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Bassists using your equipment at gigs

#141
I would say no and here's why. The last time I agreed to let an opening act's bass player use my rig, I did so with very explicit instructions not to adjust the EQ (semi-parametric), to use their own DI and to not mess with the gain or volume (in otherwords DO NOT TOUCH). Well needless to say, he ignored my instructions; completely screwed up the EQ by taking all the highs and mids out and jacking the lowend, turned up the volume way too loud for that much bottom end (I'm surprised my speakers survived) and used my DI which meant the FOH bass had to be re EQ'd to compensate for his crappy sound.
 
#142
The cover band I play in has recently started to have guest bass players come in for four or five songs so I can play some keyboard parts. For this I definitely let them use my stuff. They've always brought their own basses, of course. We invited them out, they're helping us, they shouldn't be expected to lug a second bass rig there.
For sharing with another band, that's usually a no go for me. I don't trust people I don't know . . . obviously.

Morgan
 
#143
I don't mind people using my 2X15 cab if they're in a pinch, but as for heads and basses I generally say no. The first show we played a band "forgot" their bass rig (yet remembered their 1/2 oz.) and asked to play my rig. I'm fine with the cab but this my answer with the head.

"It's almost 40 years old and all tube. If it blows in the middle of your set, I don't really want to have that conversation with you. Did you know you can go direct in here?"

Problem solved.

My thought process is kind of like this; if you bring your own stuff and something craps out by happenstance, I can probably trust you with my gear. If you can't be bothered/forget your stuff..forget it. No bassists in the area have been brazen enough to ask for my bass yet although a band we're supposedly doing a show with Thursday asked to use our drummer's $4500 kit. We've never met them, so he said no.

Honestly, if you can't bring your own stuff, don't gig out of town. Maybe that's harsh but it's just my opinion.
 
#148
I lend my gear out all the time. I never have a problem if one of the artists I'm playing with asks if someone can use my gear. I've even supplied basses when something went wrong for someone. Generally around here, if it's a multi-band show, everyone wants to share gear (bands, engineer etc). Several places do provide a cabinet or house rig though, which does help (one had an SVT on a 410hlf for a while-TINY place!).

I am in Nashville, where it's a pretty high level all around, and generally speaking people know how gear works and how to avoid breaking it, and lend gear is a great way for me to make friends who'll need subs in the future.

It's also been my experience that the gear I've used (so far) isn't that breakable. I've blown a few speakers, but I beat the crap out of all my stuff 4-5 times a week (including the rare overdrive+octave moments), and it's all held up well.

Another caveat is that I don't have any investment basses, or rig component's that I saved up day job money for forever. On the other hand, if a crucial piece of my gear goes down, I have to figure out something quick, or I won't make rent.
 
#149
gflowers said:
I would say no and here's why. The last time I agreed to let an opening act's bass player use my rig, I did so with very explicit instructions not to adjust the EQ (semi-parametric), to use their own DI and to not mess with the gain or volume (in otherwords DO NOT TOUCH). Well needless to say, he ignored my instructions; completely screwed up the EQ by taking all the highs and mids out and jacking the lowend, turned up the volume way too loud for that much bottom end (I'm surprised my speakers survived) and used my DI which meant the FOH bass had to be re EQ'd to compensate for his crappy sound.
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I always tell people 2 rules, don't touch my settings, and don't set a beer on my amp. You do either, and I'll come on stage and shut you down. At a muscular 6'0" 220 lbs, I get no arguments. If you don't like the rules...bring your own gear. If someone's using my cab, I'm not as strict, I just make sure their head doesn't push more than 500 watts at 4 ohms. I'm a friendly guy, and always say the rules with a smile on my face...I just want people to respect what I worked hard to pay for.
 
#152
I'll almost always allow another bassist to use my rig... if they ask for it beforehand, with some kind of reason for not being able to bring their own equipment. If I get approached mid-concert and asked, I lose almost all sympathy... the entitlement with assuming you can just use another musicians's gear is just embaressing to me.
 
#156
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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Unless they are good friends and this was arranged ahead of time this is a fee situation in addition to the normal performance fees.

Club wants band to provide PA = more $$$$
Club wants band to provide backline for other bands = more $$$$

If you don't know what to charge call a local sound equipment company and find out what they charge and then hit that or slightly lower.
 
#157
This is why I gig with SX basses and Peavey amps. (My nicer stuff is studio-only these days.) I'd rather be the nice guy who loans someone a bass/amp (and makes a friend/contact in the process) than the cranky guy who spends the night protectively hovering over his $1,000 rig at a gig that only pays $50. Want to use my Peavey as a coaster for your beer? Sure! Just buy me one too. ;)
 
#159
temmrich said:
I see the mentation on it now. I am not opposed to playing covers, but am opposed to cover bands ( does that make sense?).
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...or you could just let people do their things without having to be "opposed" to them. The fact that you equate musicians of any kind to a jukebox tells me you have a LOT to learn about music, regardless if you have 2 or 3 hours of material.

As far as this thread, I think I've come to the conclusion that we need a "Gear Borrowing" sticky, because I swear this topic comes up every couple of weeks.
 

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