docthomas - Posted - 06/30/2011:  11:06:14

Our house in Nashville was broken into Tuesday (6/28) and among other things my banjo, a Hatfield Special (Walnut) SN 8200602000-10, was stolen.  Just wanted to put it out there in case anyone comes across it. 

Edited by - docthomas on 07/13/2011 06:06:37

beegee - Posted - 06/30/2011:  11:15:06

quote:

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Originally posted by docthomas

Our house in Nashville was broken into Tuesday (6/28) and among other things my banjo, a Hatfield Special (Walnut) SN 8200602000-10, was stolen.  Just wanted to put it out there in case anyone comes across it. 

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Do you have any pictures you can post in case someone recognizes it?

eagleisland - Posted - 06/30/2011:  11:32:11

Grrrrrr.  Here's hoping there's a special spot in Hell for banjo thieves, and that anyone who steals a Hatfield gets a spot especially close to the furnace.

The good news is that Hatfield banjos are a sufficiently rare and specialized item that used ones coming on the market almost invariably get noticed.  It ain't like we're talking a mid-80s Gibson here.  Make sure you contact all the pawn shops within a hundred miles or so, keep your eye on eBay and anywhere else the crook might seek to dispose of it...

Wishing you the very best of luck in its recovery!  Keep us advised, and I'm sure that every Hatfield fan out there will keep their eyes and ears peeled.  I know I will...

Bruce4501 - Posted - 06/30/2011:  11:36:26

Christian,

I have put out the alert to some local banjo folks, including a big Hatfield fan friend of mine.  He cruises the pawn shops in town and has a good chance of spotting it.

I will also keep an eye open for it as banjos of that quality would really stand out.

Have you put in a call to Gruhn............just in case they are smart enough to know what they have and try to sell it there?  You might want to let Arthur know as well in case they tried contacting him to see what it might sell for.  I know those are long shots, but might be worth pursuing!

Good luck!

Bruce

Bruce4501 - Posted - 06/30/2011:  11:46:55

p.s.  I just checked Craig's list and did not see anything new on their yet.

Bruce

lespik - Posted - 06/30/2011:  12:15:59

I hate to hear that. Hopefully all of your possessions, not just the Hatfield, can be found & returned soon.

eagleisland - Posted - 06/30/2011:  12:25:26

quote:

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Originally posted by lespik

I hate to hear that. Hopefully all of your possessions, not just the Hatfield, can be found & returned soon.

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If they are, my bet is that the banjo will be the lead the brings home the rest.

mikey5string - Posted - 06/30/2011:  17:15:20

quote:

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Originally posted by eagleisland

quote:

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Originally posted by lespik

I hate to hear that. Hopefully all of your possessions, not just the Hatfield, can be found & returned soon.

 

If they are, my bet is that the banjo will be the lead the brings home the rest.

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I agree. Anyone who would buy the banjo has to have some connection to the bluegrass scene/banjo hangout. Keep checking pawn shops & craigslist. If you have any acquaintances with ties to the criminal/drug/dive bar scene ask them to keep an eye out for it. Check with teachers in the area for the next few months. Someone might have bought it for real cheap without knowing it was stolen and might want to learn to play it.



A lot of burglaries are for drug $$ and the thief will be looking to sell it quick. Pawn shops are a favorite also shady retail fronts & ebay/craiglist etc. Althoguh I think ebay is a little too much of a process to make a quick buck.

slou92 - Posted - 06/30/2011:  19:00:45

I'm sad to hear this, I hope it all works out for you.

Arthur Hatfield - Posted - 06/30/2011:  19:46:20

Shouldn't be as hard to locate as some others that have built  so many banjos since there are only around 200 serial numbered Hatfield banjos and only 35 Special models, and I can think of 2 right off  that went to another country. However there are a few more walnut ones out there but they will say custom in the block because they were ordered with some change from standard such as a different inlay pattern etc. My guess would be that the person or persons who stole it will not keep it to play themselves unless they would be someone who never takes their banjo out of the house.

