• TalkBass has been independent since 1998. Add your voice.
    Create a free account to reply to discussions, view embedded media, and browse with fewer display ads.
    Join free Log in
    Want zero display ads or expanded classifieds tools? Compare plans.

Would you be pissed off if another bass player was using your amp?

#41
We practice in my basement. Because of the stairs and the size of the rigs, we just leave them there between practices. Under no circumstances would I turn it on let alone let anyone else use it.

You are not a douche but I would suspect the other bass player and your bandmates are (sorry) These guys think very little of you to just assume they can use your stuff without caring one way or the other what you think.

To the guy who asked what was so hard about asking them not to use it? Well, they didn't care what he thought before they just took it, what makes you think they will respect him now?

What is it with people that they feel thay can steal whatever they like and it is up to others to educate them that stealing is wrong?

Personally, I would send an inflated bill for the previous usage, file a lean against the users house or car and sit back and wait for the cash. And the bill would be about the replacement cost of the amp. Nobody says I have to be fair about the price and if he doesn't like it,... well, should have though about that before you rented it....

-eSmith.
 
#43
rimtism123 said:
I'm absolutely protective of my amps and electronics. But if they ask and I find them to be knowledgable and responsible then sure...they can borrow it.

On the other hand...if they don't don't ask..then thats a no-no regardless.
But just say that you're not comfortable with others using your gear...it is YOURS after all.
Click to expand...

That's my plan to explain to them that it's my gear and I don't feel comfortable sharing it, but I highly doubt their response will be 'Oh that cool, we totally understand'...I feel like their reposonse will be 'don't be such a douche bag, you should share your gear, don't worry he's not gonna break it.'
Lugging it back and forth between practices is not practical at all.
It's not an expensive head, but that's not the point really.
 
#44
I would never let anyone use my amp unless I was there, or it was one of two people I trust with it.
That being said, just take it home. If anyone asks, you tell them you feel safer with it at the house. I doubt anyone would question that.
Incidently, the guitarist I have worked with the last 10 years volunteered my 74 Jazz to someone to play at church....without asking me first Not only that, he told him he could take it home to pactice. He acted surprised when I told him I was not in the instrument loaning business. He won't be asking anymore!
 
#47
In the past, I have been asked if I can supply and amp for certain gigs in which other bands are playing (mainly to save stage space and setup time). I normally say yes, but I always set some rules:

1) Only the sound man and I are allowed to touch it
2) Other bass players ask me to help them dial in a sound
3) I reserve the right to not let certain people play it (I have a little black book of other players, bass players and guitarists alike, who have in the past screwed me over)
4) Not so much a rule for other people, but I will always stay in the venue / stage-side and watch the amp

I know that this is quite anal, but if I am supplying equipment for a gig, then I will want it back in the end in the same condition that I took it in.

Peronally, I think it is appaling that they didn't ask you if they could use it and I would look into taking power cords / head amps / etc. home until you all come to an agreement (if you are ok with that).

Just my $0.02
 
#48
glenb73 said:
My band plays in a private space, however my bandmates play in a secondary progressive type band in which they use a different bass player. This different bass player has been playing through my amp. This bugs me a bit as I don't think he should be using my gear. What do you all think? Should I just let it go or raise it up as an issue? if I raise it , I'm sure it will get blown out of proportion, but still I feel like it's wrong for them to let him use my gear.
Click to expand...

the "rule" is, If it ain't yours, don't touch it! PERIOD!!

I'd be smackin' someone upside the head for that
 
#49
I don't leave anything behind without an explicit, specific conversation with everyone who has authority over or responsibility for the space.

People think differently about this matter (as evidenced by this thread), so they may just not have thought about it being an issue. It's partially your fault for not making it clear, but you should rectify your mistake by discussing it calmly. If you get bent at them for what's already happened, you will likely be seen as a douche or at best a diva - for right or wrong.

Set limits for the future. If those limits are not accepted or respected, start humping the rig back and forth, or (this is TB after all) buy a mini rig if it's a hassle to move. Or... there's a vocal PA, right? Bring a pre or DI and have at it.
 
#50
Just wanted to grow the poll, No way would I let anyone use any of my gear without my permission. The only thing I'll let FRIENDS use when I'm not there is a pedal, and even some of those are off limits.

