Can I say "No" to sharing my bass at a jam?

[esa372]

Originally Posted by Mind Eroded

BTW and this is way offtopic..that is an insane Bach cover on your yt link!..you got some major skills, my friend

Thank you

That was really a departure for me; a real challenge. (I sure learned a lot putting it all together.) I'm glad it turned out as well as it did.

/off-topic

[smcd]

Originally Posted by lfmn16

OK, we all get that the politically correct police don't want anyone to say anything that could potentially make anybody uncomfortable any time any where for any reason.

Now, give it a rest and get some of that help that is available. Some of us enjoy a little hyperbole in their humor. No one with an IQ greater than their belt size could infer that he was actually advocating assaulting someone because they didn't like a bass.

Did you just find out how to use the "Italic" key?


"politically correct". You keep using that term. I don't think that term means what you think it means.

[RoyalMarc]

I have an old Samick that I keep around for such situations. But, as many others have stated, I don't think it's bad manners if said without being offensive.

[malthumb]

Originally Posted by slick_tu

I think a GTG is a different situation. I always understood that sharing is expected at GTGs; otherwise, don't bring your bass.


.

Depends on the situation, though. Most GTGs are gatherings of musicians who don't know each other and pass the time playing each others gear. Most of the open jams I've been to include bassists that I know or have seen play before. Point being, I have a better idea of how they are gonna treat my gear than I do people at a GTG that I've never met before and may never see again.

[chadds]

Originally Posted by Mind Eroded

Never called anyone a "dick" for not sharing their gear. Just said it might come off as "dickish" in certain social situations, which I am entitled to say. Sorry if you are offended by my views. The germophobe comment was in response to someone who said they are scared that other people might get their sweat on their sacred bass, which I found pretty funny. Also, like I said, I was just expressing my opinion and I don't "expect everyone else to feel the same way". In my opinion, THERE IS a degree of selfishness that comes into play and whether you want to admit that or not is your choice. To me, gear is just gear and I dont play squiers or rogues..I have/had basses worth well over 1k.

As the great George Costanza once put it "Why can't there be some things just for me? Is that so selfish?"
to which Jerry responds: "Actually, that's the definition of selfish."

There are people out there who don't respect other's gear, and I hope those who are considering lending out their gear can use their sound judgment, instead of just making blanket statements like "I will never lend out my bass to anyone"..IMO that is selfish.peace.

It's not germs! As a poster explained some people have such corrosive sweat that they can deaden the strings in one tune. How's that helping me when I need it the rest of the night? Is the borrower reimbursing me for strings that would have lasted me months? So now I have to pay to share my bass.

The problem here is folks are sharing what they will and will not do and you are calling them a variety of names. Now you change it to "dickish" when you actually said "dick". Can you just say you share and leave it at that?

[HMZ]

I have had more people asking to use my amp then my bass. My band use to do this same gig every year for like 10 years in a row. It would be our band and some other different band every year. I was always asked by our keyboard play if it was alright for the other band to use my amp. For the first few years I said "ok no problem" but every year there was a problem. I would tell every bass player. "i have one rule using my amp. turn the volume down before you yank your patch cord out. Simple right? Not really...every year the same thing would happen. I would hear that sound of my speakers go boooom as the bass player pull the cord out of his bass. So the last few years my answer to "can we use your amp?" it was a NO!

[Mind Eroded]

Originally Posted by chadds

The problem here is folks are sharing what they will and will not do and you are calling them a variety of names. Now you change it to "dickish" when you actually said "dick". Can you just say you share and leave it at that?

You are quite incorrect sir, please refer back to my previous posts, I never wrote that. You are misquoting me and accusing me of calling people "a variety of names" which i never did..dick move on your part..

Of course I can "just say I share and leave it at that" but in case you haven't noticed this is an internet forum where people go to for education, discussion and to give their opinions on things. If thats too much for you to handle, I suggest you stay away from teh internets.

[MattGreer]

Originally Posted by Vince Klortho

I agree it's OK to say no. Especially if they have a big metal belt buckle. I always wear mine to the side and my thirty year-old bass has a pristine back.

Just joined, first post, and I'm glad to see I'M NOT THE ONLY ONE THAT DOES THIS. Hehehehe.

