Guitar home security

Amistad · #1 03-19-2009, 05:02 PM

I've been sick lately reading about valuable guitars being stolen from some of the members on the forum. So I began to think about how secure my guitars are, and the answer I came up with was "not really".
We can put guns and jewelry in a safe, but is there a way to "lock up" or secure guitars in your home? Surely somebody has thought of a better way than just having them in a case in the closet?

Any thoughts? Any good products out there that we ought to know about?

Having them listed on your insurance policy is certainly a good idea, but it's a little after the fact, don't you think?

Any help?

jplee3 · #2 03-19-2009, 05:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Amistad

I've been sick lately reading about valuable guitars being stolen from some of the members on the forum. So I began to think about how secure my guitars are, and the answer I came up with was "not really".
We can put guns and jewelry in a safe, but is there a way to "lock up" or secure guitars in your home? Surely somebody has thought of a better way than just having them in a case in the closet?

Any thoughts? Any good products out there that we ought to know about?

Having them listed on your insurance policy is certainly a good idea, but it's a little after the fact, don't you think?

Any help?

Store them in the bomb shelter? Or vault? Hehehe... other than locking them up perhaps in a tall lockable cabinet, perhaps an alarm system in your house would be effective? Obviously, if a thief wants it, he'll get it. I think there's a lot of common sense here as well: do you leave your guitars in plain sight or is it easy for people to find out or know that you do have expensive guitars?
I guess making it not obvious is one key preventative.

deltoid · #3 03-19-2009, 05:18 PM

I've had the same fears. I bought a security camera that can be monitored from any computer with an internet connection. I can check on my babies from work throughout the day. It also has a motion detector that can send an email alert along with a snapshot. All the camera needs is a router to plug into. It's not so much the camera itself that I like, but I do like the free viewnetcam.com service that comes with it.

http://www.amazon.com/Panasonic-BB-H.../dp/B00099G100

Also, make sure you have photos of all your guitars, especially close-ups of the labels with the serial #s.

I'm not aware of any ways to physically secure your guitars other than a large walk-in safe.

ayavner · #4 03-19-2009, 05:30 PM

Try this: kinda like Lo-Jack for guitars..

http://www.stewmac.com/shop/Accessories/Security.html

Kitchen Guitars · #5 03-19-2009, 05:59 PM

Come near my place uninvited and I will have your face and licence plate and likely your blood type published on the net before you get home.

zombywoof · #6 03-19-2009, 06:10 PM

A dog - ya can't reason with them and you can't outrun them. Best security system in the world next to the unmistakable sound of a shotgun shell being pumped into the chamber.

edward993 · #7 03-19-2009, 06:15 PM

Is this a trick question?

Home security system w/monitoring. No brainer. Not only protects all your valuables beyond the guitars, but also protects you and loved ones. The sign on your lawn, itself, will ward away the would-be opportunistic thief. But there is no substitute for common sense home security (high-quality locks, solid doors, lights, using your brain) and a good security system. Video surveillance is the next rung up ...if you feel you need that level of protection. Yeah, and a dog is always nice, but that does present other issues

Edward

RussL30 · #8 03-19-2009, 06:40 PM

I got three labs that sleep close to my guitars so any intruder have some good weapons.

Mycrotone · #9 03-19-2009, 06:44 PM

A Rhodesian Ridgeback has no fear, literally. He will protect you and yours at all cost.

random works · #10 03-19-2009, 07:13 PM

I have 2 very well mannered pit bulls who spend a lot of the time in the house.
When the UPS man comes to the door my wife opens it slightly and the biggest dog stands right by her looking up as if to say "Did you bring something nice?"

I don't worry too much as long as I don't take the guitars out of the house.

RW

Thin Crust · #11 03-19-2009, 07:34 PM

Quote:

Best security system in the world next to the unmistakable sound of a shotgun shell being pumped into the chamber

Priceless........

ryanfender · #12 03-20-2009, 05:19 AM

I am waiting for someone to post a picture of a big gun.

sharkydude50 · #13 03-20-2009, 07:25 AM

Might want to consider guitar insurance. I would think it covers theft as well .

dwclayalt · #14 03-20-2009, 08:10 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by edward993

Is this a trick question?

Home security system w/monitoring. No brainer. Not only protects all your valuables beyond the guitars, but also protects you and loved ones. The sign on your lawn, itself, will ward away the would-be opportunistic thief. But there is no substitute for common sense home security (high-quality locks, solid doors, lights, using your brain) and a good security system. Video surveillance is the next rung up ...if you feel you need that level of protection. Yeah, and a dog is always nice, but that does present other issues

Edward

Quote:

Originally Posted by sharkydude50

Might want to consider guitar insurance. I would think it covers theft as well .

Since I just had all my guitars plus other stuff including my computer and digital camera stolen I can add to this some other helpful info that my insurance guy has been so polite to inform me of.

Make sure you have absolute proof of ownership of your stuff,including receipts, pictures and good descriptions. Keep one copy of this info for yourself and give your insurer a copy as well. If you make changes,buy,sell,trade make sure you report it ASAP.

Some of my things(guitars) I had no proof I owned other than word of mouth from myself and even one of the people I bought a used guitar from, but guess what, I want get any money from my insurance to cover it, no absolute proof of ownership.

No matter how secure we think our homes are there not, so take my advise and document everything.

Just my 2 cents worth....

Martin_Nut · #15 03-20-2009, 08:39 AM

About a year ago my home was broken into in broad daylight by some pros. Just knocked on the door, and once they figured there was no-one going to answer they jimmied a rear living-room window and climbed in (over the piano...). Fortunately the thief went straight upstairs for the master and jewelery / cash. The weird thing is that had eveidenty watched myself and then my wife leave (for brief errands, as it turned out) in our separate cars minutes before hand.

We NEVER leave without arming the alarm - except for this one-time. Usually the dog is left home - except for this one time....

I returned within 15 minutes and evidently interrupted the burglar within a minute or two of his having broken in. As I opened the garage door, my wife pulled up with our kids after picking them up at school, so instead of going into the house immediately I turned around and went back to greet them. As a result the thief was exiting through the back door just prior to me entering the house through the garage! We did not even figure out that we had been hit until we discovered muddy footprints in the living room and going up the stairs to our master about 20 minutes later! Then we called the cops. Nothing missing that we could figure out, luckily. But my guitars are in the open, and had this burglar been interested, they'd be gone!

Later the thieves (he had two accomplices waiting in the car) were caught by a homeowner that did not answer the door, but called 911 when she heard the attempted break-in.

My point is that the thieves routinely would knock on the door offering some service. If no one answered they'd look for a dog or an alarm keypad with with a red light on. If they figured it was clear - they'd break-in. So I'd recommend getting an alarm and a dog. Then use both.