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Stolen bass?

#62
AdamR said:
I know nothing about fenders. Apparently some feel everyone should.
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I don't know anything about EBMM basses or the differences in models or years. But I don't volunteer info in threads that get in the weeds about the details of those basses either. So it all works out. I occasionally tune into those threads though, because details are interesting things to learn.
 
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#65
The serial numbers were stolen, not the bass.

Buy the bass and report the theft of the serial numbers to the police. Since you can’t identify the serial numbers because you don’t know what they are, case closed. Enjoy your new bass.
 
#66
Cliff Colton said:
The serial numbers were stolen, not the bass.

Buy the bass and report the theft of the serial numbers to the police. Since you can’t identify the serial numbers because you don’t know what they are, case closed. Enjoy your new bass.
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i wish it was that simple. The real problem here is that there may be another identifying number or etching inside the bass that you don't know about. If the real owner has reported this bass as stolen and someone can open up the bass and find the identifier- the bass is then proven to be stolen property and the current "owner" can be legally bound to surrender the bass without any compensation. It is illegal to deal in stolen property.
 
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#69
avi said:
Guys out there will print anything from Bike decals to Guitar decals. But this isn't that.
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Yup, and I've had some custom made myself. But as you said "this isn't that"...you wouldn't go thru the effort to get a custom decal made but then not include the serial #, which at that point would be anything you wanted it to be. Especially if the headstock had a scratch-out right there. That's a lot of work and cost just to make something intentionally look probably-stolen.
 
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#70
bcbassman said:
i wish it was that simple. The real problem here is that there may be another identifying number or etching inside the bass that you don't know about. If the real owner has reported this bass as stolen and someone can open up the bass and find the identifier- the bass is then proven to be stolen property and the current "owner" can be legally bound to surrender the bass without any compensation. It is illegal to deal in stolen property.
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I'd also personally be uncomfortable being in public with a bass I'd suspect was stolen. Last thing I need is someone coming up to me after a set or whatever and starting to poke aroundn an instrument they think was once theirs and was stolen. I mean it could have been ripped in 1993 or in 2003 or three weeks ago...you never know. Not only do I not want that hassle, if you're a player or musician of any repute in your town/area/region you don't want anyone suspecting you're a gear thief or buying stolen gear.
 
#71
bcbassman said:
i wish it was that simple. The real problem here is that there may be another identifying number or etching inside the bass that you don't know about. If the real owner has reported this bass as stolen and someone can open up the bass and find the identifier- the bass is then proven to be stolen property and the current "owner" can be legally bound to surrender the bass without any compensation. It is illegal to deal in stolen property.
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When my friend who owned a vintage shop passed away unexpectedly his son took over the shop. He was only 17 so we all tried to help him out. When doing his first show a drunk guy walked up and started screaming that a 50's Les Paul was his. The police came in, saw it was a kid and that the guy screaming was drunk - grabbed the guitar and left. Because my friends son could not produce the original paperwork from his dads purchase of the Les Paul he lost that guitar. The drunk guy did have a report of a stolen guitar I guess but I was highly doubtful that this was it. It was a really rough time for that kid. Mom had died a year earlier. Unfortunately guys who were his dads "friends" took advantage of him buying his dads enourmous collection for redicoulus prices. He lost the shop and his house. Totally sucked. I wasnt much older than him so not a lot I could do.
 
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#72
avi said:
When my friend who owned a vintage shop passed away unexpectedly his son took over the shop. He was only 17 so we all tried to help him out. When doing his first show a drunk guy walked up and started screaming that a 50's Les Paul was his. The police came in, saw it was a kid and that the guy screaming was drunk - grabbed the guitar and left. Because my friends son could not produce the original paperwork from his dads purchase of the Les Paul he lost that guitar. The drunk guy did have a report of a stolen guitar I guess but I was highly doubtful that this was it. It was a really rough time for that kid. Mom had died a year earlier. Unfortunately guys who were his dads "friends" took advantage of him buying his dads enourmous collection for redicoulus prices. He lost the shop and his house. Totally sucked. I wasnt much older than him so not a lot I could do.
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That is a true bummer. I wish him Well. And to guys that steal basses? I wish them H...
 
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