Until reading this thread, I genuinely had no idea that this was such a big issue. Admittedly, I haven't been gigging for long, but normally my drummer checks if it is ok for me to use an amp with the organiser, and it usually is. If not, I can bring my combo, but nobody I borrow from minds at all. Maybe I just live in a small town.
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"No, you may not use my amp."
- Thread starter Fawkes007
- Start date
I rarely lend my rig, never to strangers, unless they sigh a contract for damage before hand.
If a club, or event wants to use my stuff as a back line, I work out a contract with event people before.
I not a prick, I've hand two amp fried, being a nice guy.
Once a dude wanted to sit in, he knew the drummer.
I had a small 100 watt amp (B100R)
I asked him not to turn up amp was almost maxed.
Guess what the first thing he does, turn up the rest of the way.
Bring your own gear.
Hi there guys, this is my first post around and I have a story to share too.
I was singing at my dad's band and we were up to a really big gig (for a small town like were we live) so we decided to bring the heavy weaponry.
We own 3 cabinets and two heads. All of them are Marshall. A Silver Jubilee Series pair, 300W both (ok, the cab is 100W more), a small 100W combo ideal for small bars, and a 800W 4x12' cabinet. We take the 300w head with the big cab and the 100w head with the other 2 cabs and it works just fine. Nice biamplified tone once our little Fender Musicmaster is plugged in.
So well, the soundcheck went so far awesome...and 2 hours laters the opening act/band showed up without bass amp. So we decided to borrow them the lil' combo...it was just to unplug one cabinet and let him use it. He didn't really touch any of the eq, gain or volume.
What happened (and this is golden) was that during their half an hour average quality show someone shooted to the stage (or some sort of bomb was thrown from the rooftop) and guess what...everyone was ok, everything was ok.
...ah, almost everything. My big cab that had 4 speakers then had 2 speakers and 2 burning pumpkings.
Man how pissed was I when the gig was terminated because of security reasons...and HOW MORE PISSED I WAS WHEN I REALIZED THE BAR WEREN'T PAYING FOR THE SPEAKERS REPLACEMENT! (In the end the security leak was their fault so...)
Anyway, for another story not so long ago we went on a lil gig on a bar and I just got my little combo with me. The next band bassist asked for my amp and considering previous episodes I was quite afraid of something wrong happening to me and ONLY to me...but it was that band who called us for the gig so I was between the sword and the wall.
Long story short I lend the amp to him and the only thing he did was plug in his bass. He didn't touch ANYTHING. I was glad.
So, I wouldn't say NO NEVER but I won't say yes to every fool with the guts to ask. I think the best to do is introduce the amp to the guy who is gonna use it and quickly help him get somewhat a tone of his taste and likes.
It really doesn't matter (if you know how to use your stuff) if it gets de-configured...you can get your sound back in seconds if you know how.
Saludos from Argentina!
I was singing at my dad's band and we were up to a really big gig (for a small town like were we live) so we decided to bring the heavy weaponry.
We own 3 cabinets and two heads. All of them are Marshall. A Silver Jubilee Series pair, 300W both (ok, the cab is 100W more), a small 100W combo ideal for small bars, and a 800W 4x12' cabinet. We take the 300w head with the big cab and the 100w head with the other 2 cabs and it works just fine. Nice biamplified tone once our little Fender Musicmaster is plugged in.
So well, the soundcheck went so far awesome...and 2 hours laters the opening act/band showed up without bass amp. So we decided to borrow them the lil' combo...it was just to unplug one cabinet and let him use it. He didn't really touch any of the eq, gain or volume.
What happened (and this is golden) was that during their half an hour average quality show someone shooted to the stage (or some sort of bomb was thrown from the rooftop) and guess what...everyone was ok, everything was ok.
...ah, almost everything. My big cab that had 4 speakers then had 2 speakers and 2 burning pumpkings.
Man how pissed was I when the gig was terminated because of security reasons...and HOW MORE PISSED I WAS WHEN I REALIZED THE BAR WEREN'T PAYING FOR THE SPEAKERS REPLACEMENT! (In the end the security leak was their fault so...)
Anyway, for another story not so long ago we went on a lil gig on a bar and I just got my little combo with me. The next band bassist asked for my amp and considering previous episodes I was quite afraid of something wrong happening to me and ONLY to me...but it was that band who called us for the gig so I was between the sword and the wall.
Long story short I lend the amp to him and the only thing he did was plug in his bass. He didn't touch ANYTHING. I was glad.
So, I wouldn't say NO NEVER but I won't say yes to every fool with the guts to ask. I think the best to do is introduce the amp to the guy who is gonna use it and quickly help him get somewhat a tone of his taste and likes.
