Dark Star Stolen

[lbpesq]

Austin:
 
My heart goes out to you.  Keep the faith.  I'll be thinking positive thoughts for your bass's quick recovery.
 
Bill, tgo

[Bradley Young]

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]

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]

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]

My condolences, too. Hope you get it back soon and unscathed.

[paulman]

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]

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]

Just adding my hope that you get your bass back very soon, as well as undamaged.
 
Eric

[2400wattman]

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]

Good Luck Austin!
 
(Message edited by jahnahisti on May 05, 2007)

[David Houck]

Austin; I'm thinking of you and hoping things turn out ok.

[palmann]

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]

Chop the mother******* hands off!!!