Guitar Rodeo and Willie's Guitars in Minneapolis burglarized! Here's the list!

[Jazzydave]

Hey all, I don't know if there's already been a post about this but Guitar Rodeo and Willie's Guitars up in the Twin Cities were both burglarized a few days ago. Guitar Rodeo nearly lost their entire inventory - over 40 guitars! I've talked to Jim (owner) and he's doing ok (as ok as can be in a situation like this) and many of us over on AGF have offered to help in any way we can. Taylor Guitars is also helping out by spreading the info.

Jim's an upstanding guy and I know that many of us here on TGP have had great experiences with him and his shop.

Maybe the mods can make this a sticky?

You can follow the story over on AGF HERE

Also, here's a current list of all of the guitars stolen. Please keep an eye out for these in your city! The police (and us amateur investigators) suspect that the guitars were rolled out of town pretty quickly.

Guitar Rodeo:

Name Serial #
SCGC Tony Rice 6059
SCGC Finger Style 1146
SCGC D-PreWar 6031
SCGC Model H 1218
SCGC Vintage Artist 6007
SCGC 1929 00 582
1925 Gibson Style 4 banjo 8117-17
Rich &Taylor Bill Keith banjo ??
Ramirez 4E classical guitar none
Rivera Sedona Lite w/ ES ready none
Rivera Venus 3 none
Rivera Venus 6 none
Humphrey amp none
Humphrey Amp none
Used Taylor SB-1 20080325913
Taylor T3-B 20090608609
Taylor 914ce 1104032096
Taylor XXXV SB 20090625905
Taylor SB2 1105021083
Taylor 514ce 1102152056
Taylor BT1 2104131108
Taylor BT2 2111150219
Taylor GS Mini 2104281190
Taylor NS24e 20091026202
Taylor NS24e 20091012217
Taylor 110ce 20081021864
Taylor 210ce 20090825213
Taylor 314ce 1102251010

Taylor 414ce 1104052020
Taylor 714ce 1106301062
Taylor 814ce 1101042084
Used Taylor GC Custom 1103080116
Taylor GC Custom 20080403125
Used Taylor 712ce Ltd 20030718145
Used Taylor GSce Ltd 20091005102
Taylor GSce Ltd 1104071107
Taylor XXXV Ltd 20090916109
Taylor Mahogany GS Ltd 1110260138
Taylor GSce Ltd 1110201145
Taylor GR Special 1110251149
Taylor GAe Back Cover 1110220077
Taylor GAce Ltd Coco 1110241132
Taylor GA4e-12 20090617019

Willie's American Guitars:

New Rickenbacker 360
Mapleglo (natural), serial number 12 07600

1965 Rickenbacker 370
Mapleglo (natural), Roger McGuinn style, serial number EH 422

New Rickenbacker 660
Jetglo (black), gold pickguard, serial number 11 46346

New Gibson ES-335
Black, mint condition, serial number 13461713

1967 Coral Sitar
Red Crackle, serial number L 205

New 2012 Collings I-35 Delxue
Caramel, super fancy quilted maple top, Serial number 12654

New National Resotone
Black, solidbody electric reso, serial number 16959

New Rickenbacker 360-12C63
Fireglo (sunburst), double bound Harrison model, Serial Number 12 10583

2001 Rickenbacker 620
Gold serial number 01 42540

2005 Rickenbacker 620
Blue Boy (faded to surf green), added Bigsby, serial number 05 35202

[jekylmeister]

Bastards!

[Timcito]

So sorry to hear this. I've bought 3 guitars off Jim Tordoff, and he's definitely a one-of-a-kind good guy and dealer.

[Baxtercat]

Hard to imagine the scope of this operation. Must've had a big van for this haul.

[Peteyvee]

They stole 40 Taylors and Santa Cruzs without their cases? That's gonna send up red flags to whoever they try and sell them to. We can only hope that they're recovered undamaged.

[Jazzydave]

Originally Posted by Peteyvee

They stole 40 Taylors and Santa Cruzs without their cases? That's gonna send up red flags to whoever they try and sell them to. We can only hope that they're recovered undamaged.

That's what we've all been curious about...how'd they do it without busting them up? It was either a well executed plan...or someone's out there with several beat up guitars.

From what I gather, they grabbed what was on the walls and don't mess with the cases.

[Peteyvee]

That's what professional thieves do. They don't touch anything they don't take and they don't waste time on the small stuff. A store I used to manage got hit for about 100 camcorders. They removed an AC unit and came in through the roof, grabbed the boxed cameras from a stockroom and didn't leave a single fingerprint, just boot marks on the floor. They left plasma TVs, cameras and everything else alone...the alarm went off at 3:30 AM and by the time the police got there, they were long gone. AFAIK, it was never solved either.

I hope they find those guitars before they get damaged or defaced...

[jimshine]

A store I worked at on the 90's got hit. They stole a couple 80's Les Pauls off the floor and didn't touch any of the pre-CBS Strats in the glass display case. They take the best of what they can quick and get out.

[Jazzydave]

Hopefully, by spreading the word and keeping an eye out, we can help...

[dohootowl]

It was apparently a burglary and not a robbery.

[Jazzydave]

Originally Posted by dohootowl

It was apparently a burglary and not a robbery.

You're right, I'll change the subject line...

[Timcito]

Originally Posted by Jazzydave

You're right, I'll change the subject line...

Don't bother, we get the idea.

[ToneBrokerBill]

This sucks. Once these shops get back in business, I'd suggest we all keep them at the top of our lists if we're buying an instrument.

[Jazzydave]

Originally Posted by JefeMaximo

This sucks. Once these shops get back in business, I'd suggest we all keep them at the top of our lists if we're buying an instrument.

I had my heart set on the Taylor GSce Ltd Cocobolo (SN: 1110201145) that Jim had...called yesterday to find out it was among those taken.

He already has an order that will be coming in soon so be watching his site!

[Jazzydave]

Bump for the late crowd...