Renting out your gear to other bands

[IngerAlb]

If it's one thing that I've learned during all these years, it's this: "NEVER - I MEAN - NEVER lend/borrow/share your gear". Not even if your rig is an abominable mix of cheapos.

I can't afford to replace anything if it gets broken, and I know the "dudes" that will play through my rig are dog-poor (I mean - apparently - they can't even own their own stuff).

On a different note, I'd rather bring my crappy rig and play through it rather than playing through a good rig that I'm not allowed to touch. It happened during a tour and it sucked because I couldn't dial in a tone I'd like.

On a general note, I don't understand the ppl that don't bother to buy at least a freakin' cheap combo. How can you call yourself a "musician" without having the proper tools for the job?

 

[Downunderwonder]

So, seeing as this thread is over a year old...how did the event go?

save us from necromaniacs

 

[IngerAlb]

Ok, I really don't get what's with all this "necrophobia" on forums? So what if the original topic is 1 or 10 years old? If someone finds it relevant and feels like like writing a line or two on the subject, what's wrong? It would be better to just start a gazillion topics and cludder the forum? Pff...

 

[shadven]

So, seeing as this thread is over a year old...how did the event go?

+1 I am wondering the same thing

 

[NWB]

As I mentioned the most powerful amp in the house is my own (the LH1000) and the cabs have 100 watts over the head. So I'm mildly concerned because numerically speaking I shouldn't have to worry about the cabs. I could also run them outside of bridge mode so the amp is limited to approx 400 watts (I could even add a third cab, drop it to 2ohms and have it essentially limited to 600 watts between the three cabs) and there will be (that I'm aware of) no way in hell to blow them.

I'd read through the FAQs in the amps section before adopting this way of thinking. I think you'll be enlightened on the wattage rating for cabs there.

 

[hernameisrio]

I lend gear to my fellow musician friends for really low-key gigs where I know it won't get bashed around, or for practicing at home. I passed around my new fretless at an informal jam yesterday and was glad to see the other 2 bassists in the group digging it. I feel like generosity and karma are important concepts which often get overlooked in the music biz.

 

[Raymeous]

I would be really hesitant to loan any gear to somebody I didn't already know on a personal level, i.e. we hang out at eachothers houses from time to time.

If you're fortunate enough to have "extra" equipment like an old amp or another bass that you don't mind losing, then go right ahead. I've helped out some highschool kids before and it was quite rewarding to see them shine, plus I got to hear my gear from the audience perspective which was nice.

I would write up some form of contract for them to sign, and don't be shy about it as you are doing THEM a favor. Take a deposit of some sort, or at least document the "what happens if..." clause. If they're legaly minors, get mom or dad to sign it as this needs to be fully legal in order to CYA.

The more you plan ahead the less will be in your future.

 

[Frankjohnson]

I was opening for a well known headliner. Their equipment truck broke down so I loaned the bass player my SVT 410HLF and my SVT210. He was running an SVT 4 Pro which somehow managed to get to the gig even though the rest of the bands gear didn't. I specifically told him to not run the head in bridge mode. He did so anyway and blew the speakers in both cabs. Of course, I didn't realize this until I tried to play through at the next gig. He offered to pay but the check never arrived. Luckily, I had a deal with Ampeg and got them to take care of it, but I have not loaned gear since. I will not rent it either.

Had a VERY similar thing happen - NEVER again.

VERY well known - should have never happened the way it did. I was absolutely disgusted.