PROTECT YOUR INVESTMENT.

 

The International Musical Instrument Registry & Database, known by their acronym IMIRAD,

is the world's first non-governmental organization created to safeguard our fellow musicians & musical artifacts. 

The organization focuses (particularly) against theft, and facilitates reunification between musicians and their lost or stolen instruments.

IMIRAD also provides a means to verify instrument ownership and authenticity. 

Utilized by many manufacturers, retailers, pawn shops & collectors alike - the service has always been free of charge. 

A service by players, for players.  

 

 

 

Serving as the central registry for musical instruments, the benefits extend beyond recovering stolen items.

A comprehensive database provides significant advantages for buying, selling, appraising, and preserving instruments.

 

 

Verification of ownership: When buying a used instrument, especially a rare or high-value one, a buyer can consult the database to confirm the seller is the legal owner. This helps prevent the purchase of stolen goods and provides peace of mind.

 

Authenticity and history: For vintage instruments, the registry provides verified information on the instrument's provenance, construction details, and history of ownership. This helps combat the sale of forgeries and ensures an instrument's authenticity.

 

Accurate valuation: For appraisals and insurance purposes, having an instrument's details formally documented in a credible database can help determine its value accurately. The database can track sales of similar instruments, providing market data to support valuations.

 

Historical record: By preserving records of instruments over time, a database serves as a valuable historical and educational resource for musical experts, historians, and researchers. This helps track the evolution of instrument-making and the careers of luthiers.

 

Connecting with experts: The registry serves as a directory connecting musicians with expert luthiers and restoration specialists for maintenance and repairs.

 

Community networking: The central database fosters a global community of musicians, collectors, and enthusiasts, enabling them to connect and share information about specific instruments or musical history. This allows for collaborative efforts in preserving musical heritage

 

 

 

 

THE REUNION:

 

Sarah "M", a talented (and famous) Canadian pop/folk guitarist, poured her heart and soul into her music.  Her pride and joy was a vintage semi-hollowbody guitar, a mid 60's ES-335, a gift from her dad, a professional musician himself. Every scratch and ding on its beautiful sunburst finish held a story.

 

One fateful night, after a gig in Chicago, Sarah's precious guitar vanished from the venue's backstage dressing area. Her heart sank. She immediately filed a police report and, remembering an article she'd read about IMIRAD, she registered her guitar's serial number, detailed description, and a photo on the database, marking it as stolen.

 

Months later, a promising young guitarist, Ben, was browsing a used gear shop. He spotted a vintage semi-hollowbody that caught his eye. Something felt off about the seller's story, so before purchasing, he decided to check the guitar's serial number on IMIRAD.

 

A red flag immediately appeared – the guitar was listed as stolen, with Sarah's name and contact information. Ben, shocked, contacted Sarah, shared his location, and helped her recover her cherished instrument from the unsuspecting shop owner who had purchased it from a less-than-reputable source. Sarah was overjoyed and immensely grateful. The experience highlighted the vital role IMIRAD played in connecting musicians and protecting their valuable assets.