GUITAR RODEO WAS BURGLARIZED 5-1-12, NEARLY EVERYTHING GONE

[CodeBlueEMT]

 Jim, sorry to hear about your loss. I peruse CL daily, and always check any Taylor's (adding Santa Cruz) listed. I'm in North Carolina, but you never know where these guitars might show up.

 Unfortunately, crimes like this are on the rise. My co-worker's home was burglarized this past Monday. Those amateurs were caught the same day and she got all of her stuff back. The violation of one's home or place of business is difficult to stomach.

"Stuff" can be replaced. I'm glad no one was hurt.

 

 

[gerald germany]

This really does suck. Jim, I'm sorry for your trouble, man. I'll keep an eye out. I hope they catch these guys quickly, recover all of the stolen property, and slam the steel door behind these low-lifes and throw away the key.

[Edward]

...I guess that we could all be detectives and start looking for the guys trying to buy 40 Taylor cases!

You know, this is a VERY good point!  I've bought inexpensive guits w/o cases or with a cheap gigbag in the past without thought.  But with a higher-end guit, there is NO reason that a seller should be selling w/o a case at all, regardless of whatever story he concocts.  Good tip off and something that is a real redflag!!

Edward

[Captain Jim]

So sorry to hear about this.  Hopefully, the scum that did this will get a nick on their finger from a string at the headstock and get gangrene!    Sorry, was that harsh?

It is heartening to see competitors, customers, the guitar makers, and potential customers pulling together to try to bring the scum to justice.

Captain Jim

[gitgal]

Sorry to hear this news.  I do hope the guitars are recovered soon.

[mea1970]

Makes me sick to my stomach. Yes, I hope these lowlifes are caught. Stealing the fruits of so many folks' labor. Disgusting.

[egkor]

Thinking about this theft:

These thieves don't appear to be too bright.

High-end guitars without cases, now if they want to convert these to cash, its going to be obvious something is suspect because of "no case" or "wrong case".  I mean, a dread will fit any dread case, I think a GA shape will fit any dread case, but what about a GS & Jumbo shapes?  IMHO these would be hard to sell just because of the no or wrong case issue.

And, with no cases, did these guitars get dinged up when they were taken since the theives were in a hurry and had to put them in their getaway vehicle (I assume truck)?

So you either have a hard time to sell them, or you keep them but never take them out into public ...

Just stupid, stupid, stupid.

I don't see how this will end well for the theives or anyone that buys these guitars.

I hope the guitars start turning up, leading back to the theives (for arrest/etc.).

-Gary K

[Maynard9089]

I suspect these items may be headed out of the US. Im thinking north to Canada or even Europe or Asia. Sadly there are people who would knowingly buy these at greatly reduced prices despite being stolen. Hopefully someone will slip up and a serial number will pop up somewhere that will allow authorities to track it to the original thieves.

[coldshot]

Will definitely keep my eyes open over here in oz, not that I'd expect them to turn up here but you never know. Jim was your 35th anniversary Taylor GS cocobolo amongst them. That would be very difficult to move un noticed.

[not darth]

Will definitely keep my eyes open over here in oz, not that I'd expect them to turn up here but you never know. Jim was your 35th anniversary Taylor GS cocobolo amongst them. That would be very difficult to move un noticed.

I dunno, I think it's quite likely these guitars may be sent to the other side of the world - thieves may assume that's a safer bet.  But, with the worldwide Taylor/guitar-afficianado family, they can run but they won't be able to hide forever. 

I've noticed members here and at other forums from Oz, SE Asia, Europe, Canada and Africa - word will get around and eyes will be kept peeled.
-K

[Steve]

Unfortunately, the reality is that stolen instruments are rarely recovered.

In this case, the fact that the guitars don't have cases will make it more difficult to sell them. Let's face it, how many people here would buy, say, an 814ce without a case? The fact that they don't have cases will also likely translate into some level of damage to the guitars.

Now, it sounds like the thieves are pros. That's going to make things a lot more difficult. They've probably got mechanisms in place to move the stolen guitars. If they're pros, these guitars aren't going to start popping up in pawn shops and flea markets in Minneapolis or St. Paul. They'll start showing up in places like Denver or Phoenix or Nashville.

Thieves suck...

[jon@myfavoriteguitars]

Having been friends and picking buddies with Jim for over 40 years, I know he will deal with this adversity and move on with a positive outlook.  That's what makes him who he is.  And who he is - is a great person.  So sorry this happened - but hank goodness he was insured and also that no one was hurt in this awful enterprise.  All will be well, Jim - hang in there!
Best,
Jon & Sharon

[Gutch]

Have been off line a couple days and just read this horrible news.  I'm so sorry to hear...

[Cindy]

I am so sorry to hear about this and hope law enforcement will catch the culprits and be able to recover the guitars.

Jim, you are such a wonderful person and an awesome businessman, and I will keep you in my prayers. Josh, thanks for offering to get the serial numbers to post and sticky. That will really be an asset to tracking these beauties!

[Big DB]

IF the thieves are/were pros, I wouldn't be surprised if the guitars are already out of the country. 

Not to be negative about the situation, it would almost be better for Jim that the guitars are not recovered.  If they were hastily taken without cases, the chances of them having dings and dents, etc. are high.  If recovered I know I would not want to buy a "new" guitar that was stolen and had cosmetic damages.  Would they even be able to be sold as new or would they be issued a salvage title like cars?  By not being recovered, he can replace the stolen items with brand new fresh inventory with the insurance payout.

Regardless of what happens, the whole situation sucks and I am sorry to have to read about it.