Can I borrow a guitar?

Subject: RE: Can I borrow a guitar?
From: Tyke
Date: 03 Dec 08 - 10:22 PM

Check out how much anguish the loss off Dick Miles best instrument in a fire has caused him. Then, just think how you should be feeling if you borrowed and then damaged an instrument. Insurance! Any instrument is not just an instrument! Money is not the answer even if you could get insurance that covered the loan or loaning of it.
dick miles concertina

Subject: RE: Can I borrow a guitar?
From: Greg B
Date: 03 Nov 08 - 12:51 PM

"noone would want to borrow the kazoo after seeing where it's been"

Band camp?

Subject: RE: Can I borrow a guitar?
From: GUEST,leeneia
Date: 03 Nov 08 - 10:51 AM

Here's something that everyone should be told when they buy a guitar.

A pick or a human fingernail is harder than the top of the guitar. Not something you would expect is it?

Therefore, if a person is using a pick or if his style is so dynamic that his fingernails fly off the strings and into the top, then the guitar needs a pick guard or other protection.

As for Willie Nelson, I despise the sight of his poor, mutilated guitar. I think it's just a publicity gimmick.

Subject: RE: Can I borrow a guitar?
From: Tangledwood
Date: 03 Nov 08 - 04:21 AM

" and the best part of three pints of stones best bitter managed to find the hole in the guitar.

I kid you not, that guitar has been brilliant since."


Lucky for you the beer wasn't flat.

Subject: RE: Can I borrow a guitar?
From: Gulliver
Date: 02 Nov 08 - 04:44 PM

I'm happy to say I've had my Lowden battered about in the hands of strangers all over Europe for the past 20 years and it's still going strong. A few scratches, but I can live with that - gives it character. Look at Willy Nelson's!

Subject: RE: Can I borrow a guitar?
From: Jon Nix
Date: 31 Oct 08 - 12:30 PM

Actually, I'm happy to lend my (not too pricey) guitars to anyone who can play a bit.
This is because I love to hear them played from "in front". They always sound so different when playing them yourself (from behind).

The other factor is that many of my acquaintances can play much better than me!

Jon

Subject: RE: Can I borrow a guitar?
From: Roger the Skiffler
Date: 31 Oct 08 - 07:15 AM

I'd be happy to lend the Washboard of Mass Destruction, (though not to those waving firelighters and matches) or the spoons, noone would want to borrow the kazoo after seeing where it's been! I'm always amazed at the generosity of my Greek friend who puts out guitars for customers to play, even his beloved 12-string.


RtS

Subject: RE: Can I borrow a guitar?
From: Musket
Date: 31 Oct 08 - 06:12 AM

I had (still have I think, but my son nicked it and took it to university...) a guitar that was a pig to get or retain in tune. Being still a teenager at the time, I carried on, (the guitar is out of tune, guess I will have to sing out of tune...)

Then I lent my guitar to a bloke at a festival singaround. His mate was trying to get past him whilst he was introducing his song, tripped and the best part of three pints of stones best bitter managed to find the hole in the guitar.

I kid you not, that guitar has been brilliant since. I assume a bit of warping of the untreated trusses inside the belly pulled things in the correct direction.

Beer hasn't improved the singing though, despite regular attempts...

Subject: RE: Can I borrow a guitar?
From: The Sandman
Date: 31 Oct 08 - 05:26 AM

very droll,I dont, however I find the journey by coach and ferry,too tiring.
I find that I can perform better,not having to put myself through that endurance test.I am paid to give a professional performance,so I choose to cut down my travelling time,and travel by plane,perhaps Ishould change my name to Biggles.

Subject: RE: Can I borrow a guitar?
From: Tyke
Date: 30 Oct 08 - 08:22 PM

I'm sorry Captain Birdeye I didn't realize you had such an aversion to traveling by Sea.

Subject: RE: Can I borrow a guitar?
From: The Sandman
Date: 30 Oct 08 - 04:11 PM

Tyke, I left it as I found it.
dont tell me how to travel.

Subject: RE: Can I borrow a guitar?
From: Tyke
Date: 30 Oct 08 - 01:35 PM

I hope you left Liam Haywood's Guitar Tuned to open D Captain Birdseye. Oh and don't forget Liam Haywood is now entitled to borrow your instruments.

I also hope you will be there to explain to every drunk why he or she can't borrow a guitar when someone else has just borrowed it! What are you going to do when they ask who is going to stop them.

The rest of us just have to explain that we don't want Lead poisoning or suffer from an anaphylactic reaction to Fish Fingers.

