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Band members on your bass?

#21
Yep, with my current band I let them touch my bass. I see their own equipment and it is in good condition, which means they treat it well, and the times they've played with my bass they've treated it respectfully. I also take their stuff and play with it, and they don't complain, so why should I?

Besides, it's not like it would be a huge problem for me. Most of the time they ignore my bass and go either for the guitar (drummer) or the drums (me, guitarist, singer).
 
#22
There's a big difference between using and misusing gear. I would let someone use my gear if they needed it with no problem. Hell, I tend to be the "go-to" guy when people need to borrow some pedals for gigs. However, if at any time someone decides to toss around my pedals or just flail around on the bass' strings for no reason other than to make pointless noise, then I draw the line.
 
#24
Interesting question.....I can see a lot of different opinions here.

For myself, I'm not big into letting other people "play with my toys".

My stuff was not tremendously expensive. But it was the best I could afford and I'm attached to it. I don't want to be faced with having to replace it or fix it if someone breaks it (drops the bass, smashes something, etc....). If I do it, that's another thing. I am meticulous (sp?) with my basses and equipment and super anal about how they are cleaned, stored, and cared for.

I hate when people think it's okay to play with your tuning, settings, or amp on a "tryout". Go to a music store. They'll let you fiddle all you want.

I don't like the idea of handling my bass after someone else's sweaty, greasy fingers have been all over it. Yes, I have OCD to a certain level and I am somewhat of a germ freak. Just being honest.

I might sound like a jerk. I probably do, but it's how I feel. As a child I learned a lesson when I loaned my toys out to friends and they came back BROKEN. When you loan something out, don't be surprised if it doesn't come back in the same condition, and when that happens you have yourself to blame because you chose to loan it out.

I have let other members of my band try out my stuff here and there because I formed a trust with them and they would pay for whatever damage they did and we all understand that you just don't fool with another player's setup. I would NEVER let a stranger play my stuff and absolutely would not let people try it at an open mic night.

By the same token, I don't ask to try other people's equipment out. If it is offered to me, I might try it (I usually decline), but I don't ask...ever. But if I try it, it's with the understanding that it will be brief, I will be respectful of it, and it will return to your hands EXACTLY the way you put it into mine.

Just my $.02
 
#25
Lets see... our lead guitarist originally joined as a bassist... our drummer originally joined as a bassist... previous bass parts were written by our other guitarist/sing/songwriter...
the only one in my band who CANT touch my bass is our keys guy.

Plus, all the others probably couldnt handle the fifth string, or the unlined fretlessness. But, they all have to ask first.
 
#29
The only time someone else touches my bass is when it's my guitar player who is careful and just needs a quick bass fix, or when were playing live and were doing one of those classic big bang end of song freakouts and I'll occasionally let audience member strum the strings from the floor, I'm still holding it though, doesn't feel like that really counts.

If you don't like you're drummer playing your bass, get on his drumkit, hit a crash and then ask "why isn't this crash louder?" and then start hitting it really really hard, he'll get the point.
 
#30
Newbie question here,

What is proper etiquette when hosting an open mic or open stage night? I am really new, but I have been going to a weekly open mic. Every bass player there has asked me to play their stuff, which I have respectfully declined all but one. Most of these guys are long time friends and we were friends WAY before I started playing, plus I think I am known as a pretty responsible guy.

It seems that everyone usually asks before they play someone elses stuff, but is the host band supposed to let people use their bass/ guitar if they didn't bring their own and someone wants to play?

Is the host band supposed to supply an instrument for people?

I know it is different for the drummers cuz they really can't bring their own gear, but I have noticed the host drummer usually has a conversation with the guest drummer before they play.
 
#31
I let people play my bass all the time. I used to be kinda uptight with it, but I found that doing so always put people off. Whenever I say, "go for it" they're always more responsive, and if it's a guy at a bar they'll usually buy me a round afterwards :)
 
#32
I dont let anyone (even band members) touch my gear. If something breaks or goes wrong I want to know its all on me. Its led to some awkward situations over the years, but whatever :)

This only applies to my basses and rigs. I'd let someone use/borrow my pedals anytime.
 
#34
Usually the host band makes me play whether I have my bass with me or not. I think etiquette dictates that you should bring your own axe if you intend to ask to play. If they see you at the bar, loudly call your name and make rude remarks about female family members over the PA, then shove a bass in your hands and walk off stage when you approach then I think it's OK to use someone elses bass.
 
#36
Of course, as others have said, you make the "rules" about your own stuff. It would sound, however, as though some seem a little attached to their stuff...making "rules" seems to possibly indicate this. I loan them out for extended periods of time in certain situations. I have a backup rig loaned out to a guy that is doing small gigs with it. It may come back a little worn but I just think that it's stuff...and a guy I knew was having difficulty b/c the cost of quality gear is difficult to come up with sometimes. These are people I know, though.

Just like I don't understand CL postings having to spell out "must have your own gear and own transportation", I also don't understand spending a ton of time with musicians that don't ask first and wouldn't pay for something if they broke it. Sharing and personal responsibility is something that should have been learned at a young age, right? I guess I'm a hobbyist so I can pick & choose band mates a little easier than if I was trying to gig for a living.

To me, it just seems like some that have posted might need to learn a little about sharing...just sayin'. But that doesn't extend to some barfly...
 
#38
I'd be fine with my bandmates playing my basses; they're all responsible adults. Since we share our space with two other bands, I always bring my instruments home though.
 
#39
travep said:
Of course, as others have said, you make the "rules" about your own stuff. It would sound, however, as though some seem a little attached to their stuff...making "rules" seems to possibly indicate this. I loan them out for extended periods of time in certain situations. I have a backup rig loaned out to a guy that is doing small gigs with it. It may come back a little worn but I just think that it's stuff...and a guy I knew was having difficulty b/c the cost of quality gear is difficult to come up with sometimes. These are people I know, though.

Just like I don't understand CL postings having to spell out "must have your own gear and own transportation", I also don't understand spending a ton of time with musicians that don't ask first and wouldn't pay for something if they broke it. Sharing and personal responsibility is something that should have been learned at a young age, right? I guess I'm a hobbyist so I can pick & choose band mates a little easier than if I was trying to gig for a living.

To me, it just seems like some that have posted might need to learn a little about sharing...just sayin'. But that doesn't extend to some barfly...
Click to expand...

Exactly. Those who say "no one touches my gear except me" sound like spoiled children that never grew up. Either that, or they hang out with the wrong crowd and can't trust any of their "friends".

In one of the bands I'm in, I always using one of the guitar players guitars to show him songs. I've also left my bass there on some occasions when I had to miss a practice so the other guitarist can play bass for some songs. I have absolutely no concerns about my gear being abused or damaged.

Last year, I lent my back up bass to our guitarist's 15-year old son for a 2-3 months. When I got it back (in exactly the same condition), he had thanked me by putting new strings on it.
 
#40
Well my band-mates use my drum kit, guitar amps, keyboard, mics and PA at rehearsal or gigs, so I don't see why I couldn't let them play my bass once in a while.

The one exception to the rule are the guys with the acid hands. Some people seem to have some wierd PH balance in their sweat that just kills strings immediately. I had a room-mate who had that, and every time he'd touch one of our guitars, the strings went dead.

Quite honestly, if one of my band-mates were showing off a new guitar and I asked to check it out, it would be a little wierd if he/she said no. I would understand, but it would still feel a little awkward.
 

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