| Author | Message | ||
| jazzyvee
Senior Member Username: jazzyvee Post Number: 4250 Registered: 6-2002 |
This evening I had a gig up in the east of the country at a 80's night with Musical Youth. In the evening there were two bands on. A Blondie tribute band (who were really good) and us, Musical Youth, headlining the gig. Anyway about 3/4 of the way through the blondie set the bass player walks into the dressing room with our trombone player and sheepishly asks if he can use my bass as the jack socket on his bass had stopped working........... My answer was a clear but polite. "No I don't lend out my basses" I did feel sorry for his predicament using my bass to fix it, nah. Funnily though a few minutes later we could still hear bass coming from the stage so I guess he managed to fix something somehow and finish the gig. What would your response have been? (Message edited by jazzyvee on October 12, 2014) | ||
| sonicus
Senior Member Username: sonicus Post Number: 3666 Registered: 5-2009 |
The same as yours Jazzyvee " clear and polite " . Most likely for the same reasons running through your head at the time in such a moment when an answer with brevity is required. | ||
| hammer
Senior Member Username: hammer Post Number: 588 Registered: 9-2009 |
I might expect a 17 year old in his first band to show up at an important gig with no back up. Unless this was the case what you appear to have experienced was a lack of professionalism on the part the other bands bassist. That being a given, I can't conceive of my saying yes to loaning him a bass unless I had a third instrument with me that was worth close to nothing. Your response was appropriate and to the point so that he hopefully learned a lesson. If you had said yes, I can almost guarantee that this behavior on his part (coming to a gig unprepared) would be repeated in the future. | ||
| jazzyvee
Senior Member Username: jazzyvee Post Number: 4251 Registered: 6-2002 |
Rightly or wrongly, I always do gigs without a backup instrument. There have been times I've taken a 4 stringer along because there is a track I want to do on that bass, not as a backup though. There have never been any problems with my bass that has brought the gig to a halt, if there have been problems its leads or noisy DI etc. Even when I was touring as a guitarist I only carried one guitar apart from gigs where I needed acoustic as well as electric. On one 2 week tour in the USA I took two electric guitars in order to have a backup and that caused an issue with the band because of the extra baggage costs for weight of the guitar in a flight case. After that I just took one guitar and if a string broke, well they would just have to carry on until I changed it. | ||
| edwardofhuncote
Member Username: edwardofhuncote Post Number: 68 Registered: 6-2014 |
Though I do *always* carry a backup, I too am a little nervous about lending my basses to anyone... accidents happen. Ultimately, it depends on the situation... if I know them well, (which happens a lot here, where the musical circle is pretty small) then yes, I might bail a buddy out of a jam. If I don't know them at all, then sorry - no way. | ||
| 5a_quilt_top
Advanced Member Username: 5a_quilt_top Post Number: 375 Registered: 6-2012 |
+ 1 on not lending your bass - especially an Alembic. ++ 1 on bringing a backup. | ||
| s_wood
Advanced Member Username: s_wood Post Number: 390 Registered: 5-2002 |
Jazzyvee, you handled the situation exactly as I would have. I never loan my Alembics to someone I don't know. If I don't know the person asking to borrow my bass I also don't know how he or she might treat the instrument or whether he or she would be willing or able to pay for the cost of repairs in the event it was damaged. I will admit to feeling badly when I say "no" to such a request as I try to be more generous than that in my life, but in the end I am just not willing to take the risk. | ||
| cozmik_cowboy
Senior Member Username: cozmik_cowboy Post Number: 1777 Registered: 10-2006 |
Band I used to roadie for carried a piano; not a keyboard, a spinet (well, actually, I did the carrying). Keeping it tuned & working was worth it (esp. given the options in '80-'81), but ongoing. We did a weekend in our "home club" with a band whose name, if I were to give it, many would know. Their pianist came in, said "Oh, good, I can use your piano!" Our guy said "OK". Cat went wild, playing with his butt, his fists, his feet: I told him "You do that tomorrow & I'll come pull the damn piano right out from under you!" He was pissed, but stayed within bounds the second night. Never again would I allow instrument borrowing on my watch. As Steve said, you never know what they'll do. Well handled, JV. Peter | ||
