Our aim is to help musicians protect their valuable instruments from theft, and to make it easier for lost instruments to be returned to their legitimate owner.

We are encouraging all musicians to check our register before they buy any second-hand instruments to help avoid stolen instruments.

How does it work?

By registering with MusicTag, musicians can add their instruments' details to the register. Once they have done this, they will be issued with a unique Tag Number for each instrument and sent a registration document, similar to a "log book" for vehicles, that identifies them as the legitimate owner of the instrument.

Within their MusicTag account, they can then mark each instrument as "for sale", "lost", "stolen", etc., as appropriate. Meanwhile, anyone who is looking to buy a second-hand instrument can verify that a particular instrument is legitimate by checking the owner's Tag Number or instrument serial number against the register. If MusicTag reports the instrument as "stolen", the buyer can report this back to us and avoid the stolen instrument altogether.

Registering instruments in this way makes it harder for thieves to sell on the instrument if it is stolen as potential buyers are encouraged to check the register before purchasing instruments, to ensure that each instrument is being sold by the legitimate owner.

Do you need to physically alter my instrument?

No!

The MusicTag service does not rely on intrusive physical tagging devices which might otherwise deter musicians who prefer not to have their instruments physically altered in any way. In addition, instruments do not need to be scanned by specialist hardware and personnel to identify the legitimate owner.

Is this the same as insurance?

No!

We recommend that all musicians insure their instruments appropriately in addition to registering with MusicTag. We do not provide insurance for instruments and do not replace them if they become lost. However you can save money on instrument insurance if you are registered with MusicTag*.

What if I lose my instrument?

In addition to being issued with a registration document, MusicTag members also receive a durable sticker for their instrument's case which shows a unique Lost Code, without revealing any personal information about the owner.

Anyone who finds the instrument can then simply report this code to us using our ReportFind service, where we will contact the owner and help to re-unite them with their instrument. Also, by marking their instrument as "lost" in the register, the owner can help to reduce the chance of the instrument being sold on.

What if I find an instrument?

Firstly, check the case for a MusicTag Lost Code sticker. If you find one, report the find to us using our ReportFind service where we will contact the legitimate owner. If you can't find a code, still report the find to us, as we will be able to check the instrument's serial number against the register.

I want to buy a second-hand instrument. What should I do?

Firstly, ask the seller if it is registered with MusicTag. If so, ask them for the instrument's Tag Number and check this against the register using our TagCheck service.

If the seller tells you it isn't registered, ask them for the instrument's details and serial number and check these instead using our InstrumentCheck service. Only buy the instrument if it shows up as "for sale" on the register and if all the instrument's details match.

Check out our Buying Guide for more information.

Why should I register?

By registering your musical instruments with MusicTag, you will help to reduce the chance of your instrument being stolen and avoid thieves registering the instrument as theirs should they steal it from you. If you decide to sell your instrument at a later date, you will be able to reassure your buyer that your instrument isn't stolen and help to reduce the trade of stolen goods. Furthermore, your instrument can be traced back to you should it become lost.

In addition, you can save on your musical instrument insurance if you have registered with MusicTag*.

How much does it cost?

Refer to our current registration fees. These are one-off fees for the lifetime of your ownership of the instrument. Registering multiple instruments simultaneously also entitles you to a multi-registration discount. For large numbers of instruments, we can offer further bulk discounts; please contact us for details.

Note that if your personal details change, there is a small administration fee to produce replacement registration documents.

Why does it cost to register?

Each registration fee goes towards the cost of producing the registration documents, case stickers and the management of the MusicTag system. In addition, the money raised from registrations helps to cover the cost of promoting the MusicTag service to as many musicians as possible.

What next; how can I help?

If you would like to join the ever-growing number of musicians benefitting from registering with MusicTag, sign up now!

Once you have signed up, you will be able to register your instrument's details and become eligible for a discount on your musical instrument insurance*.

Secondly, the more musicians who know about the MusicTag register, the better, as fewer stolen instruments will be unknowingly bought and more lost instruments will be returned to their rightful owners. If you want to help, please tell all your musician colleagues, students, teachers and friends to check out this website and register their instruments too. We have a number of flyers and promotional items available.

* Discount on policies and renewals taken through Musicians Insurance Services, the musical insurance broker.