One reason not to advertise what instruments you own [Archive]

MikeEdgerton

Jan-30-2009, 7:51am

There is an article in today's Asbury Park Press (http://www.app.com) in New Jersey. The article can be found here (http://www.app.com/article/20090130/NEWS/90130025) but for posterity I'll list the content:

"Thieves pick guitars in north Jersey
January 30, 2009

SUMMIT (AP) — Guitar owners in three northern New Jersey towns are singing the blues because thieves have made off with their instruments.

Eleven guitars, worth more than $11,000, have been stolen in six separate burglaries of occupied homes homes in Summit, Roselle Park and Montclair.

The guitars are manufactured by Fender, Gretsch, Ibanez, Martin and Squire.

The thefts began in November in Montclair. The most recent heist was Tuesday in Roselle Park when masked thieves entered an unlocked apartment occupied by five males.

Police say two of the residents were beaten and kicked before the thieves walked out with $7,000 worth of guitars.

Police are scouring online auction sites as they try to track the thefts."

I'm going to guess that these thefts probably have a common link. That could be online, it could be from attending some sort of jam.

Keith Erickson

Jan-30-2009, 8:00am

Mike,

WOW!!!! Any suggestions (short of using lethal force) to prevent these types of unfortunate situations?

Are we sure they were traced to on-line sales?

The article was a little too shore in my opinion.

AlanN

Jan-30-2009, 8:04am

I have one, which I practice:

Don't list your axes in your signature line.

cooper4205

Jan-30-2009, 8:20am

Here's another article from New Jersey online website

Guitars are pick of these thieves (http://www.nj.com/news/ledger/jersey/index.ssf?/base/news-12/1233293158132600.xml&coll=1)

and a short brief from the local paper

Group raids apartment, beats residents (http://www.localsource.com/articles/2009/01/29/roselle_park/news/doc497f45ca32c7a708707908.txt)

Keith--

it's just the nature of AP briefs. The usually see it in one of the local papers and hit the high points when they do the re-write (often times leaving out details of the original story).

sgarrity

Jan-30-2009, 8:35am

Bob Wiegers

Jan-30-2009, 8:39am

The guitars are manufactured by Fender, Gretsch, Ibanez, Martin and Squire.

"NOT the Squire! ANYTHING but the Squire!!!"

sorry, couldnt resist...anyway, another reason to be happy with instruments that cost (much) less than a paycheck

Steve L

Jan-30-2009, 8:45am

I've never understood musicians who plaster their cars with bumper stickers for instrument and amplifier manufacturers. It's almost like saying "It could well be worth popping the trunk...might be a Strat and a Marshall in there". I always try to bring my gear in through my back door and hide stuff if workmen come over.

Santiago

Jan-30-2009, 8:45am

I would say don't list your axes in your signature line -- IF you are using your real name and also listing where you live. Remember, anything you post online that is linkable to your name (yes, criminals can hack in and find your real name on occasion but that's less of a risk) becomes part of your digital fingerprint that travels with you for years. In the analog world criminals used to read the funeral notices and rob the house. Where there's valuables to be stolen there are innovative criminals. Also, insure and photograph your instrument.

chordbanger

Jan-30-2009, 8:50am

Wow, that's terrible. I had a guitar stolen back in 1972. Heartbreaking! I agree, never advertise what you own.

John Flynn

Jan-30-2009, 8:50am

WOW!!!! Any suggestions (short of using lethal force) to prevent these types of unfortunate situations?
What's wrong with lethal force? :cool:

MikeEdgerton

Jan-30-2009, 8:50am

I've never understood musicians who plaster their cars with bumper stickers for instrument and amplifier manufacturers...

That's one I really agree with.

Lawn Jockey

Jan-30-2009, 8:53am

My instrument insurance policy (Anderson Group) makes me sleep better at night. It can't replace the sentimental value attached to each instrument, but the monies recovered would go a long way to helping rectify that.

Keith Erickson

Jan-30-2009, 9:01am

What's wrong with lethal force? :cool:

Nothing wrong with it......

.....I just don't want to be the one who is responsible for locking up this thread.

I guess the whole idea behind my inquiry....

....what do we do to prevent these unfortunate incidents from happening to minimize this from escalating that far?