It really doesn't matter (if you know how to use your stuff) if it gets de-configured...you can get your sound back in seconds if you know how.
Saludos from Argentina!
Just
Say
NO!
Mooches are a dime a dozen. Amps aren't.
"Can I use yer amp mannn?"
"Naw, I don't do that, sorry" (and just turn and walk away) - end of discussion -
Say
NO!
Mooches are a dime a dozen. Amps aren't.
"Can I use yer amp mannn?"
"Naw, I don't do that, sorry" (and just turn and walk away) - end of discussion -
ha ha,,,, I say no but I have a loaner head right here,, GK 400RB.. I played a big show a few years ago and I used a ampeg stack and let the next bands bass player use it and when I got back to the jam room the following time I hooked up my gear and noticed my lower cab was blown!!!!!! I'm like ***,, so I go into some photo website of the guy who was snapping pics and theres my head right there with the clip light on in every picture so this guy must of turned something way up and of course I was having a few and not paying attention.
around here the clubs that are hurrying the back line just use their own house cab and you bring your head so I wised up to the Whole "ah man our bass players buddys still are not here yet with his gear,, is it cool if he uses yours"
too many younger bass players like to try and road test nicer gear if they get the chance and thats the bottom line,, because I too have done it in my early years
around here the clubs that are hurrying the back line just use their own house cab and you bring your head so I wised up to the Whole "ah man our bass players buddys still are not here yet with his gear,, is it cool if he uses yours"
too many younger bass players like to try and road test nicer gear if they get the chance and thats the bottom line,, because I too have done it in my early years
- Mar 8, 2011
- 12,232
- 51,187
- Disclosures
- Authorized greenboy designs builder/Owner of BNA Audio
To the guys who make others 'sign contracts' before loaning gear-really? You have made someone sign a contract? I kinda doubt that.
To the kids who are 'young and poor' and therefore 'need' to borrow other people's stuff- I had 2 good basses and and pro amp before I had my first car...becoming a great bass player was top priority...if you're serious, you'll find the money...I worked 7 days a week until I could earn enough for good gear. It aint rocket surgery
If we take an opening band on tour and they want to use my amp or cab, the answer is yes...prefer if you bring your own head...but tap into my cabs...they NEVER have an amp big enough to blow my speakers, and I bring backups anyways. Has that ever lead to problems? Yep, but nothing I can't deal with. Have I ever had to scare someone into being respectful? Yes...kinda fun teaching lessons every now and then Ironically, my biggest pet peeve is; if you want to borrow my rig, and after a few gigs you just watch me load and pack it every night, we got a problem...you want to use my stuff, you help load and unload...show some manners. If you use my full setup it had BETTER be exactly like I left it at soundcheck, and no beers on my cabs for me to clean up. By far, most of my experiences have been very pleasant, and in the rare exceptions, I have no problem teaching some kid manners.
To the kids who are 'young and poor' and therefore 'need' to borrow other people's stuff- I had 2 good basses and and pro amp before I had my first car...becoming a great bass player was top priority...if you're serious, you'll find the money...I worked 7 days a week until I could earn enough for good gear. It aint rocket surgery
If we take an opening band on tour and they want to use my amp or cab, the answer is yes...prefer if you bring your own head...but tap into my cabs...they NEVER have an amp big enough to blow my speakers, and I bring backups anyways. Has that ever lead to problems? Yep, but nothing I can't deal with. Have I ever had to scare someone into being respectful? Yes...kinda fun teaching lessons every now and then
Ironically, my biggest pet peeve is; if you want to borrow my rig, and after a few gigs you just watch me load and pack it every night, we got a problem...you want to use my stuff, you help load and unload...show some manners. If you use my full setup it had BETTER be exactly like I left it at soundcheck, and no beers on my cabs for me to clean up. By far, most of my experiences have been very pleasant, and in the rare exceptions, I have no problem teaching some kid manners.
MikeBass
Supporting Member
- Nov 4, 2003
- 11,943
- 3,140
- Disclosures
- Endorsing artist- Suhr basses, PedalTrain, GHS, Ultimate Ears
I'm two sided on this.
If you SHOW UP without any gear EXPECTING to use MY gear...hope the monitors work out for ya.
You'll get a big NO from me.
Now, show up, have your gear, be a nice person about it and actually maybe ask to use it to make everything easier?? then yeah, we might be able to work something out.
I'm usually a pretty good guy about things.
But I've been hit with the "What afraid I might blow up your amp??".....well yeah jackpole I am.
I've played gigs where I was told NOT to bring my rig. I could use the other bass players rig.
I still toss mine in the car. When I get there, I seek out the other bass player. Tell him what I've been told, but also that I have my gear in the car and it's not a big deal for me to bring it in.
I've had "No sweat, use my gear" and "yeah man, bring in your amp".
