Here's a compressed version of the PDF.
Enjoy the benefits of a premium membership!
Upgrade Account
-
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.
Double Bass Kolstein Legal issues
- Thread starter DaveMFM
- Start date
- Status
Here's a compressed version of the PDF.
One of the exhibits in the case is now the email exchange between the lawyers. Invalid Link Removed
Barrie was willing to forgive Manny's debts, on the condition that Manny just walk away from the business so that Barrie could close it down. Barrie's attorney describes this as "a proposed resolution that stuns me but then again I'm just a lawyer" and that sounds about right.
So, instead of taking this f'ing sweet deal, Manny seems to have just.... driven away with a bunch of basses? Here's a list of what Barrie says is missing.
Barrie was willing to forgive Manny's debts, on the condition that Manny just walk away from the business so that Barrie could close it down. Barrie's attorney describes this as "a proposed resolution that stuns me but then again I'm just a lawyer" and that sounds about right.
So, instead of taking this f'ing sweet deal, Manny seems to have just.... driven away with a bunch of basses? Here's a list of what Barrie says is missing.
I can't believe this is still getting weirder.
Just....wow.
I hate knowing that there's a good chance more customers who may not be on social media enough to know may be losing their instruments/equity in this last alleged move by mr.alvarez.
Just....wow.
I hate knowing that there's a good chance more customers who may not be on social media enough to know may be losing their instruments/equity in this last alleged move by mr.alvarez.
If you want to get into the weeds on this, look at Barrie's statement in that compressed PDF above. Manny... never really did pay the rent. He was behind from the start, more or less, and there issues with Barrie getting paid for instruments early on. In hindsight selling to him was a terrible mistake. At best Barrie will be able to wind down the family business with half a measure of dignity, and he could have gotten that easily from day one.
It's too bad that Barrie got this so wrong.
Years ago my dad brought a family member into his business who was really young at the time. This family member had certain talents that my dad clearly admired but they were not ready nor skilled to run the business at that time. Nonetheless, the halo effect is a thing and my dad gave them too much, too soon. It ended very badly and caused a rift in the family for years, which thankfully healed a couple of decades later.
I have to wonder if something similar happened with Barrie and Manny here. Manny worked there since he was a teenager and I am sure that , the idea of leaving a legacy behind you was an alluring one to Barrie, who carried the torch for his father all these years. Even Barrie's offer to allow Manny to walk away with debts forgiven in exchange for allowing Barrie the dignity to unwind the business was a very generous one in light of the alleged fact pattern.
Manny's recent alleged actions (i.e. taking Barrie's instruments) seem to be those those of an angry person. I wouldn't be surprised if these instruments are destroyed as much as I hate to say that. They can't be easy to sell given the reputational harm Manny has done to the business at this point, and they can't be easily pawned, especially in such quantity and at such high values.
This is really tragic.
Years ago my dad brought a family member into his business who was really young at the time. This family member had certain talents that my dad clearly admired but they were not ready nor skilled to run the business at that time. Nonetheless, the halo effect is a thing and my dad gave them too much, too soon. It ended very badly and caused a rift in the family for years, which thankfully healed a couple of decades later.
I have to wonder if something similar happened with Barrie and Manny here. Manny worked there since he was a teenager and I am sure that , the idea of leaving a legacy behind you was an alluring one to Barrie, who carried the torch for his father all these years. Even Barrie's offer to allow Manny to walk away with debts forgiven in exchange for allowing Barrie the dignity to unwind the business was a very generous one in light of the alleged fact pattern.
Manny's recent alleged actions (i.e. taking Barrie's instruments) seem to be those those of an angry person. I wouldn't be surprised if these instruments are destroyed as much as I hate to say that. They can't be easy to sell given the reputational harm Manny has done to the business at this point, and they can't be easily pawned, especially in such quantity and at such high values.
This is really tragic.
Tragic is just the right word. I think Manny is going to pieces, and he can't do anything with those basses. It's not like unloading a stolen Fender on marketplace. Man, if he does wreck them... it's painful to think about. To see your craft come to that end would be awful.
Ross Kratter
Supporting Member
- Dec 31, 2010
- 449
- 297
- 33
- Disclosures
- Artist, RS Berkeley, La Bella Strings, Phil Jones Bass Amplification, Remic, Jerry Harvey Audio
Yes, “tragic” is exactly it. Barrie’s and Sam’s legacies have been completely and utterly destroyed. I feel so badly for Barrie.
Ditto. Sad and tragic. Barrie has bent over backwards to give Manny tons of outs but he just keeps digging things deeper.
Samuel Kolstein was one of those lucky few to experience the American dream. To have Kolstein's end like this is such a shame and nothing short of a tragedy. I'm also perplexed Manny said no to such a good deal to space this mess.
I have an S Kolstein bow that I really treasure. And some of Barrie's instruments are beautiful. It's terribly sad.
I wonder if this is going to turn into a dispute over ownership of the missing basses. That'll be very frustrating.
Looks like the news of Manny absconding with Barrie’s basses has made its way to the press:
nypost.com
If the store is indeed now closed, this amounts to Manny essentially hiding out somewhere with a stash of allegedly stolen instruments and no source of income (the last shop is now closed if the Baldwin shop is shuttered).
This is going to end badly.
Iconic Long Island’s Kolstein’s Music appears to close doors for good, clears out dozens of pricey bass violins
A Long Island violin shop that’s been open since the 1940s appears to have closed its doors for good — but the bitter business dispute between the founder’s family and current owner still has no co…
If the store is indeed now closed, this amounts to Manny essentially hiding out somewhere with a stash of allegedly stolen instruments and no source of income (the last shop is now closed if the Baldwin shop is shuttered).
This is going to end badly.
Last edited:
Looks like the news of Manny absconding with Barrie’s basses has made its way to the press:
Iconic Long Island’s Kolstein’s Music appears to close doors for good, clears out dozens of pricey bass violins
A Long Island violin shop that’s been open since the 1940s appears to have closed its doors for good — but the bitter business dispute between the founder’s family and current owner still has no co…
If the store is indeed now closed, this amounts to Manny essentially hiding out somewhere with a stash of allegedly stolen instruments and no source of income (the last shop is now closed if the Baldwin shop is shuttered).
This is going to end badly.
what?!
I'm sitting in my orchestra classroom typing this. We have several rentals from them still in the building... I wonder if we're able to return them?
The last thing we want is to have trouble getting it to them and have them try charging us for another year..
I'm really close to the baldwin shop, maybe i'll go out for lunch later and swing by to see for myself
Perhaps you should reach out to Dan Schiavetta, Barrie's attorney? There is a chance that the rented instruments are Barrie's property. PM me for his contact info if you wish.
just called the shop, they said they were open (?)
I'd communicate with Barrie's attorney before doing anything.
Indeed! It's a family affair!
- Status
