Stolen Bass!!!

[beingbecoming]

Dear Friends:

Yesterday, in West Harlem, between the times of 12:45 - 1:00 PM, my double bass was stolen. It was a Barrie Kolstein redish color with sloping shoulders. I had replaced the Kolstein tailpiece with one from Christian Laborie that was less bulky, and I had a Rabbath "style" hole cut in the bottom of the block for a wooden endpin. There was a wooden endpin in the back pocket, and some jazz charts, as well as my recital music which included Hindemith Sonata, Carmen Fantasy, and music by Berio, Barbé and Rabbath. The bottom right violin corner was also cracked as I was about to take that to get repaired. I am attaching two pictures of me and my bass a year and a half ago.

I would appreciate it if everyone would keep their ears and eyes open and please let me know if they hear of any leads whatsoever. At this point I'm also looking for a bass to borrow. If anyone has a second bass of any kind, even plywood, I would be forever grateful if you could lend it for some gigs i have coming up that I have already made commitments too.

I appreciate your help, and sympathy! It is a really beautiful bass and I can't describe how horrible I feel after putting so many hours into something. It feels like my child was taken from me.

(I apologize for the mass e-mail I am not in the right mindset and trying to save time so I copied my entire address book)


John Romey
beingbecoming@johnromey.com
+1. 443. 799. 6349
Dear World:



Yesterday I received a photo taken on a blackberry by an honors student at CCNY from the advisor to the honors center as well as from the International Studies Coordinator. The photo was of a sign posted around 120th st. and Broadway saying “Upright Bass Found, black case” and a phone number. I also received a phone call from a student at Manhattan school of music (almost at the same time in fact) who had seen my posting on Talkbass.com. Someone approached his friend saying they bought a double bass off the street and they think it was stolen and they were looking for the owner.



After receiving no response from 1:30 pm until 5:00 pm, I went to the precinct with the detectives that were on the case. We made repeated phone calls that were recorded and finally someone picked up the phone around 6:30 pm. The man made me describe the bass, music in the case etc because he said many people were calling about the bass. He told me he had my bass and we could meet the next day because he had a race to go to in central park that evening. The police were not ready to leave this bass for another minute as it was a grand larceny case (the instrument is valued at 10k). We went in their car and zipped down to his residence. It turns out he is an extremely kind man who loves jazz. Two hours after the bass was stolen he saw someone who he described as “homeless” dragging the bass by its neck down Broadway. He thought the neck was broken and it was obvious that this was a stolen instrument. He knew this must mean a lot to the owner and that it was of some value so he tried to purchase the instrument directly from the thief. The thief wanted $100 but he told him he only had $51 and some change in his pocket. He purchased the instrument for this amount and started posting signs from Lincoln Center up to the 130’s. This was the sign the CCNY student saw, and he also spoke with the local music schools – hence the phone call.



When we arrived he would not even take the $50 he spent to get the bass. He said he just wanted this instrument to go back to the owner. I cannot tell you how ecstatic I am to have my beloved double bass back in my possession!!! The neck was actually unscathed, and the damages were mostly to the case. The bass was pretty beat up with two of the violin corners broken, but not past the purfling. The bridge was moved 6 inches to one side, but overall I believe all the damages are entirely cosmetic. The bass is now with its maker, Barrie Kolstein, for a complete overhaul and inspection.

I am extremely touched by the musician community here who has been nothing except for helpful and empathetic. I would like to thank the students who pitched in and everyone for keeping their eyes and ears open. The detectives admitted that if it were not for everyone’s help we would probably never have found the instrument. Most of all I would like to thank the man who purchased the bass who I shall leave nameless. I shall be forever grateful. I would also like to thank musicians who have offered to loan me instruments - I have counted as many as ten! A very very special thanks to Ron Carter who immediately was on the phone with David Gage and paid to have a bass rented for me for a month! Thanks again to everyone, I really appreciate the help and am so happy to have my woman home!

John Romey
beingbecoming@johnromey.com
+1. 443. 799. 6349

[beingbecoming]

sorry i think the pictures did not attach

[Jeremy Darrow]

I'm truly sorry to hear about your bass. I'm sure that you've done this already, but in case you haven't, be sure to contact as many music stores in your area as you can. Especially Gage's, Kolsteins, etc. There's a good chance that the bass could appear in one of those shops eventually.