SJL - Posted - 06/30/2011:  20:21:48

It is festival season too, I wouldn't be surprised if it turned up at a Festival and the "owner" "just might be willing to part with it if the price is right". That is probably much less traceable than a craigslist or Kijiji ad or trying to sell it to Pawn it or sell it to a music store.

I hope they catch them and that you get more than just your banjo back.

pipefitter61 - Posted - 06/30/2011:  20:23:51

Yep, My truck NEVER passes a pawn shop, so if they have it... I'll find it. Problem is, if they pawned it, they won't offer it for sale for 90-120 days. Get a list and call every one of them around the area. If that don't help. Call my friend Brady down at the pawn shop detail in Metro. He has ways of making pawn shops talk! Most of them are crooked as a snake's A$$, and will lie to you about the flavor of gum in their mouth. If they have to give YOU the banjo back. THEY lose $$$$$$$$. So they are not always honest and upfront about having taken in stolen merchandise. If I can help ya...Let me know.

Frisco Fred - Posted - 06/30/2011:  21:05:08

This is a link to Hatfield Banjo's... the Walnut Special

hatfieldbanjos.com/special.asp

I presume docthomas' looks like the one in this link

Edited by - Frisco Fred on 06/30/2011 21:08:57

banjotom2 - Posted - 06/30/2011:  21:50:31

Home owner's insurance.... home owner's insurance... home owner's insurance...

Call your agent immediately...

Get a police report filed, etc., just like with a car accident...

It's the only way you'll be covered...

And hopefully the insurance company can properly value-access your loss...

Tom

banjotom2.com

Edited by - banjotom2 on 06/30/2011 21:50:56

Bruce4501 - Posted - 07/01/2011:  05:21:51

Christian,

Any distinguishing marks on your banjo? (ie scratches, chips etc?)

I know you had that finish issue on the neck from leaving the capo on there.  Did that leave any marks that would help ID it?

Bruce 

docthomas - Posted - 07/01/2011:  05:40:31

Thanks for the suggestions and help.  The neck was repaired and looked great, although I think there was a slight mark from a capo on the peghead, just a line where the finish was a little rough.  Other than that it looks just like the pictures on Arthur's website  hatfieldbanjos.com/special.asp 

Ronnie - Posted - 07/01/2011:  12:01:58

Police report, YES!  A guitar was recently stolen from my home in Jackson, TN.  An alert local pawnbroker friend was able to rescue it for me. Here in TN, by law, a pawnbroker must make and retain a copy of the party's photo ID. Police were also able to quickly apprehend the thief and bring him to justice. The crack-head had no idea how to play a musical instrument and pawned our 1960's Epi EC-25 for $20.

(I gladly gave my pawnbroker friend $20 so he wouldn't be out the money. He did lose some time from work testifying in court, though)

A Hatfield shouldn't be that hard to spot!! Hope it comes home soon in good condition.

Edited by - Ronnie on 07/05/2011 07:48:30

docthomas - Posted - 07/01/2011:  12:04:34

quote:

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Originally posted by Ronnie

Police report, YES!  A guitar was recently stolen from my home in Jackson, TN.  An alert local pawnbroker friend was able to rescue it for me. Here in TN, by law, a pawnbroker must make and retain a copy of the party's photo ID. Police were also able to quickly apprehend the thief and bring him to justice.

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That's good to hear.

sprocter - Posted - 07/01/2011:  18:29:42

I bet it turns up. Banjo players are a good group and I bet most players are on here.

Slingerland - Posted - 07/01/2011:  19:54:15

I know this ad says it is a different model, but it could be worth a phone call to get more information, just in case. It is located about 250 miles from Nashville.

tuscaloosa.craigslist.org/msg/...8019.html">http:// tuscaloosa.craigslist.org/msg/...8019.html

Edited by - Slingerland on 07/01/2011 19:54:42

BobbyE - Posted - 07/01/2011:  20:01:44

Probably a good time to remind ourselves to take pictures of our instruments with any identifying marks and serial numbers.  Also don't leave your purchase papers in your banjo's case.  If you buy used ask the seller to issue you a receipt and to include any paperwork that he or she received from the person or store  they bought the banjo from.  Just a thought.

