Suppose someone stole my guitar and sold it. I'd be SOL and probably won't have a chance in hell of getting it back. If it were titled, wouldn't that discourage thieves? Couldn't someone start a title company and start issuing titles for instruments, say over $5000?

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You don't need a weatherman to know which way the wind blows - Robert A. Zimmerman

People steal cars.

Yeah but it's hard to resell a car without a title, and you can't really part out musical instruments.

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You don't need a weatherman to know which way the wind blows - Robert A. Zimmerman

Affix one those little electronic devices people implant in their pets inside the guitar body. Then you can call Animal Rescue if someone steals it.

If you start a system Kuan, let me know so I can start up "AxeFax" with a database of guitar registrations, serial number matches, major repairs and parts substitutions, total losses (any guitar played by Pete Townsend) and recalls.

What's a title anyway? Does it have to be govt. issued? All we need is a register correct? Would it be a legal document if I registerd someone's instrument and then issued a piece of paper with the serial number and owner's name?

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You don't need a weatherman to know which way the wind blows - Robert A. Zimmerman

I think it could be if it were initially issued by the manufacturer. Does your guitar have a serial number? Is that number on your purchase receipt? If so, is that roughly analogous to a title (except for transfer properties)? My Dad had a Gibson ES350 with a serial number which I inherited. Inheritance documents recorded the serial number, which I assume would qualify as proof of ownership.

If someone were buying an old ES350 do you think they'd care if it were stolen? If you couldn't sell it without a title and recording the transfer then thieves would think twice about stealing it.

My guitar is #59. That's all the serial number it has.

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You don't need a weatherman to know which way the wind blows - Robert A. Zimmerman

OK -- I see your point, but without a method of enforcement, it wouldn't work, would it? With cars, you get pulled over for doing something stupid and proof of ownership is determined by the officer. Who's gonna pull you over for a bad guitar riff?

hmm, if that happened, I'd be on death row . . .

Just like Corvettes and other cars, you have to make sure on vintage electric guitars that the serial numbers, such as they are, all match up. Fender instruments, because of their "bolt on" design, are frequently chopped and swapped over time. Take Clapton's original "Blackie" . . . that thing was made (more like patched together) out of 4 or 5 different Stratocasters.

My Dad's wasn't -- he bought it new in 1951. He was a professional jazz guitarist/vocalist and he always used that one guitar. When I inherited it, the frets were worn smooth.

If you are worried about a particular instrument you can insure it.

I do it with my trumpets and cornets,so does my pal Vince with his bass saxophone.
This came in handy last month when careless airline baggage handling crushed the upper stack keys on said sax.

Only worth it if you gig regularly and depend upon a particular instrument for $$$.

Of course if you have,say a vintage Martin 0028 or an early Fender Telly that you play infrequently the best thing to do is keep it safe and secure.

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