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Am I Being Played?

#102
Take a long look at your equipment...then look at the dudes using it when you're not around. Ask yourself, "How would I feel if one of them was dating my little sister?" Your equipment will surely find it's way into your car tonight!!
 
#103
This seems to be a repetitive thread topic.

Short answer is; Yes.
Long answer is; Yes. Everyone is paying a similar rate and the other players get the added
bonus of having a rig provided, even down to the instrument if they want to use it.
The rental place would probably rent them a rig but you are providing it at no charge so they have the
best arrangement money can buy.

If it bothers you; either charge them a rental fee, deposit, or something that suits you,
or take the LM3 with you when you leave...it's small enough to not be a hassle.
And as for your bass that you leave there, my opinion is you are dodging a bullet. It will eventually disappear. And being that you are in Brooklyn I am surprise any of it is still there.

People sometimes have to learn lessons the hard way though. Perhaps your lesson is yet to be learned.
 
#104
Not to further flog a deceased equine, but....HELL NO!

There are too many people with access, rehearsal spaces are not secure enough, you're getting no payback, wear and tear on your equipment is inevitable, people who don't own stuff seldom treat it well, if your equipment gets damaged no one is likely to fess up and pay, etc., etc. I don't think it's a question of if, but of when on the above.

Needless to say, I've had some bad experiences along these lines myself. You are under no obligation whatsoever to share your equipment.

You're contributing too much for the space! Some of the other dozen or so who use the space must be deadbeats.

I realize I'm just adding a "vote", nothing that has not already been said.

Tom
 
#105
This would be the same as letting people just come over and use your TV, game console, or stereo. Yeah it's not going to implode if they use it once in a while or if it is regularly worked, but it's hard to quantify wear and tear or especially someone being irresponsible. As another TB'er said, if something comes up wrong with it then nobody is going to fess up and take the blame. I typically find the people looking for a free ride are the only ones who complain about people not sharing gear. Guys with decent jobs or respect for others will understand your concerns. They do make 1/4" jack locks you can put onto cabs to keep people from using them. I'd take your head and bass back with you. Sucks that it has to be that way, but you gotta watch your own backside.
 
#106
Alexis Duntov said:
So I share a rehearsal space with some guys in one of my bands and I leave a rig there (Markbass LM III and MB 4x10). When I have gigs that don't have a back line I'll use this rig but most of the time it lives at the space. I pay $100/month. One of the guys in the band I play with at this space is in three other bands that also use this space and he uses my gear. So far there have been no issues, the gear is always left clean. And I don't think anyone is cranking this rig or playing at peak levels. But I feel like I'm being taken advantage of since none of the other bassists using my rig have to bring anything, I also have a bass there that is probably being used, I'm getting no money from this deal, and the wear and tear on my gear is increasing because of people I don't even know. Can a cab or head get worn or damaged just from normal use? I know tubes need to be replaced occasionally but the tube in this unit is a gimmick more than anything else. Curious to hear other people's thoughts.
Click to expand...

I would continue to leave the cab there for the sake of convenience but you should definitely be taking home your head and your bass.
 
#107
In the halcyon days of the recording biz in NYC, the busiest guitarists got together, bought a bunch of the same amp, and put one in each studio they were likely to work in. Each amp had a lock on it that prevented it being powered up, and the members paid a small fee for upkeep. You could put your cab in a locked enclosure and do the same. Users would bring their own head.
 
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#110
Alexis Duntov said:
So I share a rehearsal space with some guys in one of my bands and I leave a rig there (Markbass LM III and MB 4x10). When I have gigs that don't have a back line I'll use this rig but most of the time it lives at the space. I pay $100/month. One of the guys in the band I play with at this space is in three other bands that also use this space and he uses my gear. So far there have been no issues, the gear is always left clean. And I don't think anyone is cranking this rig or playing at peak levels. But I feel like I'm being taken advantage of since none of the other bassists using my rig have to bring anything, I also have a bass there that is probably being used, I'm getting no money from this deal, and the wear and tear on my gear is increasing because of people I don't even know. Can a cab or head get worn or damaged just from normal use? I know tubes need to be replaced occasionally but the tube in this unit is a gimmick more than anything else. Curious to hear other people's thoughts.
Click to expand...

You funding there music lives and you wonder if you are being played?????

Hmm.......I am not sure what to say.
 
#111
SAlcott said:
In the halcyon days of the recording biz in NYC, the busiest guitarists got together, bought a bunch of the same amp, and put one in each studio they were likely to work in. Each amp had a lock on it that prevented it being powered up, and the members paid a small fee for upkeep. You could put your cab in a locked enclosure and do the same. Users would bring their own head.
Click to expand...

This scenario not only played out with session guitarists but also with the Manhattan Bass Club. Each of the top session bassists bought a B15 and the amps were left at the studios for each to use. They all bought in
and eliminated the need to transport an amp around Manhattan. The "Key club" was a bunch of guitarists who fitted their amps with a key latch to render it operational or non operational. And those members each had a key. New York City...gotta love it!
 
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#115
BassFishingInAmerica said:
Funny. But a simpler solution would be to remove the fuse.
Click to expand...

Agreed but it would just as fast to unhook and put it in a bag for the trip home. I mean come on, 6lbs ?!?! 30 second disconnect and placed in a backback for the trip home.

I also suspect that many of the other bassists have grown to expect that the "space backline" will just be there and are just to lazy to get it out of the trunk of their car.
 
#117
TBH I actually pulled out of a music project due to this a few years back. My gear was clearly being used by other folks, in a rehearsal space that was technically just supposed to be used for one project.

Guitarist/bandleader just kind of saw it as "his space" and would jam with random people there.
 
#119
I have learned (the hard way) over the years, that usually, "no good deed goes unpunished". It's great that you allow these guys to use your gear, but something that I have spent quite a few bucks to purchase is going home with me at night, even if it's unconvenient. I have played since the early 70s and have had a Bass and an amp head stolen. Since then, I've learned my lesson and trust no one using my gear but myself. If someone else has access to the gear and there is no formal agreement on the liability of the equipment, I would lock it up when not there (if possible). It's just too easy for mishaps and misunderstandings.
 
#120
Tell all the other Bassists that you want to start rotating gear, every say 3 weeks. See how many of them want to leave there rig there for everyone to use. Then ask yourself are you being played?
 

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