Bobby

dmiller - Posted - 07/01/2011:  20:28:20

quote:

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Originally posted by Slingerland

I know this ad says it is a different model, but it could be worth a phone call to get more information, just in case. It is located about 250 miles from Nashville.

 

tuscaloosa.craigslist.org/msg/...8019.html">http:// tuscaloosa.craigslist.org/msg/...8019.html

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Maybe this craigslist link will work?  (without the extra "http://")

http://tuscaloosa.craigslist.org/msg/2470738019.html

 

Ronnie - Posted - 07/01/2011:  22:03:26

I will certainly be on the lookout. I am visiting in the Nashville area right now, and will look around in west TN when I get home.

Slingerland - Posted - 07/01/2011:  22:35:34

Thanks, I don't know how that extra http:// got in there.

mastertone250 - Posted - 07/04/2011:  20:46:55

Ive done called all my pickin buddies in tenn., there on alert. Im so sorry this happend to you, i have a Hatfield special and couldnt imagine the horror if it got stolen. I think it will turn up, like they have all said, theres not to many around, so it could be found easier.

TXhookey - Posted - 07/05/2011:  05:56:54

Check the local pawn shops and/or music stores.  Most states will return the property to the rightful owner if they can prove it is theirs.  A receipt and knowledge of the S/N should be enough.  This actually carries over to the purchaser in Texas.  My Dad bought a pretty decent camera from a pawn shop and a week later the Police called and took it.  I'm not sure how they traced it, but the owner got it back and the pawn shop did not have to pay my Dad back.  Hope you get it back.

coelhoe - Posted - 07/05/2011:  07:57:09

Boy, hard to predict. Had a pal have Gibson bow-tie flathead stolen from his apartment in Copenhagen, and it turned up twelve years later in South Africa. Believe it or not, he actually got it back, but it was in terrible shape.

Arthur Hatfield - Posted - 07/12/2011:  10:09:03

Christian, Call us asap

Arthur Hatfield - Posted - 07/12/2011:  17:42:38

Wonderful news today a man from Nashville called Bev today and was wanting to know about our Hatfield Special and he was wanting to know if they had serial numbers and told her that he found one on the side of the road it was out of the case but the case was beside of it. So she told him of the one that had been stolen from docthomas and compared the serial numbers and it was his. She got his name and number and got ahold of docthomas so he could go pick up his banjo. There is still some good honest people in this world.

dmiller - Posted - 07/12/2011:  18:41:09

On  - - The - - Side - - Of - - The - - Road??!!?!    UN-BE-LIEV-ABLE!

If I ever meet the finder of that Special, drinks are on me all night long!  

docthomas - Posted - 07/13/2011:  05:15:49

As Arthur mentioned someone found the banjo along a ditch along the side of the road.  Beverly called me and gave me his name and number and I went and picked it up yesterday afternoon -- I was too busy pickin' to post yesterday.  He said he was driving his tractor and so he was going pretty slow and saw the case so he stopped and picked it up and then looked around and found the banjo.  It was missing the resonator but we went back and found it (with a bit of water in it).  It looks like they threw the case and banjo out separately and the banjo landed on the resonator so that may have to be replaced but, other than that and a small scuff on the peghead, everything else looks just fine.  

RB100 - Posted - 07/13/2011:  06:05:07

quote:

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Originally posted by docthomas

As Arthur mentioned someone found the banjo along a ditch along the side of the road.  Beverly called me and gave me his name and number and I went and picked it up yesterday afternoon -- I was too busy pickin' to post yesterday.  He said he was driving his tractor and so he was going pretty slow and saw the case so he stopped and picked it up and then looked around and found the banjo.  It was missing the resonator but we went back and found it (with a bit of water in it).  It looks like they threw the case and banjo out separately and the banjo landed on the resonator so that may have to be replaced but, other than that and a small scuff on the peghead, everything else looks just fine.  

 

 

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Great news that you are re-united with that Hatfield banjo! Now, this banjo begins to join the lore and legend of Ol' Ugly (and others)! I tell you, Arthur puts some special karma on each of those Burton Ridge Road creations!