Dfyngravity

Jan-30-2009, 9:03am

Keeping your instruments in their case and not out in plain sight is always a good idea to keep the "random" thief from getting your instruments. But as for those that have been stalking on the online forums.....well you could always run a wire from a good size battery to the strings so when they go to pick it up they get shocking surprize!

John Flynn

Jan-30-2009, 9:22am

....what do we do to prevent these unfortunate incidents from happening to minimize this from escalating that far?
A recent news report I saw said that thieves target houses based on clues that there are some specific valuables there that they can easily convert into cash. Once inside, though, they will look for other stuff. For instance, the really hot item for thieves right now is flat screen TVs. Thieves drive by on trash day and look for empty boxes in the trash on the curb that might indicate a recent purchase. A security expert interviewed on the report I saw said people should break down all boxes you put in the trash that might indicate recent purchases of expensive stuff.

Eric Platt

Jan-30-2009, 9:27am

Possible about forums. Although there are some where I will list what I own. It's not like they can't find it from my Flickr account anyway.

Still, this sounds to me like either neighbors heard folks practicing, or possibly someone got into receipts from a music store. In an apartment (or condo) the neighbors probably know you play.

allenhopkins

Jan-30-2009, 9:30am

To all the western NY burglars who read the Mandolin Cafe:

I'm lying about the mandolins I own. Really.

Will Patton

Jan-30-2009, 9:44am

I don't make a point of advertising my little steel stringed buddies - nor did I used to lock my house, up on the back hills of Northern Vermont.... until a random pill head wandered in and took a jar of change and my 1972 Fender Fretless Precision bass, leaving mandolins, mandolas, Telecasters, acoustic guitars, a cavaquinho and a Selmer alto sax - and other stuff.... so while it could have been worse, I really loved that old Fender.... my take away advice - insurance, and pictures (I had insufficient insurance).
Note to thieves: I sold all of that and now have a Stella.
Note to Allen: could you send your address and typical schedule for the day?
;)
Will

chordbanger

Jan-30-2009, 9:46am

AllenHopkins doesn't live far from here. :)

Hal Jeanes

Jan-30-2009, 10:18am

Phillip Tigue

Jan-30-2009, 10:21am

"NOT the Squire! ANYTHING but the Squire!!!"

sorry, couldnt resist...anyway, another reason to be happy with instruments that cost (much) less than a paycheck

Right....but the copy didn't say that it was a pre-war Squire.

mandolinlee

Jan-30-2009, 10:24am

Hi:
Read a "Learn to play Guitar" book that said, "Instrument cases that have names on them like; Martin, Gibson, Taylor, Etc. might as well say "steal me first"
Lee

Sean Greer

Jan-30-2009, 10:28am

As the number of instruments that I own grows, I'm considering acquiring a gun safe for storage of them. The safe that I'm looking at is fire-rated for 90 minutes @ 1200 degrees, so there's added peace of mind in the event of a fire. Of course, I'd keep my current player out (but in its case) all the time. When I leave for vacation, it'd be nice knowing that the instruments were safe.

MikeEdgerton

Jan-30-2009, 10:31am

The gun safe idea is fine, the wood wouldn't burn but in the event of a fire the instruments would still most likely be destroyed.

tango_grass

Jan-30-2009, 10:33am

That is very sad to hear.

And it is true, security must be thought out in depth. If its worth something, they'll want it.

jefflester

Jan-30-2009, 10:33am

To all the western NY burglars who read the Mandolin Cafe:

I'm lying about the mandolins I own. Really.
I think you should buy more instruments so that the list will require more contractions to fit within the character limit for signatures and then no one will be able to tell what you actually have. :grin:

Eddie Sheehy

Jan-30-2009, 10:35am

That Squire was built by Lied Lore.....

Santiago

Jan-30-2009, 10:36am

I think if I had an instrument I needed to keep in a gun safe, I'd rather own a beater I could actually play without a combination. Of course it depends on where you live. When I played mostly guitar I used to always leave my custom 335 out... but no one knew I had it.

chopaholic

Jan-30-2009, 10:40am

I think our mandos are safe. Most thieves are smart enough to know that ukuleles aren't worth much.

