Building a professional-level musical ensemble takes an incredible amount of time and financial investment. Besides being tools of creation and performance, they have significant sentimental value for artists.
To protect these assets, here are five important insights to keep in mind during your coast-to-coast journey.
1. Use Pre-Tour Documentation as the First Line of Defense
Economic activities related to arts and culture contributed $1.17 trillion to the GDP in 2023. Musicians use a wide range of valuable tools and equipment to create music. Additionally, these instruments and equipment carry sentimental value that no newer and better instruments can replace when lost.
To prepare for the journey, conduct a gear inventory, including photographs and insurance coverage. List details such as instrument or gear type, manufacturer, model, serial number, color, purchase date and replacement cost. Photographs should be high-resolution from multiple angles, including close-up shots. Store these photos on cloud-based platforms so you can access them easily anywhere.
It is also wise to apply for specialized insurance coverage. While many standard policies do not cover the use of instruments and gear at home, specialized policies typically cover equipment during transport, at venues, in storage or even on international trips.
2. Treat Your Vehicle Like a Vault To Secure Instrument Cases
Driving introduces vibrations, impacts and environmental change. Hard-shell cases are the industry standard for transporting professional and high-value musical equipment, such as guitars, keyboards and rack-mounted gear. They have a much greater impact and puncture resistance than gig bags.
Additionally, ratchet straps and tie-downs can provide greater security for your instruments and peace of mind while driving. They are especially important during unexpected gear shifting, sharp turns and sudden stops. By anchoring hard shell cases to designated spots, you prevent them from shifting and colliding with each other. Additionally, straps and ties make it harder for thieves to snatch the equipment.
3. Pack Your Gear for Physical Protection
As a musician, building your own essential equipment ensemble requires time and money. Secure equipment with internal, custom-fit padding to prevent instruments from shifting inside the case and protect your hard-earned investment. These can prevent damage to hardware, knobs and finishes.
Climate-damage prevention is a nonnegotiable for areas with extreme temperatures, such as parked vehicles. High heat can damage wood and electric components, while low temperatures can make plastics brittle.
4. Maintain Gear Health and Cleanliness on the Road
Maintaining the hygiene of your instruments is important to ensure their performance and longevity. Follow instrument-specific cleaning methods using manufacturer-approved cleaning products. Some instrument parts, such as those made of wood, lacquer or plastic, are sensitive to harsh cleaning methods and should only be disinfected, not sterilized, while on the road. You can drastically change their sound or warp their form with minor changes.
Regularly clean the instruments, gear cases and vehicle. A clean environment helps prevent dirt and bacteria from accumulating on your equipment.
5. Be Diligent at the Destination
Following the journey, it’s crucial to protect instruments at the destination. There should always be one member of the tour group responsible for monitoring gear during loading and unloading. Leaving them unattended on the sidewalk or in a rest area increases the risk of theft. Bring your irreplaceable items, such as a laptop with files, vintage instruments and unique custom gear, to hotel rooms.
Make sure to protect your vehicles and have the necessary documentation on hand just in case. In 2022, over 85% stolen vehicles were recovered by the police. Comprehensive information and documentation — such as accurate license plate numbers, VINs and identifying features — help police track a stolen vehicle.
Protecting Your Gear and Career
To protect your instrument and vehicle, incorporate preventive measures into your travel to-dos. Some ways to prevent theft and mishandling include using hard-shell cases and ratchet straps, and bringing valuable items back to the hotel room. It’s also important to document details about each one of your pieces of equipment. Remaining vigilant when transporting these items goes a long way in protecting your valuables.
