Would you let strangers touch it?

Subject: Would you let strangers touch it?
From: Wesley S
Date: 24 Apr 00 - 11:56 AM

Here's my etiquette question. I went to a concert the other night of a regional Celtic band. During the break I struck up a conversation with the bouzouki player. I play the mandolin and I want to get a bouzouki but they are very hard to find in my neck of the woods { Texas }. I've only played four of them in the past few years so it's tough to get any first hand info.

During our conversation I told the bouzouki player that I wanted to buy one someday and we proceded to talk about woods, scale lengths, different builders, tunings ect. I let him know that I was a mandolin player with a fair amount of knowledge about his instrument. This was not a bar - it was held in a small auditorium and there was no one else around. I was hoping he would offer to let me try out his bouzouki but he didn't. I came very close to asking him if I could but I guess I had an attack of shyness { rare for me }.

Do you think I would have been out of line to ask him if I could play it? How do feel about strangers walking up to you and asking permission to play your instrument? In similar locations I've let children play my somewhat expensive mandolin { with supervision of course } - I feel it's a way of passing it on. What would you have done ?

Subject: RE: Would you let strangers touch it?
From: MMario
Date: 24 Apr 00 - 12:01 PM

it's probably a personal decision. I have known musicians famous (or perhaps infamous) for never letting anyone else handle their instruments in any way...

But there are always exceptions...I watched, along with some co-workers, at one ren-faire, when a fiddler - who was paranoid about other professional fiddlers even HANDING him his fiddle, let alone playing it - - - spoke with a young women, handed her his fiddle and asked her to play for him. (We were all flabbergasted...)

Subject: RE: Would you let strangers touch it?
From: Mbo
Date: 24 Apr 00 - 12:05 PM

Well gee Mario, it was a Renfaire...you let wenches touch ANYTHING they want!

--Mbo

Subject: RE: Would you let strangers touch it?
From: Sorcha
Date: 24 Apr 00 - 12:09 PM

I have no problems at all letting anyone handle/play my instruments. I routinely take them to schools and let the kids "play" with them, (with supervision!!). If a person acts like he is seriously interested, I offer to let them fool with it, but I never ask. I feel that it is up to the owner/player to offer, and that to ask would put them in a tough spot if they don't choose to let others handle their instrument.
I once let my Celtic harp go on an overnite with a woman I had known just 2 hours, and all was fine. She was able to familiarize herself with my string configuration, and give a mini concert the next morning!
No doubt someday I will have to pay a repair bill, but it is truly worth it to see the joy on faces!!

Subject: RE: Would you let strangers touch it?
From: Margo
Date: 24 Apr 00 - 12:38 PM

There's only one way to find out if he'd let you play it, and that is to ask. Can't hurt to ask, can it? I think you're possibly more concerned about the awkwardness you'd be facing if he said no. (Awkward is such an awkward word to type!) Margo

Subject: RE: Would you let strangers touch it?
From: MK
Date: 24 Apr 00 - 12:40 PM

As for my keyboards, I'd let just about anyone try them...but as for my guitars, only if they asked (not something I would volunteer) and I'd only let them touch the one that's already beat up, since I wouldn't be overly concerned about adding more "dings" to it. The others would be off limits...because they are in mont condition and "ding-free" and I plan to keep them that way.

Subject: RE: Would you let strangers touch it?
From: McGrath of Harlow
Date: 24 Apr 00 - 12:46 PM

Great when people ask. I don't like it when people just grab and start twanging. Especially when they grab and start tretuning.

I think the only times people ask and I avoid saying yes, is when they're the wrong kind of drunk.

Subject: RE: Would you let strangers touch it?
From: Whistle Stop
Date: 24 Apr 00 - 01:13 PM

I am very reluctant to let people play my instruments. I play a lot of bars, and frequently someone asks to play one of my instruments, and I always say no. Even in other settings, I prefer not to. I figure there's no harm in asking someone, as long as you are gracious about taking no for an answer.

Subject: RE: Would you let strangers touch it?
From: catspaw49
Date: 24 Apr 00 - 01:21 PM

Obviously VERY subjective depending on both parties, the way you "read" the situation, the location, etc. Doing schools and street fairs with kids, I really WANT them to get involved with an instrument. And NO....I wouldn't take some vintage Martin or some other exotic to one of those affairs. I drag along dulcimers that are up to the task and other tough instruments. That's why the stick dulcimer thing was always so much fun.

