hope you get your bass back FT, or atleast find out the journey it has taken.....would be interesting
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.
MY STOLEN STINGRAY
- Thread starter Freight Train
- Start date
They are indeed trying times and are about to get more trying. Stay well.
$350 in 1977 is equivalent to $1500 today. That sounds right for a factory direct sale considering a new StingRay today is $2100.
Add the Anvil case cost into that figure and the OP paid the equivalent of almost $2200 in todays money.
Add the Anvil case cost into that figure and the OP paid the equivalent of almost $2200 in todays money.
I liked this thread better when we were talking about the anvil case. Anyone got a bead on the case?? 
So, is this closure? You know where it is now and it looks like it has been well cared for. Or will you try to make an offer for it?
I wouldn't mind talking with the guy, for sure to know where he got it and how they came about it, but I could no way afford a bass, especially now. I'm blind and retired and was depending on gigs to make ends meet. Now I'm in the sh*t, along with a lot of others. If he'd make me a reasonable deal and give me time to get it together, maybe. I'd have to sell some of my mastering gear for sure.
I wonder if any of the TV shows like Pawn Stars etc . would be interested in making this story an episode?
Or would it only be interesting to us bass nerds?....But everybody loves a happy ending!
Or would it only be interesting to us bass nerds?....But everybody loves a happy ending!
No no way would I want that. I appreciate the love, but I just don't do handouts. It's not like I'm destitute. But I appreciate that so much.
I wouldn’t give up all hope here, you might be surprised. Sometimes when certain people are ready to cash in all there chips, and essentially get right with the man upstairs, what happens. I would keep looking if I were you.
As hard as it is, sometimes when an instrument is stolen, you just have to let it go. For the sake of your sanity, if nothing else.
In the late 70’s, my friend and I worked at Taylor Guitars. A previous employee had started building an acoustic Bass Guitar. It had a huge dreadnought shaped body, walnut sides and back, and the identifiable Taylor headstock. The employee left, and Bob gave it to my friend. We finished the project. Not comfortable to play, but it sounded great.
Fast forward to the nineties. He loaned it to his son in law, who claims it was stolen from his apartment. In all reality, his tweaker son in law sold it to buy drugs, or pay off a drug debt. Either way, it was stolen. He had nothing to gain by involving the police, (the relationship with his daughter was strained enough as it was.) So he just let it go.
Hard as it was, it was just better that way.
However, if there is a way to get your StingRay back, go for it.
In the late 70’s, my friend and I worked at Taylor Guitars. A previous employee had started building an acoustic Bass Guitar. It had a huge dreadnought shaped body, walnut sides and back, and the identifiable Taylor headstock. The employee left, and Bob gave it to my friend. We finished the project. Not comfortable to play, but it sounded great.
Fast forward to the nineties. He loaned it to his son in law, who claims it was stolen from his apartment. In all reality, his tweaker son in law sold it to buy drugs, or pay off a drug debt. Either way, it was stolen. He had nothing to gain by involving the police, (the relationship with his daughter was strained enough as it was.) So he just let it go.
Hard as it was, it was just better that way.
However, if there is a way to get your StingRay back, go for it.
No no way do I want that. I appreciate the love, but I can't do handouts. If the guy offers me the bass at a reasonable price, then I can be man enough to find a way to buy it if I want it that bad. I so appreciate the thought, but you guys have gone way above and beyond already. If someone can help me find who to contact, that's more than enough.
This comes from my experience of living and gigging in Japan for over 13 years: If it is in a Japanese gentleman's collection, it is being well loved. So, no doubt it went to a good home...or, at lease found its way to one eventually. The Japanese are fanatic about quality musical instruments. USA-made instruments command high prices and high praise. If this gentleman bought THAT instrument in Japan, he probably paid nearly double what it is actually worth and bought it with the best of intentions, not knowing it had been stolen years ago. Used USA-built instruments command large prices in Japan.
Well! That was quite the read! I'm happy everything turned out well. The tangents were entertaining. I want to thank you all for a wonderful read on my train ride to Frankfurt on an empty train.
gotta at least contact the owner or all this is for nothing....
I ordered a Stingray, well a Sterling last night after finding what I was looking for. Not the '77, I'm not into old instruments that much.
