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Double Bass STOLEN Bass

#21
Thank you everyone. Filed the police report the day after it was stolen. Unfortunately there was no nearby security camera. I was parked in front of the SF Conservatory, which is likely a target area for instrument theft. Am regularly checking CL and ebay, as well as contacting all local string shops (and expanding to all US string shops as time passes).

I'll post pictures by Tuesday. So thankful so many are keeping their eyes out for my "super bass."
 
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#22
Jsn said:
If it's not too much trouble, could you tell us some more about the theft itself? What neighborhood, venue, hour, etc.? As a fellow San Franciscan I'm happy to network on your behalf, but any details might prove helpful.
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Absolutely. My car was parked on Oak St near VanNess (close to the SF Conservatory) on 10/15 from 6:45-10:45pm. I unfortunately had my bass with me because I'd just auditioned for the Berkeley Symphony. My rear passenger window was shattered. My bass was taken, as well as my folding music stand (so old and crappy). It must have been a quick job, because everything in the front of the car was still there (iPad, vaporizer, some other random things). The street had some foot and car traffic, but it was not a constant stream. There were no nearby security or other cameras to catch what happened. Anything I'm not thinking of, feel free to ask.

(I went to see Wayne Shorter with Patitucci, Brian Blade, and Danillo ? at the SF Jazz Center, which btw was epic).

I've been completely overwhelmed with the amount of support. Although it's terrible that someone would do this, I've had literally over a thousand people reach out, share what's happened, offer sympathy, etc. So so thankful for that.
 
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#23
eh_train said:
That's horrible! I have let a couple of west-coasters know about it. You might want to let Steve Swan, in Burlingame, know as well.

Re the details, is it possible there was video surveillance anywhere in the vicinity? For better or for worse, it's more and more common. And, even a few blocks from your car, it's pretty hard to put a bass under your coat...

Good luck retrieving it!

Paul (eh_train)
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Thank you Paul. Glad to have some support from Canada! Who knows, it could turn up there…

Steve was one of the first who I let know. I will be using a bass from his shop for the next few weeks (he amazingly has a selection of 5/8 basses).
 
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#24
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#28
Just awful. I'm sorry I can't offer much in the way of practical help. You sure do have my sympathy. I hope you're reunited with it soon!
 
#32
MR PC said:
Sad news. Smash and grab in SF is a real problem now. Hard to catch, hard to prosecute. I believe it's rated as a misdemeanor, and generally punishable as such.
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I'm not a lawyer and I don't play one on TV, but I believe that the value of the item stolen is a determining factor in the charge. Here's to hoping that the bass does, indeed, find its way home very soon.
 
#33
MR PC said:
I don't play a lawyer on TV either. I don't watch TV. :) It is full of too much cartoon non reality.

The reality in San Fransisco is that you don't ever leave anything of value in a parked car, anywhere. Tourists are game for the thieves. Tourists either have no idea, or ignore warnings. Fact. Unless the thieves are caught in the act, with the goods in their hands the likely hood of prosecution is very slim. And the act of busting into a car is a misdemeanor. It's all over printed media, and the internet, and radio news.

Elizabeth has done a really good job getting the news out. I think the bass will turn up, it's a matter of devoted non stop perseverance and an unknown amount of time now.
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Yup, the situation is awful. No doubt about it. It's sad that that's what folks have to contend with. While the act of breaking into the car may be a misdemeanor, once one takes an item of high value, I think it ceases to be one and becomes a felony. Of course, that doesn't change the unfortunate state of affairs and the low probability of prosecution.
 
#34
MR PC said:
A number of years ago after my bass was stolen, I got a call from the sheriff that they had my instrument, and the thief. He most charitably offered that if I was willing to not press charges, I would get my bass back right away. Otherwise, I'd be waiting for a trial while my bass (which he showed me in a locker with a ton of other recovered goods from similar crimes) would be held as evidence.

Where did they find my bass? Of all places, it was high up in a tree across the street from my house. Where did the theif come from? He lived down the street and had been casing me. And this was not a seedy area, as a matter of fact, a very "safe" area with friendly community.

Gee, did I make a poor decision when I didn't press charges? After all. I'm not a lawyer, just a dumb musician who is rooting for Elizabeth to get her beloved axe back. :)
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Wow... sorry to hear you had a bass stolen. Found in a tree?! Yeesh! As for pressing charges, I don't think anyone should second-guess you. You did what made sense to you and what you needed to do. I think we're all rooting for Elizabeth!
 
#40
Stealing an upright seems like something out of Wile. E. Coyote's world, since they're big and cumbersome...

None the less, sorry you've got to deal with this. I'm on the other side of the country so I'm of no use. Perhaps it will find its way back into your arms soon :thumbsdown:
 

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