| Author | Message | ||
| darkstar01
Member Username: darkstar01 Post Number: 65 Registered: 6-2005 |
So I came home from Atlanta today, only to find that someone had broken into my house, and only taken my precious Dark Star. Several of my other basses, including two Alembics, were packed and ready to go, as well, but luckily whoever took it got spooked and left them. I'm sure posting here is pretty hopeless, but I know there are some people in the Asheville area of NC, and that's not too far from where I am (Greenville, SC), so I'm just putting the word out there. AND I'm quite upset and hoping this will help me calm down a little. These things happen, right? Austin | ||
| valvil
Moderator Username: valvil Post Number: 1016 Registered: 7-2002 |
That's terrible Austin! My condolences, I hope it gets recovered. On the plus side it is so unique and well known that I would not lose all hope yet. Taking just one ( and that one particularly) makes me wonder if it might have been someone you know that knew just what to take. Good luck to you Valentino | ||
| darkstar01
Member Username: darkstar01 Post Number: 66 Registered: 6-2005 |
Thanks, Val. I do have a very good idea of who took it, and I've already filed a report with the cops (THAT was fun). I heard that the guy has robbed a couple houses in the past few days, and is planning on having a yard sale this weekend. Needless to say, I'll be there. | ||
| 57basstra
Senior Member Username: 57basstra Post Number: 612 Registered: 4-2005 |
Austin, I literally felt sick to my stomach when I read your post. Usually I get a lift out of signing on to the Alembic forum and reading the recent musings, debates, questions, grumblings, etc. This crime will not go unpunished! I have already offered up a little prayer to the 'Big Man Upstairs' that your instrument is returned to you soon in the condition it was when it was taken. With respect, David R. | ||
| dannobasso
Senior Member Username: dannobasso Post Number: 535 Registered: 3-2004 |
My thoughts and prayers are with you. My first bass was sold by a herion abuser to a music store. Though it pales in comparison to your loss, I hope you recover it quickly without too much bother. I'm thinking about a camera based system for my place. Sign of the times I guess. Godspeed Austin. | ||
| dadabass2001
Senior Member Username: dadabass2001 Post Number: 775 Registered: 6-2002 |
Austin, oh man! I too hope you get a speedy and safe recovery. What a punch in the gut. Keep the faith. Mike | ||
| grateful
Advanced Member Username: grateful Post Number: 203 Registered: 12-2004 |
Bummer man! Hope the four winds blow her safely home. Mark | ||
| georgie_boy
Advanced Member Username: georgie_boy Post Number: 216 Registered: 8-2005 |
hOPE IT ALL TURNS OUT ok dUDE! G | ||
| kmh364
Senior Member Username: kmh364 Post Number: 2126 Registered: 9-2003 |
Austin: Hope you get it back (and in perfect conditon) ASAP! Danno: Good idea! My Bro has hidden cameras and a time lapse vid recording system for his mobile home to protect his expensive home theatre and computers. It's relatively cheap insurance. | ||
| olieoliver
Senior Member Username: olieoliver Post Number: 1286 Registered: 2-2006 |
I feel for you Austin, but as Val said this is a very unique instrument and I feel you have a good chjance of getting it back. Good luck and be sure and press charges when they find the idiot. God Bless, Olie | ||
| lidon2001
Advanced Member Username: lidon2001 Post Number: 306 Registered: 4-2005 |
Good luck Austin; may your beautiful instrument make its way back to you. T | ||
| keavin
Senior Member Username: keavin Post Number: 1147 Registered: 12-2002 |
I dont have a dog But i do Have a Brinks Home secuirty alarm system on my house & a Big-ass Baseball bat!.....who ever took your stuff knew that you have equipment so i would watch the neighbors! | ||
| mica
Moderator Username: mica Post Number: 4512 Registered: 6-2000 |
That's just terrible news, Autin. When you get a chance, email the report number and the department contact information where you filed the police report. We'll put this in the instrument file so we can contact the police should we ever hear from this bass. You can also mail me a copy of the report if you like. Also, find out from the police if they have a designated pawn shop department. If so, make sure the details get to them as well. You'll want to do the same for any adjoining departments (even across the state border), since it's where almost half of the recovered basses wind up. Don't forget to watch ebay and craigslist. You've got a bunch of people here that will be helping you watch these sites. It sounds like the police have a good lead, and hope that your bass will be recovered in good condition quickly. | ||
| the_mule
Senior Member Username: the_mule Post Number: 627 Registered: 1-2004 |
Terrible, must be a nightmare. The uniqueness of the instrument should theoretically be an advantage. Send every pawn shop and music store in your area (and draw a WIDE circle!) a picture and the serial number. I sure hope there's a happy ending to this story... :-( Wilfred | ||
| bsee
Senior Member Username: bsee Post Number: 1566 Registered: 3-2004 |
I've been on the wrong side of this equation too many times myself, so I can really feel your pain. Good luck!! | ||
| lbpesq
Senior Member Username: lbpesq Post Number: 2341 Registered: 7-2004 |
Austin: My heart goes out to you. Keep the faith. I'll be thinking positive thoughts for your bass's quick recovery. Bill, tgo | ||
| byoung
Senior Member Username: byoung Post Number: 622 Registered: 12-2004 |
Austin, I saw your bass under construction (being inlaid!) at the mothership. Hearing it was stolen was like a blow. Best wishes for a speedy recovery. Bradley | ||
| the_8_string_king
Senior Member Username: the_8_string_king Post Number: 562 Registered: 9-2005 |
