Stolen Brubaker

Brad Johnson · #1 08-31-2005, 10:16 PM

Probably should've posted this sooner. This bass was on loan to Maurice Fitzgerald, a bassist whose work includes Fred Hammond and Destiny's Child, while he was having a custom Brubaker built. It's one of my personal basses and he's now had it for over a year and a half. At this point he refuses to return my property and I consider it stolen. He may no longer have it, it may have changed hands by now, it's my personal bass and whoever has it at this point is in possession of stolen property.

It's teal blue flamed Maple, birdseye maple fretboard. Ash body.

Any info regarding it's whereabouts would be greatly appreciated. Maurice is a common thief and I'd like for him not to get away with this.

Thanks.

**Rodent** · #2 08-31-2005, 10:21 PM

Hey Brad,

So sorry to hear that a bass bro has taken this path. That bass sure is a beauty, and if it plays anything like the basses you brought to Bassapalooza on Sat afternoon ... whooa!

If I see anything on this I'll definitely drop a note your way.

All the best,

R

Brad Johnson · #3 08-31-2005, 10:34 PM

I appreciate that. I probably should've posted this as stolen as soon as it became obvious that's what Maurice was doing. It's almost unbelievable that someone in his position would be this lacking in character. I'm guessing he just "plays" gospel.

Brad Johnson · #4 08-31-2005, 11:18 PM

Here's a close-up of the body:

**Bryan R. Tyler** · #5 09-01-2005, 08:26 AM

Have you still not contacted the police? You know specifically who has it and you have people (including Kevin himself) who would back you up if there was a dispute over if it was stolen or not.

Brad Johnson · #6 09-01-2005, 09:06 AM

I was still working to resolve this prior to doing that. I was just contacted by someone who was recently in contact with Maurice (Maurice won't return my calls). That prompted me to put pics out in the meantime in case anyone comes across it. Next week, after things settle down here, if I don't have this resolved I'm contacting the Chicago police. department.

budman · #7 09-02-2005, 10:26 AM

That's just plain crummy. Thought about posting something on Fred Hammond's message board?

Brad Johnson · #8 09-02-2005, 05:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by budman

That's just plain crummy. Thought about posting something on Fred Hammond's message board?

Yes, I did think about that. That board doesn't seem to be Fred's from what I can tell. Posting that Maurice stole my bass might be considered harassment. Fred's website has no way to contact him.

I just left Maurice a voice message... I'm going to proceed with criminal charges after the holiday. I hope they throw his sorry butt under the jail. He deserves whatever happens to him.

Fuzzbass · #9 09-02-2005, 10:55 PM

Ugh. What a ****** situation. Even if you get the bass back *and* his sorry a$$ is thrown in jail... that won't undo the aggravation you've been dealing with. At the very least, I hope you get the bass back.

Brad Johnson · #10 09-02-2005, 11:09 PM

True. The funny thing is that I've been past aggravated for a while now. He's not worth it.

I've found out this isn't the first time he's pulled this crap. I'd like to make this one memorable.

slugworth · #11 09-06-2005, 01:32 PM

This sucks. I just went thru this with a band I just quit. The A-hole guitarist refused to return my PSM-400 in-ear monitor unit which was stored in the PA rack. The guy kept refusing to give me back my stuff, and threatened me repeatedly. I finally decided enough was enough, and filed a theft report with the P.D. While not as expensive as your Brubaker, it was still considered GRAND THEFT!!! The Sergeant at the PD was not amused by this guy's antics and made a rather demonstrative call to the knucklehead, and I had my stuff back within 8 hours. People like these are the lowest form of life and an utter disgrace. I hope you get your bass back, and this guy gets what he deserves..

Slug

Quadzilla · #12 09-07-2005, 09:43 AM

Wow Brad, I remember hearing about this from you a while back. You have been waaaaay too patient! I would have had his ass thrown into jail a long time ago. I say don't waste another minute. Guess on the horn with his local PD TODAY! Keep us posted!

Brad Johnson · #13 09-10-2005, 09:11 AM

Just got an email from a friend of mine...

http://www.lowdownsound.com/newthisweek.htm

I'll be calling them as soon as they open. It'll be interesting to see if Maurice is the one selling it or he sold a bass he didn't own to someone else. Either way this should be more than enough rope to hang himself.

Quadzilla · #14 09-10-2005, 09:39 AM

Wow, keep us posted Brad!!!!

**Bryan R. Tyler** · #15 09-10-2005, 11:08 AM

That's messed up right there- I hope LDS knows enough to keep it there and not contact the seller after you contact them.

Quadzilla · #16 09-10-2005, 12:46 PM

Are they open yet Brad? Any news?

Brad Johnson · #17 09-10-2005, 12:54 PM

So far the ending to this is just as bizarre as the rest. Lowdown Sound is working to get the bass back to me. As usually they have been extremely cool to deal with.

It seems that after I left a message (unanswered as usual) with Maurice early last week telling him I was pressing charges, he immediately traded my bass to a friend of his and got him stuck in the middle of his BS. The friend put the bass on consignment and got blindsided by Maurice. Seems way too familiar.

More later.

Quadzilla · #18 09-10-2005, 01:09 PM

Great news!

willgroove2 · #19 09-10-2005, 01:47 PM

all i have to say is WOW but thank goodness your getting your bass back

malthumb · #20 09-10-2005, 05:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Brad Johnson

Just got an email from a friend of mine...

http://www.lowdownsound.com/newthisweek.htm

I'll be calling them as soon as they open. It'll be interesting to see if Maurice is the one selling it or he sold a bass he didn't own to someone else. Either way this should be more than enough rope to hang himself.

Unbelievable. I was driving past there today and thought about stopping in, but chose not to. Now I wish I had. I'll go by in the next day or so and "chat" with them about it, unless you'd rather I didn't. PM me the serial number and I can confirm for you that it's yours. I'm guessing that's just a formality.

FWIW, Burk spends a lot of time there. Maybe he can help you out on this one

Peace,

James

Just saw your last post. Glad to see it's heading back to you. The guys at LDS are top notch. Good thing they're not Alembic distributors. I have kids to feed.