Many bands have to tour regularly in order to make a living. However, hauling musical equipment around from venue to venue without damaging it is not always easy. The good news is that there are some precautionary measures any musician or band manager can take to protect musical equipment and gear while on the road.
Back it In!
When hauling equipment in the trunk of a van or other large vehicle, always park up against a wall or fence if at all possible. This will deter would-be thieves from stealing the equipment out of the back of the van while nobody is looking. Furthermore, be sure that storage vehicles are locked at all times, even if only left unattended for a minute.
Don’t Make It Obvious
Avoid making it obvious that your equipment van is for a band. Specifically, keep band logos, bumper stickers, and decals off the van itself so that it does not stand out as a van that could hold thousands of dollars of equipment inside.
Purchase Protective Cases
The road can be a very unforgiving place for musical equipment. For this reason, it is wise to invest in protective carrying and storage cases for all equipment. This includes guitars, violins, keyboards, and anything in between. Allcases is one company that specializes in making durable and even waterproof cases, such as the their touring music road case.
Create a Loading Chain
One of the most common times equipment is stolen is when the van first arrives and the driver steps inside the venue for a moment. All it takes is a few seconds for a thief to get into the van and steal hundreds or thousands of dollars worth of equipment. For this reason, a loading chain should be established upon arriving at a venue so that at least one person is with the van at all times. From there, he or she can pass equipment onto others, who will carry it into the venue.
Purchase Equipment Insurance
Many musicians are unaware that there is actually insurance available that musicians can purchase to protect their gear while on tour. This way, in the event that a piece is damaged or stolen, it can be replaced quickly, easily, and at minimal or no cost to the band.
Unload Immediately After the Show
Once the show is finished, band members may want nothing more than to relax off-stage. However, it is important to immediately begin hauling equipment off the stage so as to prevent theft or vandalism, especially with rowdier crowds. Get all large and expensive equipment off the stage right away before even thinking about relaxing.
Overall, there are many ways to go about keeping musical gear safe while a band is touring. All it takes is a little bit of foresight and effort to get the peace of mind a musician needs on tour.
