My reasoning for not wanting to lend my gear might seem a little selfish. It's just wanting to keep everything in working condition. Most of it has been investments that I probably want to sell off someday when I need cash or want to travel or something. One of my cabs can't handle much wattage and has already been incorrectly paired with a head pumping out four times the power, which is probably why the speakers sound damaged now. One of my heads badly needs retubing. One of my heads has a weak power cable that is close to snapping off (something happened at a show). One of my heads is too important to me to want to lend out. I'm afraid of drinks getting spilled on my stuff. I'm annoyed with having to lug things around and with tolex scratches from going around corners. I don't have a job and this stuff is all I really have.
Originally I was lending my gear out. But I've actually been asked (directly or indirectly) to lend stuff for pretty much every show. Which is totally cool. It never hurts to ask if you don't have pre-information like this. But something that was once-off was turning into a regular thing. Which means regular moving, regular wear-and-tear, regular miscommunications and problems, regularly seeing open bottles on my stuff.
So I guess this is just an open note explaining why I don't really like lending my gear out.
It's really nice that other bands playing the Legendary Castle are more willing to lend gear. And Long and McQuade doesn't charge that much for daily rentals, for those who don't own or can't afford gear. And honestly, our house doesn't even require 4x12 half stacks. But yeah, I just wanted to let people know that I'd prefer they work something out for themselves. We have to deal enough with things in our house breaking (the list is at... chair, swing, an end table, the toilet, the curtain hanger, a fluorescent bulb, I'm sure there's more) and we know that comes with the territory.
I just bought a few mics and cables that are intended for show purposes but my guitar/bass/etc stuff is off limits. Unless you want to start a band with me
Also unless someone has an emergency show-stopping problem and needs a guitar fast or something.--
I also realize the hypocrisy between this thread and my comments when Zach's guitar was damaged. I am really bummed that happened and even more bummed about how childish and defensive I was. I'm really sorry Zach. I wish I could take that back.