| s_wood
Advanced Member Username: s_wood Post Number: 391 Registered: 5-2002 |
Peter... so true... Just a few weeks ago, in what I presume to be a moment of weakness, my guitar player decided to loan his beautiful Les Paul to some random guy who was begging to play a few songs with us. The guitar player didn't notice that the guy was wearing a huge studded belt buckle that would have carved up the back of the Les Paul faster than an a router in the hands of a crack-addled vandal. Luckily, I caught sight of things just as the guy was putting the Les Paul on and was able to save the day. That's the point, I guess: just because we care about our gear doesn't mean that anybody else does! | ||
| lbpesq
Senior Member Username: lbpesq Post Number: 5847 Registered: 7-2004 |
You may not remember, but a couple of years ago, you posted the perfect solution to this problem, Jazzy. Just explain that your instrument is an Alembic and requires use of a special cable. Bill, tgo  | ||
| jazzyvee
Senior Member Username: jazzyvee Post Number: 4252 Registered: 6-2002 |
Well remembered Bill, hahaha. I presume I plug it in then give it to him before he gets hold of my bass. :-) i think the UK version running at 240v would be much more effective as a deterrent though. | ||
| slawie
Senior Member Username: slawie Post Number: 668 Registered: 8-2002 |
I believe that everyone should live your life so that they may experience it; -Suffering no guilt and, -Feeling no regrets. You did/said what you did/said and I am sure that you are comfortable with your actions. My response would have been different. Quite frankly I do get a buzz when somebody plays my bass and particularly if it is the first time they have handled an Alembic. The look of awe on their faces for me is priceless. slawie | ||
| jazzyvee
Senior Member Username: jazzyvee Post Number: 4253 Registered: 6-2002 |
Thanks, Slawie, I am comfortable with it because its been a policy of mine as far back as I can remember so I didn't even need to think about the circumstances behind his request. The answer was going to be no even if my bass wasn't an alembic. I have also never felt comfortable or really interested in playing any instruments that are not mine. So even at the Alembic meet a couple of years ago there were lots of instruments to be played but I really only played a handful. I don't think there is a right or wrong in it, it's down to personal choice. I have seen threads about this on a couple of musicians forums before and the pro's and cons and tragedies are really interesting. I can't say its been something I've been asked many times in a live gig situation. Actually I remember one time I was in Europe on a festival tour playing guitar with Apache Indian and a guitarist from another band asked me if he could use my effects board I said no. Wind the clock forward a few years and we are both in Musical Youth. He's a great guy and we have laughed about it but I didn't know him back then and he understands. | ||
| slawie
Senior Member Username: slawie Post Number: 669 Registered: 8-2002 |
Then again I would never lend my bass to this guy!!!! That's Paul Gustave Simonon participating in the creation an iconic punk portrait. slawie | ||
| cozmik_cowboy
Senior Member Username: cozmik_cowboy Post Number: 1778 Registered: 10-2006 |
I do see a difference between letting someone play your instrument in a "check it out" situation & them taking it on stage (out of reach & in the heat of passon). Peter (who just visted his son in AK & was loaned a guitar for the duration to pick with the boy, and so should probably shut up) | ||
| southpaw
Advanced Member Username: southpaw Post Number: 278 Registered: 12-2004 |
One of the few perks of being left handed... The only issue I have ever had is the drunk or Neanderthal who wants to 'try' a lefty bass, never happened, never will. I agree Jazzyvee, especially an Alembic, no way! | ||
| jzstephan
Advanced Member Username: jzstephan Post Number: 278 Registered: 1-2012 |
http://m.spin.com/articles/prince-smashed-someone-elses-guitar-fallon/ | ||
| xlrogue6
Advanced Member Username: xlrogue6 Post Number: 305 Registered: 8-2002 |
Playing a 6 string bass is a pretty good deterrent also. The width of my Rogue's fingerboard seems to scare a lot of people off. | ||
