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

[slick_tu]

Several have said they don't take their "good" bass and would never take a CS to a jam. Is that because you don't want to share your good one, or is there a greater chance of damage at a jam? I've never been to one but would like to.

[chadds]

I concede that I live in a different universe.

I understand that close knit group of jammers it would be rude to not share.

Here musicians don't expect to sit in or play. Secondly they don't show up without their own axes. I play with professionals who are comfortable not playing or come prepared. One jam at a wedding in Santa Cruz 30+ musicians brought their instruments from across the country and/or rented locally. No one came expecting to borrow anything.

I don't lend my car to strangers. I'll drive you though.

The golden rule has exceptions where you don't enable those who can help themselves.

[capncal]

boom. my bass is my girlfriend and no, you may not fondle her.

[Bassman62]

Originally Posted by northernmonkey

I've lent my car to plenty of people in the past

Without a question? I've never lent my car to anyone.

[Mushroo]

The one time I've asked, a very well-known bass player, without hesitation, let me noodle around on his one-of-a-kind irreplaceable signature bass. Generosity and sharing are rampant at the top tier of the music game, whereas the "no, you can't touch that" attitude seems more common with the boutique-bass-at-local-bar-gig crowd.

[king_biscuit]

My biggest problem is I (a handwashing before I play freak), don't want some derelict of indeterminant hygiene potentially funking up my strings I don't frequent jam nights these days, but I don't want anyone sitting in on a gig, and I don't ask to sit in on others gigs.

[Bassman62]

Originally Posted by king_biscuit

I don't frequent jam nights these days, but I don't want anyone sitting in on a gig, and I don't ask to sit in on others gigs.

That can be a bigger problem than on jam nights, if you say no they're usually with equally tanked up friends who then kick off.

[3234718]

If it's a friend, yeah why not? People generally have a reasonable level of trust in their friends, and if he breaks it, you know where he lives. But some stranger? No way.

[ToneMonkey]

My instruments are only slightly less personal to me than my toothbrush. I politely decline by saying, "I don't loan my instruments to anyone."

I have however very occasionally let close personal friends I know to be capable players borrow an instrument on a very limited basis. If it's a guitar, I immediately restring it when I get it back (if the friend is really on the ball, he or she will do that for me as a thank-you, or give me a set of strings).

Other than letting our guitar player have at it for part of one sloppy set ending jam, I haven't had to deal with this on bass.

I was once asked to use my backline by another bassist. That was the first gig with my new cabs and I really didn't want anyone but me using my rig until I sussed it out. I told that person that the cabs were borrowed for the evening and I didn't feel comfortable letting anyone else use them. That went over fine. He borrowed the other band's bass amp.

The other thing is that I NEVER ask to play someone else's instrument. Honestly, I'm just not that interested unless it happens to be some uber-rare instrument and the person offers to let me play it.

[malthumb]

Originally Posted by malthumb

Apples and cucumbers

Originally Posted by chadds

Explain please.

The concepts of lending someone a bass for 15 minutes while you are there watching them use it compared to allowing someone to use your car for 15 minutes is beyond an apples to oranges comparison. Those events are as similar as apples are to cucumbers.

Didn't mean to confuse.....that was a straight flow from top of mind to tip of fingers, unfiltered.

[dmusic148]

This is why a harmonica is the best instrument to bring to a jam session. Nobody ever wants to try your harmonica.

[malthumb]

Originally Posted by Mushroo

The one time I've asked, a very well-known bass player, without hesitation, let me noodle around on his one-of-a-kind irreplaceable signature bass. Generosity and sharing are rampant at the top tier of the music game, whereas the "no, you can't touch that" attitude seems more common with the boutique-bass-at-local-bar-gig crowd.

Bad generalization. The boutique bass that I'm playing in a local bar in this picture has been asked for and even offered without asking many times. In fact, the night this picture was taken I offered to let the bassist in the band playing after us use it. He declined. Too heavy and too many strings. He offered to let me use his rig. Also declined, since I had already lugged mine in and I didn't wanna screw with his settings.

[klejst]

Yeah you can. I do all the time personally.

[alembicguy]

Well if you share your bass with people than more power to you.

If you choose not to share your bass with others more power to you.

People do want they want and if you think you can sway them to your way of thinking your wasting energy.
Now go practice!

[Aaron_D]

You can say no, but it makes you a di@k.

[alembicguy]

Originally Posted by Aaron_D

You can say no, but it makes you a di@k.

Why

[dukeisdog]

Originally Posted by Aaron_D

You can say no, but it makes you a di@k.

Wouldn't say it makes you one, though you may come off as one.

I have basses worth more then some other players vehicles, and I take care of my gear. No chance I'm letting a complete stranger play my basses unless I'm selling it and the guys seriously coming down to take a look at it.

[Munjibunga]

Even if it were rude (it's not): being rude, or someone else's buckle rash on your bass. Your choice.

[carl h.]

Originally Posted by Aaron_D

You can say no, but it makes you a di@k.

This makes you look like a dick.

[Munjibunga]

Originally Posted by Aaron_D

You can say no, but it makes you a di@k.

A d**k, maybe, but a smart d**k.