Bringing an Instrument to College?

<p>Let's say you have this really nice acoustic guitar and want to bring it w/ u to college. Will it be safe in a dorm (not get stolen, ruined?) I know u can lock your door, but still paranoid (and i'm a rising senior, just want to be prepared!)</p>

<p>I think you'd probably be okay...just keep the door locked at all times when you're not in the room. Even if you're "only leaving for a minute"...that's all it takes.</p>

<p>bring it! this guy in the suite next to me was an incredible musician & he brought an acoustic guitar, violin, mandolin, and sitar to school. he'd sit on the balcony and play for everyone; i pretty much fell in love with him :)</p>

<p>I brought mine to college and had no problems.
Then again, I didn't have a roommate - but I can't imagine anyone would bypass a television, cellphone, mp3 player and steal a guitar.</p>

<p>im totally bringing my guitar to college... but im just bring my acoustic, not my electric cause with the electric id have to bring my amp and i guess that would be too 'distruptive'</p>

<p>Guitars are sexy! Most def bring it....</p>

<p>Bring an organ. It worked well for the Phantom of the Opera. Or maybe it was the whole labyrinth thing...</p>

<p>It will be hard for a roommate to steal an acoustic and get away with it. As long as you keep the room relatively safe, you should be alright.</p>

<p>Come to think of it, it's hard for anyone to walk out of your dorm with it, and it's probably pretty easy to find.</p>

<p>I think it also depends on how nice it is...</p>

<p>Like if its a martin or a Gibson I really don't think I would feel safe...</p>

<p>I'd bring a guitar...if only I knew how to play one.</p>

<p>My friend brought a guitar.. but then my friend and I.. accidentally stepped on it and made a hole =_=;; keep it in its case accidents happen</p>

<p>in addition to keeping your door closed, lock the case if it has a lock. a potential robber won't be able to take a peek and see what's inside or might just give up if he can't open it without the key.</p>

<p>not advertising the fact that you have a guitar would help, too.</p>

<p><em>Carly Commando--"Every Day" plays in the background</em>
College.:. Where "Accidents" Happen</p>

<p>No really, how the hell did you AND a friend both "accidentally" step on it?</p>

<p>"My friend brought a guitar.. but then my friend and I.. accidentally stepped on it and made a hole =_=;; keep it in its case accidents happen" Bring a hardcase, not will it only protect it from physical harm but also humidity. I kept my guitar in its case (soft case) in the closet and locked it. The guitar I had purchased was retailed for like 1200USD (bought it for 750USD new online) and I didn't worry. Although I did worry when I would go home via Amtrak or Plane. I always carried it as a carry-on.</p>

<p>Yea its a great way to pick up girls and make new friends if youre good. Me and my friend would play sometimes outside if its nice and not too humid and seranade girls walking by. Sometimes I would play at a Caf</p>

<p>ok thanks. I'm actually a straight female, so not really looking into picking up girls...but i do want to continue playing in college. I was thinking about this Gibson at my local guitar shop- usually $1100, but on sale for $850. Think I should act on it?</p>

<p>Buy a nice hard-shell case for it and keep it under your bed when you're not using it.</p>

<p>Oh sorry, you can pick up guys too. Hmm, what is it? A Les Paul? SG? What model is it? I'd recommend an acoustic. Unless it is. if you pm me I'll give you to a site thats usually the cheapest you can buy, and theyre legit.</p>

<p>How about bringing an electric guitar?</p>

<p>I don't think you can pick up a new Gibson acoustic for $850 anywhere.</p>

<p>Just for reference, look at the thread here <a href="http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/music-major/455224-damaged-flute.html?highlight=flute%5B/url%5D"&gt;http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/music-major/455224-damaged-flute.html?highlight=flute&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p>

<p>It illustrates a worst case scenario. Remember, college is a microcosm of society, and you will find a range of people from the nicest you'll ever know to some of the biggest scumbags swimming in the gene pool.</p>

<p>Instrument safety and security will depend on a number of points: your own habits, your roomie/suitemates, the rest of the people on your floor, their friends and associates. </p>

<p>Point of reference: most schools have a policy of no instrumental/vocal practicing in dorm rooms. Enforcement however will be a function of your RA, complaints, and potentially the type of music and your level of ability. </p>

<p>You've gotten some good advice. Keep it in the case, locked when you're not there as it keeps butterfingered investigators away. </p>

<p>My son was a performance major in a conservatory environment, and at various times had a year or two's tuition equivalent dollar value of instruments at school, and there were no issues, but this was an environment where the instruments were the students' lifeblood.</p>

<p>If the school has a formal music program, investigate the possibility of renting an instrument storage locker in the music building. They exist, are normally allocated to music majors/minors based on instrument size, but probably can be rented for a nominal (<$20/semester) charge to non-music students.</p>

<p>You might want to consider having your parents add it to their homeowners insurance with a rider. Cost is generally low. Be advised also that if you make any money gigging, you might be classified as a pro, and the insurance company will deny a claim. In this case, there are companies that specialize in instrument insurance, also generally low in cost for the dollar value you describe. Clarion, Heritage and Mertz-Huber are the three biggies here, and can be found via Google.</p>

<p>Yep, you can bring it. Just be smart about it.</p>