MikeEdgerton

Jan-30-2009, 11:25am

I think our mandos are safe. Most thieves are smart enough to know that ukuleles aren't worth much.

Good point. ~:>

Mike Bunting

Jan-30-2009, 12:19pm

I have a sign in the window that says "This house guarded by a crazy man with a gun three days a week, can you guess which three?"

TomTyrrell

Jan-30-2009, 1:28pm

I think our mandos are safe. Most thieves are smart enough to know that ukuleles aren't worth much.

Could be but the last couple of "new" Loar-signed Gibsons have had some coverage in the press and anything worth $200,000 is going to be a potential target. Be a shame if somebody's mando get swiped because it looks like a Loar.

I prefer not to list my instruments in my signature line and I don't tell people I don't know about what I have at home.

Bob Andress

Jan-30-2009, 1:45pm

tiltman

Jan-30-2009, 2:21pm

It's a shame my pit bull mix is a cream puff...she'd be happy to see anyone!

Kirk

Coffeecup

Jan-30-2009, 3:15pm

You've convinced me. I am not going to list my Epiphone here.

Santiago

Jan-30-2009, 3:24pm

Reminds me of a short story. As a kid we used to lock our bikes up together at the town pool. We all had new expensive bikes except one kid who had an ugly hand-me-down from his older brother. His parents put stingray handlebars on on old Schwinn racer to try to spruce it up but it just looked weird. The day we came out of the pool to discover the chain had been sawed through was devestating. But not as bad to me as to my unfortunate friend whose hand-me-down was left behind. This happened twice. The second time he came out first but was caught trying to hide his bike in shame. We tried to make it look like we didn't notice.

frankenstein

Jan-30-2009, 3:54pm

I can't see the use of stealing instruments, easy to trace, they won't get much for them.. what's the point..?

MikeEdgerton

Jan-30-2009, 4:02pm

It must depend on where you live. I doubt anyone would have trouble unloading any instrument for some decent money in most major metropolitan areas. A guy that buys say a hot Gibson Fern for a grand gets a heck of a deal and the thief selling it gets a grand. I think the guy that stole the Squire was probably surprised. I'm guessing that it was in a Fender case. Then again, we're assuming these guys are selling these instruments. They might not be. They might be feeding their own needs for guitars.

Santiago

Jan-30-2009, 4:23pm

I think that most of the people who steal instruments are after quick cash for drugs and they're not trying to get top dollar -- they just want what they can get quick. They won't care if it's a Loar or a PacRIM, they just want stuff they can turn to cash so they can turn cash to a high. A fine instrument might be more trouble than it's worth to them because they can't just fence it.

MikeEdgerton

Jan-30-2009, 4:34pm

I doubt these guys would know a Loar from a Gil but they probably know a Strat from a Les Paul. Your mandolin may be safer because they don't know what it is.

woodwizard

Jan-30-2009, 5:09pm

The burgler would probably slip on my Blond Labs slobber (he loves everybody) break his leg and then with my luck sue me for the medical bill and no telling what else. :( What a watch dog...

frankenstein

Jan-30-2009, 5:38pm

Kill 'em with kindness. Good Dog..

mandocrucian

Jan-30-2009, 5:55pm

I think a reminder about the Tracy Schwarz van burglery, some 10 or 12 years ago, is in order. Going home from some festival he'd played at, three or four hours down the road he pulled into a mall to make a 5 min phone call. The phone booth was 20 feet inside the entrance doors, and the van apparently was visible from there. By the time he got back to his van, all the instruments (including vintage stuff, expensive Cajun accordion, etc) were gone. The thieves had apparently trailed him for hours down the interstate.

Think about it, if you are listing ownership of $20,000+ worth of instruments, that's a pretty good haul for someone who might specialize in that sort of job. (a disgruntled ex-musician perhaps?)

A fine instrument might be more trouble than it's worth to them because they can't just fence it.
Maybe.... but, if it's a pro job, chances are the instruments could be headed overseas. Arigato gozaimasu Fat-Tony-san

A half hour or two googling a name, a handle, or e-mail address (add "mandolin" to the search for faster results) can pull up plenty of data. Then off to Mapquest for the driving directions!

And firearms... keep in mind that if you aren't able to get to it, or get it out fast enough, they may very well take it away from you and pistol-whip or shoot you with your own weapon. That is, if they aren't packing themselves.