Far better to cut down on your carbon foot print and take the ferry bringing your instrument with you.

Subject: RE: Can I borrow a guitar?
From: The Sandman
Date: 30 Oct 08 - 11:37 AM

well I think it depends,if you know the person,and you know they are not irresponsible no problem.
for example if I was at maidenhead folk club,and leadfingers wanted to borrow MY guitar [no problem],or if Tony o Neill wanted to borrow my concertina no problem.
If someone was stoiciously drunk,or a complete stranger and not sober then no.
Sean Cannon always used to borrow guitars when he was guesting,and therewas never any problems.

Subject: RE: Can I borrow a guitar?
From: Tyke
Date: 29 Oct 08 - 08:07 PM

Need a plumber but can't aford one and you need a special spanner Why nor start a thread can I borrow your spanners.Car needs servicing why not start a thread can I borrow your garage. If yor right handed why not ask to borrow a left handed joiners saw.

It's not the cost of the instrument the fact is that it has become very special to its owner. If it upsets you that you can't borrow it go down the loacal snooker hall and try and borrow a profesional players cue.

Subject: RE: Can I borrow a guitar?
From: Leadfingers
Date: 29 Oct 08 - 04:22 PM

I ws at a 'Tiunes' Session at Grove (W H F F ) and playing the mandolin in a tune - Guy walks and points at my Martin D35 (Owned by me from New) . I sad " If you want to play a D35 , you should buy your own" -Guy said OK , walked out , came back in withhis guitar case and took out a D35 ! I felt JUST a tad foolish , but he obviously knew what I meant !

Subject: RE: Can I borrow a guitar?
From: Tim Leaning
Date: 28 Oct 08 - 10:21 PM

I think you can be as nervous watching a cheapo as a very expensive instrument in someone elses hands.
Point is it yours and you should love it even ,if like my guitars, they are fickle and sound better for the stranger than they ever do for me.

Subject: RE: Can I borrow a guitar?
From: astro
Date: 28 Oct 08 - 08:41 PM

I'm new at playing mandolin, so when I go out and someone wants to play my instrument (a pretty Collings MT-2), I let them figuring that if they screw it up it'll give me a chance to buy a new instrument. It'll probably be my clumsy self who will screw up my instrument...astro

I suppose that as I get better and I buy a great instrument, I may change my attitude...

Subject: RE: Can I borrow a guitar?
From: masha
Date: 28 Oct 08 - 05:52 PM

One summer day my hubby and I were playing in our local session here in Northern California. The session was held in a bar on Highway 49, a favorite route for all kinds of tourists. Well, into the bar walks this big - and I mean BIG - biker, all clad in leathers and chains, a bandanna tied around his shaved head. He stood listening as we finished a tune, then walked up to my husband, and in a deep, gruff voice said, "Can I try?" My husband, sweet, gentle, generous man that he is, said, "Sure", and handed over his very lovely fiddle & bow. The biker took them in his huge, gnarled hands, looked them over, then tucked the fiddle under his chin, and proceeded to play one of the sweetest, prettiest renditions of "Danny Boy" that you could ever hope to hear. When he finished, we cheered, asked him to play something else, and he gave us a very nice Scottish tune. As he handed the fiddle back, he said, sheepishly, "My mom made me practice."

Subject: RE: Can I borrow a guitar?
From: The Sandman
Date: 28 Oct 08 - 05:39 PM

I recently borrowed guitars at gigs,reason:ryan air wanted to charge 60 euros for transporting it.
I would like to thank Swinton folk club,Helen Pitt and also Liam Haywood for lending.
I would like to thank Mary Humphries for lending me a concertina.
http://www.dickmiles.com

Subject: RE: Can I borrow a guitar?
From: Mark Ross
Date: 27 Oct 08 - 06:08 PM

That was me on the last post, cookie disappeared. Anyway, if someone wants to use my axe while we are sitting around trading tunes or playing together, no problem, but it doesn't get out of my sight!

Mark Ross

Subject: RE: Can I borrow a guitar?
From: GUEST
Date: 27 Oct 08 - 02:31 PM

32 years ago I was wandering around Greenwich Village with my brand spanking new OOOO guitar, made to my specifications by Ivon Schmuckler. I had waited months for him to finish it. I happenened to run into Phil Ochs walking down MacDougal Street with his old friend Jim Glover(of Jim and Jean). Phil was supposed to do this X-rated late night cable TV show, I think it was in the basement of the Cafe Wha, and needed to borrow a guitar. He asked if he could use mine. Christ, it was PHIL OCHS for chrissake! Of course you can, I would be honored. As Phil was walking on stage in the dimly lit room, his foot missed the step, and he appeared to stumble! Do you know that sound? When you miss the step and come down on the next one with a thump? My heart almost stopped. He didn't fall on the instrument. but if he had I probably would have killed him!

