Yamaha M06 Synth Serial number UALY01550

Ibanez Bass – Charcoal Brown Serial Number 090145530

Akai MPK49 Keyboard Serial Number – Unknown

M Audio Axiom 25 Keyboard Serial Number – Unknown

Police Report  – 09-014693

Killeen TX Police (254) 501-8830

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

This equipment has been reported stolen. If you see these items, 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.

Our goal at Gearsecure.net has always been to have a web site that serves both community and business, and gives greater functionality and exposure to our core purpose of loss prevention and recovery. The site as it exists now has been successful at developing community and awareness, but it is now time to take the next step and build our planned web application. We need your help in funding this, and our exposure in the industry. We’re asking for a small donation of only $5 towards our goal of $5,000. Click the “Donate” button to give via paypal.

A band’s van was broken into in Hollywood, CA.

Stolen was a Gibson SG Standard in natural Serial number 00045572, and an Ernie Ball Stingray 4 string rosewood fingerboard, black finish moonstone serial number E50660.

Police report pending.

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

This equipment has been reported stolen. If you see these items, 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.

Stolen from a retail store in Visalia, CA.

Neumann U87a set, taken without box.

Serial number: 101084

Visalia police report 09-16310

Visalia Police (559) 734-8116‎

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

This equipment has been reported stolen. If you see these items, 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.

A Markbass PF110 D23 Little Mark Tube 800 was stolen from a store in Aurora IL. The serial number is RU400152.

Police contact: Aurora IL Police Dept.

630-859-1700

Police Report number 09-23780

Keep an eye out.

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

This equipment has been reported stolen. If you see these items, 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.

An unfortunate store bought this Counterfeit Ibanez Jem in the other day. This is about a $2,600 guitar, and so the store just lost a lot of money buying an unsellable copy. We present these photos for you to study, hoping you can avoid the same fate. These could walk into your store or be sold on eBay or Craigslist as genuine, so beware.

Side by side, they look pretty good, right? Want to try to guess which is which?

(its on the right)

We’ll start with the most obvious detail, the serial number. Compare a real Jem on the right to the fake, on the left. Click for larger images.

Real

Fake

First thing you notice is, there is no serial number on the fake, much less any actual standard graphics, just a shoddy printed model number. This should have been a HUGE warning sign to this store. Any name brand guitar that is $2,600 should have a serial number. It is that simple. Even the name brand guitars that are $100 have a serial.

Significantly, you’ll also notice the fake’s tuning machines read “Ibanez” while the real ones are Gotohs. I’m not sure if they always used Gotohs or not, but the example is a current issue. You’ll also see the fake lacks the bolts that hold down the lock nut, and if you’re really observant, you’ll notice that the points on the far left of the real one are actually separate pieces of wood, while the fake is made from one piece.

Real

Fake

Do you notice how the monkey grip is routed differently? On the real one, it is square and only as thick as the top edge of the guitar. The fake ignores this and follows the contours of the body.

The next significant details is the pickups. First, very hard to show in a picture, the real one has “DiMarzio” inset into the top of them, but not colored in any way.

Other than that, check out these two pictures focusing on the pickups.

Real

Fake

Notice the middle pickup? The real one has normal slug style pole pieces, while the fake has gold poles. This is a common tell on fakes, something I’ve seen on at least two different fakes.Also notice the knobs. The fake has the more fancy gold knurled knobs, the real one has simple plastic white knobs. If you refer bak to the top pictures, you’ll see that the spacing of the knobs is also off.

Just a couple more things to look at on this one. The Bridge is important.

Real

Fake

The fake has a standard Floyd Rose, while the Ibanez has an Ibanez specific lo-pro edge trem. Accept no imitations.

Last one, the Headstock.

Real

Fake

Notice the “Jem” script? On the real one, it’s slim and elegant. On the fake, it’s the same font, but somebody hit the “bold” button.

These are some examples of how to tell the difference on a fake Jem, but it is only one of many fakes from many different factories out there. These are just some of the things you should look for.

Houston Police Department (713) 308-0900

Police Report 008672809 B

Vox Ultrasonic V268 circa 1967-1968

Sunburst – 335 style hollow body

Serial number: Unknown

Built in effects – Fuzz, Repeater, Treble/Bass Boost, E tuner, Hand wah

- Several finish cracks

- Body separate near the rear strap peg

- Original high “E” tuning peg

- Missing 3 or 4 original snaps for the back pad

- Missing back pad

- Non-original bridge (Univox 70′s)

- Non-original bridge mount

- Reflector cap missing from the Tone 1 knob

- All functional except E tuner

Vox Invader V262 – Sunburst – circa 1967 – 1968

Serial Number: 390705

Mosrite body

Built in effects same as Ultrasonic

- Back on neck has a gouge in it at the 13th fret

- back pad has tear in it

- Treble/Bass Boost knob is chipped

- E tuner does not work.

Ventura Les Paul Copy – Gold Sparkle circa 1970′s

Serial Number: Unknown

- All original – In good condition.

- Small chip near cutaway

Reverend Rocco Black/White circa early 2000

Serial Number: Unknown (Hand written – begins with “Z”)

Body shape similar to Fender Mustang

- Body made from plastic foam core

- Two coil tap switches

- Back of body has one inch diameter hole

- High “E” Tuner slightly bent

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

This equipment has been reported stolen. If you see these items, 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.

Our goal at Gearsecure.net has always been to have a web site that serves both community and business, and gives greater functionality and exposure to our core purpose of loss prevention and recovery. The site as it exists now has been successful at developing community and awareness, but it is now time to take the next step and build our planned web application. We need your help in funding this, and our exposure in the industry. We’re asking for a small donation of only $5 towards our goal of $5,000. Click the “Donate” button to give via paypal.

We have received a few questions about listing thefts retroactively.

Yes. Absolutely.

Give us the information – Description of the gear stolen, serial numbers, police report number, and the police department where the report was filed – and we will contact the police in that area to see if the case has been resolved.

If the case has not been resolved, the equipment in question is STILL CONSIDERED STOLEN. We will be more than happy to add these cases to our listings.

Our goal at Gearsecure.net has always been to have a web site that serves both community and business, and gives greater functionality and exposure to our core purpose of loss prevention and recovery. The site as it exists now has been successful at developing community and awareness, but it is now time to take the next step and build our planned web application. We need your help in funding this, and our exposure in the industry. We’re asking for a small donation of only $5 towards our goal of $5,000. Click the “Donate” button to give via paypal.