In my teen years, getting to "touch it" was a BIG deal. Hey Bonnie!!! Were you like a lot of the Jewish girls I knew? I mean they'd ALL let you touch it!!!!...(your own, that is)........................

Spaw

Subject: RE: Would you let strangers touch it?
From: Pixie
Date: 24 Apr 00 - 01:31 PM

I have always been willing (have often offered) to share my guitar (not an expensive one but dear to me because it suits me and was carefully selected by my spouse for me)because I am only a so-so player and I think it likes to be taken for a good spin now and then....she really lights up to the blues and fiddle tunes! I tend to be a little more particular if the person has had a few too many. A little discretion never hurts. She's happy to go to an experienced musician for a ride but if they change the tuning I ask them to retune her back to standard. Tuning is such a bitch for me to do as I can't tune by ear and don't always carry my tuner with me. But....I agree that it doesn't hurt to ask but to take "no" with grace....to most musicians their instruments are their livelihood and that needs to be respected!

Subject: RE: Would you let strangers touch it?
From: JedMarum
Date: 24 Apr 00 - 01:37 PM

I think the bouzouki player you spoke with understood that you might like to try his instrument; you were probably wise not asking.

I actually like to have other people play my guitar/s. I love the sound of them, and am pleased to share the joy of these instruments. BUT ... I do understand people's reluctance, and I respect it.

I have actually had someone ask to play my harmonica's once, at a jam session. I refused. I can't imagine why anyone would want to be that close to all my mouth blowings! It seemed a little like swapping underwear.

Subject: RE: Would you let strangers touch it?
From: Gary T
Date: 24 Apr 00 - 01:41 PM

You might consider asking in a carefully phrased way, that would leave the instrument owner a graceful way to decline if he didn't feel comfortable about saying "yes" at the time. Perhaps "Would you consider letting me play it for a moment, or is that something I shouldn't ask?" or "Please feel free to say 'no', but I was wondering if you'd be kind enough to let me play it for a moment."

I generally don't mind letting others try my guitar, but it does bug me when some right-handed people pick up my left-handed instrument, can't do a thing with it, and spend five minutes before admitting it. Those who can explore it intelligently, and of course other left-handed players, don't bother me. The ones who constanly mutter "this is weird" while making no apparent attempt to accept the fact that it won't play like a rightie guitar make me nervous.

Subject: RE: Would you let strangers touch it?
From: catspaw49
Date: 24 Apr 00 - 01:45 PM

Hey Jed.....Carry a nose flute for such occasions! Make sure its pretty "encrusted" looking.......

"Sure man...Here.....the harp's got a bad reed, but PLAY THIS!"

Spaw

Subject: RE: Would you let strangers touch it?
From: Amergin
Date: 24 Apr 00 - 01:58 PM

Damn and I thought this was one of those naughty threads. I play a tinwhistle (actually play is not really the word for it, butcher is) and I sometimes let my brother play the dang thing. That kid (he's 16 years old) can play any wind instrument he picks up and start playing it within ten minutes and good. Makes me jealous. Amergin

Subject: RE: Would you let strangers touch it?
From: SDShad
Date: 24 Apr 00 - 02:02 PM

Like Jed, I enjoy it when people ask to play my guitar. One of the reasons for that, though, is that it's left-handed. It's cool of course when another lefty asks to play it, because how often do I get to meet another member of that particular fraternity. But it's also really cool sometimes to see what kind of interesting things happen when a good and adaptable right-handed player picks it up, flips it over, and plays it upside down. I've heard some pretty marvelous things coming from my guitar that way.

Chris

Subject: RE: Would you let strangers touch it?
From: wildlone
Date: 24 Apr 00 - 02:51 PM

I was playing my bowed psaltery one day when a blind girl asked what it was and how it was played I found the best way to explain was to let her try it her self with a bit of help from me, it did not take long before she had worked out how to get a tune out of it.

Subject: RE: Would you let strangers touch it?
From: Rick Fielding
Date: 24 Apr 00 - 02:52 PM

Hell's Fire, I thought this was one of MY threads, tricking chat folks into a chord discussion! Oh well.

If someone asks nicely I always let them play anything I've got. Nobody's ever broken anything yet, but those "acid hands folk" (you know who you are) have sure deadened a lot of strings.

