What would you do?

Let her use it. Unless it is for any period of time. If it is only for a song or two, no problem. I have let others use mine without even asking. All they have to do is ask me how it plays. I hand it to them and say "See For Yourself".

That was kind of rude it put you on the spotlight. I would let them use it and also tell them I do not want any scratches etc. on it.

When we meet in the local pub for a mess around we do pass the guitars, or sometimes guitar around. I dont mind as long as the person using it treats it with respect and knows how to play. Pete Townshend has never been in our pub, but the answer would be no.

Glad too hear that.

OK. Thinking about it this way, I do have one that I'm very selective about who picks it up. My 1946 Epi Broadway.

I have said yes and no, had one guy ask to play my Taylor. he had been working on his truck, told him I didn't even want him to touch the case with his greasy hands

People have let me play their guitars. They didn`t have to. So I have no problem letting them try out mine. They are usually players that have the same respect for a guitar that I have. Plus, I am always there. They are usually extra careful with them. I have to tell them it is a guitar. Play it. If they should break a string, I replace it. If it gets a scratch, it is the chance I have to take. While it is your choice whether or not to let them play it. Don`t be surprised if they have something you would love to try out and you get refused. That goes for all my guitars. Whether it is my cheap Harmony to my White Falcon. I have gotten to try out some great guitars that I would never think of buying. So I return the favor.

Nela, I have been in your situation. When you get put on the spot ,there are times you don't know what to do. I have Martins and Taylors that I bought because they are what I wanted and I wanted to play. Even though they are mine I still "Baby" them because I want them around a long time. I have respect for my guitars and everyone else's. I have let close friends play mine as they have let me play theirs, But I know they respect me and mine. These are close friends. Not everyone shares that opinion. I have turned down some people in the past. How you say No is sometimes hard to do or hard to figure out how. I still haven't totally got it worked out either. Most times I say " I don't generally let others play my guitars". It gets some people worked up and some really get angry , But that's too bad. The end result is what you are comfortable with, not anyone else. I'm on your side though. Good luck.

     Joe

Well, NELA... you're the one who owns and takes care of it.  Ultimately, it's your choice.  I like Tyson's wording... "I don't generally let others play my guitars" ... you could certainly reword that to, "I don't usually let people I don't know too well handle his guitar.  It's kinda special to me."  They'll get the hint, and if they don't, then they're dumb and you have a good reason to flat out say no.  Maybe it'll be a conversation starter.  Maybe, if you DO decide after talking to them that you wouldn't mind, they'll be a bit more responsible with it.  I can understand the frustration though, she should have brought a guitar with her if she wanted to play a guitar.

I generally let people play my guitar if they want to try it out, but I don't have a 1989 Yari either. 

No one comes too my place that wants too play but if they did I would  tell them they could play my tiny takamine ( not my new one) but I would also tell them too please not scratch it etc. I think I would have let her use it but explain that someone else not you gave her permission in the first place.

I let people play mine.. we have kitchen jams all the time , I have a dozen or so acoustics and all are played often, they make my kitchen a happy place...

badeye