Gearwire Protect Your Gear Artic.

[dolivas]

http://www.gearwire.com/keep-your-gear-article.html

did anyone else read this? seems like very good rule of thumbs on all parts. I would also suggest taking your b-gear on the road i.e. MIJ knockoff strats or LP's rather than your prized possession. Any other suggestion than to quote Spinal Tap "pay off the local Hebrews, and ruff down local young boys for money."

[GearJunkie]

I've always made it a point to do the following before going on the road:

1) get serial numbers of EVERYTHING in your van and have it written down and keep it with someone at home.
2) put your name on or around your equipment somewhere. Put it in the most random slot you can think of (i.e. take the pickguard off your strat, write your initials with a sharpie/etch your name in the chassis of your combo amp)
3) buy a club (VERY true)
4) don't bring your 1959 strat, bring the reissue you bought for $600. TRUST ME.
5) One of the most important. Either have a van that doesn't have windows or if you do have windows, cover your gear.
6)Here's the BEST THING YOU CAN DO:

go to home depot, spend $5 on some stick on letters and put "St. Episciples School for Girls" on both sides of your van....

a) no-one is gonna think it's filled with gear
b) you're rarely gonna get a ticket (who f's with God's van?)
c) you can park just about anywhere

It sounds completely stupid, but it works.

[dolivas]

Originally Posted by GearJunkie

I've always made it a point to do the following before going on the road:

6)Here's the BEST THING YOU CAN DO:

go to home depot, spend $5 on some stick on letters and put "St. Episciples School for Girls" on both sides of your van....

a) no-one is gonna think it's filled with gear
b) you're rarely gonna get a ticket (who f's with God's van?)
c) you can park just about anywhere

It sounds completely stupid, but it works.

that is brilliant. Just beware of pedophiles though. Quoth Walter Sobchak "8-year olds Dude."

[warmowski]

Originally Posted by GearJunkie

6)Here's the BEST THING YOU CAN DO:
go to home depot, spend $5 on some stick on letters and put "St. Episciples School for Girls" on both sides of your van....

Originally Posted by dolivas

Just beware of pedophiles though

Yeah, the above seems like an excellent strategy for getting Gary Glitter to steal your equipment.

All the anti-theft suggestions are great, and here's another more general one: don't be lazy.

I think the most effective strategy for a van overnight is to unload the carryable stuff into your indoor sleeping quarters at night.

If road life means a nightly party to you (and it sure did to me,) the above will not happen every night -- only because it's an annoying chore taking place during the fun.

So don't be lazy and pass up the chance to use the most effective strategy just because it interrupts your good time for a few minutes.

-r

[Whoopysnorp]

On the other hand, suppose you're five guys who are all crammed into a seedy motel room. Where the heck are you going to fit a van full of gear? We had this situation once and we pretty much had no choice but to just leave it in the van. It was OK, fortunately. I guess in Lawrence, KS thieves don't prowl cheap motel parking lots looking for easy pickings.

I do like the idea of masquerading as a church van, though. It's nicely blasphemous.

[Professor Riffs]

Originally Posted by Whoopysnorp

On the other hand, suppose you're five guys who are all crammed into a seedy motel room. Where the heck are you going to fit a van full of gear? We had this situation once and we pretty much had no choice but to just leave it in the van. It was OK, fortunately. I guess in Lawrence, KS thieves don't prowl cheap motel parking lots looking for easy pickings.

I do like the idea of masquerading as a church van, though. It's nicely blasphemous.

And as you & I both know, my dear Snorper of Whoopy....blasphemy rocks.

[GearJunkie]

Originally Posted by Whoopysnorp

On the other hand, suppose you're five guys who are all crammed into a seedy motel room. Where the heck are you going to fit a van full of gear? We had this situation once and we pretty much had no choice but to just leave it in the van. It was OK, fortunately. I guess in Lawrence, KS thieves don't prowl cheap motel parking lots looking for easy pickings.

I do like the idea of masquerading as a church van, though. It's nicely blasphemous.

that's the other rule. the van always stays full and one person always sleeps in the van.

[Whoopysnorp]

Originally Posted by GearJunkie

that's the other rule. the van always stays full and one person always sleeps in the van.

Suppose you're on tour in the Midwest in January, though? Or July, for that matter?

[GearJunkie]

Originally Posted by Whoopysnorp

Suppose you're on tour in the Midwest in January, though? Or July, for that matter?

blankets.

[warmowski]

Originally Posted by Whoopysnorp

On the other hand, suppose you're five guys who are all crammed into a seedy motel room. Where the heck are you going to fit a van full of gear?

Just the axes and pedals, then. Something; anything. Make 'em struggle.

-r