Rick

Subject: RE: Would you let strangers touch it?
From: Clinton Hammond2
Date: 24 Apr 00 - 02:53 PM

My guitars, Never... I once loaned one to a guy, turned my back for 5 seconds, and there are no words to describe the sound I heard... when I turned back the headstock was haning off the guitar by the stings... Never again... no way... no how...
He was smart enough to pay for it, lemme tell ya... accidents happen, I just don't want them happening to my stuff in your hands...
Fellow musicians at sessions?? Sure... but I know them all, and I trust them all...

{~`

Subject: RE: Would you let strangers touch it?
From: Allan C.
Date: 24 Apr 00 - 03:11 PM

Generally, anything I have is yours. I will share. However, I developed some reservations a few years back. I had a beautiful (Aren't they all?) Brazilian-made classical guitar which I handed over to a visitor who was a stranger to me. He played a wonderfully lively song and I was enjoying his style enormously. But then it happened. Between strums, he began hammering out some kind of rhythm on the face of the guitar. He used his fingernails. The finish was dented forever afterwards.

The incident gave me pause to reconsider my thinking about allowing folks to use my instruments. But, I decided that it was something which was unlikely to happen again and have ever since encouraged people to play my instruments.

Subject: RE: Would you let strangers touch it?
From: Mbo
Date: 24 Apr 00 - 03:48 PM

Uh-oh Allan! The revenge of the Flamenco Golpe! He shoulda told you he was going to be doing Golpe....you can buy Golpe pads that actual Flamenco players put on their guitars to protect the finish from the rhythm-hammering!

--Mbo

Subject: RE: Would you let strangers touch it?
From: Sorcha
Date: 24 Apr 00 - 04:26 PM

Ok, I guess I didn't mean I NEVER ask. I think I meant I would never ask some one I do not know at all who has this Hunky instrument I know is very valuable, like a big name professional. I borrow and play friends stuff all the time.

Subject: RE: Would you let strangers touch it?
From: Jim Dixon
Date: 24 Apr 00 - 05:11 PM

Reading some of the above postings made me think of Willie Nelson's old beat-up guitar, with signatures all over it and the extra "sound-hole" below the strings. Do you suppose he lets strangers touch it? It also reminds me of a line from "American Beauty": "IT'S ONLY A COUCH!"

I'd rather own furniture you CAN put your feet up on than furniture you can't. But, as they say, that's just me.

Subject: RE: Would you let strangers touch it?
From: Petr
Date: 24 Apr 00 - 09:46 PM

I would let people play my fiddle if I knew they could. But Ive seen people pickup instruments and play and not even ask which I think is totally rude. I dont like lending my fiddle to someone and they start tuning it (I usually end up tuning it back) my hearing is good, people should ask first if they can tune it. In most cases I would lend my fiddle to a woman of the opposite sex. Ptr

Subject: RE: Would you let strangers touch it?
From: SDShad
Date: 24 Apr 00 - 09:53 PM

Even if she retuned it, Petr? :-) But you're quite right. A guy once retuned his lefty guitar for me, to teach me about open tunings, but I wouldn't dream of retuning someone's instrument without asking them, let alone pick it up without asking.

Chris

Subject: RE: Would you let strangers touch it?
From: Caitrin
Date: 24 Apr 00 - 10:20 PM

Friends play my guitar all the time. Strangers...I dunno. I suppose if said stranger seemed trustworthy, I'd let him or or play it. Darlene used to belong to my dad, so I'm a bit protective of her...Dad would probably kill me if I let anything happen to her. : )

Subject: RE: Would you let strangers touch it?
From: Jon Freeman
Date: 24 Apr 00 - 10:21 PM

I enjoy letting others play my instruments and there are some people that I know that I have told that if I'm not playing the instrument, that they can just feel free to pick it up and play it - no need to ask me if it is OK to do so.

Jon

Subject: RE: Would you let strangers touch it?
From: GUEST,Racer
Date: 24 Apr 00 - 10:35 PM

I play on an Ovation Balladeer. At my income level, that is a very expensive guitar. I'll let just about anyone play it as long as I'm there to watch. Ovation's have such a distinct sound and it's nice to hear it being played without actually having to play it.

I do agree with what everyone has said about tuning. I've spent thirteen years developing my ear; I don't like it when someone second-guesses my ability to tune my guitar, especially if they haven't been playing very long (less than a year).

I have noticed that no one is as careful about setting the instrument down as I am. People seem to have this bad habit of setting my guitar on its tuning keys, and that really bothers me. I also prefer to see it resting on the fretboard rather than the back of the neck.

