Securing your musical instruments

Comrad_Durandal · Post by **Comrad_Durandal** » Tue Mar 26, 2013 9:22 pm

I was wondering what people use to secure their musical instruments. With a recent break-in in my neighborhood, I am left wondering how I would better protect myself from loss if someone should attempt to steal my instruments. I was pondering utilizing those notebook locks that use a security slot to lock them to a stand or perhaps a mounting installed on the wall. I know nothing 100% prohibits a determined thief, but I guess I am aiming to slow them down enough to make it not worth their time to steal vs. getting caught. I keep things out of sight from windows and doors - but I figure added security would be a must. Any advice?

Post by **mikemolloyuk** » Wed Mar 27, 2013 9:49 am

Make sure you are insured enough to replace it all is the first thing to do.

Bald Eagle · Post by **Bald Eagle** » Wed Mar 27, 2013 11:38 am

An alarm system can help scare off a thief but won't bother a determined pro. You can also install a GPS tracking device to help locate your gear should it ever be stolen. Take pictures of the gear and record serial numbers. Hardware can utilimately be replaced and proper insurance helps there.

Data is another issue. I make backups of keyboard data and store them on my PC with other music related files where they all get backed up to a USB drive and stored at another location.

Comrad_Durandal · Post by **Comrad_Durandal** » Wed Mar 27, 2013 4:06 pm

I've looked into insurance, but my agent can only offer policies that give you market value for the items lost. Keyboards seem to depreciate -very- fast on most insurance schedules and some of my musical instruments have 'no replacement value' according to my agent. Is there companies out there that offer 'what you purchased it at' value at loss? I am not sure about GPS tracking at the level of investment I have (considering most of those setups require active monitoring and a serious cost to them all) but not opposed to something that worked.

I don't expect loss, I just don't want to fathom trying to replace what I own in the event of a loss.

Post by **mikemolloyuk** » Thu Mar 28, 2013 8:57 am

Hi Comrad

I cant comment on particular insurance comparisons in the USA but i'd get other advice other than just your agent.!

Bald Eagle · Post by **Bald Eagle** » Thu Mar 28, 2013 11:57 am

mikemolloyuk wrote:Hi Comrad

I cant comment on particular insurance comparisons in the USA but i'd get other advice other than just your agent.!

You could check out insurance from the American Federation of Musicians if you are a member. I don't have any specific information but they may offer something better than your typical rip you off home and car insurance company.

Joe Gerardi · Post by **Joe Gerardi** » Thu Mar 28, 2013 6:22 pm

The overwhelming majority of my house if secured with .45 ACP.

..Joe

Yoa · Post by **Yoa** » Sun Apr 07, 2013 1:31 am

I keep all of my gear hidden from view in the 2nd floor. The door is in my bedroom (which I must say, that kind of access to your studio is kinda awesome), and you would have to break the windows entirely, including wood muntins, while on a ladder to get in through windows as they are rather securely secured in place. Makes ventilation hard, though. Both windows are blocked anyway, one by a table with a lot of loose electronics and the other by a DX7 and several hanging acoustic instruments.

Then of course most of my gear is either tied in place (usually by their cables

) or would be hard to grab due to size/weight, and even then most of it is hard to get in and out. Not to mention that the floor is squeaky as hell, as are most of the stands, and certain instruments would make noise merely by touching them due to either proximity to other instruments or the fact that they are heavy (thus the thief grunting while picking it up) or have some kind of audible device, like springs, in them.

Oh, and living in a generally safe neighbourhood helps, though I do have a minor armoury in my bedroom should the need arise. Security systems are helpful as well, but cost a lot.

Bald Eagle · Post by **Bald Eagle** » Sun Apr 07, 2013 1:46 am

Joe Gerardi wrote:The overwhelming majority of my house if secured with .45 ACP.
..Joe

Yoa wrote:Oh, and living in a generally safe neighbourhood helps, though I do have a minor armoury in my bedroom should the need arise.

Although not quite as impressive I do have a decorative double sided battle axe displayed on the wall within easy reach.

But in the end I still say hardware can be replaced ... Keep copies of software, midi, audio and anything else needed to reproduce your hard work and effort should the need arise.

Post by **mikemolloyuk** » Mon Apr 08, 2013 9:43 am

Bald Eagle - "Keep copies of software, midi, audio and anything else needed to reproduce your hard work and effort should the need arise."

Great advice.

I have 3TB drive with my SONAR projects on but you have reminded me I should back those up to another drive in case my PC gets stolen.