Best of luck
Jeremy

[philip sirois]

hi John,

I know it's not ideal, but I have a Merchant vertical EUB that you could borrow for a gig or two. I live right in astoria on 30th ave. It's my only second bass, but if it's any help to you let be know.

phil

[brooklynbassed]

Originally Posted by beingbecoming

Dear Friends:

Yesterday, in West Harlem, between the times of 12:45 - 1:00 PM, my double bass was stolen. It was a Barrie Kolstein redish color with sloping shoulders. I had replaced the Kolstein tailpiece with one from Christian Laborie that was less bulky, and I had a Rabbath "style" hole cut in the bottom of the block for a wooden endpin. There was a wooden endpin in the back pocket, and some jazz charts, as well as my recital music which included Hindemith Sonata, Carmen Fantasy, and music by Berio, Barbé and Rabbath. The bottom right violin corner was also cracked as I was about to take that to get repaired. I am attaching two pictures of me and my bass a year and a half ago.

I would appreciate it if everyone would keep their ears and eyes open and please let me know if they hear of any leads whatsoever. At this point I'm also looking for a bass to borrow. If anyone has a second bass of any kind, even plywood, I would be forever grateful if you could lend it for some gigs i have coming up that I have already made commitments too.

I appreciate your help, and sympathy! It is a really beautiful bass and I can't describe how horrible I feel after putting so many hours into something. It feels like my child was taken from me.

(I apologize for the mass e-mail I am not in the right mindset and trying to save time so I copied my entire address book)


John Romey
beingbecoming@johnromey.com
+1. 443. 799. 6349

I am so very sorry for your loss. I hope the universe is kind in returning it to you soon.

In the meantime, this begs the question: Is there a better place to post this so that it grabs more immediate attention, like in the "lost/stolen" blog in bass guitar?
It's time we start a lost/stolen thread here.

This is the second time in recent memory that I have seen such a posting in double bass, while looking through the for sale section. It's a bad sign of the times.

Best of luck,
Everett Boyd

[Jason Sypher]

I would also put the word out to all the major shops on the east coast. You might post on the NY Musicians Union website, I forget is it the 502 or something? People generally have no idea that basses are fairly individual and can be spotted a number of ways by the general bass community. Also post something on Craigslist and keep it updated. I think you will get that bass back...eventually. Sorry for your loss. How the hell did they steal it? Bastards.

[sybarite]

Call all of the local pawn shops. Send them the pictures. Tell them to call you & the police If someone brings in any double bass. Offer them a reward. Of course you need to call your insurance company, if you don't have it separately insured you might be able to claim it on your parents homeowner's insurance if your still in school. Of course you need to cal the police & file a report if you haven't already.

good luck,

Louis

[neurotictim]

Don't forget to keep a close eye on Craigslist and the local classifieds as well. If it shows up there, get in touch with the poster, set up a time and date to meet them, and meet them with the police - don't put yourself in a dangerous position.

[beingbecoming]

thanks everyone.. I've done all this already and will definitely keep this updated. It is posted on the ISB and the AFM local 802 as well. I have send out an email to over 300 bass vendors and retailers in the US and Canada and every musician I know. I would appreciate it if everyone just kept an eye out . So far it as not turned up on CL or Ebay and I have personally went to every single pawn shop in Harlem. The detective was off the last two days but should be back tonight. There was a camera across the street at the university and they are supposed to be getting tape from that as well as the fingerprint check from my car.

[beingbecoming]

The good news it that I think I've fallen in love with another bass already... and I'm working on getting an instrument loan through the union. Though I sort of feel like an unfaithful widower....

[Standalone]

Originally Posted by beingbecoming

The good news it that I think I've fallen in love with another bass already... and I'm working on getting an instrument loan through the union. Though I sort of feel like an unfaithful widower....

Very sorry to hear about this, beingbecoming. If your upcoming gigs were bluegrass-- I'd lend you my old Kay. I lived and worked in Astoria for five years and met my wife there. Wish I could help out a "neighbor!"

