i let only my band members play it only because we all trade off as a bad joke but we all take care of each others stuff. plus if u mess something up let one of ur band members play it and theyll feel guilty about messin it up (they dont kno it already is) and will offer u some money... that is if u have a good band.
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Do you let people play your bass?
- Thread starter chuck norriss
- Start date
It's less about a hard fast touch or no touch rule, it's more about how much control you have of the where, how, who etc of the touching of the bass. People need to understand that it's your call about how your bass is used, and that it is not common band property (unless you want it to be, as long as you control this.) If people understand this and there is mutual respect, then I sometimes let people use my bass. I sometimes even offer to let people play it. As long as I'm the one in control.
Yes. In fact, I sometimes even insist other musicians to play my instruments and drop off my basses to other people so they can experiment. Listening to them can also help me realize new things about the instrument and in a small and basswise remote country loaning instruments is something I appreciate. It gives other people the chance of enjoying them as much as I do and every now and then the favor is returned. And if anything would happen to my gear I'm sure the one messing it up would make it right.
People met in the park who are drunk off their minds are a differend matter though.
People met in the park who are drunk off their minds are a differend matter though.
People ask me if they can pick up / have a go on my bass, I automatically say no.
I'm happy enough to talk to anyone about them - maybe even hand it to them while I'm talking to them.
I have to really trust someone to let them touch or play my basses.
I would never loan a bass out. That way I won't get upset by it getting damaged.
One of the worst experiences of my life, was being bottom of the bill to a 70's one hit wonder chart band. They turned my bass rig up to 10. First song in, I walked on the stage and turned it back down after seeing that. I gave their bassist the choice of him either leaving it as I'd set it, or stopping their set, going to their van and getting their own gear out. I didn't care which. The bassist complied as I stood at the side of my bass gear for the rest of their set.
Our guitarist wasn't as lucky - his Fender combo never sounded the same ever again.
Their guitarist practically blew the cr*p out of it. That was an expensive night for us.
I'm happy enough to talk to anyone about them - maybe even hand it to them while I'm talking to them.
I have to really trust someone to let them touch or play my basses.
I would never loan a bass out. That way I won't get upset by it getting damaged.
One of the worst experiences of my life, was being bottom of the bill to a 70's one hit wonder chart band. They turned my bass rig up to 10. First song in, I walked on the stage and turned it back down after seeing that. I gave their bassist the choice of him either leaving it as I'd set it, or stopping their set, going to their van and getting their own gear out. I didn't care which. The bassist complied as I stood at the side of my bass gear for the rest of their set.
Our guitarist wasn't as lucky - his Fender combo never sounded the same ever again.
Their guitarist practically blew the cr*p out of it. That was an expensive night for us.
I've gladly let my friends borrow my basses when they needed a helping hand. They used my basses live & in rehearsals, isn't that what a bass is for, playing......
With that said I must add that I trusted my friends with my basses, I would never let a stranger play my basses live.
With that said I must add that I trusted my friends with my basses, I would never let a stranger play my basses live.
Gig situation...no. A friend comes over and wants to slap it around a bit...sure. I would not let someone gig my bass. If I showed up at a gig and some dude had a bass break down and asked me to use my bass, I would have to say no. If something happens to it that guy is not going to do anything about it and I'm out big $. Interesting comments on this thread.
I only let people who I feel I can trust play my basses. Basically, my friends that play bass or guys from my band. People who I know where they live.
svtb15
Inactive
- Mar 22, 2004
- 13,004
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- I play it all. Whatever works for the gig. Q+
+1. If I know them, then sure. I've loaned out a bass or two to friends who needed it.
I keep an old Kent Bass in my car. This is an instrument that no one would want to play. I offer that bass to people who ask to play my bass.
I do the same with amplifiers (always keep an old junk combo around for borrowers).
I do the same with amplifiers (always keep an old junk combo around for borrowers).
I reeeeeally don't like it. I'm pickier than most people (not most TB'ers, maybe, but most general population anyway)
Depends on the vibe I get from you. Mostly I'll let you, but I will watch and let you know when you're finished should you cross the comfort line.
My bass cost less than $300 even after mods. Let em pound on it all they want, I say.
Just don't add any of your own brand of "mojo". :scowl:
Just don't add any of your own brand of "mojo". :scowl:
In my circles, most people don't ask. I've become more relaxed with the idea as the years have gone by. Even though it is very important to me, I don't want to be too big of an idiot over two planks of wood joined together by screws.
However, it is generally wise not to let anyone who has nothing of equivalent value to lose put your stuff in jeopardy. There are a few trusted friends and professional colleagues that can use anything I got. For the most part, though, people don't ask.
Must be something about me.
However, it is generally wise not to let anyone who has nothing of equivalent value to lose put your stuff in jeopardy. There are a few trusted friends and professional colleagues that can use anything I got. For the most part, though, people don't ask.
Must be something about me.
Girls - Yes. Some girls just want to play instruments when they see them lying around. I always let girls play because 1) they never damage them, 2) they always say "oooh, how big it is, those strings are so thick... 3) They always say "it must be hard to play this.
Guys - Not so much. Unless they show some musical grounding and a keen interest and there can be an unofficial teacher > pupil vibe then no. At best they will try and play Tenacious D covers on it or make some lame joke about the fewer strings.
Other bassists - rarely. Some of them offer unhelpful comment about the setup, the groundwound strings I favour or some other petty squabble. They will 100% of the time have wetter or greasier hands than me and I will always know they have used it. For the same reason I never let my brother use my touch screen phone: he leaves a month's worth of finger grease on it in one sitting.
Guitards - never. They might pick it up, but they will look silly. They never ask me first and instead assume they have a right to touch my gear. They will use a pick and somehow leave little marks on the finish. I have nothing against bassists using picks, you have to learn how to pick a bass instead of a direct guitar technique transfer. Sloppy strumming looks magnified on a bass. Knowing them something else freaky will happen like the jack socket will come lose or a knob will fall off. Like the bassists they will also offer unwanted advice, but it won't even be helpful. Some psuedo-science guitar tricks like "I totally use Vaseline to condition my fretboard" or "my mate could totally put a Floyd Rose on this" or "you should totally put SD pickups in this" even though they will have no prior knowledge of SD's bass pickups.
Guys - Not so much. Unless they show some musical grounding and a keen interest and there can be an unofficial teacher > pupil vibe then no. At best they will try and play Tenacious D covers on it or make some lame joke about the fewer strings.
Other bassists - rarely. Some of them offer unhelpful comment about the setup, the groundwound strings I favour or some other petty squabble. They will 100% of the time have wetter or greasier hands than me and I will always know they have used it. For the same reason I never let my brother use my touch screen phone: he leaves a month's worth of finger grease on it in one sitting.
Guitards - never. They might pick it up, but they will look silly. They never ask me first and instead assume they have a right to touch my gear. They will use a pick and somehow leave little marks on the finish. I have nothing against bassists using picks, you have to learn how to pick a bass instead of a direct guitar technique transfer. Sloppy strumming looks magnified on a bass. Knowing them something else freaky will happen like the jack socket will come lose or a knob will fall off. Like the bassists they will also offer unwanted advice, but it won't even be helpful. Some psuedo-science guitar tricks like "I totally use Vaseline to condition my fretboard" or "my mate could totally put a Floyd Rose on this" or "you should totally put SD pickups in this" even though they will have no prior knowledge of SD's bass pickups.
I prefer to not let people even TOUCH my basses unless I really know them and really trust them. I know too many musicians who treat their own instruments like dirt, so I know how they're going to treat MINE.
Roger
Roger
