I saw a posting recently showing a photo of the bass in a shop in Ikebukuro, Tokyo, listed at 600,000 yen (about $5336 USD).  So look around and try to find out what shop it is in and talk to them directly. Good luck!

Will do, thanks

Rev-bass... good call!  Looks like I found it online at a shop in Japan.  I have emailed them.  Thanks for the tip!

Excellent! I really hope this works out. #75-183 needs to come home. Fingers crossed. 

Glad you found it, hope it works out!

Great story so far.
Any news? If you recover it will you get the purple case from Elderly?
Inquiring minds want to know!

Update, since requested!... I discovered I have a cousin in the military who is stationed in Tokyo.  He may buy it and fly it home.  On the flight case... I made an offer to Elderly for the flight case, but they declined.  They have had it since 2011, you would think they would want to give it away.  Especially with that awful color, which I regret!😊. So we'll see about that, if the bass makes it back.  I considered buying the case back and sending to Tokyo, so it could have a safe trip home, but we would be getting into a lot of money, and for other reasons I think it may better to just let it come home on the airplane in it's  Ohsc.  Unless you guys tell me too many airline horror stories, I think it will probably travel ok.  Ill post an update once we see what happens.  Thanks for asking. 

Just be VERY CAREFUL with the CITES paperwork Allen. Nothing would make me smile bigger than to see you get this bass back. Not much would irritate me more than to see it confiscated and possibly damaged (or destroyed) during impoundment.


~Ed of H (who dreams strange dreams anymore)

The FWS told me they will not require a permit because they recognize the personal effects exception, and it would be exempt anyway because of the date of manufacture.  They also told me I should check with Japan.  I have emailed the Japanese equivalent but received no response.  The store selling the bass says there will be no problem leaving Japan.  There is one club member that was traveling there and back with an instrument, he was going to tell me how it went, waiting for him to post.  The only paperwork That will be with the bass will be the replacement sheet from Mica, to prove the mfg. date.    I don't think the US will issue me a CITES permit, because when I emailed them asking about the correct form, they replied that I don't need it.  I did send that email to my cousin, so he could produce it if there are problems.  Of course the official did not put his or her name on the email.  Too risky?  Do you think there is something else I should do? 

Well, if this personal effects exception extends to you, then it sounds like you have it covered... that is great news. Since waking up that night last month to read this thread, it's exactly what I was hoping would somehow happen.

I'll save the Congratulations until #75-183 is back in your (or at least your family's) possession.

Keeping fingers crossed that this all will go smooth!

I will have an update on 75-183 in a few weeks.  I am trying not to give away too much of the story yet, it will be more fun to wait for the end. Or it will be a big disappointment... we'll see.   Nevertheless, I am trying to locate a flight case in Japan.  I cannot find anything on the internet that says made in, or shipped from, Japan.  I have tried emailing some stores, no results.  I don't have time to buy one in the US and ship it to Japan.  With all of the guitars they sell, surely there are flight cases for sale so people can fly them elsewhere safely.  Thanks for any suggestions.

This is from 2013, so not sure if they are still doing it, but check this out...

https://japantoday.com/category/features/travel/jal-offers-free-guitar-cases-to-ease-traveling-musicians-worries


Looks like JAL still offers loaner cases, check for details...

https://www.jal.co.jp/en/dom/support/instrument/

Thanks, I saw those articles.  I don't think JAL will be involved, but hopefully other airlines will be helpful also, if I can't find another solution.  A lot of info says the Japanese are very helpful in these situations.  I am trying to protect it all the way home, to the good ole US of A!

Quote from: ELPFAN on November 26, 2018, 12:08:18 AM
Great story so far.
Any news? If you recover it will you get the purple case from Elderly?
Inquiring minds want to know!

I made one offer to Elderly, that they declined.  It's been taking up space there for 7 years, and won't fit other basses!  I will probably make another offer.  I expect to have He bass in hand Friday evening.  So, if it is not broken, I might as well spend a bit more money and reunite her with her "pretty" case.  Although I don't think she'll do much flying after I get her home.