Sweet dreams!

TEE

Jan-30-2009, 5:58pm

I owned and worked in the burglar alarm business for 20 years. Most people did not call me until they had been broken in to. I have pretty much seen it all.

I have never seen anyone take a T.V set or a computer as far as I can remember. I'm talking Analog Sets and desktops. I don't remember instruments being a target either.

The funny thing is the thing that is mentioned most in this thread as protection is what they are after the most. GUNS. If they even have a hint there is a gun somewhere they will tear your house apart looking for it. Every break-in I went to the guns were stolen. I don't know how many times I went and the homeowners were heartbroken because someone had stolen their grandfathers shotgun or their childhood gun they got for christmas. It was always the cheapest heirloom guns they grieved over the most.

I keep guns myself both for hunting and protection but I don't advertise it.

Usually what they would take were guns, money and tools. I've been out of it for a while now so I am sure they are getting laptops and ipods now.
And jewelry of course.

If you want to know what they are stealing just go to the pawnshops and see what sells there and that is pretty much what they are after.

I did have one music store broken into but the alarm scared them and they only took one guitar. It was a smash and grab.

I never had anything stolen out of a house when the alarm was on. If the alarm went off they would leave.

I only saw one guy who would steal silverware and he would break in go to the silverware cabinet and get all the silverware. He would leave one small piece like a butterknife or something so the owners could replace the stolen silverware with the same pattern. He would fold the cloths that covered the silverware neatly and leave the drawer open and not bother anything else in the house. Turns out he was a school teacher. He gave me a lot of work.

But no, Don't advertise the gun thing. Dogs are good some are terrified of dogs and they do not like the barking, but some will break in with a rottweiler growling at them.

I have seen many people who can't understand why they will steal an old rusty skillsaw but leave their $2000.00 camera sitting on a shelf, but it comes down to what they can sell and sell quickly.

Now if instruments will be bought by someone easily you can bet they will target instruments. Supply and demand.

man dough nollij

Jan-30-2009, 6:01pm

Thieves drive by on trash day and look for empty boxes in the trash on the curb that might indicate a recent purchase. A security expert interviewed on the report I saw said people should break down all boxes you put in the trash that might indicate recent purchases of expensive stuff.

Whoa! I'm eternally grateful to you for posting that. I ran right out and shredded that box that says "Minty '23 Loar" that was sticking out of my dumpster!

P.S.: After Thursday, I challenge anyone on earth to find my house!

allenhopkins

Jan-30-2009, 6:23pm

My friend Neil had his Boston apartment burgled, and one thing taken was a set of Northumbrian smallpipes in a nice rosewood case. The case was probably what attracted the thief. I wondered how anyone could fence smallpipes, but what bugged Neil was that the instrument probably ended up being thrown in a dumpster somewhere.

Now I have a good burglar/fire alarm system, and I'm not careless about security, but there are undoubtedly hundreds and hundreds of people who know I've a basement-full of instruments. In 40+ years I've never had anything stolen, and only one guitar inadvertently taken by a fellow musician who picked up my case instead of his.

I do take TEE's post really to heart. It's ironic that the weapons that some keep to deter crime, are among the most tempting targets for theft.

There are burglaries in my general neighborhood, but the usual targets are cash (lots of purses swiped, especially those left in plain view near a window) and jewelry.

Bill Snyder

Jan-30-2009, 6:33pm

...

P.S.: After Thursday, I challenge anyone on earth to find my house!

I guess you will be headed back to the land of the frozen ... everything.

man dough nollij

Jan-30-2009, 6:35pm

No clues!

D C Blood

Jan-30-2009, 6:53pm

Our story about stolen instruments...This happened about eight years ago...We had two guitars and a mandolin, '94 D-41, '86 HD2832 (Martin Shennandoah, and my Scotty Jackson F-5...Daylight robbery, no one home, no alarm...both guitars taken, mandolin left behind (what's that thing, duh, I dunno)...Police were called, made reports, etc. Wife said, let's try calling around to music stores, pawnshops, police said, why bother, you'll never find them...Wife said @#!& you, and started calling around. About an hour later, she found them, at a used music store the other side of town, (Nashville). As soon as she called the place, they said, yep, we've got them. Come on by and pick them up. A lot of people question them and ask, why buy instruments if it's obvious that they are stolen? Answer is, it is the most likely way an owner might have a chance of recovery. They know enough to take in obviously stolen items, and keep a look out with the police and owners calling about them. We didn't even have to pay what they gave the thief for them. (insurance covered them). They paid the crook by check, and had photo from their transaction and from the bank where the check was cashed.

