Ideas on how to prevent tuba theft

Tubadork · Post by **Tubadork** » Thu Dec 15, 2011 3:18 pm

Hey,
1st line of defense is covering up your stuff with a blanket either the same color as your interior or at least a dark color.

blanket.jpg

Beyond that, I lock both my tuba and any other bags up with bike locks.

blanket.jpg

Closer view of tuba lock.

blanket.jpg

Tubadork · Post by **Tubadork** » Thu Dec 15, 2011 3:24 pm

Sorry for 3 of the same pic on the last post.

I also lock my bags up

Bag lock.jpg

most cars have some sort of anchor

Bag lock.jpg

Just some ideas I hope it helps. I don't leave my tubas and bags in the car ever unless they are locked up. I really think anything is better than nothing, so even if you strap a seat belt around or anything really, it's better than nothing. It seems like more thefts out of cars are smash and grab, so anything to slow them down is the idea.
Bill

ralphbsz · Post by **ralphbsz** » Thu Dec 15, 2011 4:52 pm

So, where do you find the serial number on a MW 25?

I've looked at the obvious places (lead pipe, back of valves, bell), and haven't found it. The bell is probably original and has the Meinl-Weston engraving on it.

Writing down the serial number might be a good first step to deal with a possible theft if it happens.

BTW, when my son's big MW tuba is left at school (like it is right now, as they are rehearsing for the upcoming Christmas concert, and that's done on the real instruments), my son locks the hard case with a steel cable and padlock around it. That's not because he's worried about theft, but to prevent other students from messing with (and possibly breaking) *** his *** tuba.

tclements · Post by **tclements** » Thu Dec 15, 2011 4:57 pm

One word: shotgun...

images.jpeg

Wyvern · Post by **Wyvern** » Thu Dec 15, 2011 5:36 pm

Gosh - you must have a lot of crime in the US! I have never felt the need for such measures.

My preference is to leave in the boot/trunk out of sight of anyone passing - and do 95% of the time. However have never experienced any problems leaving tuba on back seat when occasionally had to do so. Mind you I do take care where I park. Not usually anywhere the 'low-life' would be passing.

Sandlapper · Post by **Sandlapper** » Thu Dec 15, 2011 5:58 pm

Something to be said for stealth. Didn't moma hide the cookie jar on top of the refrigator when you were 5?

ShoelessWes · Post by **ShoelessWes** » Thu Dec 15, 2011 6:03 pm

There are thousands of vehicle gps tracking devices under $100.... plug one of those puppies in a case or within the spaces in tubing in the horn behind the valves, and you would always know where your tuba was.

Wyvern · Post by **Wyvern** » Thu Dec 15, 2011 6:57 pm

Yes, point taken about crime in the UK, but I think, probably like in the USA it depends where you are. Some areas have high crime, while others are pretty safe.

ShoelessWes · Post by **ShoelessWes** » Thu Dec 15, 2011 7:15 pm

bloke wrote:Over here in the U.S.A. no one has an automobile (as cars are a European invention, and haven't made it across the pond yet), so as long as a tuba is left (say...) laying in the grass in a nice spot near nice people, a potential thief can only take it as far as they can carry it on their back.

It is a lot harder for me to steal a tuba, than most. (being shoeless and all)

imperialbari · Post by **imperialbari** » Thu Dec 15, 2011 9:56 pm

German & Czech rotary instruments often have their serial number engraved on the bridge carrying the paddle/lever assembly.

Klaus

Dan Schultz · Post by **Dan Schultz** » Thu Dec 15, 2011 10:13 pm

ralphbsz wrote:So, where do you find the serial number on a MW 25?....

I don't know if it's still Meinl practice. But... they used to hand-engrave a number on the outside of rotor casing #2.

On the subject of tuba thefts.... I'm sure there have been rare cases where a specific tuba/tubaist has been targeted. But... I'd venture a guess that 99.9% of the time tubas are simply just convenient to take. In classroom environments, tubas are rarely locked up and sousaphones are stored in racks. ... easy pickings. Band rooms are usually wide open. After all... who would be stupid enough to just pick up a large horn and head for the door? ... probably the same folks who walk right past the greeters at Walmart with a 60" TV!

Last summer... I left my 48K 'Jumbo' on stage on it's stand for the entire four days of the event. I would never think that one of the guys might have taken it. But... there's always those part-time stage hands around. I doubt I'll do that again!

Keep a good eye on your stuff!

Kory101 · Post by **Kory101** » Fri Dec 16, 2011 2:09 am

Maybe this is just me, but why would anyone leave their tuba in a car when they aren't in it?

I can't think of a situation where I would be driving somewhere with either of my tubas and leave it in the car unattended.

Wyvern · Post by **Wyvern** » Fri Dec 16, 2011 3:17 am

Kory101 wrote:Maybe this is just me, but why would anyone leave their tuba in a car when they aren't in it?

To stop for meal on route to gig, or while in pub having drink with mates afterwards.

I normally transport my tubas in gigs bags so they can go in boot/trunk out of sight and relatively secure.

sousaphone68 · Post by **sousaphone68** » Fri Dec 16, 2011 3:33 am

Kory101 wrote:Maybe this is just me, but why would anyone leave their tuba in a car when they aren't in it?

