"your rig or the gig is cancelled"

[daveman50]

I'd tell them to "f" off

+1.

 

[Mr. Foxen]

I had a gig in a neighbouring country, promoter called asking if a band he added to the lineup ahead of us could borrow my rig, and the drummers kit, we both said no, as I was borrowing half of my rig. I rocked up with an 8x10 and a GS412, and a couple of amps (I played Doom), so looked like even more of a dick, but only half the 8x10 was actually mine. Would have been great if my drummer hadn't forgotten his whole kit an had to ask to borrow from the guy he refused to lend to.

 

[iamdenialNJ]

I've only let one person borrow my stuff (because he was my guitarist's friend) but I've said no every time since. If they don't understand why...I walk away. I walk away either way.

 

[G-Unit 01]

Not your problem, you are the bass player in a band not a rental company.

No excuse with todays lightweight gear.

 

[svtb15]

any backline rental company would require a DL and Deposit
.. Its your rig to do as you wish.
you said the one band had to drive far..I wouldnt care if someone has to drive far .. Its up to them if they want to do it or not..

As a headliner. No one uses my rig! if someone messes it up then you the headliner cant go on..
I have learned from past mistakes of lending gear.. I only let a close friend use it if they need it..

 

[makohund]

Would have been great if my drummer hadn't forgotten his whole kit

Wait... what?

How does THAT happen?

I've let others borrow my rig a few times. When asked directly, well beforehand, by another bassist I know and have worked with before. Someone I know well enough to know they knew what they were doing and wouldn't get stupid with it.

We're talking scenarios where they could certainly provide their own, but collaborating a little made the night go slicker for all. I stick around for the whole show anyway, usually.

There is a side benefit of getting to hear what my gear sounds like from a distance, out in an audience, with someone else's fingers.


But someone demanding to use my stuff, at the last minute, accompanied by ultimatums? Whining about a scenario caused by their own piss-poor planning? I'd tell 'em to get stuffed, too.

 

[Dirk Diggler]

Maybe I'm crazy but I've been in that situation and always did it. My rig was far better than the other bands anway. No one ever damaged my gear either.

I guess another thing is since you are all friends would be the first reason why you should do it.

To me an amp is one thing, a bass is another, although I let people try mine that I make all the time too, so I guess I'm in the minority here.

Do you really think whatever basses these other guys will be playing will damage your rig, really?
Wow that is one fragile rig you've got there.

Sorry man, I'd take that gig, it's about music not gear.
Cranky old man signing off. LOL
Good luck,
Dirk

 

[kesslari]

I'm reminded of the old Jack Benny routine.

Robber: Your money or your life!
(long, silent pause...)
Robber (impatiently): I said... your money or your life!!
Jack Benny: I'm thinking it over!

 

[paganjack]

I will lend certain things out to musician friends who I know and trust. If in your situation, I would also be inclined to say no, or at BARE minimum get some compensation for it (and a rider for potential damages).

 

[bassjam]

You made the right call.Years ago we on the bill with a big country act.They all asked to use our gear.We all said no and it turned into a huge deal,almost a fight.They basically didnt want to unload their gear.Our drummer and keyboard player finally gave in and let them but I still said no.

When we went to get all the gear after the show,there was a broken drum head and one of the keyboards had a beer spilled all over it and the stand was broken from the guy practically laying on the keys all night.The band was gone.Sorry,Im not into sharing unless I really know the guy.Maybe its not in the spirit of musicianship,but let someone you dont know damage your gear,and see how cool they really are.Maybe they will take care of it but,maybe not.Not worth the gamble to me.

 

[aqsw]

Maybe I'm crazy but I've been in that situation and always did it. My rig was far better than the other bands anway. No one ever damaged my gear either.

I guess another thing is since you are all friends would be the first reason why you should do it.

To me an amp is one thing, a bass is another, although I let people try mine that I make all the time too, so I guess I'm in the minority here.

