Theft prevention/recovery aids

[Sparge]

So, if I'm not mistaken, the only ID on my new 4003 is the serial number on the jack plate. If so, that means a screwdriver will render it unidentifiable if it's stolen.

I thought about engraving the s/n into the back, perhaps not even through the finish. That would be harder to remove. Then it occurred to me to me that RFID tags like those used to identify pets would be better because they can be hidden pretty well. A quick google revealed that there's a company doing that. I'm not affiliated with them, but I'm still not going to name them or post a link. If you're interested, google "rfid musical instrument". They claim, of course, that their tags (and warning stickers) prevent theft and aid recovery. The price is reasonable, so I'll probably give it a shot.

So, has any tagged their Rick? Any other theft prevention/recovery ideas? Other than "never let go of it"?

[blueflamerick]

Hmm, I'm interested. My band is doing a tour of the South in February, and I was considering placing some sort of GPS device inside my Transonic cab and bass head.

[winston]

I think that's a great idea David. Thanks for bringing this to our attention.

[doctorwho]

David, your bass quite possibly has a label in the control cavity with some info on it - I'll see if I can find a picture of one in the control cavity of one of my more recent basses ... ah, found it:

1998 4003 WHT WT

You could put the serial number on it. Those numbers on mine are not part of the serial number but rather some sort of production code that was used during production.

[8mileshigher]

We have handled some shipments of high-valued goods at our warehouse recently and the motor-carrier is supplying rechargeable GPS tracking devices for the customer. Each GPS unit gets plugged into the computer and is coded for each trip, and once the battery is recharged, then a couple of these devices get stashed inside a couple of different master-cartons inside each trailer, so the owner of the goods has more than one tracking device, for each load, which they can keep tabs on these shipments, with their computer.

Might be a good thing for implanting such GPS devices inside E r i k's Transonic amp going on tour... and you just recharge them every so many days. They are about the size of two Balckberry's in comparison

[ilan]

I have written my name in several hidden places on my basses, that only I know of. And they are fully insured, which is a must IMHO.

[jdogric12]

An excellent idea.

I prefer though, to go with the insurance route, and leave the hen's teeth at home.

I remember reading in an interview somewhere, possibly with Mr. John Hall, that RIC had implemented (or was thinking about) some identification measure that wasn't clearly spelled out... I remember reading it and thinking maybe that meant some kind of electronic chip hidden in the instrument... maybe under the fretboard?

[ricosound]

My Carvin came with some rfid factory installed. I have no idea how to utilize it. I don't think it's meant to track only to scan like a permanent serial number. Suposidly it's buried in the body construction somewhere.

[T.A.R.]

Very interesting

[johnhall]

Then it occurred to me to me that RFID tags like those used to identify pets would be better because they can be hidden pretty well. A quick google revealed that there's a company doing that. I'm not affiliated with them, but I'm still not going to name them or post a link. If you're interested, google "rfid musical instrument". They claim, of course, that their tags (and warning stickers) prevent theft and aid recovery. The price is reasonable, so I'll probably give it a shot.

Putting the device in is easy. The problem is that essentially no one has the scanners to read the codes and then there's the question of who they should call to match you up in the database.

If it's to prove that a piece of equipment is yours and you have you own scanner, that's one thing, but to expect that it will help locate an instrument out there is unrealistic, hence the numerous false starts for the companies offering that service.

I've suggested several times that these firms supply chips to all guitar makers free of charge to be embedded during manufacture and make their money when the customer signs up for the service. But they have to distribute readers to essentially every police department and get chips in all kind of devices, such as skis, for example, to build the largest number of protected units out there to make it worthwhile.

The concept has been used for years with pets (Smokie has an implant) but is only just beginning to get traction but I seriously doubt both the rate of recovery and profitability. The pet model is also much more workable, because most people do the right thing and see lost animals get to a shelter at some point, which is likely to have a reader due to the efforts of the recovery services. Lost or stolen guitars, on the other hand, tend to stay out there and few are going to come under scrutiny of the police, nevermind an rfid reader.

[ricosound]

The case contains a hang tag that states it's SNAGG microchip equipped. I'm supposed to go to http://www.snagg.com within 90 days to register, but never did. I suppose it's rfid scanable and added to some database for proof of ownership.

I like the GPS tracking idea myself. Anyone that's ever had anything stolen has fantisized about showing up at the crooks house to confront and claim. You hear stories of the On-Star equiped vehicles shutting down during a police chase.

[pag]

I use smart water supplied by my insurance company.

[cjj]

I like the GPS tracking idea myself. Anyone that's ever had anything stolen has fantisized about showing up at the crooks house to confront and claim. You hear stories of the On-Star equiped vehicles shutting down during a police chase.

The problem with GPS type solutions it that they require a power source to operate. Easy to do in a vehicle or a cell phone, but in a guitar, as soon as the battery is dead, it's done. I suppose it could share the battery in a guitar with active pickups, but having it on all the time would eat batteries at a phenomenal rate...

[coolingitdown]

Ah, but what if it could be activated remotely? It could then be charged, and activated upon theft occurring. I know we're talking escalating cost at that point, but still...

I know my Android-powered phone can be locked, located, and erased remotely, so the technology exists!

[cjj]

Ah, but your Android has a fairly big (capacity) battery which will eventually run out of juice if not charged occasionally - even if you don't have it turned on, i.e., using no power at all. The ability to activate it remotely would require some sort of receiver being on to notice the activation. Even if it's running in some ultimate low power mode such as waking up and checking for an activation signal once a day, that will run the battery down even faster than just sitting.

Of course, the technology does exist, and could be placed in a guitar. This would, of course, add to the cost of the guitar. It could also be something that you could add on your own or as an option from the manufacturer, there's no reason to make manufacturers put this in all guitars. And, if you're willing to plug your guitar in to charge it every so often, this would work just fine...