--CS

Subject: RE: Would you let strangers touch it?
From: Mbo
Date: 24 Apr 00 - 10:36 PM

Um...no one ever wants to play my guitar....:-( I suppose not many people wanna try out a $135 Yamaha EF-10 Eterna...with Martin Silk n' Steel strings....but I love Pete (my sister named it after Pete Incaviglia). A older and wiser friend of mine (from Mexico)told me "your guitar is like your woman...you know the way it sounds and feels...it's perfect for you, and you are perfect for it...no other guitar will do, because it's just not the same..."

--Mbo

Subject: RE: Would you let strangers touch it?
From: Jim the Bart
Date: 24 Apr 00 - 11:06 PM

Isn't it funny how attached we get to our stuff? "Hey man, keep your hands off my stuff!!" It may not be the best, but it is mine.

Someone stole my Martin D45 back in about 1973 or so. I was really mad. I wrote a letter to Martin so that they would keep an eye out for it. Truth is, I didn't really like that guitar. It wasn't their best effort and we never bonded, really. And losing it gave me a great reason to find the Guild D44 with curley maple back and sides that I have to this day. Maybe it's bet not to get too attached to stuff. . .

I'm with Sorcha - let the little children play. It gives them a real sense of the magic of it all to strum a bit on a real instrument. Adults can play if they ask nicely and if I'm in the right mood. It's gret to have a really accomplished musician pull some beauty out of an instrument that you've grown fond of.

And when it comes to Catters - there's always a spare guitar around if you feel like playing.

Subject: RE: Would you let strangers touch it?
From: rangeroger
Date: 24 Apr 00 - 11:21 PM

As with Jed and Shad I love to hear the sound of my guitar in others hands,but only if they ask. I consider it extremely rude for any one to pick up someone elses instrument without asking.
Both my 6 and 12 string acoustics are hand-made, one of a kind guitars and irreplaceable,but the 6 string particularly, in the hands of a capable player, loves to sing out.
We had the SunDogs at Strawberry one year, and I heard that TJ Politzer,the lead guitar player was looking for a guitar to jam with as the group had just had all their acoustic instruments stolen in Alaska. I loaned him the Zink,and didn't see it for 3 days.Quite scary.I heard it,however.We have our own stereo radio station for the festival,and about 1 in the morning I had come back to my camp and heard what sounded like my guitar over the radio.I asked a neighbor what was being broadcast and he said it was live from Amy's cafe( an after hours club setting put on in the dining hall).
It was the Sundogs,unscheduled,doing an acoustic set.
On Sunday afternoon, when TJ gave the guitar back to me, he asked if he could say goodbye to it.He took it out of the case,did some quick fingerings,put it back in the case, and thanked me profusely.According to some friends of mine,he still talks about to this day.
rr

Subject: RE: Would you let strangers touch it?
From: GUEST,moonchild
Date: 24 Apr 00 - 11:38 PM

For thirty years, I never let anyone play my guitar. Last year, at the getaway, a couple of people asked to play it and I had no qualms and it was wonderful to hear the sound. At annap's in January, it got quite a workout, from individuals who are far, far better guitarists than I will ever be ... and, again ... it was wonderful hearing the sound it made. I probably still wouldn't let a "stranger" pick it up, but a mudcatter friend ... you bet! ... moonchild

Subject: RE: Would you let strangers touch it?
From: Crowhugger
Date: 25 Apr 00 - 12:23 AM

It depends. I've surprised myself by saying "yes" and not regretted it. I've also turned down flat someone clearly too drunk too often, 5 minutes before saying "sure" to young'un I'd met maybe an hour before. It was an open stage in a small community not far south of McDonalds Corners, but that's no guarantee of anything except someone probably knew where the kid lived. (The drunk guy vanished during the kid's two songs...was it something I said?)

All that is for guitar, banjo, percussion & piano. (We can start a new thread for the discussion about piano actually being a percussion instrument.)

Cello is another story entirely. Rick, I know what you mean about those acid wash hands. At a hundred and thirty-five bucks (yes, $135, but that's Canadian$) per set for cello strings, I notice these things. And having studied cello is not an assurance that the asker will keep their grimy digits off the bow hair. This I know for a fact.

As for etiquette, I'm on the don't-touch-without-permission bandwagon.

Oh, and to the poster who finds no one is ever as careful about setting down instruments as they are, ain't it the truth! But luckily I've never seen the dings I've heard, a kind of magic I'll never understand. ;-)

Subject: RE: Would you let strangers touch it?
From: Little Neophyte
Date: 25 Apr 00 - 12:38 AM

Rick, or anybody, what do you mean by........
"acid hands folk" (you know who you are) have sure deadened a lot of strings.

