Found one of my stolen guitars in a local music store yesterday

[alerich]

My apartment was robbed over the Labor Day weekend 2010. They got several guitars and a few other things. Like too many of my musician brethren I did not have insurance or an accurate list of all of the serial numbers of my gear and good identifying pictures. Yesterday I was in a local mom and pop music store and saw my MIM Tele on the rack. I spoke to the manager and learned that they had purchased it earlier in the week from a pawn shop. He was not sure which one as he did not make the purchase. I will find out which one tomorrow and go looking to see if they have my really nice and really cheap but really beat up Yamaha 12 string. I'll buy it back just to have it again.

I have a few pics that reasonably clearly identify the guitar as the one that was stolen but without serial numbers the police said they cannot help me. The music store was sympathetic but without same they cannot help me, either. I am posting this to remind everyone to document the serial numbers and make and model of all you gear. Take photos and video. Mark your gear conspicuously in and inconspicuous manner. Insurance is cheap. It often won't get your specific gear back and will definitely not replace your peace of mind but it will provide you with some financial reimbursement.

Don't find yourself standing in my position yesterday - staring at one of your guitars hanging in a shop and being unable to do anything about it.

[EL34]

Does home owners insurance cover this?

[GuitarPilot65]

I've often wondered about insuring my gear, particularly after modifying my DRRI.  Definitely going to do it now, if it's not already covered under our current homeowners' policy.

[G._Hoffman]

Does home owners insurance cover this?

It depends on the policy, but at least with more valuable guitars (say, above $1,000), they typically are not covered unless you purchase a special rider for your instruments.  This requires a written appraisal.  (We do appraisals for customers on a regular basis, hence my knowledge of the subject.)  Check with your insurance agent, of course, if you want to know about your own situation. 


Gabriel

[alerich]

I'm currently an apartment dweller and I did not have renter's insurance. That is what would have covered this loss. I think some homeowner's insurance coverage will cover this but like any homeowner's policy you have to tread lightly about claims like this. Some companies are really good about it and others will drop you like a hot potato. The local consumer reporter warns that homeowner's insurance is best for big losses. Too many little claims can garner a scarlet letter for you.

[rafe]

Find out what pawn shop he bought it from , they are required to keep records of who they purchased it from, without any proof that you actually owned it you may be SOL but it may save the next guy

[alerich]

One of the few up and up pawn shops I spoke to shortly after it happened explained that they fax a list of all serial numbers daily to local law enforcement of any item that is pawned.  Without serial numbers I am out of luck. Live and learn. I am going to find the name of the pawn shop today if only to go and look and see if my stolen Yamaha 12 string acoustic is there, as well. It was old and cheap and beat up but it played great and sounded great and recorded well. I'd love to have it back even if I have to buy it again (it only cost me $80 the first time on Craigslist).

This whole experience has been a real eye opener. The cops really don't seem to give a damn one way or another. The officer who answered my call and collected the information could not have been more indifferent if he tried. The only thing that got his attention was my missing handgun (which I did have the serial number for). I'll save the rest of my police diatribe - it's not germane to the situation nor appropriate for this forum.

The music store manager was sympathetic having been a burglary victim himself once but again, without proper documentation I have few options. If I find the pawn shop and happen to see that 12 string I will tell them it was stolen but I wouldn't expect much of a response. If it weren't for burglars most pawn shops would be starving for inventory.

[overtone]

A while back a similar thing happened to some friends of mine and I know the devastation and police reaction. One set of drums popped up quickly at the local store and we quickly recognized the blood stains on the toms. We didn't get any sympathy from that store or the police. It made us wonder about the equipment that we bought from that store and how many times they get to sell the same instruments over and over.

And the wound still sits very deep. Twenty five years later, the bass player still closely inspects every single cherry Rickenbacker 4001 he sees for certain chips in the paint work. You can feel the electrical charge in the air as soon as he sees one and you really don't want to be around if he ever finds anyone using that particular bass.

To give you an idea of the insurance costs: I have about $14k of cover for about $120 a year. I am in Germany with worldwide cover set up by a nice real lady (not some speaking machine) at a specialist musical insurance insurance company in USA. I am not sure if I can specifically state their name here, but they and their President have been exceptionally good to me. I can recommend them if anyone needs to shop around - but I have not had to test their cover for anything stolen yet.

Good luck and I hope that you locate that 12 string.
By the way, I scratch my name, details, date and serial number on the reverse side of the scratch plates.

[alerich]

I would appreciate the name of your insurer if you don't mind pm'ing it to me. One reason I never got renter's insurance before was because I view most of the main names as scam artists. A company that specializes in and understands the musician's insurance needs is right up my alley.

Insurance is great for putting some money back in your pocket after a loss but it doesn't do much for your peace of mind in a burglary. If you loose possessions in a flood or fire or some other natural event that's bad enough but it is what it is. Coming home to find your front door kicked in is a whole different story. Finding that Telecaster the other day provided a wee bit of weird closure in a way but it also brought back all of the images of my splintered door jamb. Not fun reminiscing about it. I understand your friend's feelings entirely. I scan the local Craigslist routinely for familiar items.

One drag about serial numbers is that I have three guitars that don't have their own engraved serial numbers. The number are on stickers and the stickers are intact amazingly after over 20 years. Marking them inside the control cavity and pickup cavity seemed liked the way to go. And pictures, pictures, pictures. I doubt most stolen instruments find their way back to their rightful owners very often but it helps.

Thanks to everyone for their support and input.

 

[overtone]

pm sent,
best, tony

[G._Hoffman]

HERITAGE specializes in insuring musical instruments.  We have our shop's instrument and shipping insurance with them, and though we've only just started using them, I have many friends who have used them for years and are very happy with them.


Gabriel

[RC_cola]

A buddy of mine has recently had a bass stolen. I dont think he has the S/N but we have very detailed pics of the guitar with very distinctive marks on it. The pics are of him with it while playing it.