I can't think of a situation where I would be driving somewhere with either of my tubas and leave it in the car unattended.

One of the bands I play with rehearse on a Wednesday evening 50 miles from my home so on Wednesday my tuba is in the back of my van all day so I don't have to return home after work and then go back to Dublin.
I usually lock my tuba in its case to a strapping point in the rere of my van. Fortunately the rere doors are solid and so no one can see what is in the rere.
When I have to use the family car I use my smallest tuba in a gig bag so that it will fit in the trunk with the parcel shelf in place.
The same rules of thumb that apply when shopping or parking in general well lit streets or parking structures never let any one see what you are locking into your car. On two occasions I have moved my car after being watched while loading my tuba into the trunk.
Over reaction and a pain in the bum but better than loosing my Tuba.

sousaphone68 · Post by **sousaphone68** » Fri Dec 16, 2011 3:34 am

Kory101 wrote:Maybe this is just me, but why would anyone leave their tuba in a car when they aren't in it?

I can't think of a situation where I would be driving somewhere with either of my tubas and leave it in the car unattended.

One of the bands I play with rehearse on a Wednesday evening 50 miles from my home so on Wednesday my tuba is in the back of my van all day so I don't have to return home after work and then go back to Dublin.
I usually lock my tuba in its case to a strapping point in the rere of my van. Fortunately the rere doors are solid and so no one can see what is in the rere.
When I have to use the family car I use my smallest tuba in a gig bag so that it will fit in the trunk with the parcel shelf in place.
The same rules of thumb that apply when shopping or parking in general well lit streets or parking structures never let any one see what you are locking into your car. On two occasions I have moved my car after being watched while loading my tuba into the trunk.
Over reaction and a pain in the bum but better than loosing my Tuba.

Kevin Hendrick · Post by **Kevin Hendrick** » Fri Dec 16, 2011 7:43 am

... and then there's this method (starts at 6:12):

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k5veSYnDfco

Expensive and a trifle drastic, but pretty much eliminates recidivism ...

MartyNeilan · Post by **MartyNeilan** » Fri Dec 16, 2011 10:20 am

Tubadork wrote:Hey,
1st line of defense is covering up your stuff with a blanket either the same color as your interior or at least a dark color.
blanket.jpg
Beyond that, I lock both my tuba and any other bags up with bike locks.
blanket.jpg
Closer view of tuba lock.
blanket.jpg

Nice car!

Marty "who likes plain black cloth/cordura gigbags with no colored trim"

Rick Denney · Post by **Rick Denney** » Fri Dec 16, 2011 11:55 am

Kory101 wrote:Maybe this is just me, but why would anyone leave their tuba in a car when they aren't in it?

I work in a government building that would frown on me bringing a tuba (or two) through security, despite my credentials. And my cubicle wouldn't provide space to store tubas even if I did. If my situation required that I had to go to rehearsal directly from work, I'd be stuck. I've had to go to considerable trouble to prevent that scenario--I will not leave anything of value inside my car in downtown Baltimore. I'm lucky that I was able to make that work, and in some cases it hasn't.

When I'm in downtown DC, it's not a problem. My agency has a secure garage--nobody gets into it without the correct badge. I wish we had that arrangement at my office.

The point is that sometimes there is no possibility of bringing the instrument with you, and you have to leave it in the car. The alternative might well be not playing in that group, or not using your ideal instrument, which rather undermines the reason for owning and playing the instrument in the first place.

And for many of us, who's to say our house isn't just as vulnerable as our car?

You cannot eliminate risk, but you can reduce exposure. It's called insurance--and I have it for my tubas. While I would hate to see my Holton disappear, I would hate even more being too scared to use it. Who wants to go through life treasuring their possessions so much that they are afraid to use them?

Rick "all life is a risk" Denney

bort · Post by **bort** » Fri Dec 16, 2011 1:30 pm

Rick Denney wrote:I've had to go to considerable trouble to prevent that scenario--I will not leave anything of value inside my car in downtown Baltimore.

Although that is certainly the fail safe method, I also think it's a bit extreme.

Baltimore car break-ins are common because the opportunities are there, and people are looking for stuff to pawn a quick $20 to score some dope. It's called "smash and grab." If there's nothing to grab, there's a VERY low likelihood you'll get your car broken into. Not because the possibility of hidden valuables isn't there, but because the next car down the line could be an easier target. Crooks are dumb, but they want to be quick and don't want to get caught.

That said, maybe you have a really nice car, which could also be a signal of something good inside. I lived in Baltimore for 27 years, and the only car break-ins I've ever known personally (friends, family, coworkers, neighbors...) were because of 1) my brother left his iPod on the front seat, and 2) I forgot to lock my wife's car door

.

Not to say it's always a good idea to keep a tuba in your trunk...but from the outside, a car with a tuba in the trunk just looks like a regular car!

Kory101 · Post by **Kory101** » Fri Dec 16, 2011 1:42 pm

I definitely understand there are certain scenarios where it is difficult to bring your tuba to a place with you but again, I would rather lug my horns around than not have any to lug...

I don't know about anyone else here, but when my tubas aren't behind a locked door at school or with me, I tend to get a little nervous.

Just my $0.02 (or $0.0207820 CAD)

Kory

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Ideas on how to prevent tuba theft

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