Mark Ross

Subject: RE: Can I borrow a guitar?
From: Cluin
Date: 26 Oct 08 - 10:22 PM

I have done more damage to my guitar than anyone I might lend it to.

Still, I couldn't afford to replace it and I'm too attached to it now (we've been some real strange places together) to risk having it put out of commission. So, no, I generally don't lend it.

Subject: RE: Can I borrow a guitar?
From: Charmion
Date: 26 Oct 08 - 03:31 PM

In a group of Mudcatters or similar folks I will happily lend my guitar. However, I have a young cousin who walks wide of me to this day, after I snatched my Peter Cox out of his sticky paws for whanging at it with a quarter instead of a pick.

Subject: RE: Can I borrow a guitar?
From: Tim Leaning
Date: 26 Oct 08 - 02:27 PM

And yes I hav elent my guitars out and sat there listening to the sort of sound I would like to be able to make with it myself.
Also lent one out for ayear to guy at work who started having lessons.
That guitar is far better trained than I am.

Subject: RE: Can I borrow a guitar?
From: meself
Date: 26 Oct 08 - 12:47 PM

Depends on the situation. I've played in a lot of slightly-less-than-genteel places in which the threat of physical harm - to you as well as your guitar - is never far away. In such circumstances, to keep a hard-and-fast rule about lending instruments, letting strangers up on stage, etc., can be unwise - you need to be ready to modify and improvise if you want to get out of the dive and into the van at the end of the night with your pay, your instruments, your gear, and your life.

OTOH, once you've reached A Certain Age, your grey hairs act as a bit of a protective shield, and large, belligerent drunks and their large, belligerent, drunk friends are usually a little more inclined to defer to your moral authority than when you were a callow, whey-faced, beardless youth.

Subject: RE: Can I borrow a guitar?
From: GUEST
Date: 26 Oct 08 - 09:20 AM

I would never ever lend anyone my instrument. In my refusal I usually include something along the lines "if you were to accidentally damage it you would never forgive yourself" If that's not the case and they feel that they could easily forgive themselves, then they're not borrowing anyway! :-)

Subject: RE: Can I borrow a guitar?
From: Sir Roger de Beverley
Date: 26 Oct 08 - 08:55 AM

The guest on the 24th was me (hadn't realised that my cookie had gone). The pub guitar does get quite a bit of use. However, I have loaned my Landola out quite a few times too - I'm not bothered about the odd scratch or ding as long as they don't drop it on the stone floor.

Subject: RE: Can I borrow a guitar?
From: Tim Leaning
Date: 26 Oct 08 - 06:34 AM

Hey I was trying to be polite and not mention Sunderland.
I was worried about the Lowden 'cos he wandered off for so long.
Twilt was guarding his.
as LJ says a great bunch at Staithes as always.
Rockhen you told me that story at least 4 years ago.
Let it go you will feel better.

Subject: RE: Can I borrow a guitar?
From: GUEST,erinmaidin
Date: 26 Oct 08 - 06:14 AM

When my youngest son was about 3 months old a teenage friend of my daughter's asked to hold him. I showed him how and passed him the child. After five minutes (about the average length of teenage attn. span) I came into the room just in time to see him place the child on the floor...thinking that the child could stand on his own. Near tragedy! Not remembering this warning from the planet...years later I allowed a man, not a stranger and well respected in the music field, borrow my Gibson. Same story...played it....set it on the floor as if it could stand on it's own. Busted a tuning key off of it and never even noticed. children/guitars....need to be protected!

Subject: RE: Can I borrow a guitar?
From: GUEST,Greycap
Date: 25 Oct 08 - 08:14 PM

No-bring your own.

Subject: RE: Can I borrow a guitar?
From: Lowden Jameswright
Date: 25 Oct 08 - 06:10 PM

"I was at Staithes for a music event earlier this year.
When we went to the pub for some grub,some of the performers were having a bit of a sing and a chap called "Twilt" who I beleive is a resident performer at the "Twa Dogs" pub in the lake district,
Said here you go and handed me his beloved Martin so I could "Do" a song.
Lovely guitar nice fellow.
The other strangeness was "Dave" from Hartlepool who said here try this one and stuck his Lowden(don?) in me sticky mits.
Then went to the bar for an hour.
Quite a nervous hour on my part."

