• TalkBass has been independent since 1998. Add your voice.
    Create a free account to reply to discussions, view embedded media, and browse with fewer display ads.
    Join free Log in
    Want zero display ads or expanded classifieds tools? Compare plans.

5 years later - am I wrong?

#21
No way man. Write him an email and remind him. Been so long he may have forgotten. And if you have proof of purchase I believe you are still within the typical 6-year statue of limitations to involve authorities should your claim become contentious.
 
#24
I'm all for justice, but in some of the Denver scenes we see guys that demand their gear back publicly and say "hey, lets not hire him cause he's kind of crazy" but for the record most Denver musicians I know are terrible about phone calls, texts, and emails.
I'd say just talk to the guy face to face and try to be civil. If he is uncivil that's on him, but forcing a conversation (not a confrontation!) never hurt anyone too badly!
 
  • Like
Reactions: pudgychef, Big Hoss and ZonieBass
#25
Unfortunately this is one of those situations where you are in the right, but given their behavior to this point it will likely turn out to be waayyy more hassle than it's worth for a mic and some cables. I know it's probably the principal of it more than the actual value of the items but it doesn't seem like they have any interest in doing the right thing. As mentioned in other posts, you could do things like create a sh!tstorm on Facebook or show up at their next gig and either confront them on it or just take it back. Looks like you're a pretty stout lad so they may think twice before trying to stop you! Actually flattening their tires would probably be the most satisfying:) Only you know if it's worth bothering with any of that. I feel your pain though, if it were me I'd know the smart thing to do would be leave it be and let karma have her way with them. But just letting them keep my stuff would be very hard to swallow as a matter of principal.
 
#26
leto said:
Well they say you can't "steal" your own stuff. So wait until the next gig, go, when they take a break go take YOUR stuff back and leave.
Click to expand...

Not a good idea. What if you get arrested? As has been mentioned, burden of proof is on you. After 5 years this sounds more like hurt feelings that you weren't invited back when they started up again. Is this a high end mic? Apparently it's not been an issue for a long time. Be the bigger man and let it go.
 
#27
Go to his next gig, afterwards look the guy in the eye and ask for your stuff back. If he's civil, buy him a beer and part ways. If he refuses or gets all toughguy, leave and don't think about it again, not worth an escalation. Or forget about the gear now, and never give it another thought. Either way, be decisive, don't dwell, and don't make a big deal out of it.
 
Last edited:
  • Like
Reactions: Crazy_Jake, Thisguy, pudgychef and 4 others
#28
cronker said:
So here's the deal.

5 years back, I was in a great band and we worked regularly and got great gigs. Then we split because both the guitarist/singer and drummer were getting married and getting ready for families etc.
No issue.

But, the guitarist happened to have my mic, my mic stand and a heap of cables at his house (where we rehearsed) and I never got them back.
Now I see he is back in the scene and I have photos of him using those pieces of equipment that are mine.
I have asked him to return them on numerous occasions without response.
What would you do now?
Is it just a loss I should accept?
Click to expand...

There are several bands that did not pay me money owed me and there are people out there with some of my stuff.

The problem with bands is they are full of musicians.
 
  • Like
Reactions: TheBear, Lex P. and wintremute
#31
At this point, after so many years, and not wanting to get "legal" you are as they say screwed. FB shaming is for high school kids and republicans. While you did attempt to recover, what proof can you now offer that you indeed are the rightful owner/original purchaser of this mic, mic cord and stand? Because the Police will want that information while your former bandmate is having you arrested for stealing gear at a club, or to explain why the really big bouncer knocked out your front teeth while you were stealing equipment from a band onstage. It's a lot like the guys in the NFL that "shove back". The guy that did the shoving initially usually gets off scott-free. Good luck, but after 5 years, I'm in the crowd that says suck it up buttercup, at least it isn't an instrument or an amplifier. Walk.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Fat Steve
#32
Ok, look, there's not going to be any physical confrontation - that would be futile. I'm not all that butthurt about all this clearly I've left it for five years without a great deal of thought about my gear. Never really missed it that much and yes, it's all fairly ordinary stuff (SM57, stand etc).
I just think it's a bit rich to see these guys in a new band using my gear, knowing that I have asked them repeatedly about getting it back, only to be ignored. That's what sticks in my craw.
 
#33
cronker said:
Ok, look, there's not going to be any physical confrontation - that would be futile. I'm not all that butthurt about all this clearly I've left it for five years without a great deal of thought about my gear. Never really missed it that much and yes, it's all fairly ordinary stuff (SM57, stand etc).
I just think it's a bit rich to see these guys in a new band using my gear, knowing that I have asked them repeatedly about getting it back, only to be ignored. That's what sticks in my craw.
Click to expand...

Sounds like you've got it in perspective. Just make sure this is not an extension of your disappointment that they moved on without you.

A rational happy medium would be to show up for the last set, wait until it ends, shake hands, compliment the band, and ask the guitarist if you can have your stuff back. Do it with a couple of witnesses standing nearby. Let the chips fall where they will. If he stiffs you, walk away and never look back or think of it again.
 
  • Like
Reactions: ReneB, GregT and ZonieBass
#35
I've been in a bunch of these types of bands, and each time I've lost gear. Chalk it up to the whole band experience. Last time I lost 3 50' cables that I had bought for our gigs. They had cost me a pretty penny, and I kept hounding the guys until I got them back a year later. That said, I think I've bought and lost a mic and mic stand for every band I've left. Music stand, bass stand, cables galore. It happens.

Last band I actually left my bass amp and spare keyboard there. Its still there, now 5 years later. I picked up my other gear I had left behind a few years ago. Helps to stay friends with some of the guys.

Keep asking for your stuff but if they deny having it, then chalk it up to learning to label your stuff and taking the more expensive gear with you each practice. A mic is easy to throw in your gearbag.
 
#38
lfmn16 said:
I agree.

If the OP doesn't have proof that the equipment is his, then HE is the one that is going to end up in trouble.
Click to expand...

This is true, if he puts you off or denies you it's useless and unless you have proof forget it legal wise. Is there another friend that could help and intervene that he would answer to? Also not in your favor is why now 5 years later are you trying to decide what to do? Other than pissing a person off really he's had it all along no matter if he's out using it or stashed away
 
#39
So you're saying that after you break up a band, and your (say) drummer doesn't pick up his mic from your house straight away, it becomes your property?
Even when text messages, emails and phone calls in the first six months come your way and you just ignore his requests for his gear to be returned?

Would you feel the same if you left a job and didn't get your leave pay?
 

Latest posts

Top Bottom
Back