Was I wrong?!?!

[M@ddest_H@tter!]

So about two months ago our band slit up due to deployments, and our drummer getting orders to Japan. We had been planning on replacing out singer for a while, then he got kicked out for trippin on shrooms at work.... While we were together we recorded a cd (which I paid for up front) with a few covers and one original. We were attempting to get some gigs around the area. Then our singer got kicked out, and he never paid me the $50.00 for his share of the cd recording. He left his PA system ( a Fender Squier set with an amp, two speakers, and a mic) at our guitarists house. He has since left town, and never called about paying me, or the PA, so I decided to have our drummer, and my best friend pick it up for me when he went to get his drums. I think the PA is only worth like $200.00-$300.00, but I kinda feel bad about taking that as payment. I doubt that I'll ever see him again, but I still feel kinda bad. Im in the desert right now so there isn't much I can do, and I dont know how to contact him. I'll probably just keep it. Was it wrong of me to take it? I wondering what my fellow TB'ers would have done in this situation.

 

[Munjibunga]

As long as you don't think you own the PA, I think you're OK. Just be ready to give it back to him if he shows up and asks for it ... right after he hands you the $50.

 

[Rudreax]

Just think of it as a sort of loan.

 

[crazyguy832]

Munji has the right idea. Consider the PA collateral.

 

[MyUsernameHere]

The collateral thing sounds good.

However, if you really want to find the guy I'm sure there's a way. His chain of command might have a forwarding address, whoever was handling his case with JAG might be able to contact him, one of his buddies from his old unit might know how to get ahold of him, etc...Worst case, his old supervisor might still have his home of record/next of kin listed somewhere--they should keep that info. for six months if you guys handle things like we did in the Army.

Don't know if you really want to go through that much work for $50 dollars though, and even then it might be easier to get your ex-drummer to do it while he's still stateside.

 

[ErebusBass]

I've held a PA for collateral before. Singer owed me $100 for a bounced check at a recording studio. Showed up at my door like six months later, cash in hand, and walked out with his PA. Everyone was happy.

 

[M@ddest_H@tter!]

I like the idea of holding it as collateral, although I don't think I'll go out of my way to contact him. I didn't really like him that much anyways. He kind of skirted me about the $50.00 anyways. I guess if he wants in bad enough he'll come for it, hopefully..like Munji said with cash in hand..if not he will be sad when he goes home without his PA. In the meanting...rather, when I get home, I'l make use of it.

 

[nofxpunk138]

if you really don't like the guy, just keep all his stuff! period!

 

[allenhumble]

Thats kinda stealing, isn't it? Holding something as collateral has a different intention then taking something because it benefits you more than the $50.00.

 

[M@ddest_H@tter!]

True, but he also didn't bother to pick it up before he left town.

 

[Eilif]

As long as you don't think you own the PA, I think you're OK. Just be ready to give it back to him if he shows up and asks for it ... right after he hands you the $50.

+1
It's not yours, so don't go selling it to get your 50 bucks. However, I see no problem in hanging on to it and using it unitil he shows up with 50 bucks.

 

[Joe Nerve]

I say keep it. If he asks for it give it back. Tell him, "ya know, you owe me $50 still." If he gives it to you (which he might) great. If he doesn't, let it go. In the long run you'll feel better about things. And you won't be the first to ever throw $50 more into a recording than another band member. $50 is sooooo not worth thinking about in the long run. I woudn't make this any kind of issue or dilemma. Just be done with it in your head and it's over.

 

[Fenderjazz6823]

I have a drum kit 2 guitar speakers and countless cables left behind
take it use it

if they wanted it bad enough they would have come and gotten it
there loss

 

[invader3k]

My best friend who I used to play in a band with still has our last drummer's kit at his house. The guy has never bothered to show up at the agreed upon time to pick it up (after like three or four attempts). Once, I guess he walked up to his house (without a vehicle of any sort) and was clearly intoxicated, so my friend didn't bother to answer. I think he handled it fine in that situation. I'm sure if the drummer comes back (sober) to claim it, he'll give it back.

 

[M@ddest_H@tter!]

I say keep it. If he asks for it give it back. Tell him, "ya know, you owe me $50 still." If he gives it to you (which he might) great. If he doesn't, let it go. In the long run you'll feel better about things. And you won't be the first to ever throw $50 more into a recording than another band member. $50 is sooooo not worth thinking about in the long run. I woudn't make this any kind of issue or dilemma. Just be done with it in your head and it's over.

I agree, like I said, I'll use it till he comes for it....with the money hopefully. I wouldn't dream of selling it, I would like to use it because Im trying to get something lined up for when I get back to the states.

 

[Dkerwood]

The last one out ends up with all the gear, right? When you do lots of festivals and multi-band events, it's sometimes hard to even figure out who things belong to. You make calls and send emails, but a lot of (most of) the time, you end up with the gear.

Over the years of playing, I've ended up with (just a partial list):

Digital Multitrack Recorder
Shure SM-58 (at least two)
Bassoon, trombone
Effects processors
Tuners
Various mics, cables, cases
Drum set
Cymbals
Drum stands, music stands, guitar stands, mic stands...

I almost ended up with a really fancy kick drum mic when we opened for a big name band and I was providing sound. I managed to get it back to them as they were pulling out of the parking lot in their van.

I learned very quickly to take care of my gear, because nobody else will! Despite this, I've still left keyboards, mic stands, and cables behind, never to be seen again. I once came to a venue I had played the year before, and the soundguy was standing there holding my mic stand from last year...

 

[fdeck]

Now my curiosity is piqued. Surely, there must be some legal precedent or principle that a person can dispose of abandoned gear after a reasonable effort is made to locate the owner. A reasonable effort might consist of posting an add in the Legal Notices of the local newspaper.

 

[M@ddest_H@tter!]

Now my curiosity is piqued. Surely, there must be some legal precedent or principle that a person can dispose of abandoned gear after a reasonable effort is made to locate the owner. A reasonable effort might consist of posting an add in the Legal Notices of the local newspaper.

You bring up a good point. I do know where he is, but Im not going to go out of my way to contact him. He has my contact info, but he's probably to strung out to call or worry about the PA. I talked to a guy from my base back in the states and they told me that after he got kicked out ( pot and shrooms) he got into some heavy ****. I'll just hold on to it, and put it to good use until he comes for it. I wonder what, if any legal reprecussions there could be.

 

[fdeck]

Where is the PA now? I would be concerned, if you have loved ones holding onto it for you, because you have a dangerous guy who will: 1) Soon run short of money in a serious way; and, 2) remember that this PA exists.

 

[M@ddest_H@tter!]

Its at my house on base, and he can't get on base. I'm not super concerned because two of my neighbors are cops, and the rest of my street, not a very large one are all friends of our family and watch over my wife and son with eagle eyes.