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Bassists using your equipment at gigs

#81
rapidfirerob said:
This is the second time now that an opening band wants to use some of our equipment, including my amp and cabinet and the drums this time out. I've opened for many bands and can't recall asking to use the bass player's amp. We're headlining a festival during the day, then playing a club at night. The opening band will be playing for an hour at the club. Plus, it will be the first gigs with my GB Shuttle 6.0 and GK Neo 112. I'd like opinions on this. Thanks.
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What led you to believe that the "Basses" forum was the correct forum in which to post this topic? As opposed to "Band Management", or even "Miscellaneous"?

Does it have anything - specifically - to do with the bass guitar, as an instrument? Other than the fact that you just happen to be a bassist, and that the use of your (amplification) gear - among other gear - is being requested by the opening band? :confused:

I just don't get it... :rollno:

MM
 
#82
MysticMichael said:
What led you to believe that the "Basses" forum was the correct forum in which to post this topic? As opposed to "Band Management", or even "Miscellaneous"?

Does it have anything - specifically - to do with the bass guitar, as an instrument? Other than the fact that you just happen to be a bassist, and that the use of your (amplification) gear - among other gear - is being requested by the opening band? :confused:

I just don't get it... :rollno:

MM
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Well, at least you're focused on the important issues.
 
#83
MysticMichael said:
What led you to believe that the "Basses" forum was the correct forum in which to post this topic? As opposed to "Band Management", or even "Miscellaneous"?

Does it have anything - specifically - to do with the bass guitar, as an instrument? Other than the fact that you just happen to be a bassist, and that the use of your (amplification) gear - among other gear - is being requested by the opening band? :confused:

I just don't get it... :rollno:

MM
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What made you feel it was your job to make a big deal about this when there were 4 pages of responses from people who found it in the bass forum and found no fault at all with it?
Glad you took the time to voice your confusion though.
Maybe someone in one of those other forums will explain it to you. Feel free to migrate over there and find out.
 
#84
Floyd Eye said:
You think it takes massive power to blow drivers? That's cute.:)

Hey, you want to let other people use your stuff go right ahead bro, no sweat off my back. ;)
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I'll tell you what's cuter - you thinking you can blow the drivers in my bass cab without going out of your way to specifically do that.

I've been lending out my cabs for a long time. No problems so far. Don't expect any in the future.
 
#85
smcd said:
I'll tell you what's cuter - you thinking you can blow the drivers in my bass cab without going out of your way to specifically do that.

I've been lending out my cabs for a long time. No problems so far. Don't expect any in the future.
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Um, yeah, whatever dude. Like I said, you want to lend them out, go ahead. Do yourself a favor though and let go of the fantasy that your cabinet is so bad *** it can't be blown up unless you are trying to blow it up. There is about 15 guys here who build cabs for a living, why don't you ask them? ;)
 
#86
My general rule is no. If I know the player and it is arranged in advance, not a problem.

A little while back, when trying to help organize for a 4 band night gig, in an effort to get some communal equipment for the show from each of the bands, I offered my bass amp to the other bands. One bass player unplugged his bass with the amp on giving a huge "thud" that I thought was the bass drum, but there was no one behind the kit. Another bass player had the clip light almost always on for the first tune of their set (I had to run up on stage and turn the gain down) and also put a stage prop on top of my head that marked it. After the last band, I noticed that the volume on my head was cranked to the max when I went to tear the equipment down. Luckily, the gain wasn't too high. I was lucky in that my equipment wasn't damaged, but that was an important lesson for me. Many others do not care for your equipment or just do not know how to use it and/or are oblivious to some basic no-no's (such as removing the cord from the bass jack with the amp on).

So, my standard line now is "Sorry, I've had some bad experiences in the past with loaning equipment", which is true.

I like the idea of helping others out, but I have spent a lot of money on my equipment and it's not worth the risk just to be a nice guy. Clearly, there are many bassists out there just do not have the knowledge and respect.
 
#89
The ONLY time any of us have had to use somebody elses equipment was with an amp and that was pre-arranged, and it was a good friend of the guitar player so he was okay with him using the amp, mostly because the guitar players broke and it was his friends fault. but if we started playing gigs publicly i would be mortified if i didn't have my own equipment, i may not have an amazing amp but it works great for me.

I highly doubt i would let anybody use my amp, when its a jam session yes, but never another band.
 
#90
Sorry, I meant to post this in the Amp section actually. Thanks for all the great responses, so far. The band is known by the lead singer and he assures me the bass player will respect the equipment. I'm still not wild about it. I will talk to the guy and lay out the ground rules.
I can't imagine not bringing your own equipment to a gig.
 
#91
We forgot my bass cab at my first show and I had to ask one of the others bands (who we had been chilling with for at least 3 hours before the show an exams friends with) if i could use their bass combo.

They were totally fine with it an I didn't break a thing.

I don't get how people can break it unless they pull a Petr Townshend on it if you set it up right and make sure everything is plugged in right etc.
 
#92
smcfarland1337 said:
We forgot my bass cab at my first show and I had to ask one of the others bands (who we had been chilling with for at least 3 hours before the show an exams friends with) if i could use their bass combo.

They were totally fine with it an I didn't break a thing.

I don't get how people can break it unless they pull a Petr Townshend on it if you set it up right and make sure everything is plugged in right etc.
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How do you forget your bass cab????
 
#93
For the regular small bar gigs where I bring my modified SX basses and my Acoustic B200...I don't have a problem with other bass players from the local scene sitting in.

Worst case scenario, a bass or amp is disabled and I have to play the other bass via DI through the PA for that gig. Hasn't happened in 24 years of gigs.

That's why I have bar gear. I wouldn't chance using boutique-level gear in places that bar gear will work fine for.

Was a different story years ago in those large rooms where I had my old Luthier custom shop basses and my old rack system...that was roughly seven grand ($7000 1989 dollars) sitting on stage back then...
 
#96
temmrich said:
What made you feel it was your job to make a big deal about this when there were 4 pages of responses from people who found it in the bass forum and found no fault at all with it?
Glad you took the time to voice your confusion though.
Maybe someone in one of those other forums will explain it to you. Feel free to migrate over there and find out.
Click to expand...

It's his thing. It's what he does.
 
#99
Man reading all the comments about people getting their bass heads blown is the exat reason i dont let people use my gear anymore.

In the past (when i had cheap gear) i let people use my head and cab. I was just running a cheap B-series Ampeg head and cab. About worth 500$ together. Not too bad.
However now that i have my sound with my perfect rig (well worth over 2000$) i wont let anyone touch my gear. Unless they have 2k in their pocket right there or are willing to go through life without any arms there is no way i will let them use my gear.

I have a policy for myself (if I have to use someone else's gear). Always ask them if there is anything they need me to take care of, i let them know my bass' specs in case that matters as well.
 

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