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Do you let people play your bass?

Touch or no-touch

  • Total voters
    449
#101
Short answer is no. However I do let like my band mates just play around with it at or after practice, we all mess around with each others instruments. However at shows I do not let anyone (especially other bands I don't know) use my stuff because I have been burned before and have also heard too many horror stories regarding lending gear.
 
#102
LGT said:
I tell people that if they touch "The Bass", it will suck out their soul. :hiding:
Click to expand...

DId you buy Mothman? :eek:

I can't recall ever saying "no" to someone asking if they could play my bass. It's always been a friend, band member or another musician (hanging out before/after a show or elsewhere) and I have never had a problem with that.

Likewise, I've asked other bassists if they would mind if I checked their bass out and can't ever recall being told "no". Although I'm sure that there were some that I never considered asking.
 
#107
Prefer only to let trusted friends and bass players. I did let a guy I didn't know at a gig use my bass and amp after he had equipment issues, it was uncomfortable. He was grateful and lo and behold, the next year my 400+ pooped out and he let me use his rig at a show we were both playing.

You think we are picky? Drummers rightfully bring it to a deeper level :)
 
#108
If I know the person and know that they are a respectable musician that will not mistreat her, then yeah. Even in that situation I am not anymore then 5 feet from her. My basses are my babies. I had a Fender Jazz for 14 years that was in new condition when I sold her. That's just how I like to keep my instruments so I won't allow anyone else to play them when I'm not going to be right there and I won't let just anyone play them.

"Hey dude, can I try out your bass"

"Sure....just take off that belt, jacket with the zipper and your Mr T necklace."
 
#109
I let a female bassist friend of mine use my Mike Lull once, once!

She asked me if she could play it and since I was going to the show anyway I brought it. The last thing she did five seconds before going on stage was put lotion all over her hands!!!!!! I was dumbfounded, then while she was up there I noticed she didn't have a stand and leaned my bass against her amp! Yikes! Last time, believe me.
 
#110
For the most part I don't let others touch my gear. If I know them and trust them then it is different story and I will most likely let them if they ask although there are a few people who I trust enough that they don't need to ask.

There have also been a few occasions when a younger kid in high school or junior high school has asked to play my gear. In that situation, I may do it if I am supervising them but that is very rare.
 
#113
Bandmates get to play my bass all the time. It is highly encouraged because sometimes we like to switch things up. I have taught basslines to our original songs to our guitar players so I can play keys or guitar on a few of our songs.
 
#117
I don't loan or let anyone other than my 17 year old play my bass, but only at our home or if he has a gig. Actually he's never had a gig but is in a local Battle of the Bands May 14th (and I will worry about my '73 P Bass from the second he leaves until he gets home with it ok). For practice he takes either his Jay Turser Beatle Bass or my $99 Rogue Bass (that plays surprisingly well).
 

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