Anyway, don't leave your gear unattended is the main rule.

--Ant