Santiago

Jan-30-2009, 7:21pm

TEE, Theres a team in New Jersey specifically going after people with vintage guitars. That's what prompted this conversation.

TEE

Jan-30-2009, 8:19pm

Santiago- I did not know that but if there are buyers thats what they will target. It's strictly supply and demand. If there are just one or two buyers it will be bad but if there are many buyers it will get very bad.

TEE

Jan-30-2009, 8:43pm

D.C. Blood you got lucky I'm afraid. I had one customer who was a pawn shop dealer and he told me he never told anyone he had something in stock over the phone. He said people called him all the time asking if he had something and he would tell them he did not even if he had ten sitting on the shelf. He said they were just looking for something that was stolen from them and that they always called all the pawnshops looking for their stuff so their answer was always no. He said that that was what everyone did after being robbed was to start calling pawnshops.

I am glad your guitars went to an honest business but believe me there are a lot of places that operate on a different principal. I did several jobs for that guy and he was as nice as he could be to me and he liked to talk but he opened my eyes to a lot of the underbelly of the other retail world.

TomTyrrell

Jan-31-2009, 7:40am

One thing to remember about the business of theft...

Cost of goods sold is $ZERO! Even if the thief only gets $100 for a Loar-signed Gibson he still comes out ahead.

LVH

Jan-31-2009, 10:52am

I say we get a 2,000 square foot safe like Ricky Wasson(singer of JD Crowe and the New South) just for our instruments... :)

Jim

Jan-31-2009, 11:39am

I had a Gibson Atlas IV amp stolen and my friend who lived in the apartment had his 62 SG stolen at the same time. I had taken my Strat to another band practice or it would have been gone too. That was in downtown Denver in 78. The lesson learned by me was don't leave your stuff at the practice space and be careful whom you let in your practice space.

OKMike

Jan-31-2009, 12:31pm

Learned this one from a buddy, when you sell something never let someone come to your house to look at it. Theives will case your house, look for ways in, then come back and rob you. If I sell something I always meet the buyer off site, explaining that it is hard to give directions to my place (or another likely excuse).If selling a boat I meet them at ther lake, 4 wheelers at a local area where people ride, etc etc. The only exception is if I am selling a horse. Horses are much harder to steal and most horse people are fairly honest.

Mike

kestrel

Feb-02-2009, 12:34pm

"And firearms... keep in mind that if you aren't able to get to it, or get it out fast enough, they may very well take it away from you and pistol-whip or shoot you with your own weapon. That is, if they aren't packing themselves.
if they aren't packing themselves."

My two (large, and not even a little bit friendly to strangers) dogs, myself (large, and not even a little bit friendly to strangers), and the 12-gauge, loaded with 00-buck, that lies under the edge of my bed are willing to take that chance.

I don't advertise what's in my house, either, but I do let it be known that I have absolutely no qualms about unloading that shotgun on anyone entering my house uninvited. Guess I'm just pro-active when it comes to protecting what is mine.

Funny thing happened to my wife's cousin, a couple of months ago. A couple of boobs broke into his house, and stole his guitar, some miscellaneous stuff, and his new, very expensive, digital camera. Couple of days later, the police called saying they had found his camera at a local pawn shop. He went to identify it, and checked the pics on the card. Sure enough, the idiots had taken each other's pictures, drinking the booze they had stolen, and playing with the guitar. They were sitting on the back of their car. Beautiful shot of the license tag. Cops picked up the jerks, and recovered everything that had been stolen - except the booze.

Frank Russell

Feb-02-2009, 4:02pm

Got robbed ten months ago. Good news, they went right past my Givens and two or three cheapo electric and acoustic guitars. Actually pulled them out of the closet and piled them on the bed to get at what they were really after, guns. They got away with guns, my wedding ring, my grandfather's gold pocket watch, a laptop and camera, and my iPod. If I had an alarm system then, it would have done no good, as they cut the phone and cable tv line prior to entering. Now we have a wireless backup connected to our alarm, so they can cut what they want. There's also my elderly mother in law waiting inside, fully armed, and as well trained as any mercenary. Live and learn.