Bill

lespik - Posted - 07/13/2011:  07:42:27

Now isn't that a twist of fate ? I am glad you got it back !

montanamike - Posted - 07/13/2011:  08:01:24

What great news... I have been watching this thread carefully as the Hatfield Special is my chosen go to banjo...

I am glad it is returning home.

rickshunter1 - Posted - 07/13/2011:  08:59:06

Now thats a great ending to a tragic story there are some good people left in this world and the man who found it should be recognized for his honesty.

BobCu - Posted - 07/13/2011:  09:15:47

Good news and even better luck.  Amazing.  Guess it was a crack head or someone like that - Arthur can always do some repair work if necessary on the resonator, and now you have a heck of a tail to tell with the banjo.  Glad to hear your good fortune.

Edited by - BobCu on 07/13/2011 09:16:22

Banjophobic - Posted - 07/13/2011:  09:18:23

Anyone who would do that to a quality banjo like Authurs should be publicly flogged.

lazyarcher - Posted - 07/13/2011:  10:23:53

quote:

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Originally posted by docthomas

As Arthur mentioned someone found the banjo along a ditch along the side of the road.   He said he was driving his tractor and so he was going pretty slow and saw the case so he stopped and picked it up and then looked around and found the banjo. 

 

 

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Poor guy probably thought he found something....then he saw what it was and thought...

"...crap...not another banjo..."

John Allison - Posted - 07/13/2011:  11:02:25

Great news ..... glad to hear it!

John Allison - Posted - 07/13/2011:  11:02:26

Great news ..... glad to hear it!

TnFrosty - Posted - 07/13/2011:  13:15:56

quote:

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Originally posted by Banjophobic

Anyone who would do that to a quality banjo like Authurs should be publicly flogged.

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Right on brother!

Glad ya got it back!

Bruce4501 - Posted - 07/13/2011:  14:20:09

AMAZING!!!

Great news!!!

Bruce

davepicks5 - Posted - 07/13/2011:  15:19:32

Wonderful news......I feel a song title coming.....

I'd Rather Pick, by the Side of the Road.......no wait , that title won't work  

Reminds me of when Ralph's style 5 was stolen from backstage at Bean Blossom and was later found when a guy was picked up along the road still attached to the banjo.....

David

thecirclebroke - Posted - 07/13/2011:  18:19:00

Why would anyone do that to such a fine instrument!!! Ugh, the world we live in!!!

Really happy you got your banjo back but it's awful what they did to it!

Edited by - thecirclebroke on 07/13/2011 18:19:31

dgill - Posted - 07/13/2011:  18:36:09

  Great news and I am very glad to got your banjo back.  I agree with john Boulding.  Flogged, flogged I say!!!

BNJOMAKR - Posted - 07/14/2011:  03:02:53

quote:

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Originally posted by docthomas

As Arthur mentioned someone found the banjo along a ditch along the side of the road.  Beverly called me and gave me his name and number and I went and picked it up yesterday afternoon -- I was too busy pickin' to post yesterday.  He said he was driving his tractor and so he was going pretty slow and saw the case so he stopped and picked it up and then looked around and found the banjo.  It was missing the resonator but we went back and found it (with a bit of water in it).  It looks like they threw the case and banjo out separately and the banjo landed on the resonator so that may have to be replaced but, other than that and a small scuff on the peghead, everything else looks just fine.  

 

 

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 Hatfield banjos... Take a pitchin' and keeps on pickin' !!!

Glad you got it back!!!  I never found my banjo stolen in 1993.

Marvin

beegee - Posted - 07/14/2011:  08:07:09

Not a comment on Arthur's banjo, but I have a vision of a thief opening a banjo case, thinking he might have found a tommy-gun or an electric guitar or something, then discovering it was a banjo! Whoa! Get that thang outta here!! And out the window it goes.

Glad the banjo was recovered. Too bad they can't find the thief and cut his hands off.

banjoken - Posted - 07/14/2011:  08:14:17

Great news!!!!

Just a thought, but I am guessing that we are dealing with a professional thief that opened the banjo looking for a serial number to see if he could sell it without getting caught.

steve davis - Posted - 07/14/2011:  08:14:55

Happy endings are nice.