[Yango]

Of course you can. It's your bass.

[lfmn16]

Originally Posted by smcd

Did you just find out how to use the "Italic" key?

No, I just don't think you are smart enough to understand if I don't spell it out for you.

Originally Posted by smcd

"politically correct". You keep using that term. I don't think that term means what you think it means.

Politically correct - when someone with no sense of humor can not understand the difference between hyperbole and and actual intention. Sound familiar???

[chadds]

Originally Posted by Mind Eroded

You are quite incorrect sir, please refer back to my previous posts, I never wrote that. You are misquoting me and accusing me of calling people "a variety of names" which i never did..dick move on your part..

Of course I can "just say I share and leave it at that" but in case you haven't noticed this is an internet forum where people go to for education, discussion and to give their opinions on things. If thats too much for you to handle, I suggest you stay away from teh internets.

Nope sorry you didn't say it another poster said, "I could say no and be a dick."
If you said germaphobe own it. Life's too short to search back. If you didn't say that either then I apologize again and I mean it.

[Moe Monsarrat]

I never think about it.

[smcd]

Originally Posted by lfmn16

Politically correct - when someone with no sense of humor can not understand the difference between hyperbole and and actual intention. Sound familiar???

So you don't know what that term means.

[meatwad]

I once let a dyed-in-the-wool Jazz Bass guy sit in with my band, and play my StingRay. He was completely overwhelmed by the differences between the two basses, and tripped up the entire song. It was sad and amusing at the same time.

[Groovy_Gravy]

you guys need to get of your high horses...its a bass...its made to be played...let a fellow player use it...]you never know when you might be in their shoes...life is too short to be stuck up.. let the bass be played.

[Floyd Eye]

Of course you can say no. It's your bass. It may be more diplomatic however, to bring a beater bass, like an MIM P bass or something.

[Mind Eroded]

Originally Posted by Groovy_Gravy

you guys need to get of your high horses...its a bass...its made to be played...let a fellow player use it...]you never know when you might be in their shoes...life is too short to be stuck up.. let the bass be played.

but..but..what if the guy sweats on it thereby instantly corroding the strings, is wearing 3 belt buckles simultaneously, snaps the neck cause hes digging in too hard, dents the pickguard, scratches the finish with his long, unkempt nails, unsolders the electronics, then gives it back to you huh? what you gonna do then?? I work hard for my cheap mass produced chinese made bass, and id be damned if i let somebody else use it...argggg bah humbug

P.S. watch out, you are about to be pelted with rocks for even suggesting that kind of crazy nonsense

[Stilettoprefer]

If someone needs to borrow a guitar or bass from me, I have one of each that I don't care about.

Guitar: beat up squier strat that has two missing pickups and just a humbucker wired direct to the jack. So basically a bunch of holes in the pickguard. Plays nice, though!

Bass: crappy guitar body with a squier P neck fitted to it. A bass bridge was located in the correct spot and a P pup was installed in the sweet spot. Sounds like a P and plays like a P, looks like a pile of garbage.

If either get borrowed for a long time (1-2 months) it's a $20 rental fee.

[Rockin Mike]

I have a bigger issue with people wanting to use my rig. It only takes a moment to blow a speaker. I play with a light touch so my amp volume can pop a driver pretty easy if someone were to ham-hand the bass or turn the lows up. Even if you tell folks not to touch your knobs, as someone said above, as soon as they unplug their bass - boom - speaker toast. Even if 9 out of 10 guests are cool with your gear, I can't afford to be replacing speakers every 10th sit-in.

Trying to think of a tactful way to say no when everyone else in the band is letting strangers come up and play... Not coming up with anything. I understand I would be within my rights and I have no problem asserting myself but I want an answer that keeps everybody smiling. My reputation as a friendly nice guy is important for networking.

Best thing I can come up with is to bring my own beater bass, set the amp to safe levels and tell guests not to touch the knobs or cords. Guess I need to go find an old beater mic too.

[smcd]

Originally Posted by Groovy_Gravy

let a fellow player use it...you never know when you might be in their shoes...

Sure you do. Every time you leave a house without an inststrument, you're in their shoes. But if I'm in their shoes at a jam, I'd not be so forward as to ask a stranger to let me borrow their guitar.