Some Idiot Stole my Bongo!

[Five or Six]

We were playing a huge corporate function last night. Roughly 800 folks in a large warehouse, all partying and dancing. We took a break and I got away from the crowd for about 5 minutes. I came back to tune and guess what, my black Bongo 5 was gone from the stand.

I thought maybe it was put in the rack by one of the guys but, nope, gone! As usual, nobody saw a thing! I'm beyond livid. I reported it for all the good that will do. Broke out my backup bass to finish the night. I have the serial # and, my name is under the PG just like all my basses. Nothing outstanding about it other than it's in pristine condition. We were in a large city so not much chance of finding it. I will do what I have to try an find it.

 

[Jeff K]

Wow, that really sucks. I hope you're able to get it back somehow. Do you have insurance on it? I wonder if the venue might be willing to help you out financially in an effort to replace it?

 

[Oddly]

Any chance you, the band or the venue have insurance cover?

 

[roccobass]

Ditto on the all of the above advice.

Is there a snowballs chance a security cam pointing at the stage was running at the venue? Just a possibility.

 

[Lammchop93]

I’d be contacting the corporation that booked you all as well. They may have some insurance.

 

[2saddleslab]

Ouch, sorry to hear that. I'm actually surprised we don't see more of that. In 38 years of playing the only similar incident was when a drunk left w/ a sax left on a stand during break. We happened to see him from across the room, chased him into the parking lot, where he ditched the sax and got away in his car.

 

[dave64o]

Ugh. Sorry I don't have anything to offer beyond what's already been said other than my sympathy. I sincerely hope a miracle happens and you get it back in good condition.

 

[MattZilla]

Disgusting.

Call your/a lawyer, they will contact the venue owner and corporate “tenant” who rented the space out.

You need to be compensated for the loss of your work tool.

 

[DWBass]

That really sucks. Make sure none of your band members aren't playing a trick on you. Outside of that, this kinda crap pisses me off!!

 

[Smooth_bass88]

We were playing a huge corporate function last night. Roughly 800 folks in a large warehouse, all partying and dancing. We took a break and I got away from the crowd for about 5 minutes. I came back to tune and guess what, my black Bongo 5 was gone from the stand.

I thought maybe it was put in the rack by one of the guys but, nope, gone! As usual, nobody saw a thing! I'm beyond livid. I reported it for all the good that will do. Broke out my backup bass to finish the night. I have the serial # and, my name is under the PG just like all my basses. Nothing outstanding about it other than it's in pristine condition. We were in a large city so not much chance of finding it. I will do what I have to try an find it.

Sorry for your loss!!

If you tell us more details we may able to assist in your Bongo's safe return

 

[FRoss6788]

It would seem that whoever hired your band and rented the venue is responsible for making sure that your work environment has some measure of security.

This situation is a far cry from playing some seedy club where you know you have to keep an eye on your stuff.

They are responsible for replacing your instrument. Period.

 

[mrcbass]

Sorry to hear and I hope it works out for you, but it really is our responsibility to keep an eye on our gear. If I need to leave the stage area during breaks, I try to make sure at least one of my mates is in the vicinity and being vigilant and I make a point to not having walkable items near the edge of the stage. Yeah it's a PITA, but to quote my grandma after I was too lazy to lock up a bicycle that was stolen: "I guess somebody wanted it more than you did."

I promise I'm not trying to be glib - it's just something that rattles around in my brain every time I'm faced with a "should I lock it or not" decision.

 

[Five or Six]

I spoke to the coordinator. Ive requested a guest list! That's where im starting. There was security around, I did see that. IF it's still here in the area it would surprise me. I have connections in LE in that town so he's on it as well. Like I said, no one saw a thing. It did teach me a lesson! I am rounding up my gigging basses and insuring them as we speak. I guess I'm a dumb ass for not doing it to begin with. Not having a backup bass would have ended the night and a great party too soon.

 

[Tom Bomb]

Bugger! That hurts. Some people. … Hope it shows up unscathed.
​

 

[ashtray]

Ugh!!! That’s horrible!

With so many people recording video on cell phone, perhaps the venue can reach out to those who attended to see if anyone caught video of either the incident, or someone lurking around the stage right before the incident. Ie, in the background of someone’s video or selfie pic?

You could also try offering a reward for the missing bass to that group, and see if it magically turns up.

Of course, contact your home owner’s policy to see if your bass is covered at the event. File a police report. Call local pawn shops and GC to tell them to look out for the stolen bass. Set a notification on Ebay and Craigslist and OfferUp for key words like “Bongo”, or just “black bass”.

 

[Anne Millington]

That is nasty. I hate thieves.

 

[Timmah]

God, that SUCKS, I'm sorry you've got to deal with it. That's a ballsy thief to steal a bass right off the bandstand, especially with security around. Hopefully there were cameras too, being a corporate event, and you can get the bass back.

I'm also sure plenty of us would be more than happy to keep an eye out for it online as well. Best of luck in your quest to retrieve it.

 

[FRoss6788]

Sorry to hear and I hope it works out for you, but it really is our responsibility to keep an eye on our gear. If I need to leave the stage area during breaks, I try to make sure at least one of my mates is in the vicinity and being vigilant and I make a point to not having walkable items near the edge of the stage. Yeah it's a PITA, but to quote my grandma after I was too lazy to lock up a bicycle that was stolen: "I guess somebody wanted it more than you did."

I promise I'm not trying to be glib - it's just something that rattles around in my brain every time I'm faced with a "should I lock it or not" decision.

I agree with this as it relates to a public venue like a bar or nightclub. The OP's situation was a private event where, I assume, you had to have some relation to the company that held the event to be there.

Much different scenario that, to me, puts the onus on the company that held the event.

 

[AQUANOVA]

Awww, jeez. I feel for you.
Keep an eye on Craigslist and eBay. If you see it, you may be able to track the thief down.

 

[Slade N]

Some people suck, I hate it for you. I hope you get it back undamaged or restitution.