This subject is a very sore point with me...so much so, that perhaps it shows! Or maybe I just have a baaad face...
My take on it is this...
If something goes bang, you can use my amp, so long as the bang wasn't a direct result of something you did...
If you call in advance wanting to share, the answer's no. Get someone to bring your own gear if you can't do it for yourself.
A codicil to this: No wheels? Time to get lessons...Too young to drive? That's what parents are for... (and yes, I am one!)
I'm only talking bass gear here, but I'd be the same with whatever. My reasoning is that so far, no-one, even other bass-players, that I've met in this situation, has been careful with what they've borrowed. Probably my bad luck, but it does prejudice one somewhat...The lucky part for me is that no-one has yet actually managed any serious damage, just showed that they don't give a rats because it's niot theirs...
But, no matter WHAT the situation, no-one gets to gig my bass 'cept me. Ever. Different if at a Basschat bash or similar; there's a situation you can trust, I sincerely hope!
Sorry if this sounds rantish, and I know it's been aired before. The open letter to the headlining band [url="http://basschat.co.uk/index.php?showtopic=29379"]here[/url] was what stirred my juices. Man, what a bunch of morons...