Can I say "No" to sharing my bass at a jam? - Page 16

Fuzzbass · #**301** 01-30-2013, 08:57 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by chadds

Can I borrow your car for fifteen minutes?

Uh huh,
I didn't think so.

Quote:

Originally Posted by malthumb

Apples and cucumbers.

Quote:

Originally Posted by chadds

Explain please.

Explain, really? The question is, "sharing the bass at a jam". For one thing, borrowing a car typically means taking it out of the owner's sight (otherwise the owner would just play taxi driver). At a jam, you can keep an eye on your bass.

For another, there are insurance/license issues with cars, but not basses.

I'm sure I can think of more if I spend another few seconds on it.

FWIW I've shared my bass plenty of times... OTOH, I'm hesitant to let my wife drive my car, let alone anyone else.

**Chef** · #**302** 01-30-2013, 09:02 AM

Actually, insurance could come into play in this scenario...if you have your instruments insured.
If you're a working musician, you should have your stuff insured. You do, right?

http://www.musicins.com/

Mushroo · #**303** 01-30-2013, 09:03 AM

With a car there are serious liability concerns.

**Chef** · #**304** 01-30-2013, 09:07 AM

A bass used as a weapon could create serious liability issues as well..............................

Mushroo · #**305** 01-30-2013, 09:15 AM

What is Heritage Insurance's policy on that? I had a Peavey back in the day that would have made a brutal weapon.

**Chef** · #**306** 01-30-2013, 09:16 AM

lol; you'd have to ask!!!!

slick_tu · #**307** 01-30-2013, 09:45 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DrSpunkwater

So you're pissed because your good friend of 10 years played your P-bass, an instrument that's damn near indestructible, while you were taking a smoke break? Lighten up, dude. My friend plays my bass all the time when I take a bathroom break, and I play a Gibson. It's *not* a big deal.

I think he was upset more because the guy didn't bother to ask. That's a matter of manners and courtesy which, I think, IS a big deal.

**Chef** · #**308** 01-30-2013, 09:48 AM

"good friend of 10 years"
"pissed"

those don't seem to go together, to me.
ymmv.

C.Linton · #**309** 01-30-2013, 10:20 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DrSpunkwater

So you're pissed because your good friend of 10 years played your P-bass, an instrument that's damn near indestructible, while you were taking a smoke break? Lighten up, dude. My friend plays my bass all the time when I take a bathroom break, and I play a Gibson. It's *not* a big deal.

You don't get it. He's not pissed about the guy playing his bass, he's pissed about the guy not even asking if he could, and did it while the guy was out of the room. I don't care how much of a tank the P-bass is, you don't just grab the thing without the owner's permission. That is NOT cool.

C.Linton · #**310** 01-30-2013, 10:22 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by chadds

I've really enjoyed this thread.
It probably didn't belong in Basses.
It had to be comedy.

Unlike other TB threads it was clear of name calling like, D**k and Germaphobe.

Normally some people try to stake out the moral high ground, "I'm better because I share". Not here.

So congratulations to all.

That was such a contentious issue.
It truly falls in the category of "First World Problems".

Really? What thread were you readng?

ggvicviper · #**311** 01-30-2013, 11:11 AM

If it's someone I am acquainted with, they can play with my instruments, but they must have a good attitude about it.

At jams, I've asked to borrow someone's guitar before to show how to play certain riffs or chords. Usually no problem there either (even if the guitarist doesn't learn/can't play what I show them). Again, a lot of it is attitude.

los100malditos · #**312** 01-30-2013, 11:23 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Scott in Dallas

That's why you buy an SX as a backup bass.

+1

CJAtheBassman · #**313** 02-01-2013, 09:20 AM

If you're not comfortable letting someone play your bass (especially if it is either a really expensive one or you don't have the money to go out and buy a replacement if something happens to it), you can say no, but try to be as polite about it as possible.

**Cookye** · #**314** 02-01-2013, 09:59 AM

My playing and taste in instruments has evolved over 35+ years I have been playing. At jams, that I actually am part of the house band, I use Foderas', Alembics and sometimes Roscoes. A number of times people have asked to use my instruments, even if they have bought their own. The explanation I get is "I have always wanted to try one of those", my response is "No, I do not lend out instruments". 99% of the time they are respectful and leave it at that. Once in a while I get someone who won't accept that, I then have to amplify it with "you just met me can I have to keys to your car to go for a joyride? If you wanted to try an instrument such as the one that I have do the legwork and research and go try one, just as I did. But don't assume that coming to an open jam that the term "Open" means usage of personal instruments". I had one person say "Well, it's just pickups surrounded by a piece of wood" and I replied "And a Ferrari is just an engine surrounded by a piece of metal. But I bet it will have superior performance over other 'engines, surrounded by metal'."

