When someone sits in and uses my bass.

[martybernal]

I don't have an issue when another bass player sits in and straps my bass on, but I expect my gear to be treated the same way I treat it. I don't like bass players that wear a 10 pound belt buckle that don't have enough common sense to flip out their shirt or move the buckle to the side. I like 10 pound belt buckles, just not digging into my bass. Or if they've had to much too drink so they feel the need to crank up the amp to damaging levels.

Or maybe I'm just overly sensitive, but I think of my gear as works of art. And I don't believe it's too much to ask for others to treat it the same while they are sharing our stage.

[brendanbassist]

Originally Posted by martybernal

...maybe I'm just overly sensitive, ...

Not at all! I agree 100%. I very rarely let others use my gear. And ONLY if I know them personally.

[pasta4lnch]

yeah - I'd feel funny. Fortunately it's never come up for me ...

[jumbosilverette]

I had to let a performer use my new American Standard Precision bass for a few songs at a restaurant gig (he asked me moments before he was to perform). I didn't like it, but what could I do. In the end I suppose it was okay, but I would find it really hard to do to someone else.

[martybernal]

Originally Posted by jumbosilverette

I had to let a performer use my new American Standard Precision bass for a few songs at a restaurant gig (he asked me moments before he was to perform). I didn't like it, but what could I do. In the end I suppose it was okay, but I would find it really hard to do to someone else.

In the end, the words "sorry" just don't get it. If an accident happens, the damage is already done.

[Mr wiggl3s]

I have a **** bass, but i imagine if i had something like a Rickenbacker, I'd feel the same way.

But a bass is just an instrument. It's not about the looks, it's about the sound.

[ggunn]

Nobody plays my instruments except people whom I know and trust to treat my gear as I would. Lesson learned the hard way; a long time ago a guy I didn't know borrowed my Strat and dropped it onto a concrete floor.

[Smokin' Toaster]

I don't mind a pro playing my bass, but if they have a belt buckle like you described I'd certainly ask them to cover or move it. I don't mind looking someone in the eye and asking them "You're going to treat it like I treat it, right?" If I perceive the least bit of negative reaction to either the request or the question I'll try to be polite and say "maybe we better just forget about it". I have gone back on stage and taken my bass back a few times. I don't mind sharing but I do mind my stuff being abused.

[ButtUglyJeff]

I have a friend, well friend of a friend, that puts on a rock n' roll camp every summer for underprivileged kids. It's for a week, and its an opportunity for kids, from about 9 to 15, to jam as a rock band, and do a performance, under the stage lights, at the end. He gets help from music shops, and musicians to loan instruments, amps, mixing equipment, stage gear, and the works. The point is to inspire these kids to shoot for the stars, so to speak. All these kids have experience playing guitars, drums, keyboards, basses, but its almost always crap instruments. So, for the 30 or so kids, this is a really special experience.

I've been loaning my MIA P-Bass, and my Bassman Combo to the cause for the last 3 or 4 years, so I wasn't surprised when I got the call again. Well, this time they wanted my new Jazz Bass, the one I've only had a little over half of a year. I've cringed every time my P-Bass left for its tour of duty, and now my Jazz bass was getting a turn.

I have never had anything bad happen, and I meet every kid that gets to use my equipment. And let me tell you, I have hope for the future, because these little musicians respect and treat my stuff better than I do.

But I fully understand the nail biting, when letting your baby go into someone elses hands...

[syciprider]

My bass is like my woman. No one touches her but me.

[SMILEYSIXX]

I actually made the kid in my jazz band class walk across the building to go to the locker room to get the school bass because I refuse to let anyone touch my instrument.

[akaTRENT]

I solved this problem easily, I never let anyone use my gear anymore. One time I was even offered money by the promoter to let the other band use my rig. I simply told him that if something broke it would cost more than any amount he was willing to pay me.

Of course having this mindset, I never ask to borrow gear and try to have as much of plan b if something on my end fails. I know I come off a bit rude, but its my gear and I worked too hard for it to let someone else have an accident with it. My bass is dinged up from my belt buckles and my damage. My gear My problem.

I'm sure most people on here can at least relate to that part.

Originally Posted by martybernal

I don't have an issue when another bass player sits in and straps my bass on, but I expect my gear to be treated the same way I treat it. I don't like bass players that wear a 10 pound belt buckle that don't have enough common sense to flip out their shirt or move the buckle to the side. I like 10 pound belt buckles, just not digging into my bass. Or if they've had to much too drink so they feel the need to crank up the amp to damaging levels.

