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Serial number removed....problem?

Rafael

Rafael

Feb 4, 2008
230
8
Seattle
www.facebook.com
#1
Is there a specific issue if an instrument has had the serial number removed? Some manufacturers stamp them into the wood but some don't and when refinishing them the number is obscured/removed...is there a legal issue with that or just now you can't date the axe anymore? Thanks...
 
#2
Rafael said:
Is there a specific issue if an instrument has had the serial number removed? Some manufacturers stamp them into the wood but some don't and when refinishing them the number is obscured/removed...is there a legal issue with that or just now you can't date the axe anymore? Thanks...
Click to expand...

Man, you shouldn't have said anything... You have admitted to this horrible crime!

do_not_remove_tshirt-p235106761824455605y2sa_400.jpg
 
#5
Serial numbers are only useful for dating an instruments (in some cases), identifying a stolen instrument and registering for warranty protection.

A missing or removed serial number does not affect in any way how the instrument operates. It works the same with one or without one.

If you try to sell it, a potential buyer may balk because it's missing. But otherwise you can do fine without one.
 
#6
I've had a couple of custom built basses that had no serial number, didn't seem like a big deal to me. One was a Rob Allen and the other was a Stambaugh. I'm not making light of the whole stolen thing, just pointing out some basses slip out without a serial number.
 
#7
There's no direct equation of "No Serial Number = Stolen or Fake", but as far as I am concerned, I will consider them as such until proven otherwise.

There is no legal reason to have a serial number in the same way as a car license plate. If your bass is a keeper, who cares what you do with it. Just be prepared that buyers will be sceptical should you choose to sell it in future.
 
#8
yeh all the above advice is correct the serial # is great on valuable instruments but on cheaper ones resale might be a prob as it could be stolen.I have built beater guitars for practice and in the buildup I may have some how lost serial#s and it was a problem for me to sell except maybe privately just make sure the buyer is not the victim because you might get a free knuckle sandwich
 
#9
You will see several basses offered on Ebay with serial #'s removed, and quite often they are 'seconds' purchased from the manufacturers, and offered for sale to the public with either new numbers, or even with no numbers and sometimes even logos removed .. you will even see them stamped 'used' on occasion on the back of the headstock .. usually though, the ad will state all this info if it is a legitimate vendor of 2'nds/blems/etc ...
 
#10
Hi.

A missing or tampered with serial number is always a red flag to me.

A refin is no excuse, there's ways to go around that. I have done quite a bit of repairs and always made sure that the serial number stays legit.

I have had quite a bit of gear stolen, and I have never (knowingly) purchased an stolen item. That has cost me a lot of money for a clear conscience. But I prefer it that way.

I don't consider any instrument with a neck plate serial number only to be of any real value anyway, so if that's missing/swapped, no big deal.

Regards
Sam
 

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