Must say you didn't seem nervous Tim - no need really either 'cause Twilt's Martin is only one of those 5 grand jobbies, and Dave's Lowden only worth about a couple. Dave's from Sunderland by the way. Great bunch of folks at Staithes... most of them would share their last meal with you.

Subject: RE: Can I borrow a guitar?
From: Rockhen
Date: 25 Oct 08 - 05:56 PM

Thread drift, but....I would say...at least most people ask to borrow your guitars...I have had people use my piano without asking, frequently, balance their drinks on it, (which I take off if I can,)nearly knock it off the stand when they are fooling around as they get up after playing it...
Now, I have a notice fastened to it...suggesting that if they want to use it they at least ask, like they hopefully would do before picking a guitar or other instrument, up. I am happy to let others use it, but if they don't ask, I think it is rude. I wouldn't loan my sax out and I am wary re my accordion as it is a bit more fragile.
Like others, I would politely but firmly stop them playing my piano if they were mistreating it.
I don't consider having too much drink is something to excuse someone being careless. You couldn't use being drunk as an excuse if you crashed your car. Instruments cost money and are also personal to their owners. Most are bought with what is often very hard earned cash and/or are often valued for sentimental reasons, too. My accordion was a cheap one but I would be gutted if it was damaged. I asked a friend to watch it once while I got up and played piano at a music night. They managed to knock a key off it, in one song. They were very upset as they had been tapping their foot in time to the song I played...too near my accordion...(Yes it WAS an accident, lol!) They are still my friend but they are no longer asked to look after it! I was really upset and still feel done when I see the, now-glued key with a big groove in it.
Back to guitars...

Subject: RE: Can I borrow a guitar?
From: Mrs Scarecrow
Date: 25 Oct 08 - 04:54 PM

I often borrow a guitar in particular Dave Bennet has been known to comment that he doesn't feel he has been at a festival if I have not borrowed a guitar. On the other hand if I have a guitar with me I always lend it to anyone who asks even though sometimes it is nerve wracking - what goes round comes round -

Subject: RE: Can I borrow a guitar?
From: Melissa
Date: 25 Oct 08 - 04:31 PM

Yes

Subject: RE: Can I borrow a guitar?
From: Tim Leaning
Date: 25 Oct 08 - 04:24 PM

DO you let folks play your guitar Melissa?

Subject: RE: Can I borrow a guitar?
From: Melissa
Date: 25 Oct 08 - 04:17 PM

ha..this thread makes me nervous!

Handing off a guitar is just a show of trust and most people really do want to be trustable.

Subject: RE: Can I borrow a guitar?
From: Tim Leaning
Date: 25 Oct 08 - 04:03 PM

It looked expensive and you know how guitar players get about their instruments
Just look at the rest of the thread.
Yup I cant handle responsibility

Subject: RE: Can I borrow a guitar?
From: Melissa
Date: 25 Oct 08 - 03:55 PM

Why did that make you nervous, Tim?

Subject: RE: Can I borrow a guitar?
From: Tim Leaning
Date: 25 Oct 08 - 01:03 PM

I was at Staithes for a music event earlier this year.
When we went to the pub for some grub,some of the performers were having a bit of a sing and a chap called "Twilt" who I beleive is a resident performer at the "Twa Dogs" pub in the lake district,
Said here you go and handed me his beloved Martin so I could "Do" a song.
Lovely guitar nice fellow.
The other strangeness was "Dave" from Hartlepool who said here try this one and stuck his Lowden(don?) in me sticky mits.
Then went to the bar for an hour.
Quite a nervous hour on my part.

Subject: RE: Can I borrow a guitar?
From: Bernard
Date: 25 Oct 08 - 08:08 AM

On the other hand, I was doing support for Martin Carthy at Lymm Folk Club (one of many occasions) and couldn't find my capo, so he lent me his. Okay, a far from unique occurrence, but hey!

Subject: RE: Can I borrow a guitar?
From: Bernard
Date: 25 Oct 08 - 08:05 AM

Bugger!!

Subject: RE: Can I borrow a guitar?
From: Cluin
Date: 25 Oct 08 - 01:13 AM

I had been getting signatures from various performers and songwriters on my working axe for years.

One year, I performed a few songs for a telethon gig in a local establishment. These songs were being prerecorded to use as fillers during the night of the telethon a few weeks later. Everyone was so impressed with the sound of my guitar that they wanted to borrow it for the performances they were contributing. In the interest of speeding things up for the recording, which was being done by the local TV station, I said "sure!"

