Photograph your instrument NOW!!

Subject: Photograph your instrument NOW!!
From: skipy
Date: 07 Nov 07 - 11:14 AM

Yet another instrument theft thread!
So tonight I want ALL of you to photograph your instruments in detail, so that you have a record of any dents, marks, repairs, serial numbers etc.
Don't put it off do it tonight & report back here!
I'm going to nag if I have to!
Skipy

Subject: RE: Photograph your instrument NOW!!
From: Bill D
Date: 07 Nov 07 - 11:17 AM

Photograph?.....my nose flute? Ok, if you say so..

Subject: RE: Photograph your instrument NOW!!
From: redsnapper
Date: 07 Nov 07 - 11:17 AM

Yes... all mine are photographed. Good idea for a thread.

RS

Subject: RE: Photograph your instrument NOW!!
From: An Buachaill Caol Dubh
Date: 07 Nov 07 - 11:26 AM

My Roisin Dubh is a magical Fiddle: if anyone even attempts to touch her, she whines angrily, her pegs rotate with a scream and the strings lash the offender about the face and hands with the violence of harpoon-lines.

Subject: RE: Photograph your instrument NOW!!
From: Big Al Whittle
Date: 07 Nov 07 - 11:29 AM

I suppose you might have more success with a nose flute. There's less of them for the police to look for - and a man with a stolen nose flute in his possession might be playing with fire.

I really don't think you've got much chance if your guitar goes. Watch it carefully.

When I got burgled, I said to the cop and the insurance man - who were in attendance - well what if I claim for it and you get it back.....?

They both burst ot laughing simultaneously and said, I think we can rule that one out.....

Subject: RE: Photograph your instrument NOW!!
From: Trevor Thomas
Date: 07 Nov 07 - 12:39 PM

WLD my experience was completely different. I got burgled a few years ago and amongst other things my Telecaster was stolen. I rang round all the music shops/second hand shops in the area, with a description, and it turned up that very afternoon! The police fetched it back for me, unmarked except for some fingerprint powder.

And a friend of mine had her electric fiddle stolen, but did the same thing (contacted all the shops) and it was recovered a couple of counties away. It is possible - and more likely if you've got some evidence of proof, (a note of the serial number, some photographs etc).

I was actually broken into a few months ago, and the burglars stole the phones, computers, purses, handbags, the cash and the car, but they didn't touch any of the instruments (which I keep out on stands). I guess the thief thought it'd be too hard to fence them, compared to the other stuff. I was brassed off at losing the other stuff, but you can replace things like phones and computers a hell of a lot easier than you can replace a mandolin, for instance!

Subject: RE: Photograph your instrument NOW!!
From: Wesley S
Date: 07 Nov 07 - 01:12 PM

The Collings Guitar company has an on line registry where you can list your instruments before they are stolen. That's a good idea.

Subject: RE: Photograph your instrument NOW!!
From: Midchuck
Date: 07 Nov 07 - 01:21 PM

I have trouble getting mine into focus because my belly gets in the way.

Can I have someone else do it, or must I do it myself?

Peter

Subject: RE: Photograph your instrument NOW!!
From: Old Grizzly
Date: 07 Nov 07 - 01:28 PM

Do it with mirrors Peter.

I know this problem .... when I can see my feet I am undernourished :o)

Dave

Subject: RE: Photograph your instrument NOW!!
From: David C. Carter
Date: 07 Nov 07 - 01:31 PM

Use a mirror and a Zoom lens.

If not,call a neighbour.

Subject: RE: Photograph your instrument NOW!!
From: Joe Offer
Date: 07 Nov 07 - 01:43 PM

I have to take some "glamor shots" of Debby McClatchy's guitar for the bannergibsons.com Website. Any suggestions on lighting, background, and other stuff to make this guitar look its best?
-Joe-

Subject: RE: Photograph your instrument NOW!!
From: David C. Carter
Date: 07 Nov 07 - 01:49 PM

OLD Grizzly,sorry.Must have cross posted.

David

Subject: RE: Photograph your instrument NOW!!
From: Bernard
Date: 07 Nov 07 - 02:31 PM

Joe, you need to make sure the background is plain and a contrasting colour from the instrument itself - my crimson duvet cover works well with my guitars, but it would cost a bit to ship it out to you! Avoid white or cream, as they're boring...!

Try to use natural light or a 'bounced' flash if you must. Direct flash will either bleach the picture (too close) or cause irritating reflections. Bouncing the flash off the ceiling diffuses the light nicely.

If in doubt, try a few different approaches until you find one that works - and remember it may look okay on the camera's screen, but terrible on a PC monitor and different again as a printout.

Subject: RE: Photograph your instrument NOW!!
From: Jim Lad
Date: 07 Nov 07 - 02:37 PM

That's a good idea for home insurance purposes etc.
Two of my instruments have their serial numbers inside. (1 & 4, I think) The third is in double digits but is easily replaceable.
They all respond to the sound of my voice. So does my pet slug "Flash".

Subject: RE: Photograph your instrument NOW!!
From: GUEST,number 6
Date: 07 Nov 07 - 02:39 PM

I agree Wesley .... my priority is to record the guitar's serial number .. BTW Taylor also has an online registry.

biLL

Subject: RE: Photograph your instrument NOW!!
From: PoppaGator
Date: 07 Nov 07 - 04:32 PM

Joe's mention of that "Banner Gibson" site whetted my curiosity. I went and took a peek, and was disappointed that none of the pictures I could easily find actually showed the defining banner, at least not closely enough for it to be legible.

