Guitar Theft – Protect yourself.

Musicians often feel a deep and personal connection to their instruments, which is why having one stolen can be especially devastating. While any theft is upsetting, losing a guitar or other cherished instrument can feel like losing a piece of yourself.

Unfortunately, instrument theft is all too common. Guitars are often taken at gigs, rehearsals, or even through online sales scams involving counterfeit payments. With technology making transactions across states easier, musicians must be more cautious than ever.

Although no method can completely prevent theft, there are steps you can take to improve your chances of recovering a stolen instrument:

• Register your instrument at stolenguitarregistry.com
  This free resource allows you to list your instrument’s serial number and details. If anyone checks the serial number, the registry will notify you, helping improve your chances of getting your instrument back.
• Use hidden labels inside your guitar
  Place a discreet label with your contact information inside your guitar. On an acoustic guitar, the label can be placed inside the soundboard. On electric guitars, it can be hidden under the pickups, inside the neck pocket (for bolt-on necks), or beneath the truss rod cover.
  It’s important not to permanently mark your instrument with a name or scratch the surface, as this can lower its resale value. Instead, use a removable sticker label or create a hide-glue label that can be safely removed later with warm water.

These small precautions can make a big difference. It can sometimes be difficult to prove ownership without clear markings, so taking these simple steps can help you safeguard your investment and your connection to your instrument.

And most importantly: always stay mindful of your guitar. Keep it secure when traveling, at gigs, or when leaving it in public spaces. A little extra care can go a long way toward protecting something that means so much.

By Henry Bahrou – Guitarist, Music Theorist, Music Academy Director