JeffD

Feb-02-2009, 5:51pm

Years ago, before the internet, the regular attendees of our local jam put together an address and phone number list, with copies for all, so we could contact each other about music parties, potential gigs, etc.

I told them not to list the instruments we played for just this reason.

Its kind of scary to think about.

Santiago

Feb-02-2009, 6:34pm

I've heard that the mere presence of a pawn shop in a neighborhood increases crime rates for a three-mile radius, but of course you can always come up with a study and a statistic.

jim_n_virginia

Feb-02-2009, 10:53pm

If someone takes the time to research me on the 'cafe, see what mandloins I have, find out where I live, try to break in and they get past my dog and my .357, then they can have the mandolins.
There's a much greater likelyhood (sp?) of a random break in to steal the tv, entertainment system, and computers!

I'm with you Shaun! Thank God we live in a firearm friendly state. If someone tried a home invasion on me they would be in for one heck of a surprise!

Somehow I just can't fathom a crook taking the time to track someone down and steal instruments from a list off the Internet not $11K worth anyways and that was TOTAL from all the victims. Too many other ways to make way more money for stuff thats way easier to get rid off.

I am so glad I finally got around to insuring all my instruemnts at Heritage last year. The only thing my instruments won't be covered for is terrorism and acts of war. EVERYTHING else is covered!

:mandosmiley:

jim_n_virginia

Feb-02-2009, 10:58pm

Someone asked me why our band name was not on our equipment trailer and I told them the only sign I would consider posting that might indicate the trailer's contents would say Bio Hazard followed by a skull and crossbones.

Now THAT is something I would NEVER do! I have read about two bands (on separate occasions) that had pull trailers and they had the name of the band on it and both were broken into and stolen, ONE while they were touring and stopped at a motel! Had to borrow instruments to finish the tour!

jim_n_virginia

Feb-02-2009, 11:08pm

I can't see the use of stealing instruments, easy to trace, they won't get much for them.. what's the point..?

Take it from someone who has been robbed at gun point 6 blocks from their house in broad daylight! There are lowlifes in every city so desperate who would steal a $10,000.00 instrument and sell it for $20 bucks to get beer and cigs.

It's hard for normal people to fathom that but they are out there trust me!

JEStanek

Feb-03-2009, 6:21am

Drugs are awful. I had a pastor whose daughter got mixed up with bad hard stuff. She and her friends stole the pastor's wife's wedding ring, his signet ring from seminary, and some other stuff. All those things were probably turned into drugs within three hours.

Jamie

mandocrucian

Feb-03-2009, 7:11am

Originally Posted by Hal Jeanes
Someone asked me why our band name was not on our equipment trailer and I told them the only sign I would consider posting that might indicate the trailer's contents would say Bio Hazard followed by a skull and crossbones.

I heard a great story years ago....some band in a city (Chicago or Pittsburgh maybe). Played for years and years and while other bands were continually having gear stolen from the band trucks/vans/trailers, they never were robbed. And they had the side of their old milk delivery truck painted to boot...."Lou's Diaper Service".

jim_n_virginia

Feb-03-2009, 9:31am

other bands were continually having gear stolen from the band trucks/vans/trailers, they never were robbed. And they had the side of their old milk delivery truck painted to boot...."Lou's Diaper Service".

HA! What a GREAT idea! :))

CES

Feb-03-2009, 10:12am

Recently edited my signature line to remove the instruments, and I don't even have anything good...drive an old beat up truck and don't let people know that I have a decent job unless I know them...try to vary my routes home...it's only paranoia if they aren't really after you...:mandosmiley:

Seriously, this is an issue that really strikes a chord in me...more so the home invasion aspect of it even than the theft itself...one year our Christmas tree crashed at about 2 am (despite being tethered/secured), and I won't go into the details of my reaction, but the punch line offered by my wife was, "So what were you going to do, moon them to death?" Learned at that moment that I needed to tame the old linebacker in me (esp since I'm not the big dude I used to be) and remember to grab whatever protection may be available in such situations...I've gotten better about that of late...

