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Photograph your instrument NOW!!

07 Nov 07 - 11:14 AM (#2188369)
Subject: Photograph your instrument NOW!!
From: skipy

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


07 Nov 07 - 11:17 AM (#2188375)
Subject: RE: Photograph your instrument NOW!!
From: Bill D

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


07 Nov 07 - 11:17 AM (#2188376)
Subject: RE: Photograph your instrument NOW!!
From: redsnapper

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

RS


07 Nov 07 - 11:26 AM (#2188384)
Subject: RE: Photograph your instrument NOW!!
From: An Buachaill Caol Dubh

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.


07 Nov 07 - 11:29 AM (#2188387)
Subject: RE: Photograph your instrument NOW!!
From: Big Al Whittle

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.....


07 Nov 07 - 12:39 PM (#2188428)
Subject: RE: Photograph your instrument NOW!!
From: Trevor Thomas

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!


07 Nov 07 - 01:12 PM (#2188463)
Subject: RE: Photograph your instrument NOW!!
From: Wesley S

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


07 Nov 07 - 01:21 PM (#2188468)
Subject: RE: Photograph your instrument NOW!!
From: Midchuck

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


07 Nov 07 - 01:28 PM (#2188471)
Subject: RE: Photograph your instrument NOW!!
From: Old Grizzly

Do it with mirrors Peter.

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

Dave


07 Nov 07 - 01:31 PM (#2188472)
Subject: RE: Photograph your instrument NOW!!
From: David C. Carter

Use a mirror and a Zoom lens.

If not,call a neighbour.


07 Nov 07 - 01:43 PM (#2188477)
Subject: RE: Photograph your instrument NOW!!
From: Joe Offer

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-


07 Nov 07 - 01:49 PM (#2188478)
Subject: RE: Photograph your instrument NOW!!
From: David C. Carter

OLD Grizzly,sorry.Must have cross posted.

David


07 Nov 07 - 02:31 PM (#2188496)
Subject: RE: Photograph your instrument NOW!!
From: Bernard

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.


07 Nov 07 - 02:37 PM (#2188499)
Subject: RE: Photograph your instrument NOW!!
From: Jim Lad

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".


07 Nov 07 - 02:39 PM (#2188500)
Subject: RE: Photograph your instrument NOW!!
From: GUEST,number 6

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

biLL


07 Nov 07 - 04:32 PM (#2188566)
Subject: RE: Photograph your instrument NOW!!
From: PoppaGator

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.)


07 Nov 07 - 04:45 PM (#2188576)
Subject: RE: Photograph your instrument NOW!!
From: skipy

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


07 Nov 07 - 05:14 PM (#2188589)
Subject: RE: Photograph your instrument NOW!!
From: Barry Finn

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


07 Nov 07 - 05:48 PM (#2188607)
Subject: RE: Photograph your instrument NOW!!
From: skipy

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


07 Nov 07 - 06:11 PM (#2188619)
Subject: RE: Photograph your instrument NOW!!
From: JohnInKansas

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


07 Nov 07 - 06:45 PM (#2188638)
Subject: RE: Photograph your instrument NOW!!
From: GUEST,.gargoyle

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


07 Nov 07 - 07:14 PM (#2188649)
Subject: RE: Photograph your instrument NOW!!
From: Sorcha

Already done.


08 Nov 07 - 04:25 AM (#2188797)
Subject: RE: Photograph your instrument NOW!!
From: jiva

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


08 Nov 07 - 05:10 AM (#2188820)
Subject: RE: Photograph your instrument NOW!!
From: Geoff the Duck

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.


08 Nov 07 - 05:36 AM (#2188823)
Subject: RE: Photograph your instrument NOW!!
From: GUEST,Shimrod

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


08 Nov 07 - 05:44 AM (#2188824)
Subject: RE: Photograph your instrument NOW!!
From: skipy

Did you take a photograph of the camera?
Skipy


08 Nov 07 - 06:52 AM (#2188849)
Subject: RE: Photograph your instrument NOW!!
From: Roger the Skiffler

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


RtS
(Don't go giving Herself ideas!)


08 Nov 07 - 07:25 AM (#2188873)
Subject: RE: Photograph your instrument NOW!!
From: Midchuck

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


08 Nov 07 - 08:29 AM (#2188917)
Subject: RE: Photograph your instrument NOW!!
From: Mooh

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.


08 Nov 07 - 10:19 AM (#2188967)
Subject: RE: Photograph your instrument NOW!!
From: katlaughing

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.


08 Nov 07 - 01:09 PM (#2189117)
Subject: RE: Photograph your instrument NOW!!
From: skipy

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