How to Stop Unauthorized Gear Acquisition

zander

Inspired
I’ve never played out, but I’m not dismissing the possibility.

I’ve looked (in awe) through the rig thread. Between the AXE-FX, MFC101, Suhr (or other) guitars and misc equipment I can see where you could easily have maybe $8-$10k sitting on stage.

For those of you that gig out, what steps do you take to keep your gear from being stolen?
 
I’ve never played out, but I’m not dismissing the possibility.

I’ve looked (in awe) through the rig thread. Between the AXE-FX, MFC101, Suhr (or other) guitars and misc equipment I can see where you could easily have maybe $8-$10k sitting on stage.

For those of you that gig out, what steps do you take to keep your gear from being stolen?

Im 6'5" and 350lb's so I pretty much dont have to do anything LOL
 
^^lol that always works! I have insurance for all my gear. Usually we always make sure somebody has eyes on the gear. Someone outside near the van while someone else is carrying something in...etc.
 
I have Insurance and I am in charge of my own gear, the only time I lost gear was when we had roadies, I lost a 1963 Fender Tele custom.
That sucked.
 
I'm insured for full retail prices on all my gear through Heritage Musical insurance. I am also very anal about my gear and very careful about staying in sight. On two night stands where it stays I cover everything and take the instruments home.

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I'm insured for full retail prices on all my gear through Heritage Musical insurance. I am also very anal about my gear and very careful about staying in sight. On two night stands where it stays I cover everything and take the instruments home.

Sent from my DROID RAZR using Forum Runner

Thanks for the tip on the insurance. We have State Farm, but they really don't offer coverage for this. How cost effective is it?
 
Thanks for the tip on the insurance. We have State Farm, but they really don't offer coverage for this. How cost effective is it?

Heritage is professional musical gear insurance; you are covered on the gig outside your home and anywhere in between. Most riders on home insurance do not cover transportation or using the gear professionally on the gig outside of the home. Covered are theft, accident, fire, theft, flood damage, act of God, etc..

I've been with them since the early 90's; had one claim in my time with them a few years back. They handled it quickly, professionally, efficiently; I remain a happy customer to this day. I have about $40,000 worth of gear covered for about $400 a year. I highly recommend them. Heritage Insurance Service - Insurance for fine musical instruments Insurance My contact there is Robin.
 
- Always have someone watching the gear (inside and out) during load-in/load-out.
- Depending on the club, keep an eye on the stage on breaks during the gig.
- For multi-night, I take all small/light/expensive things with me, e.g., I'd never leave an instrument or my AxeFx.

TT
 
There's a gig in my town that provides no parking and demands that we set up our gear between 3 to 4 in the afternoon in an open public bar area and leave it there until we retun at 9 to play. I've had nothing stolen which I put down to luck, but we don't play there any more - we don't need their attitude.
 
Thanks for the tip on the insurance. We have State Farm, but they really don't offer coverage for this. How cost effective is it?
Talk to your agent and ask about an Inland Marine rider. The rider covers professional equipment against theft, breakage, vandalism, and damages any time it's not at your home. Most insurance agents don't know what to look for when you ask for pro equipment coverage, not sayin they're not knowledgable, just that this is a very specialized rider that is offered by most insurance companies, but not requested very often. You might get a good rate if it's attached to another policy as a rider, If not as Scott said, Heritage is a great resource.
 
Talk to your agent and ask about an Inland Marine rider. The rider covers professional equipment against theft, breakage, vandalism, and damages any time it's not at your home. Most insurance agents don't know what to look for when you ask for pro equipment coverage, not sayin they're not knowledgable, just that this is a very specialized rider that is offered by most insurance companies, but not requested very often. You might get a good rate if it's attached to another policy as a rider, If not as Scott said, Heritage is a great resource.

Another option besides Heritage -- I have coverage for professional music equipment through MusicPro Insurance. At home and outside home coverage. I've had one claim for two stolen guitars over the past 10 years, and they handled it quickly and fairly. I highly recommend them.
 
Follow-up:

As it turns out, I will indeed be taking some gear out of the house to work with a Nashville studio musician (guess I'm blessed). I'll admit that I'm at least as paranoid as Scott (if not more). Got it from my dad who was in insurance all his life.

Heritage seems to be the popular choice, but I've also seen MusicPro which seems to have a lower rate.

Your thoughts?
 
Usually we always make sure somebody has eyes on the gear. Someone outside near the van while someone else is carrying something in...etc.

+1

We never leave gear unattended. That's when bad things happen. After a gig, we pack everything up on stage and then we all carry out together so there's a steady stream of people going in and out of the venue. Plus, Virginia allows carry permits. ;)
 
I've got all of my equipment covered by an insurance company specialising in musicians. They cover the gear everywhere, even left unattended, in sight, in the car. At gigs, there's always one of the band around all the equipment and during load in and out, one of us is watching each end. It really depends where we play as to how much effort we have to put into this.

Can't recommend the insurance highly enough. Peace of mind is a wonderful thing. Although, saying that, if I lost one of my guitars I'd be mightily cross as most of them have some kind of sentiment attached to them. Everything else though is readily replaceable and whilst I'd be cross, I wouldn't be too bothered about it as it's easily replaced.
 
At the end of a gig when the rest of the band hangs out and starts drinking, I pack up all my shit immediately and load it in my car. I think on average i probably have around 15k in gear with me at a gig. If I had a child I wouldn't ever leave them alone in public, same goes for my gear.
 
Insurance, as mentioned by others, is a great idea.

Also, you might consider not taking your primo pieces of gear to a gig. Instead of that nice Suhr guitar, take a Classic Vibe.
 
-Don't put your "easily carried off" stuff in the walkway path or next to a door. The guitar rack goes in a corner on the stage. Cases go in a storage room or back in the van/trailer.
-We usually have a table close to the stage during break and somebody is sitting at that table at all times. Wives, Girlfriends, etc... are usually sitting there anyway and they pay attention.
-During load in/out NEVER keep the doors unlocked unless a band member is at the vehicle.
-At the very end, pack up and get your stuff out of there. I don't drink at gigs. SOMETIMES, if we get packed up in time, I'll have a drink afterwards.
-On 2 night gigs, I put my pedalboard back by my rack, throw my wireless and stuff in a bag and tuck it away by the drums. I also take my guitars back to my house/hotel/wherever I'm staying

Edit: I also don't play my crazy expensive stuff at bar gigs. I picked up a $600 Charvel Desolation Soloist last year and had a tech do some finishing work on it (fret work, nut work, pickups, etc...). This is now my main guitar for bars. I do still have my ESP on the rack though as a backup guitar. I struggle with this decision because I feel like I have expensive guitars that go unused, however, the Charvel is replaceable by going to the shop and grabbing a new one off the rack + a week tops for mods.
 
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Insurance, as mentioned by others, is a great idea.

Also, you might consider not taking your primo pieces of gear to a gig. Instead of that nice Suhr guitar, take a Classic Vibe.

I don't have much primo gear (like a Suhr), other than the Axe-Fx. I do have a CV50 Tele though. Nice guitar for the price.
 
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