West Coast rock band robbed of ‘valuable’, ‘irreplaceable’ instruments
Posted October 5, 2018 8:30 pm.
Last Updated October 7, 2018 8:34 pm.
This article is more than 5 years old.
VANCOUVER (NEWS 1130) – A well-known rock band from the West Coast is pleading for help after several of their instruments appear to have been stolen from a U-Haul in New Westminster.
54-40 is set to play at the Commodore Ballroom in Vancouver on Friday and Saturday. While the show must go on, the rock band is still desperately trying to be reunited with the guitars and other instruments.
The 18-foot cube van was parked in front of Queens Park Care Centre when the band says it was robbed on Thursday night. It’s believed the instruments may have been taken between midnight and 9:30 a.m.
“The instruments are irreplaceable and hold great value to band members beyond their monetary worth,” a Facebook post reads. 
(Courtesy 54-40 via Facebook)
The band is offering up a $5,000 reward for the safe return of the equipment, or even information that could lead to the safe return of the stringed instruments.
The items that were stolen include:
- 1957 Fender Esquire electric guitar, serial # 20378. Blonde, some wear and finish checking. Back slightly stained with red dye. Weathered road case.
- 1974 Fender Jazz Bass, serial #646897 (black w. white pick guard, maple neck. Black gator case.
- 1966 Fender Stratocaster, serial #119921 Sunburst, heavy wear. Re-issue tuners and bridge. Straps locks Installed. Routing under pick guard. Weathered road case.
- 1966 Gibson Trini Lopez Standard. #823870 Cherry, heavy wear. Replaced fretboard and tuners. Strap locks installed. Non-original Bigsby vibrato, previously drilled for a stop tailpiece. Weathered road case.
- 1954 Gibson Florentine Electric Mandolin.#2221 Very rare double cut-away, solid body. Road case.
- Gibson SJ200 acoustic guitar serial # 877023 with aftermarket Fishman sound hole pickup. Some finish checking. Poly acoustic case.
- Gibson Dove acoustic guitar with aftermarket LR Baggs sound hole pickup. Average wear. Poly acoustic case.
Anyone with information is asked to call New Westminster Police and quote file 18-19100 or 54-40 management at 604.761.2025 or info@5440.com.
(Courtesy 54-40 via Facebook)