[beingbecoming]

well actually ron carter called me and is renting me a bass from david gage for a month.. hopefully this nonsense will be sorted out by then. Yay for mr. carter being an amazing human being!

[beingbecoming]

Dear World:

Yesterday I received a photo taken on a blackberry by an honors student at CCNY from the advisor to the honors center as well as from the International Studies Coordinator. The photo was of a sign posted around 120th st. and Broadway saying “Upright Bass Found, black case” and a phone number. I also received a phone call from a student at Manhattan school of music (almost at the same time in fact) who had seen my posting on Talkbass.com. Someone approached his friend saying they bought a double bass off the street and they think it was stolen and they were looking for the owner.

After receiving no response from 1:30 pm until 5:00 pm, I went to the precinct with the detectives that were on the case. We made repeated phone calls that were recorded and finally someone picked up the phone around 6:30 pm. The man made me describe the bass, music in the case etc because he said many people were calling about the bass. He told me he had my bass and we could meet the next day because he had a race to go to in central park that evening. The police were not ready to leave this bass for another minute as it was a grand larceny case (the instrument is valued at 10k). We went in their car and zipped down to his residence. It turns out he is an extremely kind man who loves jazz. Two hours after the bass was stolen he saw someone who he described as “homeless” dragging the bass by its neck down Broadway. He thought the neck was broken and it was obvious that this was a stolen instrument. He knew this must mean a lot to the owner and that it was of some value so he tried to purchase the instrument directly from the thief. The thief wanted $100 but he told him he only had $51 and some change in his pocket. He purchased the instrument for this amount and started posting signs from Lincoln Center up to the 130’s. This was the sign the CCNY student saw, and he also spoke with the local music schools – hence the phone call.

When we arrived he would not even take the $50 he spent to get the bass. He said he just wanted this instrument to go back to the owner. I cannot tell you how ecstatic I am to have my beloved double bass back in my possession!!! The neck was actually unscathed, and the damages were mostly to the case. The bass was pretty beat up with two of the violin corners broken, but not past the purfling. The bridge was moved 6 inches to one side, but overall I believe all the damages are entirely cosmetic. The bass is now with its maker, Barrie Kolstein, for a complete overhaul and inspection.
I am extremely touched by the musician community here who has been nothing except for helpful and empathetic. I would like to thank the students who pitched in and everyone for keeping their eyes and ears open. The detectives admitted that if it were not for everyone’s help we would probably never have found the instrument. Most of all I would like to thank the man who purchased the bass who I shall leave nameless. I shall be forever grateful. I would also like to thank musicians who have offered to loan me instruments - I have counted as many as ten! A very very special thanks to Ron Carter who immediately was on the phone with David Gage and paid to have a bass rented for me for a month! Thanks again to everyone, I really appreciate the help and am so happy to have my woman home!
John Romey
beingbecoming@johnromey.com
+1. 443. 799. 6349

[el_mariachi]

Wow...you are truely lucky! I'm very glad to hear that this story has a happy ending. Karma is on your side......don't mess that up!

[Tejano Bass]

WOW !!! I hope you appreciate just how incredibly fortunate you are - Go buy Lotto tickets - NOW!!

Almost UN-Believable . . . somewhat restores a little bit o' faith in mankind!

[PaulCannon]

Originally Posted by beingbecoming

Two hours after the bass was stolen he saw someone who he described as “homeless” dragging the bass by its neck down Broadway.

That image is almost funny. The poor thief took something that was too heavy to carry and too difficult to pawn. If it hadn't been for that guy, your bass would probably have ended up in a dumpster. You are very, very lucky.

[doktorfeelgood]

Congrats on getting your bass back. You are VERY lucky.
My faith in mankind is restored after reading that you got it back and how the whole story went down. Even though the guy who bought your bass from the theif wouldn't take any money from you, maybe you could think of something really nice to do for him that's not about cash.
You've been really good to somebody along the line and your karma came back to you as it always does. I would definitelty go and buy some lottery tickets. And needless to say, I don't think you'll ever leave your bass unattended to in a car ever again. Or anywhere else for that matter. )-(