Author Topic: A question of ethics. (Read 858 times)

svlilioukalani · « **on:** February 02, 2011, 05:06:26 AM »

I was in a reputable vintage guitar shop last week. While talking to the owner, he told me about a Alembic bass the he acquired over 10 years ago. He explained after he checked with Alembic, 10 years ago, he discovered it was a stolen bass. He said that, the nice people at alembic informed him he bought a hot bass. It was stolen from a famous bass man we all know. And I checked the serial number and it is stolen.

The bass is a full sized series 2 with an omega cut out. The DS5 power supply no longer exists. So, I was never able to hear it. It looks and plays like a dream.

I don?t know if it use batteries or not. I never looked at the guts.

The owner said he can legally sell the ?hot bass? because the state statute of limitations is up. The bass is currently not for sale; however, he sort of trying to sell it to me.

It breaks my heart to see a bass like this just sitting. Yet I don?t want the bad Karma of owning as hot bass.

So I am wondering what the opinion of this forum?s members on this subject.

hg30904 · « **Reply #1 on:** February 02, 2011, 05:27:17 AM »

I may be biased as I have been the victim of theft before, but it seems like the owner of this shop totally has no ethics. It appears that he could have facilitated the return 10 years ago, but he hid the item (not selling it) and deprived someone of their rightful property.

Lawyers can chime in here, but it seems like the owner is no friend of musicians.

Expose the shop so we will all know who not to do business with!

(just my opinion...subject to editing by moderators)

keith_h · « **Reply #2 on:** February 02, 2011, 05:28:00 AM »

He doesn't sound very reputable to me by sitting on a known stolen bass waiting for the statute of limitations to run out.

Is the original owner aware of where the bass is? How about the insurance company that might have covered the instrument? I would think they get first crack at recovering it.

Keith

pas · « **Reply #3 on:** February 02, 2011, 05:57:15 AM »

Without hesitation...the guy is a CROOK...report him. The bass needs to be returned to it's legal and rightful owner. Where is the ambiguity in doing the right thing...?

chuck · « **Reply #4 on:** February 02, 2011, 06:11:02 AM »

This person has knowingly been in possesion of stolen goods for 10 years.I doubt that the statue has run out since he has been commiting a crime every day it is in his possesion.

Chuck.

svlilioukalani · « **Reply #5 on:** February 02, 2011, 06:25:38 AM »

Not to defend this shop owner, but he did contact Alembic. And as I understand it I was not possable to contact the owner of the bass as he is a big time pro. The shop owner said he hope to sell it back to the origional owner. He only showed me the bass cause he know how I feel about alembic bass.

lbpesq · « **Reply #6 on:** February 02, 2011, 07:03:15 AM »

1. While I am not a Washington attorney and don't know the specifics of Washington law. I would assume that the statute of limitations on the theft of the bass may have run, However, this guy didn't steal it, he's in possession of the bass. Knowing possession of stolen property is a crime in California and likely so in Washington. Of that offense he is currently guilty.

2. The legal owner of the instrument is a big time famous bass player, but it is IMPOSSIBLE to get in touch for the purpose of returning the bass? I just don't find such an excuse credible.

I might consider contacting the famous bassist, giving him a head's up on the location of his lost bass, and then let nature take its course. And I would never again refer to the store as a reputable vintage guitar shop.

Bill, tgo

sonicus · « **Reply #7 on:** February 02, 2011, 07:29:07 AM »

Yes , I agree with Bill . Personally I would be in favor to reunite the Bass with the rightful owner as well.

smokinbear · « **Reply #8 on:** February 02, 2011, 08:01:12 AM »

Whats the serial #? Can it be discretely located and then posted here for all to see? What kind of douchebag music store owner could do this??? I hope karma gets him. What is the name of the store so we can all harass it!!!! Just kidding, the universe will fix things eventually. People get hit by busses, grand pianos fall on them or maybe a big Acme safe like in bugs bunny etc. I just find this so wrong to hear about theivery like this.....End Rant Bear

speicky · « **Reply #9 on:** February 02, 2011, 08:07:34 AM »

I once bought a bass that was stolen from his rightful owner. Some thief broke into his van, removed the bass and sold it on ebay. I purchased it, not knowing of the theft, and picked it up in person.

When I tried to turn it over about six months later, the owner spotted the auction and accused me for being the helping hand of the thief. Boy, was I in trouble in the first place, till I could explain to the police that I was a victim.

The point I am trying to make: Gary, please contact the police and tell them about this bass. Since you know the salesman and the story, you could else be in serious legal trouble also, now that it is all public, for everybody to read.

I keep my fingers crossed for you,
all the best, Christian

(Message edited by Speicky on February 02, 2011)

cozmik_cowboy · « **Reply #10 on:** February 02, 2011, 08:39:23 AM »

Just to reiterate:
Reputable? By no stretch of the imagination. Identify this scumbag, to us, to the rightful owner, and to the authorities.

A question of ethics? The only question is do you have them, because this festering pus-bag doesn't. There is only one proper course of action here, and it is self-evident. See above.

Can't contact him because he's well-known? Excuse me, but wouldn't that make him easier to find? Do it.

This needle-d*cked bug-f*cker and his ilk are, at least as much as the actual thief (which he might well be), the reason no one's instrument is safe. You have the power to put a stop to it. Are you one of the good guys, or no different than him? Man up.

Peter

811952 · « **Reply #11 on:** February 02, 2011, 08:48:14 AM »

This guy is a thief. Period. You've let the cat out of the bag already, so you might as well tell us (and, more importantly, the police) what's going on.

He's hoping to sell the bass back to the original owner from which it was stolen? Complete and utter scumbag.

John

chuck · « **Reply #12 on:** February 02, 2011, 08:49:53 AM »

From talk bass forum posted 3/29/04,
series ll and other gear stolen from Frank Kern in Bellingham Wa.

Chuck

Evil will triump when good people do nothing.

chuck · « **Reply #13 on:** February 02, 2011, 09:02:00 AM »

Also the second bass listed on this website in the stolen basses section,
Does it look like the one.

Chuck.

lbpesq · « **Reply #14 on:** February 02, 2011, 09:07:15 AM »

Gary:

I doubt that you yourself are in any legal jeopardy merely based on your knowledge. If anything were to come up, or you have any questions relevant to Washington law, contact me and I can put you in touch with some great defense lawyers in Seattle, one of whom is also a guitar player.

Bill, tgo