Stolen Instruments

[Thomasford]

Hello guitar lovers and vendors,

Nearly 20 years ago (10/2003) I had 5 of my deeply loved guitars stolen by someone who simply broke into my apartment. All stolen guitars were reported to the police and are presumably still on record with them but I’ve decided to post the information here after scouring as much as I have been able to after 2 decades. 2 instruments i was able to recover through my own initiative and subsequent support from the police but the other 3 continue to be at large. Here is my list:

-1977 Gibson Les Paul Custom- wine red/ gold hardware. Fitted with gold strap locks and a Gibson logo’d black leather sling strap. Fitted with Seymour Duncan PAFs. VG condition when stolen. Was in original black hard shell case. Serial # 73467631

-1990(1989?) Gibson Les Paul Classic- honey burst. First year issue of this model with a couple of distinctive flaws/blemishes related to back of neck and pick guard. Original pickguard replaced by a plain cream colored guard but original was stored in original brown Gibson logo’d case. Was in excellent to near mint condition. No serial number recorded. 

-1993 Gibson SG ‘61 reissue. Cherry red mahogany finish. Mint condition when stolen. In brown OHSC with Gibson logo. Glass slide bottle w/plastic cap in case compartment.  Serial #92263392

Instruments were stolen from Thorndale, PA and likely went into Philadelphia. I continue to look on the internet via Craigslist, Ebay, and anywhere else that these guitars might resurface. Still nada and I’ve been reluctant to network just because of fear of tipping ‘current owners’ off. I simply want these instruments back and nothing else. Thanks for any assistance.

Thomas Ford

tsfman57@gmail.com

[sparquelito]

4 hours ago, Thomasford said:

Hello guitar lovers and vendors,

Nearly 20 years ago (10/2003) I had 5 of my deeply loved guitars stolen by someone who simply broke into my apartment. All stolen guitars were reported to the police and are presumably still on record with them but I’ve decided to post the information here after scouring as much as I have been able to after 2 decades. 2 instruments i was able to recover through my own initiative and subsequent support from the police but the other 3 continue to be at large. Here is my list:

-1977 Gibson Les Paul Custom- wine red/ gold hardware. Fitted with gold strap locks and a Gibson logo’d black leather sling strap. Fitted with Seymour Duncan PAFs. VG condition when stolen. Was in original black hard shell case. Serial # 73467631

-1990(1989?) Gibson Les Paul Classic- honey burst. First year issue of this model with a couple of distinctive flaws/blemishes related to back of neck and pick guard. Original pickguard replaced by a plain cream colored guard but original was stored in original brown Gibson logo’d case. Was in excellent to near mint condition. No serial number recorded. 

-1993 Gibson SG ‘61 reissue. Cherry red mahogany finish. Mint condition when stolen. In brown OHSC with Gibson logo. Glass slide bottle w/plastic cap in case compartment.  Serial #92263392

Instruments were stolen from Thorndale, PA and likely went into Philadelphia. I continue to look on the internet via Craigslist, Ebay, and anywhere else that these guitars might resurface. Still nada and I’ve been reluctant to network just because of fear of tipping ‘current owners’ off. I simply want these instruments back and nothing else. Thanks for any assistance.

Thomas Ford

tsfman57@gmail.com

Good morning, Thomasford.

I'll certainly be on the lookout.
God knows I spend enough time on Reverb and Craigslist, and prowling the pawn shops far and wide.

I myself lost a few guitars in a burglary  on Oahu.
It was late 2000, early 2001.
Also lost some handguns, wristwatches, and a museum replica broad sword.

Never had any luck recovering anything, though USAA Insurance did a decent job of paying up for the losses at the time.

Good luck in your quest.
I know that it can be doubly maddening when you lose cherished guitars in such a way.
(Anger-making for the loss, and also for the notion that some scum-bag actually broke into your flat and was walking around touching your things.)

We'll all be on the watch, sir.

😐

[merciful-evans]

Hi Thomas,

So sorry you got burgled. Unlikely that your guitars have crossed the pond so I will not be on high alert here in UK.

Do you have pictures of any of the 5? That might be helpful.

Welcome to the forum.

[duane v]

All my guitars have Apple Air tags strategically placed inside of them with Velcro.  Just make sure you can get to the device as you will need to change the battery in about 1.5 years.