Or maybe I'm just overly sensitive, but I think of my gear as works of art. And I don't believe it's too much to ask for others to treat it the same while they are sharing our stage.

[CharlieC]

Finally! Thanks, I now have a reason to be happy that I play lefty!

Because no one can usually play my basses + guitars, they remain mine, all mine... and the only hands on them are my own :-)

Other than that, everything else about being lefty -- the limit of available models + colors, the ~15% up-charges, and the lack of third-party case options -- all pretty much suck :-)

[Jim Campbell]

Originally Posted by martybernal

I don't have an issue when another bass player sits in and straps my bass on, but I expect my gear to be treated the same way I treat it. I don't like bass players that wear a 10 pound belt buckle that don't have enough common sense to flip out their shirt or move the buckle to the side. I like 10 pound belt buckles, just not digging into my bass. Or if they've had to much too drink so they feel the need to crank up the amp to damaging levels.

Or maybe I'm just overly sensitive, but I think of my gear as works of art. And I don't believe it's too much to ask for others to treat it the same while they are sharing our stage.

rather than spend one second of my life sweating out the safe return of my prized american standard,i'd just say no.....if you feel the need to share take a back up bass you can afford a few dings or scratches on.....because they will happen

[martybernal]

Originally Posted by ButtUglyJeff

I have a friend, well friend of a friend, that puts on a rock n' roll camp every summer for underprivileged kids. It's for a week, and its an opportunity for kids, from about 9 to 15, to jam as a rock band, and do a performance, under the stage lights, at the end. He gets help from music shops, and musicians to loan instruments, amps, mixing equipment, stage gear, and the works. The point is to inspire these kids to shoot for the stars, so to speak. All these kids have experience playing guitars, drums, keyboards, basses, but its almost always crap instruments. So, for the 30 or so kids, this is a really special experience.

I've been loaning my MIA P-Bass, and my Bassman Combo to the cause for the last 3 or 4 years, so I wasn't surprised when I got the call again. Well, this time they wanted my new Jazz Bass, the one I've only had a little over half of a year. I've cringed every time my P-Bass left for its tour of duty, and now my Jazz bass was getting a turn.

I have never had anything bad happen, and I meet every kid that gets to use my equipment. And let me tell you, I have hope for the future, because these little musicians respect and treat my stuff better than I do.

But I fully understand the nail biting, when letting your baby go into someone elses hands...

That sounds like a great cause and camp. I love watching young flowering musicians play. Whether they make mistakes or not, the music sounds great to me.

[martybernal]

Originally Posted by syciprider

My bass is like my woman. No one touches her but me.

I've been waiting for someone to post like this, I know alot of musicians that feel exactly this way. Makes sense...

[martybernal]

Originally Posted by akaTRENT

I solved this problem easily, I never let anyone use my gear anymore. One time I was even offered money by the promoter to let the other band use my rig. I simply told him that if something broke it would cost more than any amount he was willing to pay me.

Of course having this mindset, I never ask to borrow gear and try to have as much of plan b if something on my end fails. I know I come off a bit rude, but its my gear and I worked too hard for it to let someone else have an accident with it. My bass is dinged up from my belt buckles and my damage. My gear My problem.

I'm sure most people on here can at least relate to that part.

I can relate. And like you said, what ever damage my gear has should be the dings I put on it. But that's ok, I just can't have someone making a contribution to the ding bucket. And if someone perceives you as rude, that's their problem. Because good gear cost good money and nobody else is making the money but me.

[Febs]

Originally Posted by jumbosilverette

I had to let a performer use my new American Standard Precision bass for a few songs at a restaurant gig (he asked me moments before he was to perform). I didn't like it, but what could I do.

I don't understand why you couldn't just politely say, "no."

[I<34080]

Amps, I'll loan no problem, it's just doing it's job without being man handled for a set (though there was one guy I loaned it to who didn't know how to EQ, aluminum cone, full volume, maxed mids and treble, cut bass, I thought it was going to blow up. Sounded like a snare drum.)

My bass? Forget about it, I was basically forced into letting a guy use it once and he played leaning up against the wall, he let the head of my Ric scratch the wall and it lost some paint. I didn't even know what to say, so I vowed to be the only person to ever play it again.

[Big chicken]

Originally Posted by syciprider

My bass is like my woman. No one touches her but me.

I would sig that if I had enough space.