Yes and it's usually rewarding to hear my bass played by one of my friends.
I learn a difference in tone and usually a few more ideas.
I learn a difference in tone and usually a few more ideas.
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Do you let other people play your basses?
- Thread starter misterCRUSH
- Start date
I have several professional friends that borrow a bass or amp frequently for recording or a gig for one reason or another. One is a guitarist that doesn't own a bass. Total trust. Meanwhile, I have a long-term loan of a Rob Allen MB-2 fretless that I could never afford from one of the bassists! Woo Hoo!
Nope! I'll let my son play my bass (He's a superb musician and bass player in his 40's) and I let the bandleader of our group play it once. I don't loan out my equipment.
Reason for that is back in about 1972 while I was touring with a nightclub group I let a local musician borrow my 1965 Jazz to play two songs. He kept picking at the bridge, and when I got it back, he said, "there's something wrong with your bass." I checked it out and he had picked 2 of the strings right off of their saddles. I had removed the cover over the neck pickup but left the ashtray in place, so I had to remove the ashtray pickup cover and loosen the strings to reset them correctly in their saddles and then then tune up. Was during a practice session so it didn't stop a performance, but it was the second time I had loaned out or allowed someone to use my gear and got it back screwed up.
My first incidence was in 1966 when I loaned my '66 Bassman cabinet to a friend and got it back with an inch long cigarette burn in the handle. I pointed it out and he replaced the handle, but between these two incidents I realized that no one else was concerned about keeping my gear in top shape than I was. The old saying, "the best race care is a rental car" comes to mind.
My daughter is learning, so she has access to whatever I've got if she likes. But other than her, no...
- Sep 4, 2010
- 3,304
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- Disclosures
- Endorsing: Martin Keith Guitars
In the right settings I'm always excited to put a Dingwall in somebody's hands.
If you showed up to the blues jam without a bass and I don't know you, somebody is going to need to vouch for ya.
Otherwise, probably going to be "NO."
If you showed up to the blues jam without a bass and I don't know you, somebody is going to need to vouch for ya.
Otherwise, probably going to be "NO."
General answer is no, some things I just don't share. I have worked very hard for my basses and each is set up for my needs. It would be a high sign of trust for me to offer one of my basses to someone else to play.
I make my own basses, and I play in churches. One of the places I play at, we have a few times had a "youth band" play the opening song. First time that happened, I suggested he (the "youth" who's a full foot shorter than me, but who plays slung low (we can use the same strap)) play my bass, because it simplified the changeover. Then one day, I got there, and found out the youth band was again doing the first song (though I hadn't know it before I arrived). Brand new bass, first song it ever gets played on in public, someone else gets to play it. When I found out, I had a moment of "Hey WAIT!", but I got over it quickly.
So, yes, I let others play my basses, but not on a regular basis.
So, yes, I let others play my basses, but not on a regular basis.
If I know you and there's nothing in my head saying "Are you crazy?" then most likely.
If I don't know you, or if I know you too well--then probably not.
And unless I trust you the bass doesn't leave my sight.
If I don't know you, or if I know you too well--then probably not.
And unless I trust you the bass doesn't leave my sight.
As a rule no. there are exceptions. One KB who used to use me for some good gigs would usually know another bass player in the audience and would have him sit in. I wasn't thrilled about it but the gigs were good enough that I just dealt with it. The BL of the main band I am in also has a reggae band and sometimes that bass player will come out and sit in. He brings his own bass though and plays through my amp. He's not a tool, and is careful with my gear so Im good with it. If it was anyone else though...
If I know or suspect someone will be asked to sit in by one of these band leaders, there are instruments I will not bring for sure.
Also, overall I am not down with sit-ins. I get it from a standpoint of extending a courtesy to another musician, but I think they are too disruptive to the flow of things, and honestly I think it's kind of ballsy to ask a player who is in your lineup that night to allow another musician to sit in. I'd never do it, and I really have no interest in sitting in on another guys gig.
If I know or suspect someone will be asked to sit in by one of these band leaders, there are instruments I will not bring for sure.
Also, overall I am not down with sit-ins. I get it from a standpoint of extending a courtesy to another musician, but I think they are too disruptive to the flow of things, and honestly I think it's kind of ballsy to ask a player who is in your lineup that night to allow another musician to sit in. I'd never do it, and I really have no interest in sitting in on another guys gig.
Yes for my cheap basses.
No for my vintage & boutique basses.
No for my vintage & boutique basses.
