Rickresource Rickenbacker Forum

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...

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.

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.

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....

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.

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!

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.

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.

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...

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.

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...