Little Neo

Subject: RE: Would you let strangers touch it?
From: rangeroger
Date: 25 Apr 00 - 01:38 AM

Bonnie, some people's body chemistry is such that they can deaden strings almost immediately.And there is no resurrection for them.
I have had to use brass-wound strings for many years as I have found that I can kill a set of bronze-wound in a relatively short period of time.
rr

Subject: RE: Would you let strangers touch it?
From: Seamus Kennedy
Date: 25 Apr 00 - 03:40 AM

Generally, I'll let anyone who asks politely play any of my instruments, but I never let them out of my sight. I have one friend and fellow musician who has the acid hands scourge. Two songs and a brand new set of strings are dead. I hate to see him come into one of my gigs without his own guitar. All the best
Seamus

Subject: RE: Would you let strangers touch it?
From: alison
Date: 25 Apr 00 - 05:57 AM

I won't share around anything you blow, (unless I'm very friendly with the person it is going to *grin*)... too much risk of nasty stuff these days... otherwise I'll let people play by bodhrans and keyboards.. no problem.. you do need to keep an eye though.. I caught a kid about to "play" my bodhran with a big axe handle Alan of Oz uses to play his lagerphone....... it was saved just in the nick of time...

slainte

alison

Subject: RE: Would you let strangers touch it?
From: Jeremiah McCaw
Date: 25 Apr 00 - 07:06 AM

"As for etiquette, I'm on the don't-touch-without-permission bandwagon." Abso-bloomin'-lutlely! By just grabbing someone else's instrument the turkey's already shown disrespect for me & my ax.
Be sober and polite and I'm happy to show off my instruments; particularly the acoustic bass guitar that Glen Reid built for me. It's a real treat to hear better players than me (that being most of them) using this instrument.
At a Christmas party this past year, my bass spent most of the evening in Trevor Mills' hands. He even tried to give it back a time or three, but I loved the lines he was laying down, and I think I even learned a thing or two.
And face it, as players, we very seldom hear what our instruments sound like from the front! It can be a considerable treat.

Subject: RE: Would you let strangers touch it?
From: Little Neophyte
Date: 25 Apr 00 - 08:10 AM

Rangeroger, is that kind of like the people whose body chemisty will stop the mechanical movement of a watch?
I always found that so fascinating.
Well actually people who instantaneously compust, are the most interesting of all. I do feel sorry for their family and all, but it is just so unbelievable.
This all has to do with body chemistry eh?
Well if that is the case and there is a chance someone may instantaneously compust while playing your instrument they borrowed. I think this is something to take into consideration.

Little Neo

Subject: RE: Would you let strangers touch it?
From: Mooh
Date: 25 Apr 00 - 09:19 AM

Wesley S,

Funny how this came up. Just this week I had two instances of guitar students asking me this very question. One had a guitar that had sustained considerable damage in the hands of a friend and the other had trouble arranging the return of the instrument. My advice to both was to NOT lend their guitars to anyone, at least not without very secure conditions. (These were their only guitars, btw.)

I have loaned instruments to very reliable and trustworthy folks in the past with no trouble, but I will not take a chance on strangers or those I know to be reckless. My better instruments never get loaned and only rarely are allowed to be played by others and only in my presence. This isn't selfishness so much as caution.

When I was much younger and only owned one acoustic guitar, I felt that it was somehow unfaithful to put my guitar in another's hands, as if its soul was somehow altered by its use by another. Nowadays I know it doesn't really matter, my guitars only have eyes for me.

But to get to your situation, you should have asked. If I'm asked after a lengthy conversation with someone who sounds knowlegable and I can control the situation, I'll generally allow a short tryout, but I have to be pretty sure of the situation. Maybe it will result in a sale for the luthier. Better luck next time.

Peace, Mooh.

Subject: RE: Would you let strangers touch it?
From: Jon Freeman
Date: 25 Apr 00 - 10:44 AM

I am a little bit more careful with lending instruments to take home to play and I have lost a fiddle and a 5 string banjo (both cheap ones fortunately) that way. Having said that, I will let people I know borrow anything I own and have lent my best ones (Fydle Falstaff - current new retail £1500 and Kildare banjo £1200) out for a couple of weeks even though there is no way I could afford to replace them - that is assuming that money can replace instruments you love - I think those who have an instrument that is special to them will know what I mean.

