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

[pocketgroove]

In my opinion, it's bad manners to ask to use someone else's instrument, especially if you don't know them, so, yes, you can refuse.

[TolerancEJ]

I am imagining a different scenario now...

What if I brought my own bass, but someone else brought a really cool one that I've always wanted to try. Would I be out of line in asking to try theirs out of curiosity? Of course, with no intention of fiddling with tuning, settings, etc.

[TolerancEJ]

Originally Posted by Kubicki440

+ 1

Drummers need not apply to this rule just bring your own sticks.

Actually, my old drummer absolutely hated anyone else using his kit. His skill/technique is excellent, but the next person that wants to sit down doesn't care about the skins/cymbals if they don't belong to them. Skins & Cymbals can get quite expensive. One drummer will always hit another drummer's kit harder for that reason.

At the very least, he would sometimes compromise by asking others to bring their own snare drum.

[Anthony Fury]

Mostly I'd say no. Just last Saturday, our guitar player DEMANDED my brand new AM Special P-bass on stage for a song which (he thought) I didn't know. I looked at his giant belt buckle, laughed, and told him to find another one.

On the other hand, never say never. Years ago, I handed my bass over to an older looking "event coordinator" gentleman who said he was a bass player. I thought "okay, whatever." He said he didn't like my LaBella (Jamerson weight) flatwounds, then ripped this BEYOND INSANE slap riff up the neck and back down before I could even go "whoa." He said he was pals with Marcus Miller, gave me his card and disappeared.

It was freaking Doug Wimbish!

[mongo2]

As a result of incidents in the past, my policy is to never, ever, ever lend gear.

[dalkowski]

Say no and be gracious about it. Anyone who has a problem with that, you wouldn't want playing your bass anyway.

[musicman666]

Aww c'mon.......don't be such a tight wad....share your bass!!!

[Bassman62]

I had an amusing incident one night at a jam session, I'd left this old lady on stage.



The Bassist from a young teenage band looked at my well used bass rather disdainfully when told he could play it.

[alembicguy]

Originally Posted by musicman666

Aww c'mon.......don't be such a tight wad....share your bass!!!

I've got a jam this weekend at a biker party so you want to send one of yours for me to borrow.

[dalkowski]

Originally Posted by musicman666

Aww c'mon.......don't be such a tight wad....share your bass!!!

The words of someone who's never lived the Murphy's Law of Gear Lending.

[Scott in Dallas]

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

[Anthony Fury]

Originally Posted by Bassman62

The Bassist from a young teenage band looked at my well used bass rather disdainfully when told he could play it.

HAHAHAH I would have slapped that stupid kid in the mouth!

[chadds]

That request receives a polite no.
They really should bring their own.
The reasons I don't share are numerous. One is when the acid in their sweat wrecks your strings for the rest of the night. Your bass now smells like cigarettes, Axe and A&& the rest of the night. The worst is watching them resolve some pentup fantasy while not even fitting into the band.

[Rip Topaz]

Say no. I would. My bass is as close to me as my wife (well, almost!!). Nobody plays it but me.

[vince a]

I always say 'no,' regardless of who it is!

[zfunkman]

I would not let anyone I don't know and trust play my bass. Nor would I expect anyone I don't know let me play their bass. PERIOD There is a point were you shouldn't care what people think and this is that pointl.

[hdracer]

sure you can say no
and be a dick.

Why would you want to bring a CS Fender to a jam?

I bring my CIJ or American standard Fenders to jams all the time and if asked I let people play them.
If I don't know the person I let them know that if they hurt my bass I will hurt them

[DaRQsiDe]

Originally Posted by musicman666

Aww c'mon.......don't be such a tight wad....share your bass!!!

Did that once. Only once. The guy broke the headstock. I broke his nose. (Not happening in the US by the way...)

Never again.

Edit - It was a Godin Freeway 5, but even with all the things I liked that bass...

[mjac28]

Originally Posted by hdracer

sure you can say no
and be a dick.

Why would you want to bring a CS Fender to a jam?

I bring my CIJ or American standard Fenders to jams all the time and if asked I let people play them.
If I don't know the person I let them know that if they hurt my bass I will hurt them

+1 I wouldn't bring a really nice bass because the temptation is there for someone to ask to try it and then you have to be "that" guy.

[Kwesi]

It's your bass, you can do whatever you like with it. I've declined to let many people play mine. It being 12lbs also helps scare folks away. It's mine and it's amazing and peasants don't deserve to even look at it, much less touch it.