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Found my stolen bass - How do I get it back

HogieWan

HogieWan

Feb 4, 2008
1,451
4
Lafayette, LA
#1
I bought an Ibanez SR405 bass in high school (I think 1997). I had it in college while I was a music major and it was stolen out of a padlocked locker in the music building. This was Spring 2001.

Fast forward to a couple days ago, I'm in a pawn shop checking if there was an instrument that needed to come home with me (as I do every couple weeks) when I see a nice little Ibanez that looks curiously like my old bass. After checking it out, I notice that the price tag says "includes case." I ask to check out the case and it is the same black TKL case I had my bass in when it was stolen.

The owner said he would put it in the back for a few days while I try to get proof that it is my bass, and was very helpful overall. I went to the University Police Department and they are searching for the report I filed the day I found it stolen. I'm not sure if I had a serial number to give them, but I may have. That would be the best scenario. I called Musician's Friend and then American Musical Supply as it would have come from one of them. MF had invoices going back for me to the time period, but none for a bass. AMS had my old address from that time period, but no invoices that old. I'm almost certain that AMS was the place I got it from. I also emailed Ibanez because I probably sent in that warranty registration card. Maybe they still have the info.

I'm still waiting on the police, and I'll probably call them later this morning. Other than that, what else can I do? Has anyone else been in this situation?
 
#2
When I was in a punk band I had a fretless Ibanez stolen from our practice room. We had gates, chains and multiple locks over the door. They kicked through the wall instead.

A couple of weeks later I was at a club and I saw what I thought was my bass at least the case looked a lot like mine.

So the bassist sees me looking at it and moves it behind the drummers kit. I went up to him and told him the story. He says nah, I've had that bass for years.

It never came out of the case all night. To this day I regret not making him open the case.

So no other advise other than keep following up.
 
#4
I'm not a lawyer, but I imagine that since the bass was stolen in '01, the pawn shop might not be required to return your property. The person that sold it to them may have purchased it legitimately from some third party, and indeed may even be able to prove it. In 7+ years, a bass could get sold quite a few times, so only the original seller of the bass would be really culpable for selling stolen goods and / or stealing the bass.

Is the bass priced high? Might be better just to buy it back. If you can prove it was originally your bass, you might have a better shot, but at this point you're asking the pawn shop owner to lose money. After all, he paid for the bass in a legal transaction and probably required the previous owner to sign a statement to the effect that the bass was not stolen. I'm SURE he has his paperwork in order, and you don't. Like I said, the bass could have been legitimately bought and sold half a dozen times in the intervening years.

I wish I had a better answer for you on this, but I'm at least glad you may have found your old bass!
 
#5
The owner is who I talked to, and he seemed ready to help if I could prove it was mine and was stolen. I'm not sure about statutes of limitations on this, but no matter how you got it, it is illegal to sell stolen merchandise.

I don't think I have any way of proving that this was mine, though. I'm thinking he'll give me a good price on it. He had it marked at $350, but I would doubt that he paid more than $100 for it.
 
#6
I had two vintage instruments stolen out of a company work van. I was on my way to rehearsal when my Boss called me in on a work emergency. I left the van for 15 minutes and in that time period my Steinberger L-2 and a low S/N USA Spector NS2 were stolen.

Even though my homeowners insurance covered the loss, I will never leave any intruments anywhere but my secure home. Sorry for your loss. if it is your bass, and it means that much, buy it back.
 
#12
Take groov'ster up on his offer. The owner may have told you that he'll keep it in the back, and he may be telling you the truth, but in my jurisdiction they *must* hold it if an investigator tells them to. They also have to copy the ID of the pawner and keep a record of it.

I hope you can find something that identifies it as yours so you can get it back.
 
#14
in this situation i would have called the cops from the pawn shop without a word to the pawn broker lest it disappear out the back door......once a report is made up there is a trail you can follow.also its been suggested by some cynical types that pawn brokers have on occasion been less than honest tho i believe them to be pillars of society....course i believe in the easter bunny too.....
 
#17
My 66 Jazz wa stolen out of a rehersal space in the 70's Friends found it for sale in NYC six months later.
At the time, I didn't have the serial bumbers to prove it was mine, except....
I call this bass the Devils' Bass because under the pick guard is engraved a date, June 1966. I told the guy to take off the pick guard and what would be there, a 666.
I got it back. I've been exrea carefull with it ever since then. I don't think I'll have that kind of luck again.

Andy
 
#19
My basses always stay with me- you will have to pry it from my cold dead hands!:D

If you are unable to get anyone prosecuted and If you are unable to get it back free you may try bargaining with the pawn shop guy, he may give you a reduced price in buying it back.:bassist:
 

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