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P bass stolen!

That is a serious drag.......
Nothing about it is cool....... even something as trivial as broken in strings makes it a bear. I know that if my '08 MIA P were to be lost or stolen, I'd replace it with another immediately, and then start the process of breaking in a new set of Chromes (broken in Chromes with the MIA pup is such a great match). Of course, it just wouldn't be the same ...... at least not for a while ..... you get used to the little things about it. Like the wear, the dents/dings (which happens so easily with the new finishes), and the feel of the neck.... it's all sorta like breaking in a baseball glove...... ain't nothin' like your old broken in ball glove.

I'd have to hunt down someone and hurt 'em.

BTW the charcoal frost with a tort guard would look awesome.
 
Wow...sorry for your loss Bill. I know you seemed really pleased with your p bass. It really bugs me when I hear stories about theft.
As suggested by your TB brothers...keep a lookout locally and file a police report. You never know...it might just show up for sale in a pawn shop or online. Re the insurance you might want to take stock of your things. If other items were stolen it might make sense to file a claim. Once again..sorry for your loss.
 
I'm actually considering returning the Charcoal Frost Metallic and picking up a Mexican P bass that is a few years old for $200. I have a '62 RI pickup that I can place in it. Comments?

Good idea! Save the money for when you find the "right" MIA replacement. I wouldn't keep the new one if you really weren't planning on keeping it anyway. You probably won't grow to like it any more over time.
 
I see that you do not know the serial number of your bass, which is a bummer.

I always take multiple photos of my basses and put them on my flikr account.

This way if someone breaks in and also steals my PC, I have the photos online, and they include the serial.

Sorry, about your loss, I had things stolen in the past and they turned out to be kids from my own class. Often it's people who know you. Someone could have digged this bass, saw you play it, followed you and stole it from you.

It is sad to say, but such a targeted theft makes me wonder.

In the future take lots of photos, including the serial and put them online.

Again, sorry about your loss, hope you find it quick.
 
I see that you do not know the serial number of your bass, which is a bummer.

I always take multiple photos of my basses and put them on my flikr account.

This way if someone breaks in and also steals my PC, I have the photos online, and they include the serial.

Sorry, about your loss, I had things stolen in the past and they turned out to be kids from my own class. Often it's people who know you. Someone could have digged this bass, saw you play it, followed you and stole it from you.

It is sad to say, but such a targeted theft makes me wonder.

In the future take lots of photos, including the serial and put them online.

Again, sorry about your loss, hope you find it quick.

Apparently there was a rash of thefts from homes in the area where no break-in was required - a window was left open, a door was left open, etc. Stolen items were single music instruments or electronics - no shopping cart thefts.

My dealer does in fact have the serial number on record, and I got it from them. I haven't decided yet whether calling the police is even worth the effort.
 
Good idea! Save the money for when you find the "right" MIA replacement. I wouldn't keep the new one if you really weren't planning on keeping it anyway. You probably won't grow to like it any more over time.

That's kind of what I am thinking. The Charcoal Frost is a great bass too, but it's suffering from the same syndrome that rebound girlfriends suffer from, they just can't compare to the ho who came before no matter how good they are. :)
 
Apparently there was a rash of thefts from homes in the area where no break-in was required - a window was left open, a door was left open, etc. Stolen items were single music instruments or electronics - no shopping cart thefts.

My dealer does in fact have the serial number on record, and I got it from them. I haven't decided yet whether calling the police is even worth the effort.

It is! That's why we pay them! if a 10min phone call could mean getting my stolen bass i loved back, I'd make it. I don't see the logic in why you wouldn't either, especially with a P that sweet! Good luck!
 
Thanks everyone for posting and for your sentiments. I try to take a Buddhist approach to this sort of thing - it's just a thing, and I shouldn't attach emotion to a thing. However, like I said - it was a deal, I can't really afford a like replacement, and those strings...! :)

Here is the ad for the $200 Mexican. Some stickers will need to be removed, and I'd replace the pickups and pots/caps for sure, and possibly the bridge and tuners depending on their performance.

Unfortunately, I bought it when I was still married - now I'm a single custodial dad paying spousal support and legal fees, so money and credit are certainly not as available as they used to be. This seems like a wise approach, if it plays half decent.
 
...
- The serial number was stupid low, like 00038 or something like that...
You would be a 100% complete moron NOT to report this to the police. You may never recover it, but the sale of stolen items can be tracked by the serial number and both police and pawn shop owners would notice a bass like that--especially--with a very low serial number like that. The other thing to think about is that calling the police isn't only for YOUR benefit. If the police can more accurate track the pathway and the methods and target items of a thief, they can more easily catch him/her. You could be contributing to helping the whole neighborhood. You're part of the community, not just one isolated household.

I'm really sorry for your loss. Sounds like a very beautiful bass. Makes me want one like that.

On the other hand, just be glad they stole the bass and didn't sneak into your room while you were sleeping and cut your throat. Leaving doors open overnight is...well...people have died that way. :hmm:

Sad thing is that it probably wasn't stolen by a musican. It was probably stolen by some junkie needed money for a drug fix. Translation: they'll let it go for pennies on the dollar if you don't get it back! Notify EVERYONE EVERYWHERE! You can still get it back...it happens.

I really feel for you. I'd be crushed! Dude, that's just super crappy. Really sorry for your loss.
 
I had really early P bass- 0852, and played a Squire, both slip and single coil and I was surprised at the quality and the sound- the single sounded just like my old bass..

Sorry to learn of your stolen bass, but, for sure, file a report with the police. If they catch the thief and he still has it, then they can call you to return it to you. The cops will also put the s/n up for pawn shops.
 
On the other hand, just be glad they stole the bass and didn't sneak into your room while you were sleeping and cut your throat. Leaving doors open overnight is...well...people have died that way. :hmm:

I know... incredibly stupid on my part. I just moved to the suburbs from the country, and am still not quite used to "city life." For sure, that thought went through my head a lot, with my two young boys sleeping across the hall from me. *THAT* lesson has been learned in a big way.
 
Aside from the psychological issues I have with the invasion and theft

When I was about 17 they broke into my parents apartment, I got back from school and found the place upside down. They stole my first guitar, a cheap thing that had taken me months to pay with my part time job money. I am 55 now and I will never forget that day.

I would say pawn shops would be a top target, then guitar center, etc. Going on Craigslist or eBay is quite risky since the seller would have to provide personal information.

I wish you luck and that you recover your guitar in one piece.