on a scale of 1-10, how wrong was this?

Steve · #1 04-12-2008, 01:20 PM

Say you're at a gig and another band shows up.

Suppose the first you hear about it is when they are being called onstage to play a couple tunes.

Suppose the world just expects you to hand your Sadowsky PJ5, 2500W amp and Berg. 322 over to a complete rank amature who has ZERO clue how to run a rig like that so he can beat the snot out of it for two tunes.

Now, suppose you start taking heat because you ain't real happy with that.

Is it just me or is that just about as wrong as it gets?

Step · #2 04-12-2008, 01:22 PM

1

I give my stuff to ppl, only if they can handle it

Stereo Joe · #3 04-12-2008, 01:25 PM

That is completely wrong! I let another bassist use my rig once and he blew the crossover in my cab because he plays with way more force than I do. That's the LAST time I let someone use my gear unless I know they can handle it properly.

NorCal Dog · #4 04-12-2008, 01:26 PM

what the **** ,,, what kind of gig was this ?

& who expected to play all you're gear ?

just say NO period.

Dave Muscato · #5 04-12-2008, 01:28 PM

I only let people I know and trust use my gear for free/informally. I have rental agreements for everyone else, and those specify not only payment for using my gear, but a deposit, and a credit card number I can use if the damage exceeds the deposit amount.

If it were at a gig like that, I might be willing to let someone use my gear, but I would tell him that he had to be careful with it, and if I saw him being less-than-careful, I would unplug him in the middle of a song and tell him to get the hell off my stage.

seanm · #6 04-12-2008, 01:30 PM

Depends on the gig. For an open stage I would expect to have to loan out the bass. But then I tend to be at country or blues open stages where the bass players don't tend to get wild

For any other gig, no way unless I approve in advance or I know (and trust) the bass player.

IanStephenson · #7 04-12-2008, 01:32 PM

No way I'd let anyone near my bass.

If it's someone I know I'd probably let them play through my rig, provided I'm watching over, and setting the levels.

Strangers... not a chance.

Ian

salcott · #8 04-12-2008, 01:36 PM

It's not only wrong, it's asinine. Whoever's giving you the heat must be willing assume responsibility for your equipment, or it's no go.
I say to the guest bassist, "Here's the bass, there's the amp. If I see you doing anything I don't approve of, I will come up and take the bass away from you. Leave ALL the knobs alone; if you break any of it, you have bought it".
Any response other than an affirmative one, I turn off the amp and pack up the bass.

bassbrad · #9 04-12-2008, 01:36 PM

10+10+10 WRONG!!! I dunno who in your band put you in that situation but it is way deep in the uncool zone. That is the type of inconsiderate crap that breaks up bands, makes people quit and gets folks fired.
Ground Rules
I never touch other peoples gear unless invited.
Nobody plays my stuff but me unless invited, that is very rare and a sign of trust.

Curtybob · #10 04-12-2008, 01:40 PM

I think you are completely within your rights, as it is your freaking stuff. They didn't buy the stuff. Piss on them.

That being said, I haven't had any problems with loaning my stuff out. As a matter of fact, I was completely out of the scene for several years, and I told my old drummer to keep hold of my stuff and not to let it collect too much dust. He kept it and respected that it was out on loan for 5 years. I'm not sure how many people played through that rig, but I know of at least 2, and when they called me up to see if I wanted to get back into it.... it was still in great shape.

I'm debating on whether or not to just officially give him that old rig. I don't think I'd feel right if I "took it back" now. But I'll cross that bridge if I ever decide to persue a different band.

Point is, as much as we hear about horror stories and lament over the possibility that our equipment will be fried from the abuses of another, more often than not, the fact that the equipment is owned by another is respected. And many times, greatly appreciated.

Rapisme · #11 04-12-2008, 01:52 PM

Dude, leave the scene if your taking heat man, people don't realize!
I once had a kid uninvited to a rehearsal. Just kept staring at my rig, played all the percussion toys I had in sight. Let him sit on my traps just to see how he would handle them. Realize as he was beating the dong out of my traps in a small room. Told him to ease up, he looked at me like I was from Mars. Finally told him to get off the traps!

As I started packing my axe, he runs toward me to ask me what kind of bass I was playing,. My answer was simply "It's my own vision and unique creation." He staring gaga at my bass as i pack it in gigbag.
You owe nobody the privilege of handling your rig man. Remember the lyric's to Will Lee's Bassically Yours tune,.

