Has your Alembic suffered damage at a Jam session?

[jazzyvee]

Lately I have been to a couple of jam sessions locally as a punter but am thinking of joining in soon but I know that many of the muso's there know I'm an Alembic owner and will want to have a try out on my instrument.  I've been to gigs where someone has wanted to try out my bass and apart from a rare occasion where it was a very good bass playing friend of mine I've always said no.
 
But at jam sessions it seems kind of expected that you hand over your instruments for others to play (apart from horn players). I just worry about it getting damaged on the crowded stage.  
 
Do you have any scary stories that you can share?
If you have had an alembic damaged at one of these sessions did the person responsible do the decent thing and pay up for the repair or did you have to grin and bear it?
 
Jazzyvee

[krystoof]

Hi, Jazzyvee!
   Fortunately, I never had any damage on my bass during a jam session, and I don't have any scary stories to tell, but the point is that I was feeling a little nervous when a bassist I didn't know was taking my bass to play with. And this was before I bought Ambre, my 5 string MK sig.
   Now I have an Alembic, and I'm a little like you, I have never left anyone play with her during a jam session. Some of my good friends have tried her, but not at a jam session( in my place, at music school,...).
And the other point is that I don't know how I would react if someone was damaging the bass I've been dreaming of for years and years...

[sonicus]

This is one of those scenarios that we might feel uncomfortable about where we just might have be the the fellow who just says no. The wild eyed chap with the huge belt buckle and rings on all fingers will have to provide is own Bass.I never met him before and I was very friendly as I said no and put my Bass away in the case. No can be nice , very nice when we have avoided a possibly worse social interaction by requesting funds for a refinish.  His response might be even a bit  more adverse after that request. I  bring a beater bass to such an event  like my Old Fender . It is unlikely that I would hand over a Pristene Alembic Unless it already had finish issues. Perhaps that might make me appear to seem selfish or even uptight  in their eyes______ but then no one is perfect ______. No can be nice , it is how we say it  and it can save us misery .

[serialnumber12]

thats why i bring two basses to jams my alembic is like my wife never let another man even get close cause shes been hurt before already!

[sonicus]

That picture hurts me too , just looking at it ___

[jazzyvee]

Keavin, that picture is a good regular reminder that although these bases are strong they can still break. Can you imagine someone handing you back your bass in two pieces after picking it up without permission at a jam session...!!!
 
I could imagine where the sharp bit of that broken neck would be made to fit. Throws a whole new light on the phrase neck thru....!!!
 
Jazzyvee

[terryc]

I agree with Sonicus, if I am asked to play in the house band at a jam session then I take my old Squier P bass(even though it has Alembic activators and sounds great).
It has dents and scratches on it but I could always re finish the body.
I would never let anyone use my Alembic.
If you had a great car would you let any stranger borrow it..I guess not

[dadabass2001]

I've been to jam sessions both as a house band member and as just another guy on the waiting list. I always check out a session before I bring out my bass.  My bass stays in it's case until I'm on, and I stay right beside her. The rule around Chicago is that everyone brings their own instrument, so I've never had to deal with someone expecting to use my bass.  
 
I have let people I know and have past history with try out my bass at sessions, but would not let an unknown pick her up.  
 
So yes, I am cautious but it's a key part of my sound. If it's not safe for my Alembic, I don't really want to be there.  
Mike

[edwin]

I was at a music awards ceremony thrown by the Westword in Denver. At the end was a big jam session. I had my Starfire with me and some metal player literally grabbed it out of my hands yelling at me that he had to play since his drummer was playing. He then proceeded to play pretty hard. Although there was no damage, I was pretty pissed off that he would do that without regard to the instrument he was playing and without respect for it. Further he was intent on playing his most metal bass parts with the drummer, completely disrespecting the rest of the band, who were mostly hip hop and rappers trying to get some kind of groove happening. I've never been to one of their awards ceremonies since, regardless of winning some categories.

[edwin]

I was at a music awards ceremony thrown by the Westword in Denver. At the end was a big jam session. I had my Starfire with me and some metal player literally grabbed it out of my hands yelling at me that he had to play since his drummer was playing. He then proceeded to play pretty hard. Although there was no damage, I was pretty pissed off that he would do that without regard to the instrument he was playing and without respect for it. Further he was intent on playing his most metal bass parts with the drummer, completely disrespecting the rest of the band, who were mostly hip hop musicians and rappers trying to get some kind of groove happening. I've never been to one of their awards ceremonies since, regardless of winning some categories.

[David Houck]

Wow!  That guy's carrying around some bad karma.

[mike1762]

But not your Karma!!!

[David Houck]

Hah!

[toma_hawk01]

Man, I remember back in the 70's my uncles and other relatives would drive up in their brand new 1973 Cadillac Coupe De Ville, or other 70's model, and it wouldn't be long before one of us older teenagers (or my older brother) would be given the keys to test drive it -- while us younger cats (like myself) would be happy and honored to get a ride in the front or back seats.
 
My Uncles would just kick back and dig the whole scene in pride.
 
From a special object perspective, this is pretty much how I feel about sharing my Alembics. My elders had it right.
 
Peace and Love,
 
Hal-

[gtrguy]

I think it's understood your instrument is like your wife. Amps mau be OK to borrow at a jam, but a real player would never ask to use your bass. And... you would not want anyone else but a real player touching it anyway.
 
I think Alembics just tempt people to ask dumb favors they should not be asking. No how - no way am I letting anyone touch my tools of the trade.
 
Dave