Stolen bass?

[magic8161]

I see a mod edited my post.
I think I posted this looks ugly but what I should have said was the scratched out serial on the headstock make the headstock look ugly. The bass itself is cool. Sorry if I offended the op.

Didnt even know what happened. lol

 

[Killing Floor]

Well it's a red Jazz Bass so it's hot either way. But scratched out SN is a pretty bad sign.

 

[CryingBass]

And there are so many more fish in the sea?

 

[TheReceder]

I picked up a thunderbird when I was out on the road. Little mom and pop pawnshop.. I lowballed and they took the offer.

Got home and looked it over closer... the serial number was scratched out. I didn't even think to look at it in the shop. Contacted my local police and the police where I bought it realizing I could be out a bass if it was hot. Came up with nothing... just the advice to keep the receipt. Now I've got a bass I wouldn't be comfortable selling, or playing out... worst case I'm in a bar and some guy wants to rip my head off for playing his stolen bass.... I'd make sure it has the serial number before you buy. It's not worth the headache.

 

[eastcoasteddie]

I see a mod edited my post.
I think I posted this looks ugly but what I should have said was the scratched out serial on the headstock make the headstock look ugly. The bass itself is cool. Sorry if I offended the op.

 

[God's Favorite Bass]

A stolen bass won't play for you. It's haunted. It's science.

 

[fhm555]

It’s a fairly rare bird and the few I’ve seen for sale in the last couple of years are selling for $1200~$1500. I also PS serial numbers when i post for sale but I always mention in the ad the number is intact but blurred to stymie scammers. It’s a shame it’s tainted, they have a Kubicki preamp and Fender lace sensors in them and sound fantastic. Here’s mine.

 

[magic8161]

It’s a fairly rare bird and the few I’ve seen for sale in the last couple of years are selling for $1200~$1500. I also PS serial numbers when i post for sale but I always mention in the ad the number is intact but blurred to stymie scammers. Here’s mine.

View attachment 4187579

Very nice. I had one years ago. Black with maple neck. I loved it. But never will I buy one with the serial number removed. But they sure are nice.

 

[gln1955]

I asked his response: its for sure scratched out

I don't see a serial #, I am not the original owner, there may be a # on the base of the neck, but I have never disassembled the bass.

So, he never questioned why the scratched off serial number when he bought it? He either stole it or knows who did.

Walk away.

 

[Marc DLarosa]

The 3 octave neck has me very interested...

 

[magic8161]

So, he never questioned why the scratched off serial number when he bought it? He either stole it or knows who did.

Walk away.

Oh I did. He never said a word about it after I called him out on it.

 

[magic8161]

The 3 octave neck has me very interested...

 

[sonic 7]

Not worth it at any price. Walk away, there’s plenty of other basses out there.

 

[sxaxsx]

There was a thread last week where the OP was trying to date a bass that had the serial number removed and in post #53 it is suggested that shops used to remove serial numbers for some reason. Trying to id my Fender "P" bass
I have no idea if this is true, or if this practice was ever done. Maybe @bcbassman who made the other post could comment more about this practice?
I personally wouldn't buy it, even if it isn't stolen, buying a bass with the serial number removed is like buying a car with a rebuilt title, it may run/play fine, but you will never be able to sell it or value it accurately. Only buy a rebuilt car or a bass with the serial removed if you plan on keeping it forever or giving it away when you are done with it.

 

[wysiwyg248]

Sure it's not just photoshopped out for the listing?

It is not photoshoped, the full body picture in the listing shows no traces of the serial number under the Fender logo. In addition, the listing indicates original Fender case. The Jazz bass plus was offered with a thermoplastic Fender case, not G&G.
Buy it, but one day be prepare to face a dude out of nowhere asking for his bass. I see the listing is in Joliet, if the owner's name is Joliet Jake, I wouldn't buy it.

 

[FunkHead]

It is not photoshoped, the full body picture in the listing shows no traces of the serial number under the Fender logo. In addition, the listing indicates original Fender case. The Jazz bass plus was offered with a thermoplastic Fender case, not G&G.
Buy it, but one day be prepare to face a dude out of nowhere asking for his bass. I see the listing is in Joliet, if the owner's name is Joliet Jake, I wouldn't buy it.

Yes. See post #6. Seller confirmed that.

 

[devnulljp]

Stolen bass is stolen. Wouldn't touch it.
Would consider reporting to local copshop though.

 

[PennyroyalWe]

I don’t get why someone would remove the serial # even if it was stolen. Do people actually check serial numbers to see if it’s stolen anyway? Unlike cars or guns, It’s not like there’s a registry to prove ownership of a bass to one person or another.

 

[whitelines]

I like the number of responses in this thread telling you to pass. You are doing the original owner karma justice by walking away. Thank you on their behalf.

 

[Marc DLarosa]

[Invalid or Expired Link Removed]

Seller appears to be a bass player, for whatever that tells you.

It tells me to offer him to put all that stuff back in the van, and give him 1k for everything. INCLUDING the keys...