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Do you let people play your bass?
- Thread starter chuck norriss
- Start date
In 27 years I have only let about 5 people play my bass. Those include Vic, and Chuck Rainey. I just say no when asked. If they give me an argument... I say OK... let me sleep with your wife/girlfriend.. that usually ends it..
Selectively, yes. It's OK. sometimes I even curious how will my bass sound like when played by other people, how it looks etc, while I'm watching from distance.
Kind of give me image of that's how people hear & see me play the bass.
But usually other player won't like to play my bass. Because it's high action, big gauge flatwound, single coil P, etc,.. So my bass is kind of my very personal thing, setup wisely
Kind of give me image of that's how people hear & see me play the bass.
But usually other player won't like to play my bass. Because it's high action, big gauge flatwound, single coil P, etc,.. So my bass is kind of my very personal thing, setup wisely
I'm a firm believer in owning at least one "beater bass". I let anyone (within reason) play my well-worn 2005 Sadowsky P5. I bring that to every gig even when I play another bass as primary, precisely because it's already scuffed: if someone sits in on bass I'll lend it; if a fight breaks out I'll wield it.
I acquired two more Sadowskys in late 2010. They are still pristine, so I'm not yet ready to allow others play them. They'll likely acquire some dings, but I want to be the one to inflict 'em!
I wish I had a Sadowsky beater!
my basses are worth $3.4k or so, plus they are 100% not replacable- not even by the luthier who makes them, he can't get compartments for the older model of pickups (they he makes himself)
nobody but me touches those. when i have my fender, i let people play it. never borrow it, but play it to sit in or whatever. but the fender rarely comes along for the ride.
nobody but me touches those. when i have my fender, i let people play it. never borrow it, but play it to sit in or whatever. but the fender rarely comes along for the ride.
Forgot to add that my tech/roadie used to play my bass and set anything (onstage) while I'm sitting in the FOH/Monitor Mixer watching & listening, until I satisfied and ready to go upstage & do the rundown/soundcheck/General Rehearsal with the band
Last 18 months or so I've been the unofficial house bassist for an open mic. It kind of goes with the territory but by same token nobody "volunteers" my bass as such.
One of the regulars is a demon rhythm guitar player, can't play bass to save his life but I still let him have a go from time to time, even though he's the sweatiest ** on the planet.
I've let the barman have a crack, not toooo shabby, and another bassist mate, a better bassist than me who lets me play on his Tobias. Also a guy that brought his own bass had the time of his life with my rig.
The randoms get a "que? you wanna what?" if they come up to me when I'm playing, which is most of the time. For some reason, randoms don't approach me when I'm not playing.
In spite of my selectivity the host gave me a hard time for not "respecting my bass" in letting those three individuals on.
One of the regulars is a demon rhythm guitar player, can't play bass to save his life but I still let him have a go from time to time, even though he's the sweatiest ** on the planet.
I've let the barman have a crack, not toooo shabby, and another bassist mate, a better bassist than me who lets me play on his Tobias. Also a guy that brought his own bass had the time of his life with my rig.
The randoms get a "que? you wanna what?" if they come up to me when I'm playing, which is most of the time. For some reason, randoms don't approach me when I'm not playing.
In spite of my selectivity the host gave me a hard time for not "respecting my bass" in letting those three individuals on.
anytime!! it's just an instrument...........I hope they enjoy and it makes them wanna keep playing.................
I let other musician friends use any of my basses.
People who don't know how to play? They can only use the cheap bass.
People who don't know how to play? They can only use the cheap bass.
I don't collect so I don't own any irreplaceable instruments, and there is nothing sacred about any of the basses I do own.
Forming an emotional attachment to any inanimate object is IMHO silly, and indicates some amount of insecurity issues to those who make a profession out of obsession. To form an emotional attachment to a work tool does not make one an artist, and quite frankly, borders on the inane. That's not to say one should not take care to protect their investment in work tools, but getting wrapped around the axle over someone touching your junk or even playing it a little hard is juvenile at best and seriously messed up at worst. If taking your baby out in public bothers you to the point you can't enjoy the experience, maybe you should get you a solid second stringer that does not bring on apoplexy when some clod penetrates it's comfort zone. Relax, you can always take your brag bass and show it off, just keep it out of reach of the average dolt who wants to show you this neat new lick/trick they saw on Utube last week.
The lay of the land (at least for me), is all about durability and reliability. I am such a ham fist, spindly basses don't last long in my hands so a bass must be able to absorb a higher than usual degree of abuse just to hang around my house. Since I have confidence in their ability to take more than the usual amount of punishment, I have no problem letting others give them a spin, provided of course they are not drunk on their keister or try to strap the thing on with the strings against their shirt.
Now if some cat in a white buckskin vest with freakishly long fringe and a can of Ronsonol in his watch pocket asks to borrow my "axe" I might have to crawdad on that statement, but short of that take your best shot pal. I believe my crap can handle whatever playing stress you can dish out, unless of course you are just trying to tear it up.
Forming an emotional attachment to any inanimate object is IMHO silly, and indicates some amount of insecurity issues to those who make a profession out of obsession. To form an emotional attachment to a work tool does not make one an artist, and quite frankly, borders on the inane. That's not to say one should not take care to protect their investment in work tools, but getting wrapped around the axle over someone touching your junk or even playing it a little hard is juvenile at best and seriously messed up at worst. If taking your baby out in public bothers you to the point you can't enjoy the experience, maybe you should get you a solid second stringer that does not bring on apoplexy when some clod penetrates it's comfort zone. Relax, you can always take your brag bass and show it off, just keep it out of reach of the average dolt who wants to show you this neat new lick/trick they saw on Utube last week.
The lay of the land (at least for me), is all about durability and reliability. I am such a ham fist, spindly basses don't last long in my hands so a bass must be able to absorb a higher than usual degree of abuse just to hang around my house. Since I have confidence in their ability to take more than the usual amount of punishment, I have no problem letting others give them a spin, provided of course they are not drunk on their keister or try to strap the thing on with the strings against their shirt.
Now if some cat in a white buckskin vest with freakishly long fringe and a can of Ronsonol in his watch pocket asks to borrow my "axe" I might have to crawdad on that statement, but short of that take your best shot pal. I believe my crap can handle whatever playing stress you can dish out, unless of course you are just trying to tear it up.
The ONLY people I would ever let play my bass would be people I look up to as bass players. But I would have to know that they know their stuff, are a great player, and are going to treat my gear with the highest respect.
What REALLY annoys me though, is when my band is playing a show with another band, and the other band's bass player wants to use my bass or amp for the gig. Or if they call beforehand and say "Hey, can I use your gear at the show so I don't have to carry mine around?" My answer is always "No."
I view that as being very unprofessional. Although there are many bass players out there better than me, I still try to present myself in a very professional manner. So I would never try to bum gear from another bassist.
What REALLY annoys me though, is when my band is playing a show with another band, and the other band's bass player wants to use my bass or amp for the gig. Or if they call beforehand and say "Hey, can I use your gear at the show so I don't have to carry mine around?" My answer is always "No."
I view that as being very unprofessional. Although there are many bass players out there better than me, I still try to present myself in a very professional manner. So I would never try to bum gear from another bassist.
Close friends and other bass players (within reason), yes. Strangers/known careless musicians, no.
I voted no, but really it depends on the situation. I let my Dad play it, because he got me into bass in the first place, and my musician Mum and kid sister. Only under close supervision though. Other people, well - my bass player friends, sure, but still only under supervision, and never for a gig or anything like that. The bass doesn't leave my sight - that's my baby - mine!