No matter how good the cat thinks he is, a true gentleman will handle your stuff with respect. Golden rule my man.
Once you handle what I let you hold from my hands to yours, I have every right to take her back,. Period!!!!

Steve · #12 04-12-2008, 02:10 PM

Thanks for the support.

It was a real blindside for me. I was taught from day one that a players stuff was to be respected and to not do so was kinda breaking one of the big rules.

Had I been asked first, I probably would have said yes but not been happy about it.

Something about having my stuff just offered up like that made me just about apoplectic.

They didn't like my reaction? I was really proud of the self control I exhibited relative to the fantasy that was running through my mind.

Curtybob · #13 04-12-2008, 02:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Steve

Thanks for the support.

It was a real blindside for me. I was taught from day one that a players stuff was to be respected and to not do so was kinda breaking one of the big rules.

Had I been asked first, I probably would have said yes but not been happy about it.

Something about having my stuff just offered up like that made me just about apoplectic.

They didn't like my reaction? I was really proud of the self control I exhibited relative to the fantasy that was running through my mind.

Ninja sword, tommy gun, or big red button?

ster · #14 04-12-2008, 02:19 PM

I once let a guy use my rig and I specifically told him not to turn up the gain on my Bmax preamp. I was running acme Acme 210 and I had alot of watts getting pushed in there, When he got off the stage he bolted for the door. I checked out the gain and it was at 3:00 and the speaker was completely blown. Nobody should expect you to share your gear. Most people you can probably trust but there is always the one schmuck that ruins it.

Febs · #15 04-12-2008, 02:23 PM

There is NO WAY that you should be expected to let someone else use your gear in that situation. You are 100% within your rights to say no.

SERPENT865 · #16 04-12-2008, 02:24 PM

Piss on who ever gave you crap about not wanting to let a total stranger/bass beater use YOUR bass or rig , I would have told dude sorry no way.

jsm81 · #17 04-12-2008, 02:33 PM

I'd definately be ticked off if I were you. I don't think non-musicians really understand. We've got a gig coming up, where we'll be playing worship music at a men's conference. We're going to have to leave are equipment on stage while the speaker is presenting. The guy heading it up first assumed that we would just plug into whatever the sound company provided. I had to explain to him that we all had our own equipment that we're used to playing out of, then I had to explain that anyone else planning on playing would also have to bring their own equipment. He looked blankly at me like "WHY??"

Bass Viking · #18 04-12-2008, 03:36 PM

I was playing in a band at work for the annual Canada Day festivities. The bass player in one of the other acts asked if he could borrow my bass. I said yes, and everything was cool but afterwards I wondered if he showed up without a bass?

Bass Viking · #19 04-12-2008, 03:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Steve

Say you're at a gig and another band shows up.

Suppose the first you hear about it is when they are being called onstage to play a couple tunes.

Suppose the world just expects you to hand your Sadowsky PJ5, 2500W amp and Berg. 322 over to a complete rank amature who has ZERO clue how to run a rig like that so he can beat the snot out of it for two tunes.

Now, suppose you start taking heat because you ain't real happy with that.

Is it just me or is that just about as wrong as it gets?

I feel for you, that's a real uncomfortable situation to be in. You're well within your rights to say no and we're all supportive of you on an internet forum. But it's different when you're in a club and the audience is clamoring for this other band and you're made to feel like a jerk.

Who's idea was it to have this other group come on stage?

von buck · #20 04-12-2008, 03:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Steve

Say you're at a gig and another band shows up.

Suppose the first you hear about it is when they are being called onstage to play a couple tunes.

Suppose the world just expects you to hand your Sadowsky PJ5, 2500W amp and Berg. 322 over to a complete rank amature who has ZERO clue how to run a rig like that so he can beat the snot out of it for two tunes.

Now, suppose you start taking heat because you ain't real happy with that.

Is it just me or is that just about as wrong as it gets?

I have no problem using my amp, however not my bass. Which is mote because the one I use the most is fretless and left handed. But as far as the amp goes, set him up and tell him not to touch anything. If anything happens to the amp then it's your own crappy amps fault.
There is nothing wrong with letting a band sit in for a tune. I personally like it, it gives you a chance to go out front and hear how your stuff sounds.
Don't be a prima donna, and let them use the amp.

Andy