Protecting your RIC from theft

marc61 · Post by **marc61** » Thu Aug 09, 2007 7:02 pm

Being on this forum is a form of protection. The Ric basses always have something unique about them, many of us can identify the owner just by looking at a particular bass, and we're all over the world...

basshawk · Post by **basshawk** » Fri Aug 10, 2007 7:37 am

My '73 4001FG was in my son's car when the car was stolen. Gone but not forgotten.
Marc is right about this forum. The registration is great in that it has a time stamp when they were registered. I put a locking knob and deadbolt on the closet I keep the ricks in - and hang the cheap basses on the wall.
A friend of mine just had the same thing happen last winter. They were packing up after a gig when the van suddenly took off out from under them. They found the van about 3 blocks away with the keys in the ignition and all the equipment was still in it. The cops asked if they wanted to file a report,,, they said 'why bother', the stuff was back and they were tired and just wanted to get home. Just someone needing a ride home.

kcole4001 · Post by **kcole4001** » Fri Aug 10, 2007 10:21 am

So, how much does a LoJack cost, Elys?
I honestly have no idea!
I'm assuming that it's what you would call 'controlled', as in only available to military, CIA, FBI, etc.

elysrand · Post by **elysrand** » Fri Aug 10, 2007 11:03 am

Heavens no! It is an antitheft gadget sold by every good alarm company around that features automobile antitheft equipment. It is, in its original form, a tiny box that hooked in to a car's 12 volt DC battery current from anywhere on the car, and had a tiny radio receiver and transmitter embedded inside. A short wire hung out the other end as an antenna. It either listened for a coded radio signal to begin broadcasting a coded location beacon signal, for a patrol car or set of fixed towers to track and pinpoint the location of the device, or had GPS installed later and periodically burst-transmitted its location. Prices have come down steadily in the last decade or two since they were introduced. And nowadays, some versions have long-life lithium internal batteries that are good for 10 years, unless the unit is actually activated and used after a theft. I don't know what current pricing is for the more-miniaturized versions, but I can find out

The large-format version is supposed to run around $400 or more installed in a car retail, but the parts for it only cost $150 or less wholesale. I have seen the "spy stores" (that sell to commercial businesses, the informed public, and private-eyes) sell the smaller versions. It is those smaller versions that I need to find out pricing for....

kcole4001 · Post by **kcole4001** » Fri Aug 10, 2007 11:22 am

Sorry for my ignorance on the subject!

It seriously is an interesting option, though, and considering the prices we are paying for rare & vintage guitars, it's not altogether an unreasonable expense, at least for the most valuable pieces.

I'd much rather get my bass back unmolested than a compensatory insurance payment, then have to try & find a replacement, which could take years, if it ever becomes possible at all.

I think you know what I mean, Elys, though fortunately I've never experienced a loss such as this yet.
I'm sure we all can imagine how painful that could be.

elgranluis · Post by **elgranluis** » Sun Aug 12, 2007 1:17 pm

I think the best way to go is to remain sober. also, when we load and unload there is always a bandmember guarding the car, and another guarding the stage so there's never anything left on its own. I guess it'd be hard in the middle of a denver winter though!

bassman2k · Post by **bassman2k** » Sun Aug 12, 2007 1:27 pm

That's good advice Luis. Our jazz band recently played outdoors at a gallery show in Columbus. The streets were full of people, so when we were loading and unloading, we had to have a chain of people transporting the equipment with guards on both ends to make sure nothing was taken.

alanz · Post by **alanz** » Sun Aug 12, 2007 4:06 pm

What happens if you're in a power trio? I'd make the drummer do the work while I "guarded" the stage by standing next to the bar.

bassman2k · Post by **bassman2k** » Sun Aug 12, 2007 4:09 pm

Or worse, a duo! Then you'd have one person guarding the car, the other guarding the stage, and nobody to transport the equipment! Although I suppose a duo wouldn't have much equipment to begin with...

byu · Post by **byu** » Sun Aug 12, 2007 5:54 pm

Here's a scary video for those who are worried about home break-ins.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hr23tpWX8lM
The locks to prevent this are, unfortunately, quite expensive.

wayang · Post by **wayang** » Sun Aug 12, 2007 10:49 pm

Luis...it's hard to remain sober in the middle of a Denver winter, that's for sure!

Aw, who am I kiddin'...it's impossible...