Bryan and Michael are both writers and media creators who run a number of sites and podcasts. We like to promote the bands of the people that follow us. One of the ways we do this is to put music into our other projects and promote our followers. If you’re interested, please send an email to bryan (at) gearsecure.net.

There have been a number of reports of high end Les Paul guitars stolen from stores across the Eastern Seaboard. I have a couple of reports pending.

Be wary of new high end guitars being sold via on-line sites without original cases or certificates. Do your due diligence when making buying decisions.

Please follow us at twitter.com/gearsecure, myspace.com/gearsecure or facebook for updates.

Location: A residence in Baytown TX

Ibanez ART300 Black Caiman
Serial Number: 1201s08030809
Note: Sticker on back reads: “Make me a Sandwich”

Also taken: Ibanez SZ520QM Gold Amber Burst (no serial number available) with Zakk Wylde EMG pickups, “KR” engraved on backplate, sticker on back reads: “It’s way strong”and a Crate Powerblock Amp Head.

Contact: Harris County Sheriff
Officer Lobos
(713) 221-6000
Case Number: HC09000472

This instrument has been reported stolen. If you see this instrument, think of your safety first. We advise you not to purchase the item from anyone claiming to be the owner. If you feel safe with pursuing it further, contact your local law enforcement, referencing the above case number.

Please follow us at twitter.com/gearsecure, myspace.com/gearsecure or facebook for updates.

Update: As of 09-24-09 San Antonio listed this case as Open.

These instruments are still considered to be stolen property.

Location: San Antonio, TX

Item: Musicman Luke Bahama Family Reserve
Serial Number: G42118
Note: Taken Without case

Item: Gibson Les Paul Standard Traditional Desert Burst
Serial Number: 012880445
Note: Taken without case

Item: Shechter 1604 Damien FR Black
Serial Number: 0704916

Item: Gibson Les Paul Double Cut Cherry Sunburst
Serial Number: 006770354
Note: Taken without case

Item: Cordoba 45FCE Acoustic-electric Flamenco Thinbody
Serial Number: 93109
Note: Taken without case

Item: Musicman Single Hum Pearl Black PG Sapphre Burst
Serial Number: G41969
Note: Taken without case

Location: Taken from a retail store
Time Frame: Between Late November and January

Contact: San Antonio Police Department
(210) 550-6946
Case Number: 90024781
Reported: 01-12-08

This instrument has been reported stolen. If you see this instrument, think of your safety first. We advise you not to purchase the item from anyone claiming to be the owner. If you feel safe with pursuing it further, contact your local law enforcement, referencing the above case number.

Please follow us at twitter.com/gearsecure, myspace.com/gearsecure or facebook for updates.

Update – As of 09-24-09 Monroe County listed this case as CLOSED due to lack of leads.

This means that the instrument is, to our knowledge, still stolen property.

Location: Rochester, NY
Item: Gibson Custom Shop Les Paul Alpine White
Serial Number: CS74451
Description: Was Taken without case

Location: Taken from a retail store

Contact: Officer J Davis
Monroe County Sheriff Police
(585) 753-4178
Case Number: 09-003415
Date Reported: 01-07-09

This instrument has been reported stolen. If you see this instrument, think of your safety first. We advise you not to purchase the item from anyone claiming to be the owner. If you feel safe with pursuing it further, contact your local law enforcement, referencing the above case number.

Please follow us at twitter.com/gearsecure, myspace.com/gearsecure or facebook for updates.

Our network is growing. You can now follow us at Twitter.com/gearsecure and on myspace.com/gearsecure.

I hope to have facebook, and a few other similar things going soon.

Several reasons. We have between us 15 years experience in this industry with many ties to stores, manufacturers, musicians, and local law enforcement. MI Retail is one of the few industries in which stolen equipment is both valuable and desireable, and retailers buy and sell used equipment. All of these create a market for used equipment that means occasionally a piece of stolen gear will walk into the door, or out the door. Either way, it benefits the business to do everything in its power to keep the loss due to theft to a minimum. We also recognize that instruments are like companions, and many depend on them to make a living.

We are focused on music equipment at the moment, but that can include home stereos, computers, video equipment, and much more. The most important part of listing is the serial number, so if it has a serial we can list it. We’d probably stop at something as large as a car, as there are much better things out there for cars, like law enforcement.

Loss affects the bottom line of any business. There are many ways that this database can reduce the loss of a retail business. It may help to recover a piece of equipment stolen from the store, or prevent a store from taking a loss by buying a piece of stolen equipment. There is also a significant customer service component to recovering a piece of equipment for an individual. We are working to enhance the benefits for retailers by giving extra features designed to help their businesses in more ways than just preventing loss. We even have planned a way for retailers to profit from participation.