Bad vibes to ask for some protection?
September 16, 2010 7:48 PM
I am lending a musical instrument to a local touring band. I should have the tour manager sign some sort of contract/agreement. Right? What should such an 'agreement' say?
The band in question is doing a very short (5 day) tour and will be using my vibraphone. The singer/guitarist of this band is a very nice person who loaned my band an upright bass for a week for us to record with- and he hardly knows us at all. Like I said, nice guy.
I have no issue at all with lending the vibes to his band, but I realized that I should probably make sure that I cover myself in case something bad should happen. He never asked us to sign an agreement when lending us his bass... so is it awkward or rude of me to ask that from him? The tour manager is actually the one who will be picking up/responsible for the instrument, so it seems a different transaction.
What exactly would such an agreement state? Is a sentence or two stating that the band is responsible for repair/replacement of the instrument in the event that it is damaged/stolen? Would it even do me any good?
The band in question is doing a very short (5 day) tour and will be using my vibraphone. The singer/guitarist of this band is a very nice person who loaned my band an upright bass for a week for us to record with- and he hardly knows us at all. Like I said, nice guy.
I have no issue at all with lending the vibes to his band, but I realized that I should probably make sure that I cover myself in case something bad should happen. He never asked us to sign an agreement when lending us his bass... so is it awkward or rude of me to ask that from him? The tour manager is actually the one who will be picking up/responsible for the instrument, so it seems a different transaction.
What exactly would such an agreement state? Is a sentence or two stating that the band is responsible for repair/replacement of the instrument in the event that it is damaged/stolen? Would it even do me any good?
I think at one point near the end of the hand-off you should stop. Look the tour manager in the eyes and grab his hand and maybe his elbow, then tell him that if he brings your baby back to you with one extra scratch on her you'll break his knees, court his daughters, and sue him for everything he's worth.
posted by carsonb at 7:59 PM on September 16, 2010
posted by carsonb at 7:59 PM on September 16, 2010
Make sure that the instrument is insured for the kind of use, transport and storage that it will experience during the tour. Either the band insures all their equipment and can show that your instrument is included - it is not rude to ask about this - or you insure it yourself and they agree in some form that they stand for the costs. If you already have an insurance that covers travel and tour-type handling, you can charge them a reasonable fee to lending/insuring.
I always made sure that someone feels that s/he is personally responsible for the instrument. It sometimes worked (Sometimes not. I once had to charge an organization for 2 days of repair work of a harpsichord which came back with scratches and missing strings).
posted by Namlit at 8:09 PM on September 16, 2010
I always made sure that someone feels that s/he is personally responsible for the instrument. It sometimes worked (Sometimes not. I once had to charge an organization for 2 days of repair work of a harpsichord which came back with scratches and missing strings).
posted by Namlit at 8:09 PM on September 16, 2010
In my circle of local touring bands, this would definitely be considered slightly awkward/rude/uncool. I agree that the best way to go about it is to look the person in the eye and let them know how important the instrument is to you. And like someone said above, if you don't think they're good people, don't lend them your vibes.
I definitely understand, though. It's always hard for me to deal with the "be cool" factor of band people, as I tend to be pretty by-the-book and protective of my stuff.
posted by nosila at 8:19 PM on September 16, 2010
I definitely understand, though. It's always hard for me to deal with the "be cool" factor of band people, as I tend to be pretty by-the-book and protective of my stuff.
posted by nosila at 8:19 PM on September 16, 2010
ideally the instrument should be insured from the time of pick up to drop off, and that is what should have happened with the bass as well. If I was borrowing the instrument I'd expect to pay for the insurance.... But, as you've parenthetically said there has already been precedent set of not doing this so, er, either face the awkwardness and change the expectations now. Or... well take the risk chalk it up to an exchange of favors, and then make sure all future transactions are insured if you have the least qualms about it.
posted by edgeways at 8:38 PM on September 16, 2010
posted by edgeways at 8:38 PM on September 16, 2010
Thanks everyone. Nice to have some objective input.
...tell him that if he brings your baby back to you with one extra scratch on her you'll break his knees, court his daughters, and sue him for everything he's worth.
Good idea. "Lovely daughters you have there. Be a real shame if someone should come along and court them."
posted by palacewalls at 9:14 PM on September 16, 2010
...tell him that if he brings your baby back to you with one extra scratch on her you'll break his knees, court his daughters, and sue him for everything he's worth.
Good idea. "Lovely daughters you have there. Be a real shame if someone should come along and court them."
posted by palacewalls at 9:14 PM on September 16, 2010
I'll probably just depend on the golden rule, as everyone seems to agree applies here. Thanks again.
posted by palacewalls at 9:15 PM on September 16, 2010
posted by palacewalls at 9:15 PM on September 16, 2010
In the past I've temporarily added borrowed instruments to my own instrument insurance while using them. It didn't cost much, but I also never had to make a claim so can't vouch for it. It was a great load off my mind though. I wonder if it would work in reverse as well? Ie. adding a user rather than an instrument.
posted by Coaticass at 12:01 AM on September 17, 2010
posted by Coaticass at 12:01 AM on September 17, 2010
This thread is closed to new comments.
I think this falls into the category of if they are assholes, don't lend it to them. If they are good guys, do it. If they fuck it up and they are good guys, they'll make it right. But I don't think any sort of agreement is going to be worth the paper it's printed on in this case.
posted by jeb at 7:56 PM on September 16, 2010