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

[Mind Eroded]

I guess alot of you guys were raised as only children and/or germophobes. I consider it an honor when somebody takes a liking to my gear and its always a treat to hear what your equipment sounds like in somebody else's hands. Unless the person asking is clearly messed up or not right in the head, I don't see what the big deal is..oh no, the guy might get some sweat on it!..oh no the headstock might get bumped on something..

Now,I know the OP has a CS fender. I'd be careful too, but when did we start venerating the instrument itself more than the experience itself that is playing and sharing music with others?
At the end of the day its just a guitar like any other..

my .02

[Roy Vogt]

If I'm hosting a Jam, I always have a "Jam bass" that is good, but bulletproof ( 4 string Squier, for example). Of course, my main axes are 6 and 7 strings so they are natural repellents for a lot of sit-in players.

[bigsnaketex]

I honestly can't imagine me every asking someone to borrow their bass to play.

That just seems, wrong.

Now every single time I see a band play, I go on stage and check out their equipment - but I do that very respectfully and NEVER EVER touch!!

I find, especially with effect pedals, it's the best way to find out how things work without having to spend money on the pedal and playing with it!!

[DanCash]

Well, this thread provided some insight.

[2milehighspike]

[quote=Tx Basser;13780768..

Bottom line is: Would you feel badly about telling them "No" or would you feel worse if you allowed it and they scratched or damaged your bass guitar?[/QUOTE]

+1. I don't live in a big city, I live in a tourist based town were most of the people are from out of town, on vacation and partying. They may be proficient and have gear at home, but I don't know that. Not long ago I went to an open mic with my prized Les Paul, A guy came up to me , wasn't drunk and talk a good game, seemed like he was ok. I handed my paul over to him, and he proceded to bang away on it, broke two strings and scratched the hell out of it , in one song! After I ripped it from his hands, he just laughed. What would you do after something like that? Sorry call me a germophobe or whatever NO ONE touches my guitars!

[Dan Knowlton]

Originally Posted by spade2you

Just get an unlined fretless 6. Even the most wanky of guitarists will be intimidated and leave it alone.

with some kind of alternate tuning....

[2milehighspike]

Originally Posted by Dan Knowlton

with some kind of alternate tuning....

That is a GREAT idea!

[toddoutloud]

I once had a "beat to s#!t" unlined fretless P-Bass for that very purpose.

[Bassist Jay]

I can probably count on one hand the amount of people I trust to play me gear. I am nice about it but if someone asks, I also almost always say no. I keep my stuff in new condition. Not a scratch or flaw on them. As a result, unless I know that person will leave my stuff in that condition, the answer is no. Heck, even the few people I do trust, I may even make sure they are not wearing anything that will scratch my gear such as a belt or buttom up shirt etc.

[smcd]

Originally Posted by Mind Eroded

I guess alot of you guys were raised as only children and/or germophobes. I consider it an honor when somebody takes a liking to my gear and its always a treat to hear what your equipment sounds like in somebody else's hands. Unless the person asking is clearly messed up or not right in the head, I don't see what the big deal is..oh no, the guy might get some sweat on it!..oh no the headstock might get bumped on something..

Now,I know the OP has a CS fender. I'd be careful too, but when did we start venerating the instrument itself more than the experience itself that is playing and sharing music with others?
At the end of the day its just a guitar like any other..

my .02

It's not germs. Most people - the vast majority of people - don't like others using their instruments. It's one of those things that goes beyond fear of damage. It's such a natural aversion that I'm surprised that anyone would have the balls to ask to borrow a stranger's guitar.

If you're going to some kind of jam with the intention of playing, bring your own damn guitar. If you don't have one, sit down in the audience where you belong.

[qervo]

I usually always let a guy play, especially if you get the vibe that they know what they're doing. The only time I'm skeptical is when a: I know they disrespect their own instruments and b: if their super cocky. But usually a little discussion of how you expect your bass to be handled does the job. You never know , some of these guys could be real great bedroom players and you just may make a friend out of it.

[Mojo-Man]

Also as already stated.
Rule of thumb, when you go to a jam, bring your own instrument.
I have done a few jams, where I was in the house band.
I always brought a fretless, keeps most people from asking.

[Wyattsgroove]

If I were going to host an open mic jam.... First thing I would do is, get on Craig's list and find a cheap beater bass. It would pay for itself in a few weeks and I'd not lose sleep over some jerk who- did everything mentioned previously in this thread.

OTOH, I attend lots of jams locally as I'm I between bands right now. There seems to be a jam every night of the week within a 20 mile radius so... There's no shortage of jams.

I ALWAYS bring my own bass and will pack up an amp ( just in case ). I always seek out the host musicians and talk with them to get a feel/vibe if I don't already know them.

Typically the bass players are pretty cool. Once and a while ill run into an arse who is a premadonna but usually those people are guitards filling in on bass ( need I say more?).

On most occasions, if I feel comfortable with a person, I will offer up my bass, only if they take an interest in it. There are rules I apply however, and even before I open my mouth, I have set questions I ask to screen out loonies ( for lack of a better word).

