Instrument anti-theft/recovery measures?

Gandorf

After a few years playing I have 2 nice acoustics. Does anyone have good advice about making it easier to trace and hopefully recover guitars if they were to be stolen/lost?

At the moment I have photos and records of all serial numbers etc, but in terms of marking I have my name & number in the case and that's about it. Do people use things like UV markings (and where do you mark?) or other techniques?

I know there's some people here with good kit so I'd be interested to hear your opinions.

Cheers,
Gandorf

Johnny Storm

I have no special knowledge but you might want to pass the details onto your home insurance company and see what they can offer you.

fourmations

im not 100% but i think you can name them
on your house insurance, talk to them

Gandorf

Yes I'll double-check the house insurance - I was wondering about marking the guitars somehow, although since I have photos etc I guess that's probably not necessary. I know some electric players put a business card or if found... note inside the guitar.

Redjeep!

Gandorf,

I'd never thought of using these on musical instruments before, but you used to be able to by microdots which were tiny (dust sized) particles with a serial number imprinted on them. They were introduced for motorbikes and the like.
The idea is that the thief would never be able to remove them (or even know that they were there).

If the gear is ever found then you could at least prove it was your's, but it probably wouldn't help either preventing them getting nicked in the first place or tracing it once it's been stolen.

steveland?

Short of lowjacking the gear I don't think there's any fool-proof anti-theft or recovery measures. Home insurance would be your most practical bet, at least if it's stolen you'll be able to get the money back to get a replacement (doesn't help with sentimental value though...)