Dan Mazer, widely known as BanjerDan, reports a stolen banjo – his customized Deering GDL model, last seen at 18th and Varnum Streets in Washington, DC on October 18.

Mazer describes it as follows:

“Description: Deering 5-string banjo, GDL model, walnut neck and resonator. The word “Mazertone” is inlaid at the 21st fret.

The banjo is in a worn Deering case with some stickers on it. The case handle has been replaced with bungee cords.

Reward offered for safe return – no questions asked! Please call Dan Mazer at 202-489-3028.”

Here is another stolen instrument alert, from Bob Gray who lives near Albuquerque, NM. His home was burglarized last week (10/14) and two very valuable mandolins were taken.

Bob offers detailed descriptions of the two instruments:

Monteleone Grand Artist No. 63, heavy wear on top on scroll and lower bout (naturally distressed by 28 years of playing). The finish is partially worn down to bare wood in these areas. No pickguard. Most of finish worn off the back of the neck. Housed in a green Pegasus case with green velvet lining. Label inside signed “John Monteleone” with serial number 63 written in blue ink.

2005 John Sullivan custom F. John did not put his name on the peghead, but it is stamped on the truss rod cover. No finish on neck. It is signed on the inside back “John Sullivan 2005.” Abbreviated pickguard. Has a double torch inlay on the headstock. Housed in a cream colored Pegasus case with green velvet lining.

Here are some photos he provided.

He has offered a reward of $1,000 to anyone who can help him retrieve these prized mandolins, and can be reached by phone (505-379-1732) or email.

Wonderful news! The instruments and electronic gear stolen from Randy Kohrs and his band near Columbus, OH on July 25 have been recovered, and several men are in police custody.

As we reported on 7/26, Randy and the band regretfully neglected to take the instruments from the van into their hotel rooms after performing at the Musicians Against Childhood Cancer festival, as they were normally accustomed to doing. They were dog tired and had planned to only sleep a few hours before returning to Nashville the next morning.

The theft was reported to the local Obetz, OH police who were unable to collect any fingerprints or forensic evidence from the vehicle. Kohrs’ fiddler and road manager Ashley Brown spread word about the theft far and wide, with hopes that these highly distinctive instruments might be easily recognizable when offered on the secondary market.

On July 31, three of Randy’s resophonic guitars were sold to pawn shops in nearby Columbus. Obetz detectives quickly located the seller, who was not involved in the actual theft, but was able to provide police with information that led to the apprehension of the thieves.

Brown tells us that…

“They learned through this suspect, however, that the next to be sold were the two missing violins and pawn shops in the area were put on alert.

Two days later, a third pawn shop contacted the police as men were attempting to sell the anticipated instruments and stalled them until law enforcement arrived. This ultimately lead to the discovery of the majority of the remaining stolen items.

Special thanks go out to all the detectives involved:  Franklin County Det. Jeff Reed, and the Columbus Police Department’s Det. Ron Turner, Det. J.B. Summers, Det. Steve Nate, and Det. Robert Hoffman.”

Police are not prepared to release the names of the suspects until they are formally charges, sometime this next week. Six counts of 4th degree felony are anticipated in this case.

Their personal effects and a GPS unit were not recovered, but Brown and Kohrs both expressed great relief and satisfaction at having the tools of their trade returned unharmed. Ashley said that one of her fiddles was still in tune!

As any insurance agent will tell you, it is crucially important to have multiple photos of any valuable musical instruments – along with serial numbers – in a safe place should this unfortunate occasion arise.

Hats off to all involved in bringing this case to such a quick and gratifying conclusion.

Randy Kohrs was among the artists who generously donated their time this past weekend to perform at the Musicians Against Childhood Cancer festival near Columbus, OH. Proceeds from this annual event benefit the St. Judes Children’s Research Hospital in Memphis, and dozens of bluegrass artists appear each year, receiving only expenses as a fee.

On Saturday night (7/25), after performing on the show, the band headed for the Sleep Inn in nearby Obetz, OH. Dog-tired and only expecting to sleep for a few hours, they chose not to unload the van before heading in for some rest, as was their common practice. Sometime between 3:30 and 5:00 a.m., thieves broke into their travel van and stole almost everything inside.

Ashley Brown, fiddler and media liaison for The Randy Kohrs Band, tells us that the total value of the gear taken has been estimated at over $50,000.

“This hotel is one that the artists are put up in for the festival and the parking lot was full of band vans and trailers, many containing musical gear. Ours was the only one broken into, though a construction company’s work truck parked next to us was also hit. The Obetz police were called and a detective processed the van.  Because it was such a high dollar amount, it’s considered grand theft. Unfortunately, there were no security cameras at the hotel.”

Ashley provided a list of the instruments and equipment stolen from their vehicle:

• Scheerhorn L-Body Resonator guitar #547
• Amistar Randy Kohrs Model tri-cone resonator
• Meredith all blonde, tongue-oiled maple resonator guitar
• Mike Long D-18 style acoustic guitar
• Custom Cedar Creek Case for the Meredith ‚Äì black alligator, inside is purple, has “Custom Built for Randy Kohrs” plate
• Two white Calton Cases with Randy’s name on them, both had red interiors
• Cedar Creek case for the acoustic Mike Long Guitar
• Forrest Craig (Texas-based luthier) Violin with L.R. Baggs pickup
• Strad copy violin, roughly 1880’s, the tag inside not exactly accurate
• A double violin case, the attached strap doesn’t match ‚Äì it’s maroon and gray with gold hardware.
• Upright acoustic King Bass, white with black trim, red tailpiece, rare
• 2 Warwick 2 10″ speaker cabinets
• Silver waterproof helicopter case with cables and a Shure wireless system
• 3 Stage Ninja brand quarter inch cables
• Fishman Dreadnought Aura, Fishman resophonic Aura, Fishman Reverb, Fishman Chorus, Fishman Delay, Boosta Grande Boost pedal, 2 Radial DI’s, Radial Tone Bone Pre-Amp, Hilton Optical volume pedal, 2 Peterson Strobe Stomp Tuners (one had Ashley B. written on the front of it in black marker)
• George Lawrence cables Tool Kit with extra cords and assorted tools
• All guitars have Fishman pick-ups installed

Photos of many of these instruments can be seen on the Randy Kohrs web site, and Ted Lehmann, who was at the MACC shooting photos of the show, also posted a few shots on his site.

Anyone with information about any of this stolen equipment is urged to contact Ashley Brown by email, or to call the Obetz Police Department at 614-491-3211.