Author Topic: Be wairy of your brother bassists....... (Read 291 times)

dreambass · « **on:** August 22, 2007, 10:57:36 AM »

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 · « **Reply #1 on:** August 23, 2007, 12:51:10 AM »

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 · « **Reply #2 on:** August 23, 2007, 05:38:43 AM »

Wow that aint no fun story,it would'f been a tragic story for that cat if it were me.

lbpesq · « **Reply #3 on:** August 23, 2007, 06:38:44 AM »

Gladys Knight and the Putz!

Bill, tgo

olieoliver · « **Reply #4 on:** August 23, 2007, 06:47:09 AM »

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 Bass · « **Reply #5 on:** August 23, 2007, 08:00:44 AM »

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 · « **Reply #6 on:** August 23, 2007, 08:12:47 AM »

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 · « **Reply #7 on:** August 23, 2007, 12:23:03 PM »

Gladys Knight and the Perp? lol

Bill, tgo

rockbassist · « **Reply #8 on:** September 22, 2007, 05:36:18 AM »

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 · « **Reply #9 on:** September 22, 2007, 01:13:34 PM »

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 · « **Reply #10 on:** September 22, 2007, 01:41:33 PM »

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 · « **Reply #11 on:** September 22, 2007, 02:03:21 PM »

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 · « **Reply #12 on:** September 22, 2007, 02:42:30 PM »

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 · « **Reply #13 on:** September 25, 2007, 07:39:56 AM »

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 · « **Reply #14 on:** September 25, 2007, 09:23:15 AM »

.... my ex-wife had dispatched ....

Were there any Whippets dinkles involved?

Keith