BS: Camping at Festivals

Subject: BS: Camping at Festivals
From: GUEST,EnfieldPete
Date: 02 Jul 08 - 06:00 AM

I am intending to go to several folk festivals this summer and plan to camp. I like to attend workshops so I need to take my instruments (guitar & melodeon). However I'm concerned about how I can keep the instruments safe when watching or doing something else. I don't have a car - so cannot lock them up there. How do people deal with this problem. Thanks Pete

Subject: RE: BS: Camping at Festivals
From: Big Al Whittle
Date: 02 Jul 08 - 06:20 AM

One way is to walk nonchalantly backstage and say to Martin Carthy, will they be alright if I leave them here mate?

Subject: RE: BS: Camping at Festivals
From: theleveller
Date: 02 Jul 08 - 06:35 AM

I once came up with the idea of having a secure instrument creche for festivals - a secure van with a security guard where, for a fee, people could leave their instruments and then retrieve and return them at any time of the day or night. Might be a project for my retirement.... if someone doesn't do it first! How much would you be prepared to pay for that facility? Make it worth my while and I might retire early!!!

At the moment I leave them in the car - they're covered by insurance as long as they aren't visible. Not ideal but the only solution so far.

Subject: RE: BS: Camping at Festivals
From: GUEST,Joe
Date: 02 Jul 08 - 06:40 AM

I'd pay for that! Would have to be a big van though!

Subject: RE: BS: Camping at Festivals
From: theleveller
Date: 02 Jul 08 - 07:02 AM

The biggest problem would be finding someone with an HGV licence to drive it. Might have to put the idea to Eddie Stobart!

Subject: RE: BS: Camping at Festivals
From: GUEST,Jonny Sunshine
Date: 02 Jul 08 - 07:14 AM

Most festivals have safe lockups for artists instruments (you could try and blag your way in). There's a lot to be said for a public instrument store at folk festivals- it could be a money-spinner, Leveller.

If you go with a group of friends you can at least take turns to mind camp, and if someone has a car all the better. If you're on your own, it might be a smart move to make friends with the inhabitants of the nearest camper van...

I have a parlour guitar which weighs next to nothing in a soft case, perfect for wandering round and playing in crowded sessions. You could always get a cheap knockabout guitar that's no big deal if it gets nicked from your tent or burnt by flying sparks from a campfire.

As for melodeons, not much you can do on the portability stakes. My second instrument is harmonica, enough said.

Subject: RE: BS: Camping at Festivals
From: Richard Bridge
Date: 02 Jul 08 - 07:15 AM

I have a cheap guitar I take if I think it will be at risk. It's more or less OK in use and pluggable if I get asked to go on stage.

When Jacqui and I used to go to Cambridge we had a large chain that went round all the guitar cases with several padlocks and one of the tent roof poles also with padlock so that a thief would have to dismantle or destroy the tent (and so get noticed) or destroy all the guitar cases to get the guitars out and likely damage the guitars so it would not be worthwhile.

Subject: RE: BS: Camping at Festivals
From: Mr Red
Date: 02 Jul 08 - 07:47 AM

And if it is a banjo? through the centre?

I have had a motion sensor for years and not used it properly. But you record a message and when they cross the beam it talks. It might just put people off in the dark, not knowing who is there.

Subject: RE: BS: Camping at Festivals
From: Dave the Gnome
Date: 02 Jul 08 - 09:18 AM

I left my bodhran in the tent with the flap open for two days. When I got back there were 14 others...


I'll get my beater.

:D

Subject: RE: BS: Camping at Festivals
From: Mr Happy
Date: 02 Jul 08 - 10:52 AM

I've used a trolley for insts at fests for years.

Presently, I use a folding childs pushchair & its easy to keep all together, even taking to workshops

Subject: RE: BS: Camping at Festivals
From: GUEST,Mike
Date: 02 Jul 08 - 11:02 AM

Not a perfect solution, but there are small combination locks that are used for luggage (they were easier to find pre-9/11, before bag searching in airports started).

We use them to lock the zippers on our tent any time we are camping and leave the site.

Of course, if someone is determined to rip you off, that won't keep them from slitting your tent to do it. But we've never had any trouble.

But I should qualify that to say I haven't camped at a folk festival in decades. I go camping to get AWAY from large groups of humans, not closer to them!

(God, please keep me safe from the unshowered masses of my misspent youth...)

Subject: RE: BS: Camping at Festivals
From: Schantieman
Date: 02 Jul 08 - 12:33 PM

I've always just left my melodeon in my tent or in the boot of the car. But then, it IS a melodeon...