If I'm told no...totally understand and have no problems.
That being said, I can load in my whole rig (club rig), bass included in one trip- WITHOUT a hand truck.
If you SHOW UP without any gear EXPECTING to use MY gear...hope the monitors work out for ya.
You'll get a big NO from me.
Now, show up, have your gear, be a nice person about it and actually maybe ask to use it to make everything easier?? then yeah, we might be able to work something out.
I'm usually a pretty good guy about things.
But I've been hit with the "What afraid I might blow up your amp??".....well yeah jackpole I am.
I've played gigs where I was told NOT to bring my rig. I could use the other bass players rig.
I still toss mine in the car. When I get there, I seek out the other bass player. Tell him what I've been told, but also that I have my gear in the car and it's not a big deal for me to bring it in.
I've had "No sweat, use my gear" and "yeah man, bring in your amp".
If I'm told no...totally understand and have no problems.
That being said, I can load in my whole rig (club rig), bass included in one trip- WITHOUT a hand truck.
No self respecting bassist turns up to his gig expecting to plug into whatever someone else might have brought along.
I've loaned my bass amp to touring bands and while on tour tons of times and never had an issue. I've never had anyone be disrepectful to my equipment. Although, I would only do it if I was at the show and if I knew the person using it. Other than that, it's convenient for set up and tear down between bands, and easier for the soundguy to get a good mix.
It is common practice around here in the "scene" that I am in for people to share their backline....and we always allow openers to backline unless their is a specific reason not to with that band.
Then again, bands in our scene are respectful people and usually treat other peoples gear nicely.
Then again, bands in our scene are respectful people and usually treat other peoples gear nicely.
Most complaints seem to be about somebody crankin' it up and blowing it out. I'm not a knob fiddler, I'm a hardcore "set it and forget it" guy. It would be great if I could somehow lock down the faceplate so they can't mess with the knobs.
"Dude can I use your amp?"
"Is that a passive bass? Do you understand that this amp is locked to one specific tone and you will not be able to adjust anything including volume? If so, then buy me a beer and probably."
"Dude can I use your amp?"
"Is that a passive bass? Do you understand that this amp is locked to one specific tone and you will not be able to adjust anything including volume? If so, then buy me a beer and probably."
I've read several threads on this subject, and I gotta say, it never ever happens that people down here ask to borrow gear. The most anyone has ever asked to borrow was my drummer's throne and snare stand.
The venues here will spend 100 grand on the house sound for the club nights (and it seems most are also like, "monitors, pfffft what are those?"). It's like they'll be damned if they'll spend 100 bucks on a backline for any instruments. Everybody knows it and nobody shows up empty handed. Guys limp through shows on janky equipment all the time rather than ask to borrow.
Could be that the general attitude of the citizenry here makes it tough to ask though...
The venues here will spend 100 grand on the house sound for the club nights (and it seems most are also like, "monitors, pfffft what are those?"). It's like they'll be damned if they'll spend 100 bucks on a backline for any instruments. Everybody knows it and nobody shows up empty handed. Guys limp through shows on janky equipment all the time rather than ask to borrow.
Could be that the general attitude of the citizenry here makes it tough to ask though...
- Dec 12, 2007
- 2,268
- 43
- Disclosures
- Endorsing Artist: Zon Guitars, Tsunami Cables, DR Strings, GK
I just say no. I mean, if you are a serious musician then you should at least show up w gear. If not then go scratch.
There have been times when I've shared my gear, but usually that is from a previous conversation and agreement before hand. Never the day of.
There have been times when I've shared my gear, but usually that is from a previous conversation and agreement before hand. Never the day of.
Then you see them put a drink on top of it right before they start playing. In High School when we used to play at parties we good never leave our equipment unattended cuz enivitable some drunks would strap on the guitars, bass, and drums and start playing. Once I saw some guy standing next to my amp and I noticed he had laid his cigarette on my Bass head and actually burnt the tolex. luckily I noticed be for it burnt it really bad.
You will never get a lend from me.
Thing is, you have to decide who is to blame when somebody "breaks" your amp.
Were they doing something wrong to it/abusing it?
Every amp will crap out on you at some point, but maybe it will just choose to do that when somebody else is using it?
Thing is, you have to decide who is to blame when somebody "breaks" your amp.
Were they doing something wrong to it/abusing it?
Every amp will crap out on you at some point, but maybe it will just choose to do that when somebody else is using it?
I told a good, trusted friend of mine..."if you're ever in a bind due to amp problems and you need to borrow mine, just call." He has never had to take me up on that but he knows if he needs it, it's there. He also said the same to me about his amp.
It's good knowing you can trust and can count on at least one person for help if you need it.
It's good knowing you can trust and can count on at least one person for help if you need it.
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