Jon

Subject: RE: Would you let strangers touch it?
From: Grab
Date: 25 Apr 00 - 11:03 AM

Doesn't it always depend on the person and the situation? And I spose it depends on if you can see the instrument all the time. But asking before taking is just common courtesy. It also seems nice to run through a quick twiddle or something and say "I like the tone/action/whatever" (assuming it's not blatant bullshit of course) cos it makes the owner feel better about their instrument. If you borrowed it and gave it back saying "Don't like the strings on that, mate" then you should expect a slap or two!

Minor damage like string breaks ain't a big deal though - if you're going to fuss over £1-2 for a new string after a few hours (when you've probably spent a tenner on beer! :-) then you've got problems. If you've busted someone's string then apologise and offer to pay, or buy them a drink, but I don't think it's the end of the world. If you bust the whole damn guitar then you should expect some serious unhappiness from the owner though...

Grab.

Subject: RE: Would you let strangers touch it?
From: Jeri
Date: 25 Apr 00 - 06:38 PM

I've got a fiddle that's worth quite a bit. Folks have wondered how I could stand to bring it to crowded sessions. It's 'cause I can't stand to play anything else, and I bought it to PLAY it! I'll let just about anyone who asks play it, or try to play it. (Not those who are really drunk or just wild.)

Wesley, you may have been picking up that the bazouki player was going to say "no," and feel uncomfortable about it. I might have asked anyway, and taken "no" for an answer if it had been given. Honestly, if someone just said they were thinking about buying a fiddle, and talking about fiddles, I might not realize they were interested in playing mine.

Subject: RE: Would you let strangers touch it?
From: keltcgrasshoppper
Date: 25 Apr 00 - 07:37 PM

I don't think so!!!! saw a beautiful Martin D38 almost destroyed in a coffee house, when a gut wandered in and asked if he could use it for a second.. Well he was blasted and when he finished so was the guitar

Subject: RE: Would you let strangers touch it?
From: keltcgrasshoppper
Date: 25 Apr 00 - 07:38 PM

That would be GUY not GUT....

Subject: RE: Would you let strangers touch it?
From: keltcgrasshoppper
Date: 25 Apr 00 - 07:40 PM

Plus the song he played on it was " Dirty old town" get real

Subject: RE: Would you let strangers touch it?
From: vindelis
Date: 25 Apr 00 - 08:01 PM

I feel that is polite to ask first. The circle of musicians that I meet with on a regular basis, often borrow instruments from one another, however they know each other's strengths and weaknesses. Sometimes it can be a pleasure to listen to a more profficient musician getting a sound out of an instrument that you only dream of aspiring to. It is not a problem I have personally. There a very few penny whistle players on Portland.

Subject: RE: Would you let strangers touch it?
From: Mark Clark
Date: 26 Apr 00 - 01:07 AM

For me it depends on the situation. I can say that now that I've mellowed some with age. Truth is, I still think it takes a lot of cheek for someone to ask to play my guitar. In a gig situation, I just say no; it's a public place so I don't actually harm them for asking. In a private setting there are people who have played it, though not many. And I never ask anyone to let me play their instruments. I consider it very rude. If they want to hear me play their instruments, they'll ask me.

      - Mark

Subject: RE: Would you let strangers touch it?
From: Callie
Date: 26 Apr 00 - 03:55 AM

I was loading some hand-made drums I'd borrowed into the car. There was a group of children about and I thought it was cute when they started tapping on the drums. Then a small boy came and (uninentionally) put his fist through the drum. I had top send his parents the repair bill and apologise profusely to the drum's maker.

However, I like other people playing my guitar, especially if they're better players than me (most people) or playing on stage, coz I get to hear it in full flight.

I don't like people blowing my reed instruments. Reeds are absorbant and they will hold other people's moisture and germs (ergh!). Also, people are likely to have traces of food or drink in their mouths, and this affects the instruments badly, not to mention the revolting thought!

--Callie

Subject: RE: Would you let strangers touch it?
From: GUEST,Roger the skiffler
Date: 26 Apr 00 - 06:00 AM

Well, no-one's ever asked to borrow my kazoo, (drool, slobber, hawk, hawk). Wonder why? They do hide it,though...
RtS

Subject: RE: Would you let strangers touch it?
From: InOBU
Date: 26 Apr 00 - 07:49 AM

I play the Uilleann pipes. An instrument which is both fragile and more expencive than I can afford, so the answer is eaisy, I dont let my wife touch it, let alone strangers. (the only thing I own in that catigory- other than Native American medicine)
Larry