Do you let people play your bass?

[chuck norriss]

I was practicing Fri night; the drummer asked if he could play my bass. I agreed & stepped out for a minute. When I got back he was playing it aggressively like he was Abe Laboreal or something! Not that he can play like Laboreal but he was playing it like he wanted to be if you know what I mean. Sheesh! I had a heart attack. It's an acoustic Gretsch--not as solid as say a Pbass etc. Anyway it's expensive & precious--to me, and I have to wait a half a year & save up in order to have a decent instrument.
It gets worse: I noticed when I got home that my intonation was off & all kinds of dried sweat on the body. WHAT?!
I noticed Duff McKagan's P has a tape sticker on the head that reads, "TOUCH THIS AND I'LL KILL YA."
Do you or don't you let ppl play your instruments?

 

[Floyd Eye]

Um, no.

 

[husky123]

I let people play my basses all the time. BUT I monitor their measly existence while in my world.

 

[Infidelity]

I let my bandmates play with it if they borrow it nicely but I remember a stranger played my bass on a gig one night and I wasn't really happy about it..

 

[jaywa]

In a gigging situation, no. I have never loaned a bass to anyone else for a gig and I don't plan to.

OTOH nothing gives me a bigger kick than to let other bassists (especially younger ones) plunk around on my black/black/maple (with chrome pickup cover) 78 P-Bass for a few minutes. Initially they always talk about how cool it looks and then they strap it on (with its perfect set-up and flatwounds) and they're like... "ohhhh wowwww." Always gives me a kick to know the axe I've played since I was 16 is now considered by at least a portion of the bass population to be a "vintage" instrument.

 

[MNAirHead]

Sure... I'll then not leave the room or proximity.

At least 4-6x per week...

 

[Zitch]

voted no, but it matters whether its a good expensive bass or a beater.

 

[Double E]

You can play my bass as long as you don't get poo on it.

 

[jwb39]

Absolutely. Just another reason why I love gigging with my modded SX.

 

[Kwesi]

I let my friends that play instruments and fellow TBers play my basses, that's about it. I'd be willing to rent my basses/amps out on a gig. I've got a contract drawn up and everything. "Wanna play this? Sign this."

 

[cassius987]

I just get annoyed if a total stranger does it without asking, which has happened before.

 

[joeyl]

I have let other bass players use my bass before when our bands shared the stage, but I knew them kinda beforehand, and I was watching like a hawk

 

[danomite64]

I'm a lefty, so it doesn't come up often, which is fine by me, because I generally don't like other people touching my basses.

 

[HolmeBass]

I let friends and other reasonable people play on my bass, but no one who is too wasted. I'll also check out their hands and may ask them to wash their hands first. Especially young people- their hands are always filthy. If you're under 25, or you're a drummer, I'll definitely ask you to wash your hands first.

 

[John Wentzien]

I like hearing the sound out-front with someone els playing..

 

[Muzoid]

I will let other bassists....that I trust, and have better gear than me to give me if they break it....oh god! please freakin break it!!!!!

The odd guitarist....but the must be wearing a lifejacket, gloves and protective eyewear and sitting in the middle of a massive pile of pillows.

....and my dad....tradition for me to have a pic of my dad rocking out with every bass I own....not sure how or why we started this...but it stuck.

I love the dadio shots...even better that dad hates them...I hand him the bass, help him put it on, and listen to him say "hurry up and take the ******* shot!"

Hahahaha

 

[SanDiegoHarry]

Friends and known bandmates: Yes

Dudes at the show: NEVER EVER.

 

[chuck norriss]

well i thought he'd use more discretion. he's pretty wise & well traveled well mannered as far as character goes but imagine my surprise when playing bass started a fire inside him.

 

[jabsys]

No, nobody uses my stuff, ever.

 

[electracoyote]

I have let the lead singer/songwriter in my band play my bass, briefly. He was very gentle and made a nice comment about how solid and well set-up it was. I was still nervous. No one else ever touches my stuff.

Once in another band I let another bass player play through my rig. I watched in horror as the clip light went berserk throughout an entire song.

Never again.