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Do you let other people play your basses?
- Thread starter misterCRUSH
- Start date
I have let friends borrow basses and guitars throughout my life and I've borrowed basses from them. And I've done handoffs on stage. Why not? If it was a precious instrument I would be more careful I suppose.
I give pedals to friends to try out all the time.
Either they know me well enough to ask or I offer. I wouldn't hand a bass to a stranger. But I never met a stranger!
I give pedals to friends to try out all the time.
Either they know me well enough to ask or I offer. I wouldn't hand a bass to a stranger. But I never met a stranger!
Bass guitar and later, guitar, is such an important part of who I am. And I would not be a bass player if someone didn't offer to loan me a bass.
Mostly no. No one handles your basses or your money like you do! That said, I NEVER lend one out for playing, cause things happen on gigs and I would always figure something "could have been done to prevent that", if something were to happen.
I have a few nice and rare basses that some close bassist friends of mine want to try for just a bit, (with me present) that I can't say no, esp. when one of them is a 40 year friend that owns a shop and lets me play his inventory...how could I say "no" to that guy?! If a bud gets in a jam, I have a beater bass for my Craigslist "auditions" that always take place in unheated garages, for some reason. I have a special MIM P for that...after all, that's usually what people (mostly drummers and guitarists) look for: a big "Fender" decal on a familiar headstock. I don't think an inlaid MOP butterfly means much to most folks.
I have a few nice and rare basses that some close bassist friends of mine want to try for just a bit, (with me present) that I can't say no, esp. when one of them is a 40 year friend that owns a shop and lets me play his inventory...how could I say "no" to that guy?! If a bud gets in a jam, I have a beater bass for my Craigslist "auditions" that always take place in unheated garages, for some reason. I have a special MIM P for that...after all, that's usually what people (mostly drummers and guitarists) look for: a big "Fender" decal on a familiar headstock. I don't think an inlaid MOP butterfly means much to most folks.
Yes, no problem.
I even borrowed a bass or two, occasionally. Of course this happened with people I know well.
But I would let someone play my basses, no problem. They're not gonna explode.
If I were at a bar and some random dude wanted to "play" my bass, I would tell him to get lost.
But in the rehearsal room, with other players, or at my house, or even at a gig, to a bass player I know, why not?
I even borrowed a bass or two, occasionally. Of course this happened with people I know well.
But I would let someone play my basses, no problem. They're not gonna explode.
If I were at a bar and some random dude wanted to "play" my bass, I would tell him to get lost.
But in the rehearsal room, with other players, or at my house, or even at a gig, to a bass player I know, why not?
Not if I can help it , if the BL asked someone to sit in during a gig , I'll be a nice guy about it as long as the person isn't drunk or wearing something that can scratch the body .
I let my kids (5 and almost 3) play with my 20 year old P bass, with supervision of course. I figure there isn't really anything they could possibly do to it that's any worse than what I've put it through.
Ya know, if a stranger dinged my bass I'd be annoyed. If a trusted friend dinged it, it would just add a story to it.
I might make sure their hands are clean (as in: not coated in French fry grease) if we're talking about my upright bass with a new $350 set of strings.
About 15 years ago I let a good friend and long time bass player borrow my Brand new Fender MIA Jazz Bass . When I got it back the entire bass was covered in spiderweb scratches. I asked what happened he said "when I got home I wiped it down with a shop rag". It took many hours of polishing to get most of the scratches out. I now have a beater bass if someone wants to use one pf mine.
Mostly no. Or drive my car. Or ride my motorcycle. And I don't ask.
Unless I know the individual WELL, and know they will RESPECT THE BASS, and I'm standing there, no, nope, no way, my dude. And NO ONE rides the scooter except me. LOL I've worked too hard for too long to get what I have. And yes, it is just a thing, but so what? It ain't YOUR thaing.
I once accidentally ran over a neighbor's cat, so of course I went over and asked if I could replace it. She asked me how good a mouser I was....
usually no, the dive I play at is rough, plus it is a jam. All drunks think they can play bass. Plus show-offs will bend or stretch strings like no other damaging the frets. I need a better place to play where people dont think every gig is a open mic.....
