Tonight was a busy night for me. I went directly from one rehearsal to another rehearsal. I have drums set up at both places, but I was swapping out some of my cymbals from the first location. I left those cymbals (and an extra Ludwig 1400 flat base stand) in the car while I was at my second rehearsal.
During that second rehearsal, my car got broken into. I came out, opened the door to get in the car and saw broken glass all over the passenger seat (front passenger window was smashed). It was a cold and rainy night, just above freezing. At first I was hoping it just a reflection of the rain on the glass, but then I felt cold air and my heart sunk. My very next thought was "Oh no, the cymbals!". I had put them in a black bag in the back seat on the floor, directly behind the driver's seat. I was sitting in the driver's seat and I reached back with my hand and was amazed (and completely relieved) when I felt the cymbal bag still there! I unzipped it, and felt all five cymbals still in the bag. Thank God! MY 1400 cymbal stand was still there too. In fact, NOTHING was taken from the car. All my phone chargers, cords etc. were all still in place. I even had a $10 TGI-Friday's gift card in the center console, and that was still there. I guess it was a quick "smash and grab". Unfortunately, when I called the police, they said there was nothing they could do if nothing was taken from the vehicle. They gave the number to report the crime during regular business hours. I"ll obviously need to report it for insurance purposes. I'm guessing the fact that it was dark and rainy, and that the cymbal bag was black and on the backseat floor is why the would be thief didn't see it.
I really dodged a bullet tonight! I was definitely VERY Lucky. I had debated taking the cymbals in to the second rehearsal with me, even though I wasn't using them, just so they wouldn't be in the car. This should serve as an important reminder to ALL of us.....never leave equipment in your car if you can help it. Always take it inside or take it with you whenever possible.
By the way, that smash and grab idiot really blew it. In addition to the 1400 stand, the cymbals in the bag were all pro level cymbals: 13" New Beats from the 80's, a 19" Dream Bliss Crash/Ride, a 20" Sabian AA Raw Ride (no longer made) and an 8" A. Custom Splash. Very lucky for me.
I know that it's going to cost me some money to get the window fixed, but at least I still have my cymbals. Not having them would have made it WAY worse. The value of those cymbals is certainly more than my deductible. I was able to put up with the very cold ride home knowing that I came out of this VERY lucky!