I buy my gear for me to use. I'm not a charity and you shouldn't be either. If he wants to play with you band, he needs to bring his own gear, just like everyone else has to do. Either he hasn't sacraficed and bought his own, or he's to lazy too. Either way, it's not your burden to bare.
 
#52
Call me a dick, I probably wouldn't even let the guy use it if he asked. You spent a lot of dough on that, who knows how he uses it when you're not there. Plus there's the wear and tear on it that's not from you. I understand it's your workspace, and you want to keep it there, so take away the cables/amp/whatever you can comfortably move.

You spent a lot of money to be a gigging bassist, he should do the same.

And you may piss him off, but he'd have to be a jerk to use your equipment without your approval anyway... F*** him
 
#53
ChrisB2 said:
And why is it, in any sense, your band's business that someone else used your property? If I were your bandmate, and you raised this issue, I would be taken aback that you felt I was responsible for policing your gear in your absence.
Click to expand...

This is the dumbest remark in this whole thread.
It's the band's business because they are the one's letting someone else in there. They know it's the OP's property and they know he hasn't given permission for anyone else to use it.
 
#54
Fridge123 said:
You think that is bad - hear my situation:

I was in a rock band, and after a while I got tire of the whole thing, due to the other members antics, and that we were practicing less and less frequently. We had a joint practice space, and admittedly, I did leave my amp in there after our final gig. I assumed that they would ask me to move it when they got a new bassist, and started practicing again - my fault, I should have taken it then, but they also had my old mac for recording, and I thought I would pick them both up when they were done.

Fast forward about a year later (I had actualy forgotten about the amp) and I go to a local gig, and what do I see on stage? The old band, with a new bassist - USING MY F*CKING RIG! Afterwards, he has the cheek to ask if he can buy it off me, for £50 (it was a Yamaha BBT500h and matching 4x10, at the time, worth closer to £450). I told him my price, and he said "Ah, actually, no, I think I will keep using it then until I can afford my own"

Ah...no, I don't think you will.

Did I have a right to be annoyed?
Click to expand...

I think I would have had to go haul my gear right off the stage, especially after he said "I think I will keep using it".
 
#57
Pissed? Mmmm... ????, but without permission not so cool.

Personally it doesn't bother me so much. My situation is a bit different tough. I'm truly blessed. All the people I play with are professional, respectful, kind, generous musicians who know the value of gear and the consequences of abuse. Being as I play in a couple different projects and kinda lazy, I leave a rig in our studio of my main band, and a use smaller rig for other projects. The rig I leave, I let others in the band know it's cool to use. We all jam allot with other friends/projects. They are the same pro/respectful types as us and do not abuse gear or the studio. I realize accidents can happen and things do break. But again, I'm very fortunate to be dealing with the caliber of musicians/friends I do. And most times the same courtesy is returned to me.

So I guess my suggestion would be sit down with your bandmates and let them know how you honestly feel. If they are pro and respectful people they should not have a problem with it, and come to an agreement acceptable to all. Maybe let them know you would be more comfortable meeting the other bassist so you can make sure he/she isn't some kinda gear abusing, know nothing dumb f*#@. Then again, maybe you just don't like people using your gear. That's fine too. If that's the case it seems the only option to make sure no one does use your rig, would be to take it home. If your bandmates can't understand/respect you feelings, maybe it's time to re-evaluate the kind of people you play in bands with.

I also know these can be uncomfortable situations. Some people just don't get it.
Best of luck
 
#58
pbassnut said:
The key here is that you weren't asked for your permission to use it ... that's tacky. Even if you were asked permission, you'd have been well within your rights to decline or stipulate that if anything goes wrong with your amp while being borrowed, the person using the amp or the band allowing him/her to use it are responsible for fixing it.
Click to expand...
right
 
#59
My rig is worth thousands of dollars. Not to mention it is MINE!! Years ago, I had trouble making 2 practices a week, so I told them they could have 1 person (whom I knew well) sit in for practice and he could use my amp. If, as in your situation, this would happen to me, I would not only pull my equipment out, but I would probably never talk to the rest of the band ever. Since my band all own pretty high end gear, they would kill me if I had someone else use their stuff, so they would really never let anyone use my gear. It is a respect thing
 

Latest posts

Top Bottom
Back