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Is It Just Me? On your gig someone asking you 'Can I see your bass?'

#221
Off-Beat said:
That's cool and all, but I wouldn't let a sweaty drunkard touch my gear. If he drops that bass I would be overly mad the whle gig and that wouldn't help the selling part. I'd rather be comofortable than worried.

Aside from that I don't want another guy's sweat on my gear. I even hate it when someone in my band touches my bass.


About the OP and some other posts: Why do people let their guards down so easily when it comes to women? Guy asking is a problem, but a woman totally fine. What assures you that she wouldn't put a ding on your bass or something more severe?
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+1.
 
#222
spade2you said:
Get an unlined fretless 6 string. Most people are too intimidated to play it.
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Yup. Lefty basses even more so!
S26FLBass02.jpg
 
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#224
johnson79 said:
I'd only permit it if they told me they SLAPPA DA BASS MON!

But no, I wouldn't unless it was another bass player in a band playing the show.
I am very protective of my stuff because I spent my hard earned money on it.
I've seen way too many "accidents" where someone is "seeing" gear and knocks it over or damages it.
Not worth the risk.
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This.
 
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#227
rayzak said:
Different circumstances, but I have to share...
About 10 years ago, I brought my Sadowsky to a tech that a geetar buddy of mine used for a long time to have some minor work done. Nice, knowledgeable, older cat. He was very interested in my bass because he's "never seen a Sadowsky ".
About a week later, I go to pick up my bass and he says; "Man that's a nice bass, I took it to my weekend gig because I just HAD to check it out".
Um, what!?!?!?!? Needless to say, that was the last time I've seen him. And fortunately, no harm came of it, but...... Really dude?!?!?!!
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That's hard to even imagine!! :jawdrop:
 
#228
Unless they're completely drunk I'll let them check it out. If they're not a player I'll let them put on the bass and have them take a pic with me, them and the bass and then ask them to tag the band in the picture when they upload it. If they're a player, I'll take a pic with them and upload it myself tagging them in the pic.

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#229
tato62 said:
Keyword is situation. In jam situations or when i played in pickup bands i've been asked and if the dude cleared the security check i'll let him play my basses. With my rehearsed band it's NO WAY. Never asked to play or touch a bass but it happened that I've been offered to play on some pretty interesting instruments... This guy I didn't knew at all handed me his 1964 Jazz bass to see up close and even offered me to sit in for a song or 2... then he took off and showed up at the end of the set. Go figure
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He probably left chasing the previous drunk female who asked 'Can I see your bass?' thinking it was a booty call.
 
#233
jaybones said:
When someone asks to see my bass, I say Here it is. If they ask me to check it out, I again say Here it is.

If someone walks up and asks me Hey, can I play your bass? Right off the bat I'm going to assess their level of inebriation and ask them if they play. Depending on their answer, I'll ask a couple follow ups, mainly about what fear they play through, and if they mention anything more than a beginners rig and seem to be more toward the sober side of things, I might let them.

Might, being the operative word...
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But what if it's a pro level player that plays through a beginners rig? :eyebrow:
 
#234
kjones said:
That's really funny. I was at a call the other day with musicians I had never played with before. The drummer kept looking over while I was setting up and finally said, So I notice you're playing a fretless bass. Is there any reason for that?

I said, yep, it keeps bass players from asking to play it. He seemed satisfied with that answer.
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Yup. Unintended benefit.
 
#238
Ulf Buck said:
There are a few bands around my area that will ask me to play with them and i will get up and play a few. I do it just because there is good comeraderie and usually this is done when they have the crowd in the palm of their hands etc... so that guy can play my bass anytime. Professional courtesy, mutual respect etc... i still feel weird about it though.

As far as some random dude? Its just wrong. I comment on a strangers tone and performance but I would never dream of asking to touch his gear. Ever. Its kind of creepy, self centered, and greasy.
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Self centered?
 
#239
lokikallas said:
Look with your eyes, not with your hands!
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I always respond with a question, a statement, and another question: "Where are your glasses and cane? Only someone who reads Braille can truly "see" with their hands, and you look like a sighted person to me. Now, what's your real question?"

Obviously, reading the situation kicks in, right about here. If I detect a reasonable degree of non-intoxication, and musicianship experience, I have no problem in allowing the handling. Then again, NEVER with the Warwick limited edition, under any circumstances (I seldom gig it, anyway). Any of my passive J-basses are another story.
 

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