Austin, words cannot express the anger and rage I felt when my Elan was stolen from me -by someone I trusted. I feel for you more than I can say, and (obviously) hope you successfully reclaim your property quickly, and with no damage. A couple quick thoughts. I recommend taking any and all carefully thought-out steps that won't have adverse consequences for you... to get your bass back. Obviously, covering the pawn shops is a basic good idea -as others observed. Another thought: since you feel you've got a good idea who took it, you might consider the possibility of consulting a professional private investigator and/or purchasing some surveilance equipment. Of course you would want/need to consider the legalities of any such issues to protect yourself from any issues. A few years ago I was looking at some amazingly sophisticated equipment for surveilance. I think one of the laser gizmos that can be aimed at a window and convert the vibrations on the window back into sound was around $1300 at a store in town. And there are less sophisticated devices that allow you to eavesdrop discreetly from a distance. Now I don't advocate violating the privacy of others... on the other hand, depending on the specifics of the situation, you may be morally justified in taking steps (which might not be legal) in ascertaining whether someone violated your rights and took your property. The police generally don't have a terribly good track record of protecting citizens' interests... and the sad truth is, unfortunately, if you want justice, you'll oftentimes have to either buy it or provide it yourself. When/to the extent "the system" makes it necessary -it can't rationally be held against you -so long as you don't cross the line and do something immoral yourself. I hope the human garbage that stole your bass suffers the most horrible and painful fate imaginable. And more importantly, I hope you get your bass back safe and sound -and quickly. I will keep my eyes open for it. I don't expect to see it, but in the unlikly event I do see or hear of it (which would be over the net as it's unlikely it would find it's way to Las Vegas) I will immediately email you -as well as contact Alembic and post here. I'm sure glad your others weren't taken. I hope it was insured. Best wishes, Austin Mark -the "8-String King" | ||
| the_8_string_king
Senior Member Username: the_8_string_king Post Number: 563 Registered: 9-2005 |
I'd also recommend looking to see if there are any sites to report stolen basses to on-line. I know there is a site where stolen flutes can be reported. It might not hurt to check out a couple other on-line bass sites to spread the word. Maybe consider offering a reward if you can afford it. And of course, keep your eye on ebay, craigslist, etc. I'm sure club members will have their eyes open for you. Maybe there is a Musicians Union where you live? It might help to have a "chain letter" mentality. Email a picture and info to anyone and everyone that can help, and ask them to forward it to 2 or 3 or X number of other people and to ask them to do the same. Though we all hate the nutty "chain letter" crap, this is something legitimate which hopefully people will sympathize with and be willing to spread the word on. Your bass is so unique it'll be hard to sell to just anyone. I think you'll get it back -hopefully quickly and undamaged. Since you think you DO know who took it, maybe you can do some detective work yourself. Try to find out exactly WHEN it was taken. Talk to neighbors and see if you can narrow down the window of time. Try to find witnesses. If you think you know who took it, do you know what kind of vehicle(s) he/she drives? Maybe you can find out where the person was at certain times, whether a "white truck" (or whatever) was near your home, or WASN'T in the persons driveway or garage. Maybe there are tire tracks, or other physical evidence. Did the cops bother to come out, and check for fingerprints? There are kits you can get to do this yourself, and you could lift prints off of the persons vehicle or other sources. Now's the time to pull in favors and use all resources available to you. Don't let your anger keep you from overlooking anything. Again, best wishes. | ||
| rraymond
Advanced Member Username: rraymond Post Number: 222 Registered: 6-2002 |
My condolences, too. Hope you get it back soon and unscathed. | ||
| paulman
Advanced Member Username: paulman Post Number: 234 Registered: 2-2005 |
The Chicago Boys are on the lookout, just in case. Sounds like a Jewel heist, just taking the one bass. Somebody know what they were going for. That person's Karma-Fate will be dire. | ||
| bigbadbill
Advanced Member Username: bigbadbill Post Number: 320 Registered: 10-2003 |
I feel your pain, as my first Rickenbacker was stolen from me years ago. Best of luck with getting your bass back, and I hope they get the ***wipe who did it. | ||
| alemberic
Junior Username: alemberic Post Number: 46 Registered: 6-2006 |
Just adding my hope that you get your bass back very soon, as well as undamaged. Eric | ||
| 2400wattman
Advanced Member Username: 2400wattman Post Number: 336 Registered: 11-2005 |
My reissue J bass and Modulus J bass were both stolen from me while I was in my dressing room! I filed my report which I did'nt think would help but after scanning ebay for 3-4 months they both popped up(by the same seller of course). Called the cops and that's when the report came in handy. I did get them back mostly unscathed and I hope the ending to your story is similar to mine. Basically I want you to get your bass back and the jerk that stole it gets to make new friends in a 6x10 room. | ||
| jahnahisti
Member Username: jahnahisti Post Number: 70 Registered: 9-2005 |
Good Luck Austin! (Message edited by jahnahisti on May 05, 2007) | ||
| davehouck
Moderator Username: davehouck Post Number: 5031 Registered: 5-2002 |
Austin; I'm thinking of you and hoping things turn out ok. | ||
| palmann
Member Username: palmann Post Number: 61 Registered: 6-2005 |
This is really bad news. Your bass has been on of my (if not the) favourite Alembics since I've seen it on the featured custom page. I wish for you, that you'll get it back soon. Gruesse, Pablo | ||
| terryc
Intermediate Member Username: terryc Post Number: 143 Registered: 11-2004 |
Chop the mother******* hands off!!! |