Wadge · #**315** 02-01-2013, 10:24 AM

Unless the guy asking is clearly off his rocker or drunk or a major ass, I always lend my bass. Heck, if I know you are a bass player, I will invite you to play a few tunes. I've had my start in music with bass players offering their bass for me to jam at open mike jams. I have to give back.

I like the idea of musicians being friendly to each other. If the bass gets scratched by mistake, so be it. I'll have made a friend in the process.

quadrogong · #**316** 02-01-2013, 10:26 AM

Once,about 25 years ago I was doing a small,casual tour playing electric guitar for a female pop artist.. I was in my early 20's,and was less confident than I am now..
A guy asked if he could use my amp for his whole set, they were the backup band..
I had a used Vibrolux Reverb that cost $175, used at Ash, my parents had bought it for my birthday, along w the guitar.

The guy turned it WAY up, so it distorted like crazy, it began to smell like something was burning, and then turned off.

I had no amp for this big show,
(or at the time, it was a big deal for me)
They stuck my cable in the PA and my performance was horrible, it was really bass-heavy and without sustain,and I was nervous and p'ed off the whole time.
The guy insisted it was a $2 fuse and gave me $5. The amp was fried, and so was the rest of the tour,for me.
I began playing bass seriously years later,but always remember that night.I consider it a typical mistake for someone who isn't playing a long time..
....just like storing your expensive fenders and Gibsons in the downstairs dressing room, along with 5 other bands black guitar cases.. If a guy walks up to the row of cases and takes one, who would care?
As you see more accidents...
guitars falling and hitting stage ceiling,snare heads busting,fuses blowing,headstocks bumping onstage..gear getting stolen backstage..
you start to get a bit more jaded when it comes to the sharing and trusting w strangers, If I'm asked, I act really,really sorry and tell folks that I depend on it to make a living, and say,"if it was ANY OTHER bass" I'd lend it..etc

KISSbestfan · #**317** 02-01-2013, 10:34 AM

I dont have problem with borrowing my basses, for one simple reason - no one except me wants them :P

For most people only a fact that I own Defil is enough to NOT to ask me about it. The stereotype is that strong. Anyway, a few times the bass was needed ASAP, so I lent it, and nothing has happened to him, except the fact that one player felt soo bad about his fingers ... Poor boy.

TheFenderBender · #**318** 02-01-2013, 10:45 AM

I share my basses if I know them well.

But actually, I never share my first bass. Too special.

zfunkman · #**319** 02-01-2013, 10:58 AM

Any musical instrument is a very personal item. My basses are no different. They are very personal to me. Sure, if I did let a stranger play my bass nothing bad would probably happen. However, I still will not let a stranger play my bass just because he asks politely. I'm not a d*ck or an a-hole because of this. Before anyone plays my bass I need to know what kind of person they are and it takes time to get to know someone. I don't want a stranger's sweat on my bass or someone's unknown energy to go through it (yea, I believe in that stuff). If you're the type of person who will let anyone play your bass, then good for you, it makes you no better than anyone else.

zfunkman · #**320** 02-01-2013, 11:01 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cookye

My playing and taste in instruments has evolved over 35+ years I have been playing. At jams, that I actually am part of the house band, I use Foderas', Alembics and sometimes Roscoes. A number of times people have asked to use my instruments, even if they have bought their own. The explanation I get is "I have always wanted to try one of those", my response is "No, I do not lend out instruments". 99% of the time they are respectful and leave it at that. Once in a while I get someone who won't accept that, I then have to amplify it with "you just met me can I have to keys to your car to go for a joyride? If you wanted to try an instrument such as the one that I have do the legwork and research and go try one, just as I did. But don't assume that coming to an open jam that the term "Open" means usage of personal instruments". I had one person say "Well, it's just pickups surrounded by a piece of wood" and I replied "And a Ferrari is just an engine surrounded by a piece of metal. But I bet it will have superior performance over other 'engines, surrounded by metal'."

+1 100% agreed!