Stolen Ric basses

henry5 · Post by **henry5** » Sun Mar 14, 2004 8:28 am

Hi
I'm new to the Forum. I was wondering if anyone could supply information as to the whereabouts of 2 Rick basses as follows: the first is a '91 V63 Reissue in fireglo, serial # K4 4926 which I bought off ebay in March last year, and which was stolen/lost in transit from Las Vegas to England (I never received it). I have pictures if needed. The second (and I hold out little hope for this)is my 1980 Rick 4001 in jetglo, serial # TC 915. This had a modified (overwound)treble pickup and retrofitted black pickguard. It was stolen in Hendon in London in approx 1986; it was my first ever bass so had quite a lot of sentimental value.

In addition to the above, could anyone point me to a thread giving details of how to cure the age old early 4001 truss rod problem (i.e. rods bent into headstock), and could anyone suggest a repairer in England experienced with this repair? My '72 is my pride and joy and I don't want it ruined!

Thanks

jnbass · Post by **jnbass** » Sun Mar 14, 2004 8:37 am

hey Shaun, Welcome!

Sorry about your loss, isn't the transit responsible for getting your bags there? I think British Air has a computerized baggage system that track the pieces. Most of the carriers in the US are suppossed to match baggage with passengers.

Unfortunately because of the TSA regs on locked bags you must ask for a visual inspection, then you can lock the bag.

Most US carriers insure for $600/bag, 1st Class passengers get $1250 I think.

Best to deal with their cust "service" dept.

Good luck

marc61 · Post by **marc61** » Sun Mar 14, 2004 8:49 am

Jared, If I read Shaun's post correctly, it was stolen during shipment to him after winning the auction.

Shaun, wasn't this insured?

jeff_ulmer · Post by **jeff_ulmer** » Sun Mar 14, 2004 9:01 am

I would hope the seller of the first bass had insurance on it, and had shipped it by a reputable shipper. I also assume he seller has proof he actually shipped it, and it wasn't just a bogus auction? Unfortunately, it is up to the shipper to file a claim of loss. If he doesn't, you should demand your money back and file whatever paperork is necessary. In the worst case, this could be mail fraud.

wints · Post by **wints** » Sun Mar 14, 2004 9:03 am

Shaun, welcome to the forum. I have taken basses between the U.S. and the U.K. and still have a couple to get back to U.S. They always fly with me. That,s a sad story about the V63. I know of a similar case where a very rare bass went missing originating at the U.K. end. It can and does happen... When I lived in the U.K. I had the same problem trying to find someone who knew enough about the basses to trust them to do work... Never did find anyone, but I think there,s a guy in Kent that comes recommended...That,s not an easy call. Maybe Owen or one other of the U.K. lads can give you a heads up...

henry5 · Post by **henry5** » Sun Mar 14, 2004 9:44 am

Hi guys, thanks for the replies, they're really appreciated. The bass was stolen before it ever got to me, and yes, it was insured with the US postal service(claim came through last week, one year after winning the bass!), but I'd still like to track the bass down, as it was gorgeous (and it was officially mine after all). I'm not sure where I'd stand now the insurance has been paid (I guess it may now officially belong to the US post?), but I'd still be very interested in finding out what happened to the bass, and in getting it back if possible (trust me, I'd far sooner have had the bass than the money!). I think I'd even be willing to buy it back! To add insult to injury, by the time the insurance came through the exchange rate had changed so much that I lost around $200 on the transaction! The seller has been incredibly helpful, and had just not shipped outside of the US before. I was also new to e-bay, so didn't know to insist on tracking. Bit of a sorry state of affairs all round! Something for buyers to be aware of....

All the best to everybody.

Cheers

Shaun

cheyenne · Post by **cheyenne** » Sun Mar 14, 2004 12:38 pm

Shaun, check your email.

henry5 · Post by **henry5** » Sun Mar 14, 2004 1:02 pm

Thanks very much for that Scott; it appears I'm in good hands here.

All the best

Shaun

paul_yan · Post by **paul_yan** » Sun Mar 14, 2004 1:50 pm

Welcome, Shaun.
Yes you're definitely in good hands here.

Good luck on getting her back!

henry5 · Post by **henry5** » Sun Mar 14, 2004 1:54 pm

Hi Paul

Your comments are much appreciated!

I must admit I don't hold out a lot of hope though...but I suppose you never know.

Cheers

Shaun

dminer · Post by **dminer** » Sun Mar 14, 2004 4:58 pm

Welcome Shuan and that's a real Drag about the USPS loosing your bass. I do know that once a year in Alabama somewhere the U.S. Post Office sells off a years worth of unclaimed packages (which they've opened and inspected) someone might get quite a deal on your bass if it was just misplaced/lost by the P.O.

big_g · Post by **big_g** » Mon Mar 15, 2004 3:17 am

There is a place in Alabama where all the airlines in the continental U.S. sell of all there lost goods at pennies to the pound to be resold out of this store.
It's in Scottsboro, AL and is called Unclaimed Baggage. Stories about it have appeared in all the major media at sometime or another here in the states. I saw an article in the N.Y. Times online; all the major networks have run a special interest story on it at one time.

I don't know about USPS clearing lost items through somewhere in Alabama, but if they were contracting with a carrier for air freight, which they do, it might have gone there. I wouldn't count on it still being there though, now that so many stories have been done on Unclaimed Baggage, it does quite brisk business.
I used to live about 20 miles from it, I live about 60 miles now, and have been there several times.

rictified · Post by **rictified** » Mon Mar 15, 2004 10:59 am

Shaun, how did you get the USPS to ship a bass? I was told mine was too long to ship and had to ship it to England by UPS (which was far more expensive.
I once flew to Lima Perú and my bass flew to Brazil, I got it back a week later. They were going to pay for it (supposedly)

henry5 · Post by **henry5** » Mon Mar 15, 2004 11:04 am

Thanks for your input guys, I really appreciate it. I guess that given the time elapsed since it disappeared (the best part of a year), it's unlikely to be there now. What a bummer! It somehow doesn't seem right that someone might be sat playing my bass grinning at the great price he got it for! Still, that's life I guess!

All the best

Shaun

henry5 · Post by **henry5** » Mon Mar 15, 2004 11:09 am

Bob, you must've posted at the same time as me! The seller shipped it and arranged everything (I've seen copies of the documentation) so I don't really know. Maybe that's why it never arrived! Seriously,I wish I'd had it shipped UPS; I might actually be sat playing it now.

I bet you were panicking when your bass disappeared! Nice to hear the story had a happy ending though.

Cheers
Shaun