Steve

Subject: RE: BS: Camping at Festivals
From: Bee
Date: 02 Jul 08 - 12:45 PM

If you have an instrument you're really concerned about, sidle up to one of those big RVs, make friends with the owner, and see if they'll let you chuck the instrument inside. Works for me, but then I usually know a good fifty people at local festivals.

Subject: RE: BS: Camping at Festivals
From: bubblyrat
Date: 02 Jul 08 - 02:02 PM

I always take guitars in their cases, then,once on site or at destination, transfer them to gig-bags; it's quite surprising what you can fit in to a decent gig-bag----guitar-stand, picks,capo,strings,cutters,string cleaner,lightweight waterproof jacket,small umbrella, hip-flask, 2 or3 cans of cider, you know !!-- Essentials !! The thing is, you've always got your treasured box with you, so no need to fret ( forgive the pun ).

Subject: RE: BS: Camping at Festivals
From: The Fooles Troupe
Date: 02 Jul 08 - 08:28 PM

Schantieman - I don't dare do tha with my Piano Accordions, I have several already and don't really need any more.... :-P

Subject: RE: BS: Camping at Festivals
From: Liz the Squeak
Date: 03 Jul 08 - 01:02 AM

Fooles - I have your postal address.... expect a big surprise!

LTS

Subject: RE: BS: Camping at Festivals
From: Declan
Date: 03 Jul 08 - 02:44 AM

One small tip. If you absolutely need to leave a guitar unattended in a tent - wrap it up in your sleeping bag. If a thief happens to crawl into your tent they might think there is someone in the tent and go elsewhere.

This is obviously totally insecure and doesn't protect you against a thief who has seen the guitar and decided they want to take it away - it won't fool anyone for very long. Best advice if you can't find someone to lock your instrument away for you is to bring it with you and mind it wherever you go. I know it's a pain but weighed against the risk it is the best option. Difficult to mind it all the time - there isn't that much room in a portaloo.

Subject: RE: BS: Camping at Festivals
From: Don(Wyziwyg)T
Date: 03 Jul 08 - 08:17 AM

Camping at Festivals?

It's all a matter of posture and intonation. A quick look at an old Kenneth Williams film, or maybe an interview with Julian Cleary, will give a good idea of what's involved.


I'll get me coat.......
Don T.

Subject: RE: BS: Camping at Festivals
From: kendall
Date: 03 Jul 08 - 08:20 AM

Never again.

Subject: RE: BS: Camping at Festivals
From: Beer
Date: 03 Jul 08 - 09:03 AM

I provide an instrument lock up area .
Beer (adrien)

Subject: RE: BS: Camping at Festivals
From: The Fooles Troupe
Date: 03 Jul 08 - 09:32 AM

"I provide an instrument lock up area"

Beer

If you get our Mudcat friend 'WAV' turn up, would you consider a 'performer lock up area'?

:-)

Subject: RE: BS: Camping at Festivals
From: Beer
Date: 03 Jul 08 - 10:27 AM

Why yes, of course and no charge.

Subject: RE: BS: Camping at Festivals
From: The Fooles Troupe
Date: 03 Jul 08 - 10:06 PM

:-)

Subject: RE: BS: Camping at Festivals
From: Beer
Date: 03 Jul 08 - 10:10 PM

I have to ask, who is "WAV"?

Subject: RE: BS: Camping at Festivals
From: s&r
Date: 04 Jul 08 - 06:57 PM

You could regret that question...

Stu

Subject: RE: BS: Camping at Festivals
From: Beer
Date: 04 Jul 08 - 07:22 PM

Really?

Subject: RE: BS: Camping at Festivals
From: The Fooles Troupe
Date: 05 Jul 08 - 01:09 AM

You asked ...

I'm not responsible for your reactions now.... :-P

Subject: RE: BS: Camping at Festivals
From: Howard Jones
Date: 05 Jul 08 - 09:24 AM

I use a Pacsafe:

http://www.pacsafe.com/www/index.php

It's a wire mesh net which fits around a bag and padlocks shut. I secure it to a tie-down ring in the back of the car.

They're intended for rucksacks and other luggage and might not be big enough for a guitar (although you might be able to secure it with the neck sticking out provided the rest of the case couldn't be squeezed through the gap) but will certainly take a melodeon.

Subject: RE: BS: Camping at Festivals
From: McGrath of Harlow
Date: 05 Jul 08 - 01:29 PM

Best thing is, travel light. And don't take more stuff that's seriously worth pinching if you can't carry it around with you.

Subject: RE: BS: Camping at Festivals
From: Beer
Date: 05 Jul 08 - 11:42 PM

Thank you foolestroupe, I now understand.

Subject: RE: BS: Camping at Festivals
From: The Fooles Troupe
Date: 06 Jul 08 - 01:35 AM

:-)

You must be the only one who does... :-P