rant time

[Mixmasta J]

Last night I played a gig in Buffalo with my ska band, Abominable Killer Snowmen. I was pumped for this show because I had to fill in on bass (I usually play trombone) and even though there weren't many there, I was still very excited There were five bands, and we were on third. The last two bands were signed bands, one being Manic Sewing Circle Needless to say I was excited for this as well.

After we went on, the other "signed" band's singer asked if his bass player could use my rig (now this is my beater rig, an old peavey head and a 4X10, but it gets the job done). I thought it was weird that his guitar player asked me, but being the nice guy that I am, I said "of course". I helped the guitar player carry it on stage out of my car and set it all up ( the bass player didn't lift a finger). I told them not to beat it down, because it isn't that powerful and the venue had PA support. He nodded and I let it go.

I was hungry and was gonna grab a bite, but I decided to wait around for the first song to see how they sounded. I was not a fan of the band, and I noticed that the clip light on my amp was on constantly throughout the first song. I ran up to the stage after the first song and told him to turn down a touch, and he did. Problem solved. So I left and got some pizza and much to my disgust when I got back, the light was on again! I asked an audience member, and he said that the band was getting enough bass through the monitor, so he just cranked the amp!

That was there last song after a 30 - 45 min set, where the amp was clipping nearly the entire time. I tried the amp this morning, and it is distorted at low volumes, and something just doesn't sound right. But that's a thread for a different forum.

Needless to say, my nice attitude bit me in the butt. I didn't think that a so called "professional" band would need to be told what a clip light is, but I guess ignorance runs rampant through every scene. I was genuinely upset, but there was nothing I could do. Whats the point in starting a fight? They wouldn't learn a lesson and the world would be a slightly more violent place.

All I know, is that I am never loaning my gear out to anyone again, unless I know and trust the user. Even if it means another band has to go without a bass player. I am not going to tolerate that.


Thanks for listening, the rant is done!


- Joe

[jefkebass]

What a douche!
But hey, that's what karma is for. He'll get punished later on, and you'll be rewarded for your kindness.

[P. Lacey]

call the bastard and ask him what he thinks he was doing, and very politely inform him that he is obligated to replace it

you told him to turn it down, he didnt, and now its screwed... if i was you, i would have called him up by now and really got stuck into him

[TheDarkReaver]

i'd try and get some money out of the bastard. it's amazing how many bassists abuse amps in the this way. back where i used to practice, base hq in newcastle, there was one amp that was completely wreck because of people ignoring the clip light. i mean i'd come into practice and find the amp with the gain up to 11 along with the volume needless to say it was completly shot, started to distort and clip at very low volume and gain.

[WJGreer]

I'm usually a "different things work for different folks" guy, but on this particular subject it really seems to be the same for everyone - you will never see a dime, and if you call now and complain, you will be made to look like the jerk in the conversation. You can't win at this point, and quite frankly it was inappropriate of the other guy to even have asked, unless you know him and trust him.

This is just one of those things. I suggest you get your amp fixed and not lend it in the future, unless you are very confident in the situation.

[Mixmasta J]

The problem is that this cat is "touring", and left after his set before I could get around to him. He's probably off in his van going to the next gig. I'm trying to get in contact with the promoter, but I don't think anything will come to fruition.

[macmellus]

i wouldn't let it stop you loaning your gear again. just make sure you keep an eye on it. i'd suggest getting in touch with him and telling him exactly the situation and leave it to him to offer you money. nice to see ska's alive and kicking in the states.

[macmellus]

i wouldn't let it stop you loaning your gear again. just make sure you keep an eye on it. i'd suggest getting in touch with him and telling him exactly the situation and leav eit to him to offer you money.

[hbarcat]

If someone whom I don't know and trust asks to borrow my gear I always say yes but only if they put a deposit down. I take cash or PayPal.

[Just J]

It always astounds me at how many "pros" don't know basic stuff like clipping is bad. I've had to yell at "pro" DJs because they were clipping the hell out of the signal. Can't count how many bands sit up there and clip and distort like there's no tomorrow.

[DaveF]

I know that you "don't want to start a fight", but he broke something of yours and the onus is on him to compensate you. Sure, it may be difficult to get ahold of him and get the money from him, but think of how much the amp cost; let's use $500 for example, although your amp may be worth more.

How many hours at work does it take you to earn enough to get it fixed or replace it? A week?

Is this bozo worth an ENTIRE WEEK of your time?

Every hour that you work next week, think about how you would be keeping that money instead of dumping into a repair that this guy caused.

After that week, I challenge you not to track him down!

Note: Keep it classy / professional. Barring that, haul him onto Judge Judy!

Peace,

[seanm]

I'm surprised that you had damage. Peavey amps are usually very good at protecting themselves from, uhhh, "inappropriate" use.