Pickin' Rabbi

Feb-03-2009, 10:34am

What about putting a tiny GPS chip inside the neck?

Santiago

Feb-03-2009, 10:38am

Somehow I just can't fathom a crook taking the time to track someone down and steal instruments from a list off the Internet not $11K worth anyways and that was TOTAL from all the victims. Too many other ways to make way more money for stuff thats way easier to get rid off.

:mandosmiley:

That's what they're doing in New Jersey.

Coffeecup

Feb-03-2009, 4:27pm

What about putting a tiny GPS chip inside the neck?

It would need two of you; one to hold the intruder down while the other injects the chip.

MikeEdgerton

Feb-03-2009, 4:33pm

What about putting a tiny GPS chip inside the neck?

A GPS requires power. You can get one of these (http://www.stewmac.com/shop/Accessories/Security.html) but you'd still have to find the instrument.

MikeEdgerton

Feb-06-2009, 6:59am

Here's (http://www.app.com/article/20090206/NEWS/90206015) an update to the original post.

Tom C

Feb-06-2009, 7:57am

Quote Kestrel " I don't advertise what's in my house, either"

Well, we now now you have 2 dogs, a gun, mandolin, a full refrigerator, and some very large underwear. :)

MikeEdgerton

Feb-06-2009, 8:57am

Well, we now now you have 2 dogs, a gun, mandolin, a full refrigerator, and some very large underwear. :)

Yeah Buddy.....

journeybear

Mar-13-2009, 1:06am

About an hour later, she found them, at a used music store the other side of town, (Nashville). As soon as she called the place, they said, yep, we've got them. Come on by and pick them up. A lot of people question them and ask, why buy instruments if it's obvious that they are stolen? Answer is, it is the most likely way an owner might have a chance of recovery. They know enough to take in obviously stolen items, and keep a look out with the police and owners calling about them.

I'm sure you realize how lucky you are, and that things are probably different in Nashville compared to anywhere else regarding instruments and pawn shops. There has to be a brisk trade there.

When my 1966 F-12 was stolen out of my van :crying: - in broad daylight, parked in the loading bay of my storage facility, with security cameras plainly visible - the police said there wasn't much they could do, even after looking at the footage. :mad: They didn't even know what a mandolin was (and New Haven has a large Italian community), nor understand its value, even in its capacity as a means of employment. :disbelief: My situation was much like Frank Russell's, in that they were after something else - wallet, CD player, cell phone - and grabbed the case while they were there, thinking it had to be something worth stealing. I wouldn't be too surprised if they just tossed it after they saw what it was and realized it wasn't going to be easy to get cash for it.

I called around to the pawn shops until a couple of owners told me they get a list from the police so my efforts were unnecessary, and one even explained that something as unusual as a mandolin would raise suspicion - especially if brought in by someone who clearly wasn't the owner. It sounds like your guy was a prince of a fellow, willing to go out on a limb on behalf of a stranger. You had better have him on your Christmas card list! ;)

Santiago

Mar-13-2009, 5:18am

My dad used to have a very valuable violin (Not a Stad, but very valuable). The day they broke into our house to steel it, we were out at a music store having it set-up. Now that's lucky.

billkilpatrick

Mar-13-2009, 5:39am

brutal story - bet they didn't have a rattlesnake rattle in the sound chamber ...

D C Blood

Mar-14-2009, 10:31am

Hey JourneyBear...Sorry about your loss...I had a '62 D-18 stolen once. (long time ago, but I still remember the serial # and keep it in my wallet, and look at D-18s that appear to be that age). The place in Nashville that got us our guitars back is called "Nashville Used Music" and actually advertises on TV about buying used gear. So they do a pretty good business in stolen goods, as you might imagine. Many (most) places won't touch something they suspect is stolen, and thusly, there goes the best chance of an owner recovering his property. Just always make sure you've got serial numbers and identifying things. In our case, the only thing the thieves had done was to strip all the stickers off the cases..(d**n them) But we didn't even have to reimburse the store for what they paid for them. I'm sure they have insurance to cover their outlay. We deeply appreciated their action and patronize their store whenever we can.