Etiquette at the jam session?

[BOOG]

looking for a little open discussion and input/opinion...

A hodgepodge group of us gathered at someone’s house for a couple of hours to jam over the weekend. Me, being a bass player want to use my own gear so, I bring the lightweight rig of elf head and 2x8 cab. It was stated in group text that she has a bass practice amp in the studio of which, I didn’t have much faith.
This is what it turned out to be:
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The guitars were playing through a fender 25 watt (not bad at all for the space) and the other through some off brand 150 watt that sounded like nails on a chalkboard with a guy on the other end of it that doesn’t understand excessive volume levels and constant noodling is grounds for multiple wounds induced by an ice pick.

Anyhow, after seeing what she had and hearing the volume of two guitars, a keyboard, and her vox I politely asked, does she mind if I use mine since, I brought it? She said yeah, no problem. With eq @ 12:00 and volume & gain at 10:00, I was getting drowned. I bumped gain to 11:00 and volume to 1:00 and mixed in nicely.

So my question is, was it bad form to invite my own amp in this situation? On some level I know I’m treating this with some hypersensitivity but, when I get invited into someone’s home the last thing I want is to be intrusive or unappreciative. However, when I get invited into someone’s home studio for a jam session I’m assuming it’s the norm to bring your own equipment. I also assumed that asserting my territory in the frequency range of my responsibility was better than coming in and immediately asking the guitars to turn down.

There, I’m done venting.

 

[And I]

Sounds like you went about it the right way, asking the host if they minded if you brought in your own gear, and not actually swinging an ice pick at anyone. A 15w bass amp is not going to be able to hang with a band, period. Everyone had a better time being able to hear the bass, I'm sure.

 

[BOOG]

Agreed.
I think part of what I’m picking up on and starting to experience are the historically renowned prima donna vocalist and guitarist attitudes.
Have to see how it goes in the future. If people have hang ups and attitudes, not my problem.

 

[Paulabass]

You done right. Next time show up at the front door with your gear in hand.

 

[Reedt2000]

Yeah, nothin wrong with bringing an amp, especially something as compact as your rig. If you showed up with an 8x10 refrigerator cab and crushingly loud tube head that would be a different story.

 

[fhm555]

If someone is too loud, i’m gonna ask them to moderate that poopie just a little bit. I haven’t been in an ear bleed situation in a great long while and have no intention of letting some half deaf individual bring into their world. I’m a nice guy but i won’t let someone damage my ears for vanity.

 

[And I]

If you don't wear earplugs, wear earplugs!

 

[two fingers]

You asked. The host approved. You used proper manners.

You're good.

Don't over think it.

 

[BOOG]

You done right. Next time show up at the front door with your gear in hand.

I did. Eight year old daughter answered and the rest of the gang was already going at it when I got there.

 

[Gorn]

Were people offended?

 

[BOOG]

@two fingers You're right, admittedly, I am over thinking this.
But, as I get more involved with more musicians if nothing else, I want to be a good band mate. And before anyone says "show up on time", in our group text it was already discussed among us that straggling in would occur due to family obligations.

 

[BOOG]

Were people offended?

The host/vocalist didn't necessarily act offended. It's more of the vibe I was picking up and body language etc. It may very well have been something else entirely that was going through her mind. I don't know. I just tend to be pretty transparent and usually, direct and to the point. So, more like @fhm555 would handle others is how I tend to be, also. Indirect and ambiguous is not my M/O.

 

[TheReceder]

The better question might be "was it bad form for the host to say that there was gear provided?" and you end out with a 15 watt bedroom amp.

If anything the host should understand the difference between being there, and at least being able to hear yourself.

 

[PWRL]

You did fine. You came prepared and it sounds like you were plenty polite.

 

[BOOG]

The better question might be "was it bad form for the host to say that there was gear provided?" and you end out with a 15 watt bedroom amp.

If anything the host should understand the difference between being there, and at least being able to hear yourself.

Great point! I never even considered that perspective. Subconsciously, that is probably where lies the crux of the matter.

 

[Scottgun]

If you don't wear earplugs, wear earplugs!

Earplugs, earplugs, and again earplugs. Carry a pair on you at all times as they useful against lots of loud stuff other than clueless guitarists. (Sports events, bars, etc.)

 

[BOOG]

always bring them but need to remember more to automatically put them in

Earplugs, earplugs, and again earplugs. Carry a pair on you at all times as they useful against lots of loud stuff other than clueless guitarists. (Sports events, bars, etc.)

 

[fhm555]

Something else i do when i go to places for the first time that tell me an amp is available, i take one and just leave it in the truck until i see what is in fact provided. I went to a jam once and the bass amp was a Fender Champ, after that i always took my own, just in case.

 

[bdplaid]

... Or politely play through the provided amp, blow it up, say "thank you," and leave.

 

[MrLenny1]

A 15 watt, one 8 inch speaker is not a bass amp IMHO, it's a toy.
I always pack my gear for home jams. Last one I went to the amp was
sub par for sure. A home made speaker with a Hartke head that had issues.