This guy wants to sit in...

[And I]

i sat in on guitar with the band at a cousin's bar mitzvah like 25 years ago. they invited me up, on request from the cousin's mom, the BL handed me his guitar and we played a few simple songs, they gave me a couple solos, it was fun.

that having been said, i would never DREAM of asking to sit in with a GB band, not then, not now--these people are at work. i might help bag groceries but usually i just let people do their jobs even if i know how to do what they are doing. i would also not ask to sit in with a band at a bar / club gig. if they invited me up, great.

but given the circumstances, i think your BL did one of two right things--he asked you if it would be okay. the second right thing would have of course been to reject the request.

 

[Wood and Wire]

We are a band. We spend hours rehearsing these songs. We carry our gear and set it up. We have a set list with quite a few original songs. It's OUR show. Why the **** do you think you are entitled to play one note on stage with us? We're the band, you're the audience. God has a plan and you're not in it.

"You're on the floor, and I'm on the stage.

You're really poor, and twice my age."

 

[HeavyJazz]

The answer is always no. Three times I've been asked and I flunked two out of three. The first guy played a single tune on an AEB I really loved and he dug his thumbnail so deep into the top I was never able to repair it.

Another guy played a couple tunes on one of my 5ers and had such acidic hands I had to blow $35 to swap them out earlier than usual.

The third guy, I said no to - and it turned out to be the right move. He was stealing local's gear, hocking it and skipping town.

 

[wncBass]

It's the same with motorcycles. The people that you would let ride your bike, would never ask. The people that would ask... not gonna happen.

 

[Brad Johnson]

Unless he's an expected guest musician, I see it as disrespectful.
Also, this was a corporate gig, not a show at an underground music scene where Roger Glover or Kris Novoselic showed up.

Brings up an interesting point though, like how expensive should your gear cost? Could you afford to replace it if there was some unforeseen issue? Does playing a $400 bass free up your head compared to being a bit anxious about playing a $6000 custom build during just a regular gig?

I play whatever I want wherever I play. Zero angst. Zero.

 

[bikeplate]

Nope

 

[Brad Johnson]

I've been the bassist on the same blues jam for over 20 years now.



Bassists that I know that show up without a bass get handed a 300 dollar Classic Vibe P.


View attachment 3326910





Bassists I don't know get handed the pawnshop special. Which actually sounds good with a SD Quarter Pounder in it, a pickup I don't usually care for.


View attachment 3326911

Open mics are another animal. I'd anticipate someone not having an instrument and have brought loaners.

 

[MobileHolmes]

We just don't do it, rule for all. The person may have all the talent in the world but we did the practice, hauled the gear, and will haul all the stuff home afterward.

No disrespect, but please find your own gig.

I finally got our band to pretty much stop letting people sit in to sing. No gear issues, but we kept getting people who were friend's of somebody in the band wanting to sing, but I managed to convince them that nobody comes up without coming to a rehearsal first.

 

[Brad Johnson]

No one is allowed to play my bass... I've been asked before and politely said no. Just a hard and fast rule I've always adhered to.

Less chance for regrets.

 

[Pushrod]

I found a way to get the average gurm to stop asking to sit in at my main gig.

 

[Brad Johnson]

Is it odd that I'm the exact opposite of this situation? I dread playing other peoples basses for three reasons.

1. I love them... and want to buy another bass.
2. I'll hate them and have to either lie or tell them that it really isn't what I Like in a bass.
3. Something bad will happen, IE adding more mojo by adding a nick in the finish or neck.

I'm convinced that I've offended people by not playing their basses, but the reality is I'm fine just looking at them and appreciating them for what they are.

OP... I'd love to see your basses... but you couldn't pay me enough to even touch them.

 

[Old P Bass Guy]

I have an old bass that is road worn and I have been the one who put every beauty mark on it. I don't mind any sober, mature bass player to sit in with it. What's another beauty mark in the grand scheme oh things.

 

[Brad Johnson]

Sounds like a dude that has a day job, and at least some bass skills. Probably no band or time to devote to gigs, practice, etc. because of said day job. I don't think anyone's heart was broken either way. It would have probably been fine, and certainly nice for the guy asking, but you never know. He might have been a clue-less klutz. If it was part way thru the gig and not right at the beginning my guess is it might have been ok. Someone with any game at all would have had time to size up the fact that you were playing an expensive 5-er with a 6 as a backup. It may have ended at "what's that extra string doing on there"...

Neither bass was a backup.

 

[Pushrod]

View attachment 3327324 View attachment 3327325

I have that exact same amp setup. Great setup!

 

[Brad Johnson]

Corporate gig and some dude wants to "sit-in"?
Rude, disrespectful IMO.
Should of told him that there's a bar stool in Hagerstown seeking a player.

That's mean.

 

[Brad Johnson]

Are you professional entertainers, putting on a show - or are you operating a mechanical bull, over in the corner?

I lol'd.

 

[Brad Johnson]

If I didn't know the band or band members, I would never ask to sit in. I don't anyway. I have gone to see bands that I know personally and they somehow pull me onstage to play a tune or 2. One guy owns 2 high value Ken Smiths. He trusts me.

I'm normally one to say no but if it's a real high profile, well paying gig, I'll accommodate. Don't want to chance losing future gigs. My main bass is worth less than $1k. It's also a 5 string. I've found most of those folks who want to sit in only play a 4 string bass.

It was a well paying corporate party gig. But dings are forever.

 

[Brad Johnson]

the only players who have ever done the "sit in" thing on my gigs were cats who could play...a fretless! always fun to see other players 'get off' on the music i play and the musicians i play with.

i think the OP's situation is much different than those moments i'm describing. i've never asked to sit in, but i've been invited to do so: i've accepted on a few occasions, but most of the time the cat has played a fretted instrument and i'm a little clumsy on those.

I never ask and usually decline when asked. Jumping in cold on a bass and even rig I might have to fight holds zero appeal for me.

A buddy of mine asked me to sit in and I accepted, not thinking about what should've been obvious:

I'm 6'2". He's maybe 5'6". His strap was literally less than two feet long. So after attempting to try his bass with a strap, while the song had already started, which had the bass practically against my throat, I ended up having to play the rest of the song on one knee.

Yes, it looked as dumb as it sounds.

 

[Lava]

I'm BL, for the most part, and nobody gets to sit in. We'll bring a special guest up occasionally, which we love to do, but they are planned ahead and usually bring their own instrument.

 

[Brad Johnson]

@Brad Johnson Corporate gigs are good money, so you want to keep the relationship good. Assuming you are expecting to get more work from them, I would have a quick discussion with the BL when you get a chance. Tell him that you usually bring instruments that you would rather not have in other people's hands, but if he expects that this kind of thing more often, to let you know, and you can bring a cheaper backup. You let him know you are trying to cooperate (and not stop $$$ from coming to him), but you protect your babies.

Guys - remember, this is not a bar gig, and he is subbing. In other words, good money, and a chance to make more. Gotta be a little more diplomatic.

That's what I did. And we have a great relationship. Good advice though.