One particularly sweaty-armed player managed to smear out Dougie MacLean, Willie P. Bennett, Garnet Rogers and James Keelaghan.
In hindsight I should have sprayed the signatures with some sort of lacquer as I obtained them.

In frustration, I took a damp rag and obliterated the remaining ones.

Subject: RE: Can I borrow a guitar?
From: Peace
Date: 25 Oct 08 - 12:30 AM

I would let Ron Bankley play it. That's about all.

Subject: RE: Can I borrow a guitar?
From: Barry Finn
Date: 25 Oct 08 - 12:07 AM

I was kiving on the island of Maui in the late 70's & trying to learn the guitar. At the time I was staying in a laborts Motel, most of us were construction workers from the other islands, so I'd end up practicing across island in Bayan Tree park near to where I hund around. Every once & a while some local would demand that Ilet them play, it was the way they asked that set my off, I'm sure it was cultural & not rude. One twilight an older teen asked if he could give my gitar a try. They way he askrd schocked my & I handed it to him. Right off I was scared, he started retuning ALL the strings. I stopped him & told him if he couldn't tune it back to where it was, I didn't want him playing it at all. He assured me, "no problem at all Bra". He started playing, I neally fell over, it was the 1st time I'd ever heard slack key style playing, he started singing in Hawaiian like I hadn't heard since I came to the islands. This was the real Hawaiian music he said, not the hapa holi (half white stuff they sing for the tourists). A couple Samoaians came by & I was set for a confronation thinking that they were looking for a fight, until they started dancing hula using "talking hands". The kid was only 18, he said that all his family played, danced & sung. I met him a coulpe other times & never thought to record him, a deep regret even to this day. I later realized he came from a family of traditional musicians/singers that were known through out the islands but were just unkown to the rest of the off island non Hawaiian world.

Barry

Subject: RE: Can I borrow a guitar?
From: Susan A-R
Date: 24 Oct 08 - 08:04 PM

I've loaned out my fiddle, which I treasure, not always to people who play well, but to people I trust. There's a certain skill level involved in the fiddle, and I guess I believe in a certain level of musical karma/kindness. There's also a lot of curiosity amongst us fiddlers as to sound, action, bow, etc. so we often are interested in trying out each otheer's instruments.   I always take it back as soon as someone moves to put it down though, and it always goes into the case when I am not holding it.

Subject: RE: Can I borrow a guitar?
From: Murray MacLeod
Date: 24 Oct 08 - 07:28 PM

name names, Bernard, or at least give clues ...

Subject: RE: Can I borrow a guitar?
From: Bernard
Date: 24 Oct 08 - 07:26 PM

I usually take a cheap guitar with me to singarounds, so I don't mind if someone borrows it.

Not all that long ago a fairly well-known 'folk professional' asked if he could borrow it. As I know that it's a bit over-sensitive to capo pressure on the low E and A strings, I asked if he wanted the capo (only one song). He said he did, third fret... so I put the capo on and made sure it was in tune (by ear - I don't have a tuner). As soon as he got on stage he took the capo off, and proceeded to complain that I'd lent him an out of tune guitar, and could he borrow one that was in tune?!

As he was in front of my 'home audience' who know me well, and know my guitar is always in tune when I'm playing, he managed to make himself look silly and childish... it also shows that relying too much on electronic tuners is a Bad Thing!!

Subject: RE: Can I borrow a guitar?
From: Tyke
Date: 24 Oct 08 - 07:04 PM

Well I been and done that with different tunings. But I stopped, as I do like people to join in. If it's noisy I hope you can see my fingers and follow the cords. I'm into encouraging other people to play and enjoy the music. Who wants to sit there all night to play one song?

Subject: RE: Can I borrow a guitar?
From: CharleyR
Date: 24 Oct 08 - 06:48 PM

Playing in obscure open tunings is a good way of discouraging people from asking in the first place! I once tried to explain to a somewhat inebriated session participant that my guitar was not in standard tuning but he was insistent on borrowing it anyway, "yeah, yeah, it'll be fine", so I reluctantly handed it over, he tried to play a couple of chords and about 10 seconds later went "aah, **** it" and handed it back :-).

I'm more concerned about lending my fiddle out than my guitar though, I would only lend it to people I know and trust with it, and that's not many people...

Subject: RE: Can I borrow a guitar?
From: olddude
Date: 24 Oct 08 - 03:35 PM

I have finish cracks on my 69 Martin from my brother leaving it in the car overnight on a winter day. Nice lace effect on the top from getting very cold. The guitar is fine but was perfect before that happened. That was years ago but it still reminds me of that borrow