Do you really think whatever basses these other guys will be playing will damage your rig, really?
Wow that is one fragile rig you've got there.

Sorry man, I'd take that gig, it's about music not gear.
Cranky old man signing off. LOL
Good luck,
Dirk

I agree, especially if you know the peeps, and it seems to be rather civil.

Off topic> My daughter got a Dingwall Super J, and alot of people from her university class want to try the fanned frets.
One guy with a Sad, and one with a Lull, can't understand why they can't try the Dingwall. What comes around goes around.

 

[cheezewiz]

About the last gig in the world I'd want to do is one involving 5 bands. You're not losing out on anything.

 

[jmattbassplaya]

I've had this happen a few times. A promoter once called me and asked if the headlining band could use my rig. I asked them if anyone else was sharing equipment and he said no. I asked him why the bassist needed my rig then and he told me that their band decided not to bring his rig, even though they were coming from out of town. I told him that I was sorry but that I was going home immediately after playing and that I couldn't do anything to help them.

Well, I got to the venue later that day and the promoter comes up to me and asks me the same question. I told him again that I could do no such thing but would gladly give him the number of two rental places in Knox that could hook him up on short notice if he just mentions my name (I've rented a lot of things in the past). He said thanks and went on his way. About an hour before I go on to play, the headlining band comes up to me and asks me if they could use my rig. I looked at them in disbelief and told them I couldn't, just as I had told the promoter. They then told me that the promoter said it was cool that they could use my rig and that they just wanted to double check and ask just to be polite.

I told them I was sorry and that they better talk to the promoter and get something handled because I agreed to no such thing. This pissed them off a bit, but at least they weren't mad at me all that much because I told them I had to leave immediately after the gig because I had things to do for school. Almost needless to say, that promoter was fired not even a month after that gig because he wasn't able to run his shows properly. Apparently he thought he could cut corners and pocket some cheese by pulling those kinds of things, but he eventually got caught.

 

[jmattbassplaya]

I agree, especially if you know the peeps, and it seems to be rather civil.

Off topic> My daughter got a Dingwall Super J, and alot of people from her university class want to try the fanned frets.
One guy with a Sad, and one with a Lull, can't understand why they can't try the Dingwall. What comes around goes around.

I don't think thumping around on another person's bass for a minute is quite the same as gigging with someone's gear for an hour or more

 

[f.c.geil]

Yep, no gig.

After many requests like this I started telling people it required a $2000 cash deposit, refundable after said rig was given a clean bill of health by a (insert manufacturers name here) authorized service/repair center the cost of which would be deducted from their deposit.

The requests stopped.

What kind of band travels with no gear?

This.

If you're willing to have other people use your rig (your choice), then you should absolutely be compensated for it, and should also have a cash deposit large enough to repair your rig should it be damaged. Personally, I think $240/night is a fair rental (divide between four other bands, that's pretty cheap), and $2,000 deposit is more than reasonable, it's cheap!

 

[kapaauguy]

i like robot's idea. find a couple of ultra cheesy combos as their backline. might teach them the value of bringing "their own sound" with them.
i always reply i need a cash deposit equal to replacement cost which will be refunded if nothing happens....otherwise they can consider themselves the new happy owners. suprisingly few takers.

 

[electracoyote]

looks like i dont have a gig that night..

Good for you. Screw that noise.

 

[prd004]

I'm on board. There is NO WAY I would let four other bands use my gear, period.

 

[crozier247]

I'd make up some total BS story as to why they couldn't use my amp


or just say that you are renting it and that you don't want to pay for it if the anything should happen to the rental

 

[Lazarus.Bird]

I'm sure most of us have had to borrow gear for one reason or another.

Someone I know and trust wants to borrow my gear because he's having problems with his = fine.

Anyone who I wouldn't trust enough to watch my dog that wants to borrow my gear because they're just too lazy = no ****ing way