| charles_holmes
Advanced Member Username: charles_holmes Post Number: 364 Registered: 3-2009 |
Playing a 5 or 6 string Double Bass helps to keep those pesky Varmints away too! I use the NS design 5 string double bass or fully carved Sinoman Double bass & for fun I'll invite em up but they seem to shy away! (ah heh! heh! heh!) Sometimes I'll bring along a "guest bass" so no one will play my Alembic during "Monday night Mash" Check it out on Facebook!! it's called "Monday Night Mash up" | ||
| jazzyvee
Senior Member Username: jazzyvee Post Number: 4259 Registered: 6-2002 |
Just checked the link sounds like its a good fun night! | ||
| jazzyvee
Senior Member Username: jazzyvee Post Number: 4260 Registered: 6-2002 |
Just checked the link sounds like its a good fun night! | ||
| coop
Junior Username: coop Post Number: 13 Registered: 6-2014 |
+1 to the "no" comment. I know it feels bad, since we all can relate to the situation, but a $5k/$10k/$20k+ instrument? Nope. Nope, nope, nope. I don't even let anyone "check out" my SCSD unless I know them well. I wouldn't be opposed to loaning out my backup, if I had one at the time, but not a primary. Of course, my usual backup/second bass is my NS Design OmniBass (fretless), so that usually scares the crap out of anyone who asks. | ||
| coop
Junior Username: coop Post Number: 14 Registered: 6-2014 |
+1 to the "no" comment. I know it feels bad, since we all can relate to the situation, but a $5k/$10k/$20k+ instrument? Nope. Nope, nope, nope. I don't even let anyone "check out" my SCSD unless I know them well. I wouldn't be opposed to loaning out my backup, if I had one at the time, but not a primary. Of course, my usual backup/second bass is my NS Design OmniBass (fretless), so that usually scares the crap out of anyone who asks. | ||
| bsee
Senior Member Username: bsee Post Number: 2724 Registered: 3-2004 |
Jazzy, I picked up an inexpensive Hohner headless to carry as a backup when I didn't feel like lugging two full instruments. They're not that expensive, not that large to carry, and a lot better than silence should the bass you want to play have an issue. They also work fairly well as a loaner if you need to go there. Even if you might only need a backup once every five or ten years, I believe that carrying one is the price of being a prepared professional. | ||
| fc_spoiler
Senior Member Username: fc_spoiler Post Number: 1570 Registered: 5-2006 |
I don't think I will lend out one of the basses for a gig, but I love to let others play the basses so they can experience the awesomeness of these gems :-) I always bring backup basses for a gig (for the 4 and 5 string, so minimum of 4 basses) but they're all Alembics... (not much choice here) My Fender is with a youngster now, his dad asked if he could borrow one to make sure he's not wasting any $$$ when he buys the kid a new one and the initial enthusiasms fades away. (nice to show up at your first bass lesson with an US Fender + Alembic guts) :-) Of course they who get to handle the 'lembics must be mature and responsible individuals:   (Message edited by fc_spoiler on October 18, 2014) | ||
| elwoodblue
Senior Member Username: elwoodblue Post Number: 1533 Registered: 6-2002 |
nice pics FC, : ) thx | ||
| lbpesq
Senior Member Username: lbpesq Post Number: 5849 Registered: 7-2004 |
I suspect she gets to play any Alembic she wants. lol Very cute pic. Bill, tgo | ||
| jzstephan
Advanced Member Username: jzstephan Post Number: 279 Registered: 1-2012 |
Very nice of her to let you play her bass. | ||
| fc_spoiler
Senior Member Username: fc_spoiler Post Number: 1576 Registered: 5-2006 |
As you can see in the first pic, she was a bit reluctant :-) | ||
| malthumb
Senior Member Username: malthumb Post Number: 567 Registered: 5-2002 |
Jazzyvee, You played it right. While I have let others use one of my Alembics, as recently as a week ago, they are always people I know and whom I've seen treat their gear well. But "Mr. Random I just met you and want to try out your bass". Nope. Ain't happening. In this case, the guy (Paul) is the house bassist at a Blues Club where my guitarist son (yes, my 17 yr. old) has a standing invitation to sit in with the band. Paul usually plays a really nice Ken Smith. After one set with my 5-String Series II he is SERIOUSLY considering switching camps. He made my baby sing. | ||
| charles_holmes
Advanced Member Username: charles_holmes Post Number: 366 Registered: 3-2009 |
Sucks to be him (Paul) hee hee! Ok..I was a bad boy!! |
