AxeProtector · Free guide
The Collector's Trusted Companion
Guitar & gear documentation checklist — everything an insurance adjuster asks for after a theft, fire or flood.
Name: Date reviewed:
1. Photos for every instrument
- Full front, straight on, in good light
- Full back, including neck heel
- Headstock front and back (logo + tuners)
- Serial number — sharp and readable
- Neck plate / neck pocket / control cavity stamps
- Unique marks: wood grain, dings, wear, relic spots
- Any modifications (pickups, bridge, refret, wiring)
- Case and accessories that came with it
2. Details to write down
- Make, model, year and finish/color
- Serial number (written, not only photographed)
- Purchase date, price and where you bought it
- Current replacement value — update once a year
3. Paperwork to keep
- Bill of sale or receipt
- Certificate of authenticity / factory hang tags
- Appraisals and dated value estimates
- Repair and setup invoices (luthier service log)
- Your insurance policy and any scheduled-item list
4. Keep it safe
- Store a copy off-site or in the cloud — not only in the house
- Tell a family member or heir where the records are
- Review the list every 12 months or after any purchase or sale
- Keep humidity at 45–55% and log any damage right away
Tip: AxeProtector keeps all of this in one private place and turns it into an insurance-ready report. Free for up to 3 instruments — axeprotector.com