Accidentally left a bass at a gig, Venue closed for tax evasion=lost bass forever

[willstrickland7]

Anyone ever heard of this happening?

I somehow left my Fender Highway 1 Jazz bass at a bar my band played at last year. The next week when we realized it never got loaded up, the bar closed for tax evasion and never reopened.

Staff said that some "equipment" was left behind but since it was inside the bar still, no one could get to it. After calling the IRS and different people, no one knew of how to get a privately owned item back from a place closed down from tax evasion.

So, the IRS basically owned my bass from then on out, and I will never see it again. The saddest story of my life. They don't even make the same kind of Highway One in Crimson Red Transparent anyone. Forget the money, the sentimental value and awesome playability of that bass I will miss forever.

Anyone ever heard of such bad luck? That's what I get for not paying close enough attention and learned a very valuable lesson. Always pack your bass up first and don't drink so much that you'll not be sharp enough to realize what's happened.

[elgecko]

That sucks...how did you go a week without realizing it was missing?

[hachi kid]

^same thought

[bolophonic]

I would have broken in and gotten it. I once had a valuable tool that was inside a warehouse that fell into an ownership dispute during an estate hearing and I made sure that I got it out under the cover of darkness. Sorry to hear about your bass.

[ibateur]

Can't you approach the IRS with proof of your purchase to claim it belonged to you?

[M.R. Ogle]

I agree... break a window, get in and get your bass.

[purfektstranger]

Wow that really sucks. I am at a loss for words.

[ExaltBass]

Originally Posted by ibateur

Can't you approach the IRS with proof of your purchase to claim it belonged to you?

Common sense... If you can prove ownership they have no claim.

[Smokin' Toaster]

Originally Posted by ExaltBass

Common sense... If you can prove ownership they have no claim.

Common sense does not apply when dealing with the IRS.

In fact, it's discouraged.

[Dan_nj]

I would be going thru a window and getting it back !

[fuzzy beard]

This happend last year?

[spaz21387]

I agree with everyone else. If my bass was inside this building I would have found a way inside to get it back.

[Joey3313]

I don't see any instance of bad luck there.

I see forgetfulness on your part.
I see legal wrongdoing on the venue owners part.
And I see bureaucracy on the IRS' part.

[jaywa]

Holy cow. That sucks.

Did you have anything on the bass (or in the case) identifying it as yours? Seems to me in situations like that, whoever physically closed the place down (I assume it was legal authorities) have a legal responsibility to return any clearly marked personal property to their rightful owners... or at least, notify said individuals as to where the items have been taken and allow them to reclaim those items with appropriate proof of ownership. OTOH if there was no way to identify the bass as yours, they probably assumed it was the property of the club, confiscated it along with everything else and it's either sitting in a warehouse someplace or got liquidated at auction towards satisfying the tax obligation.

If you have pictures and a serial number of the bass it wouldn't hurt you to post those here. At least the TB community could be on the lookout for it then.

[rllefebv]

At the very first paid 'gig' that I ever played (We got a Shure SM-57 for doing the gig), I left the very first bass that I ever had leaning against a fence while we were loading up so that it wouldn't get smashed (no case or bag)... Got back to the rehearsal place (my buddy's garage) and unloaded before realizing that the bass never made it in the van... Sped back, but it had disappeared... Sigh... That was my only 'lost' bass, though I have had several stolen...

-robert

[Bruce Johnson]

Well, one thing that you can do is file a lawsuit against the bar's owner in Small Claims Court, for the actual bass or at least the realistic value of it. If you win, which you probably will, then the court will issue a Judgement against the owner. That gives you a real piece of legal paper. Then, whenever the owner settles his mess with the IRS, you have a way to demand the bass back. Or, if he no longer has it, at least he has to pay you for it.

[TNCreature]

I will not join the unsympethetic bandwagon of the perfect people.
You made a mistake and it does suck. It was also an odd and unexpected event for the club to be shut down. I also know that you will never do that again.

I think some people are being simplistic: break in; no then he would be in jail without a bass.
Convince the IRS. Ha haha ha!

I'm sorry this happened pal. Live and learn.
If it ever comes back I would love to hear about it.

[Herrick]

There must be a way to get it back. That's ridiculous that the IRS can just confiscate your property even though you weren't an owner of that venue. Do you have any proof of purchase or the serial number? This is a sad story indeed

[FunkMetalBass]

Is there an alarm on the place? Cameras? Do you have a friend who is particularly handy with a lockpick?

[TorontoAlex]

As much as you may want that bass back, and even if it's rightfully yours, breaking into a place to get it back is not a good option. Someone sees you, either phones police, or takes matters into their own hands, it's dark, they can't see what's in your hands.......I can only see bad things happening here. Do everything on the up and up, if it's lost it's lost, no bass is worth the risk you'd be taking. Even if it's not a life and death thing, getting charged in relation to getting it back will cost you much more then buying a new one. And if you break in and it's not there anymore, then what?