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Not just any ol'Joe

Do you let other people play your bass?

  • Yes, of course

    Votes: 56 30.6%

  • Not a chance in Poughkeepsie.

    Votes: 70 38.3%

  • Only if there are carrots involved

    Votes: 13 7.1%

  • Only I really know what's good for me (known player)

    Votes: 44 24.0%
  • Total voters
    183
GrapeBass

GrapeBass

Commercial User
Jun 10, 2004
2,339
5,255
Toronto
Disclosures
Graphic Designer: Yorkville Sound
#1
Guys,

I got a call from our singer asking (letting me know) that she's allowing a couple of her friends to sit in and play a couple of songs at a local club. The club is basically a community space. I'm just curious, as I'm a bit crusty and don't like anyone else sweaty paws playing my basses. What do you guys think? Asking for a friend. ;-)
 
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#3
S'up to you. If the guy plays bass, and he knows he's playing that night, and you don't want him playing your, tell her to have him bring a bass.

Personally, I would have no problems letting a bass player play my bass. Most bass players don't damage basses within the time frame of a couple songs.
 
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#6
ArtechnikA said:
I'm usually pretty generous about my amps, because I usually bring more than enough cab for the available watts.
Someone wanting to sit in should have their own instrument, IMO.
As my instrument is an unlined fretless 6, that's usually enough to convince someone they're better off not trying...
Click to expand...

Amp's not the question, it's the actual bass.
 
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#8
ArtechnikA said:
I'm usually pretty generous about my amps, because I usually bring more than enough cab for the available watts.
Someone wanting to sit in should have their own instrument, IMO.
As my instrument is an unlined fretless 6, that's usually enough to convince someone they're better off not trying...
Click to expand...

I'm bringing my unlined fretless AGB to this particular gig, so yeah... I think it will be a factor.
 
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#10
Paulabass said:
Yeah, if I know them to be sober. I will NEVER EVER figure out people who show up at a jam without their instrument tho'.
Click to expand...

The gig's not a jam BUT our singer feels she owes these people. She plays with them all the time as a backup singer (occasional lead) and feel indebted. Most of the time, these people just live at jams, very haphazard and sloppy... not really my thing.
 
#11
I played a guy's early '70s Fender unlined ebony fretless P bass the other night. He kept pushing me to try it.
I think I drooled on it a little, hope he didn't mind that.

Yeah I let others play mine if I know them, or if I interview them long enough to know they can actually play and will respect the gear. Some are disqualified due to drunkenness.

I do have a couple of unique basses I'm more hesitant with unless it's someone I know.
 
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#12
GrapeBass said:
Guys,

I got a call from our singer asking (letting me know) that she's allowing a couple of her friends to sit in and play a couple of songs at a local club. The club is basically a community space. I'm just curious, as I'm a bit crusty and don't like anyone else sweaty paws playing my basses. What do you guys think? Asking for a friend. ;-)
Click to expand...

Doesn't really bother me unless it looks like they will be particularly destructive. Then again, I'm not using a particularly expensive boutique bass like Fodera or something... Just a beat up jazz bass with mods.
 
#14
Sounds like the answer for you is no. And it's simple, "I don't let anyone else touch my bass." Mr. Big sweaty drunk can bring his own bass. She may "owe" them but you don't owe them or her squat.

In my case, I'm a case by case basis guy tending towards the loose side since no guitar I own is worth more than about 350 and I don't care that much about keeping things pristine.

Mugre
 
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#17
I've had this happen.

The way I deal with it is I bring my pink Dean Zone (that I bought just because it is so lovingly 80s hideous) and every. single. time. the request to play my bass has been rescinded.

71XK4GF0xsL._SL1500_.jpg
 
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#19
Community space? Is it the Tranzac?

Unfortunately I don't let anyone else play my basses, or my amps. If you trust them with their amp, tell them to bring their own bass. Should be no problem for most people in Toronto...


GrapeBass said:
Guys,

I got a call from our singer asking (letting me know) that she's allowing a couple of her friends to sit in and play a couple of songs at a local club. The club is basically a community space. I'm just curious, as I'm a bit crusty and don't like anyone else sweaty paws playing my basses. What do you guys think? Asking for a friend. ;-)
Click to expand...
 
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#20
frankie5string said:
Community space? Is it the Tranzac?

Unfortunately I don't let anyone else play my basses, or my amps. If you trust them with their amp, tell them to bring their own bass. Should be no problem for most people in Toronto...
Click to expand...

Yup, the Transzac. I don't think it's really a problem, I just wanted to know how others would feel.
 
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