I emailed one of the webmaster-types, and was referred to some photos buried deeper down in the site-map. If you're curious like I was, here's a link to a closeup of one guitar's headstock, clearly showing the "Only Gibson is Good Enough" banner:

http://bannergibsons.com/910-24SJWilliHenkes.html

Scroll all the way down to the second photo from the bottom for that closeup of the banner. (The very last photo is a closeup of the back of the headstock.)

Subject: RE: Photograph your instrument NOW!!
From: skipy
Date: 07 Nov 07 - 04:45 PM

That's my point! You don't have to work in forensics to identify that guitar if you are holding it & you have the photos!
Skipy

Subject: RE: Photograph your instrument NOW!!
From: Barry Finn
Date: 07 Nov 07 - 05:14 PM

I took a picture of my tuneable 'Grady
' 20" Bodhran with slide bar & tried to registered it online. Next day my home was broken into & I found 4 new bodhrans with a note saying that I should never again try to contact them.

Barry

Subject: RE: Photograph your instrument NOW!!
From: skipy
Date: 07 Nov 07 - 05:48 PM

I had a Bodhran in my car a while ago, sadly I left my sunroof open, when I came back from shopping there where 11 of them! My old Fiat Tipo did look like a skip though. I look after then in the garden now, it's a Bodhran sanctuary.
Skipy

Subject: RE: Photograph your instrument NOW!!
From: JohnInKansas
Date: 07 Nov 07 - 06:11 PM

And after you photograph you instruments, DO NOT leave the only prints in the case, where you put them when you picked them up from the drugstore.

(From a friend's experience, and there might be another banjo player with a nice instrument here.)

John

Subject: RE: Photograph your instrument NOW!!
From: GUEST,.gargoyle
Date: 07 Nov 07 - 06:45 PM

Perhaps, Max would be so magnanius... to Offer.... Joe.... a spot to showcase the instruments.

Cancel that suggestion.....give a link to one of your beaut's photos....I promise to give one in return.

Lots of public (free space) e-mail the photos to multiple free sites.

THANKS for the THREAD.... I would be devastated/destroyed....there is no monetary replacement for 2/3 a lifetime wearing/worrying/waxing a dear friend.

Sincerely,
Gargoyle

Subject: RE: Photograph your instrument NOW!!
From: Sorcha
Date: 07 Nov 07 - 07:14 PM

Already done.

Subject: RE: Photograph your instrument NOW!!
From: jiva
Date: 08 Nov 07 - 04:25 AM

Our Taylors are registered online. The serial numbers are also recorded as are the serial numbers of the Yamahas.

We do have some photos of the guitars, but it's probably about time we took some better, more detailed, close up shots... thanks for the tip re lighting (bouncing the flash off the ceiling).

Jimmy & Val (jiva)
www.jiva.co.uk

Subject: RE: Photograph your instrument NOW!!
From: Geoff the Duck
Date: 08 Nov 07 - 05:10 AM

Midchuck - I think the idea is to get pictures of the guitar on it's own. Imagine the scene at the cop shop -
"Hey, Joe. Is that the stolen guitar?"
"Dunno! It ain't got a guy with a big belly attached!"
Quack!
GtD.

Subject: RE: Photograph your instrument NOW!!
From: GUEST,Shimrod
Date: 08 Nov 07 - 05:36 AM

I would photograph my instruments - but someone's stolen my camera!!

Subject: RE: Photograph your instrument NOW!!
From: skipy
Date: 08 Nov 07 - 05:44 AM

Did you take a photograph of the camera?
Skipy

Subject: RE: Photograph your instrument NOW!!
From: Roger the Skiffler
Date: 08 Nov 07 - 06:52 AM

I don't think anyone would STEAL my washboard...BURN it maybe...


RtS
(Don't go giving Herself ideas!)

Subject: RE: Photograph your instrument NOW!!
From: Midchuck
Date: 08 Nov 07 - 07:25 AM

I'm always amused at bumper stickers saying things like "I (heart) my Martin Guitar." Why not just get one that says, "This Car! Break into this one!"?

Peter

Subject: RE: Photograph your instrument NOW!!
From: Mooh
Date: 08 Nov 07 - 08:29 AM

I've been updating my insurance broker/company with photos for years, and keeping copies for myself. They also have a list of serial numbers and brief written descriptions which were necessary for the policy rider. In my business (instruction mostly, some gigs) too many people see what could be swiped. There are also two dogs in the house who don't like the uninvited, double door locks, and motion sensor lights. When I travel with instruments (I don't fly), they're virtually never out of my sight. Beyond all this, I take my chances.

Peace, Mooh.

Subject: RE: Photograph your instrument NOW!!
From: katlaughing
Date: 08 Nov 07 - 10:19 AM

It seems not only may one micro-chip their pets, it can also be done to one's instruments: SNAGG. I had thought there might also be a GPS finder which could be attached, as they have those for pets, too, but can't find anything which would attach easily and remain even if tampered with.

Subject: RE: Photograph your instrument NOW!!
From: skipy
Date: 08 Nov 07 - 01:09 PM

I said I was going to nag! & I am!
At White Horse Folk Festival next year (2008) there will be a "photographing instruments workshop" for those attending who have failed to comply (if they have any instruments left by then) & I will photo & email them the shots!
Skipy