I think it's the sober, emotionally stable factor which cuts down the reasonble person list, even among folkies. And I think it's sometimes attitude, not accident, that harms the instrument. I recently lent my prized 1957 D-28 to someone who DIDN'T ask to borrow it. I know she's extremely trustworthy & I offerred it, & she treated it w/the care & consideration I knew she would, but I'd be unwilling to loan it to just anyone.

A problem is that some of the guys who, often very agressivly, insist on borrowing (always GUYS, dammit!) think that cuz (in their opinion) they are way better than most, ('n better than the owner of the instrument) they should somehow have a RIGHT to use your instrument. One such person not only scratched my guitar, but put a cigarrette burn on the headstock, & shrugged it off as "another great memory" FOR WHO??

I once had to replace a transmission on my old but well-loved jeep - then 20+ yrs old. The pushy guy who borrowed it insisted he could drive a stick shift (sorta a MAN thing) & ground the gears.

Bottom line - I lend very rarely, usually for just a song or two & in my presence, but VERY selectively, & I'd reccomend either don't lend at all, or do likewise.

Cheers, BK