A musician whose "priceless" double bass was stolen more than 50 years ago hopes he can track it down after both Sir Paul McCartney and a friend were reunited with their own long-lost instruments.

Nic Worters, principal double-bass of the London Mozart Players and the Belgian National Opera, had his rare Thomas Kennedy bass, built in around 1830 by the English maker, taken from his car in Kentish Town in 1978.

Remarkably, a colleague had his own bass, made by the same maker and from the same period, stolen that year while he was touring in France.

Mr Worters said: "It was an extraordinary coincidence: same model, same maker, same year, stolen at the same time. We were both devastated."

Amazingly, his friend's instrument was found in a French cellar, and was returned last year after word got round when it was sent for restoration.

And former Beatle Paul McCartney now has his iconic Hofner ‘violin’ bass back after it was stolen from a van in the Notting Hill area in October 1972. It was found in a terraced house in Hastings earlier this year after an appeal.


Paul McCartney with his Hofner bass guitar before it was stolen in 1972. It has recently resurfacedPaul McCartney with his Hofner bass guitar before it was stolen in 1972. It has recently resurfaced (Image: Apple Films Limited/The Lost Bass)

Nic now hopes that by finding his own bass, he can make it a treble.

He said: "I am wondering if my stolen bass is in a cellar or attic, largely forgotten about.

"This was a special instrument to me and a very good double-bass.

"It's a cruel thing to do to a musician to take an instrument, they are very personal things."

Nic Worters with his Double Bass that was stolen from his car in Kentish Town in 1978. He hopes to be reunited with itNic Worters with the double bass that was stolen from his car in Kentish Town in 1978. He hopes to be reunited with it. (Image: Nic Worters)

The bass was stolen in Evangelist Road, Kentish Town, between around 11pm and 11.30pm on April 11, 1978.

The instrument was worth around £2,500 at the time, and Mr Worters had around £1,000 to pay off.

It was taken as he dropped a friend off after a concert - and he bitterly regrets staying inside for half an hour when his insurance stipulated instruments could only be left unattended for 20 minutes.

The musician had to pay the £1,000 and continue playing on another instrument that was "not as nice".

"It was a difficult period," he added.

Nic Worters with a Double Bass that was 'not as nice' as his stolen C1830 Double Bass by Thomas Kennedy, an English instrument makerNic Worters with a later instrument (Image: Nic Worters)

Mr Worters, who was sub-principal bass of the London Symphony Orchestra for 30 years, added: "If it went to auction it could be worth as much as £40,000 now but it's priceless to me.

"Could all this jog someone's memory?"

Contact nathalie.raffray@newsquest.co.uk if you have any information about Mr Worters' double bass.