Local music industry players are a close group, with many relying on and supporting each other to support and keep the scene afloat. Which is why it is painful to see that deceit can happen, even among friends.
John Lau took to his official Facebook page to share how a fellow musician had decided to sell equipment that John had leased-to-own (L2O) to him.
He wrote, “My purpose is to help musicians gain access to instruments to earn a living without being tied to bad loans and high interest rates. No matter how difficult or expensive, I will help. But many time, I will encounter bad people like this.”
John explained that the musician had approached him in June 2022, as he wanted to build a recording studio but after John provided him with the necessary equipment, the musician showed his true colours.
“I supported him, I let him L2O a full studio set. Guitar, bass, amp, etc. The L2O facility (lease to own or rent while buying) gives musicians flexibility, if they’re done using it, it can be returned whenever, no lock ins, no deposits. Just take and use. But, I found out something terrible. Suddenly, a friend forwarded a Carousell listing to me, the guitar rented by him, even the image used on the listing is ours.”
“There was someone trying to sell the white Gibson Les Paul Custom he rented. At first when I asked him about it, he said, ‘someone is using your images to scam others’. Again, I believed him, I trusted him because we’re all in a musicians’ group. I trusted he won’t sell rented equipment,” he shared.
But it was soon discovered that the musician was, indeed, behind the sales of the equipment as when John’s friend had messaged the listing chat, the musician responded by asking them to message him on WhatsApp instead and provided his actual phone number.
“When I found out, I told him to return the items. He refused, he told me that the equipment was with his family in Perak, he promised to continue on renting. Shortly after, he disappeared. Last he told me was his phone was spoilt, but that was 3 months ago.”
John wrote his post on the musician to warn of his behaviour to his fellow industry friends. But, that’s not all
A total of 11 items that were stolen and listed for purchase by the musician, and John hopes that whoever have purchased the items would return them to him.
He is currently still looking for 4 items:
1. Ernie Ball Musicman Majesty white
2. Fender USA Eric Johnson thinline
3. Gibson Les Paul Studio Blue
4. Fender USA twin reverb blackface reissue
“My mission is to make sure that there are no victims who have purchased these guitars and amp before I put this items on the Perbadanan Insurans Deposit Malaysia’s (PIDM’s) stolen list. Anyone who is found to have bought these goods after this week, my offer to compensate you will be lost and this deal will be handed over to the police.”
“So if you know or have bought these guitars or amp, please reach out to me ASAP. I will compensate you, you are also a victim,” he said.
Should you come across John’s equipment, you can contact him on WhatsApp at 012-2666450.
We genuinely hope he gets all his equipment back.
Also read: M’sian Slams Business For Saying They ‘Don’t Need To Pay’ Artists By Using AI To Save Cost
