| Author | Message | ||
| dreambass
Junior Username: dreambass Post Number: 11 Registered: 8-2002 |
Many years ago I was playing a wedding in a large open courtyard of a major hotel. There were walkways for every floor that looked down onto the area where I was with my '76 Series One Omega. At some point I looked up and several stories above was Gladys Knight and a couple of her Pips. They watched until be went on break and 5 minutes later a guy came up and said...."dats one baaadd bass! Mind if I try it?" I had nothing to do for a half hour so I thought why not. We talked and he told me that he was playing with Gladys at an area theatre in the round....which he was. He came back on my second break and asked to play it again. OK. Then he asked if I'd sell it. I said yes and gave him a high price thinking that he'd go away. The next break he was back and asked if I would take a check from Gladys. I said no but told him that there were several open banks within 5 minutes from where we were. That was the last time I saw him until........I caught him and his girlfriend trying to break into my just loaded and locked car. His explanation....."I jus hadda play dat bad bass one more time". I was ALWAYS paranoid about someone stealing that bass and I was right. | ||
| terryc
Advanced Member Username: terryc Post Number: 237 Registered: 11-2004 |
Did you teach him a physical lesson?? It gets really bad in the world when you cannot even trust a fellow musician but I guess it happens in all professions | ||
| keavin
Senior Member Username: keavin Post Number: 1275 Registered: 12-2002 |
Wow that aint no fun story,it would'f been a tragic story for that cat if it were me. | ||
| lbpesq
Senior Member Username: lbpesq Post Number: 2587 Registered: 7-2004 |
Gladys Knight and the Putz! Bill, tgo | ||
| olieoliver
Senior Member Username: olieoliver Post Number: 1527 Registered: 2-2006 |
Sadly enough this doesn't surprise me. While there are plenty of good honest musicians out there, there are also a lot of schmucks like this too. Thats Hilairious Bill! Olie | ||
| fc_spoiler
Senior Member Username: fc_spoiler Post Number: 617 Registered: 5-2006 |
I wouldn't be able to share the true story with you guys if something like this would happen to me... I don't think it's a clever idea to spread evidence in form of a confession on the internet...  Good to hear that this lowlife didn't succeed  | ||
| dreambass
Junior Username: dreambass Post Number: 12 Registered: 8-2002 |
As for my instinct to beat this guy to death when I caught him..... he was about 5'4" and maybe 125#, soaking wet with a pocket full of change. I on the other hand am 6'5" and was about 265# at the time...and in great shape(unlike now!). He made certain that he never got any closer than 25 feet from me and he moved out like a rocket!!!! Ken | ||
| lbpesq
Senior Member Username: lbpesq Post Number: 2589 Registered: 7-2004 |
Gladys Knight and the Perp? lol Bill, tgo | ||
| rockbassist
Intermediate Member Username: rockbassist Post Number: 114 Registered: 8-2005 |
Unfortunately, there are a lot of low lifes in this world. In April 1984 someone stole my 1978 Fender Jazz Bass. About 3 months ago the same bass showed up for sale on Harmony Central. I kept my records from when I purchased it and the serial number matches. I also have pictures of myself playing the bass. I have made several attempts to contact the seller directly and through Harmony Central. I even contacted Fender just in the case the current owner had registered it with them. I have made it clear that I am not accusing the seller of any wrong doing as the bass has probably changed hands several times in the last 23 years. I also offered to give them my 1976 Fender Precision in exchange for the return of my Jazz Bass. So far, I have not received any response. The bass looks like it is pretty well worn but I would still like to get it back. I liked this bass only second to my Alembic. If anyone has any advice I would appreciate the input. Here is a link to the ad http://acapella.harmony-central.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1663751 | ||
| bsee
Senior Member Username: bsee Post Number: 1792 Registered: 3-2004 |
If it weren't paid off by an insurance company and there was a police report at the time of the theft, then it's your stolen property and the police should recover it for you, no? If Harmony Central won't help you identify the poster, then you'll probably need the FBI or some other official organization to get what they have for you. | ||
| rockbassist
Intermediate Member Username: rockbassist Post Number: 115 Registered: 8-2005 |
I am making one more attempt to contact the seller. I have several friends who are police officers and are investigating this for me. I also have an attorney who is looking into my options. I agree with you that I may have to call the FBI. I'm trying to give the seller the benefit of the doubt but if they don't respond I may have no other choice but to contact the FBI | ||
| olieoliver
Senior Member Username: olieoliver Post Number: 1582 Registered: 2-2006 |
Isn't there a "Statute of Limitations" that comes into play here? For your sake I would hope not. It would be a great ending to a bad story if this bass came home to you. On a side note I had to laugh at the description which said, "It's heavy, but it sounds amazing". I have a 76 Jazz and while I agree it does sound great I would hardly say thats it "heavy". Hope all turns out well for ya', Olie | ||
| lbpesq
Senior Member Username: lbpesq Post Number: 2627 Registered: 7-2004 |
The Statute of Limitations would impact the ability of the legal system to criminaly prosecute the thief, if he (or she - no sexism here - women deserve an equal opportunity to be crooks) were now apprehended. I don't believe it would effect your ability to claim your property. Good luck and keep us informed. Bill, tgo | ||
| 811952
Senior Member Username: 811952 Post Number: 1145 Registered: 10-2003 |
I attended a jam at a co-worker's home a couple of years ago and spotted a G&L bass my ex-wife had "dispatched" at some point during our divorce. Actually, I recognized the case. The guy who has it now is cool and had no idea of it's history. It still plays and sounds great, but it's his now.  I always wondered what happened to that one! John | ||
| keith_h
Senior Member Username: keith_h Post Number: 854 Registered: 2-2005 |
.... my ex-wife had "dispatched" .... Were there any Whippets dinkles involved? Keith | ||
| speicky
Advanced Member Username: speicky Post Number: 235 Registered: 3-2005 |
there's movement in the HarmonyCentral thread, it seems the seller has finally responded. I hope everything turns out fine for you, Kevin. In 2005, I tried to sell a nice short-scale bass with Alembic guts that I won through eBay six months earlier. It turned out that this unique bass was stolen out of a car, and I had to hand it over to the happy rightful owner. I believe that everything comes up on the surface for at least a second time, so there is hope. all the best, Christian |