If I show up to a jam and I'm the one and only bass player... No one else touches my gear. Period. Often times when I'm the only bass player in the house, I'll play all night. Where I get free beer ( no I don't get smashed! My limit is 3 total) I'm also not getting paid. I don't care who else is there, you ain't using my stuff. I'm there to play at an open mic jam. Believe me I've had issues where people think they think they are entitled to use my gear! Then if you let them use it .... Use it they will, with no regards to you or with no respect to you. Nevermind if you want to leave!!


BOTTOM LINE:

If your hosting a jam : Bring a Beater bass that other people can use without you having to worry about any damage or loss of your beloved bass. If someone has an issue with using the loaner .... Too bad. They don't deserve to play. Send 'em packin!

If you are attending a jam:

Bring your own instrument if possible, if not ( you are on vacation, far away from home or whatever) talk to the host band and especially the bass player, most times they will loan you their instrument if they feel comfortable with you. If you come across as a jerk you can just forget it. I like to hear what they are playing and using for equipment. I will often use gear as an icebreaker. Then music style. Heck even compliments will get you in there just don't go overboard!!



Peace.
WG.

[angryclown5]

I think there are legitimate reasons why a decent player might show up to a jam without a bass, such as someone from out of town who's visiting, passing through, or whatever. The optimal situation would be to have a way to accommodate that person rather than shutting them down. To me it's part of the job.

I don't know where anybody works, but I'm guessing that some of the "no way, that's like asking to _____with my wife" responders are not getting hired to host jams very often.

[alembicguy]

God: alembicguy can I borrow your bass?

Alembicguy: Nope!

[millsbass5]

I've had my '61 Jazz at several gigs and let other bassists play it many, many times over the years. If they're an actual musician, it's there for 'em to play. I just want 'em to treat it the way it deserves to be treated. There's just no point in being a prick about it. The same goes with my pre-Gibson Tobias, too. Hell, I've even loaned my '61 to a really good buddy of mine to take to a gig. Why? Because he really has respect for what it is.
The only possession I have that's off-limits is my BMW M5. Way, way too much horsepower for 99% of drivers out there.

[carl h.]

Originally Posted by alembicguy

God: alembicguy can I borrow your bass?

Alembicguy: Nope!

I have a regular Thursday evening gig that is a 2 part gig - guest band first then house band finishes the night.

I've got no problem with a guest act asking to borrow my rig - it's there and sized to be right in the room. I don't think I have ever declined to let someone use my rig. Occasionally they will ask to try my bass out and that is fine too, but none of them have ever asked to play my bass for the gig. I don't think I'd decline if I knew the guest, but you never know.

A stranger off the street is a different story.

[2milehighspike]

Originally Posted by angryclown5

I think there are legitimate reasons why a decent player might show up to a jam without a bass, such as someone from out of town who's visiting, passing through, or whatever. The optimal situation would be to have a way to accommodate that person rather than shutting them down. To me it's part of the job.

I don't know where anybody works, but I'm guessing that some of the "no way, that's like asking to _____with my wife" responders are not getting hired to host jams very often.

That guy may be a legitimate player, how do you know for sure? all I can say is my experience was very bad, NO you can't dance with my wife, No you can't touch my guitar, and NO I don't host Jams, I am too busy playing with my own band to do so. If you do hand your precious P-bass to a stranger, good luck! Just watch him like a hawk, And if things go bad, don't be afraid to grab it from him mid song if you have to, I wish I did!

[Mind Eroded]

Originally Posted by smcd

It's not germs. Most people - the vast majority of people - don't like others using their instruments. It's one of those things that goes beyond fear of damage. It's such a natural aversion that I'm surprised that anyone would have the balls to ask to borrow a stranger's guitar.

If you're going to some kind of jam with the intention of playing, bring your own damn guitar. If you don't have one, sit down in the audience where you belong.

eh, I dont know that just because you hold a certain opinion and some others on this forum do too, that qualifies as "the vast majority of people"..most people outside of TB that i've come across who don't treat their basses/equipment as sacred religious idols/artifacts/relics(no pun intended..lol) don't mind if other people play their stuff. The people comparing a bass to their significant others here have an 'interesting' outlook on things to say the least...it's just a friggin' instrument, maybe these people forgot that they are referring to a typically mass produced inanimate object..

I guess i just never understood that mentality. Maintaining a 'vibe' is imo very important at an open jam. Declining to let a respectable person check out your equipment for a song or two def comes off as dickish..even if that person prob should have brought their own bass in the long run. Sometimes people have legitimate reasons for not doing so in those situations and lending out a helping hand can go a long way, as long as it is reasonable. Maybe its you who holds certain 'aversions' but i wouldnt call it 'natural'.

[hdracer]

Originally Posted by carl h.

I have a regular Thursday evening gig that is a 2 part gig - guest band first then house band finishes the night.

I've got no problem with a guest act asking to borrow my rig - it's there and sized to be right in the room. I don't think I have ever declined to let someone use my rig. Occasionally they will ask to try my bass out and that is fine too, but none of them have ever asked to play my bass for the gig. I don't think I'd decline if I knew the guest, but you never know.

A stranger off the street is a different story.

Oh Carl,
You love sharing your gear.
How many people have played your Lightwave?