It's not supposed to happen to the drummer, but once it did and a drunk staggered into my kit, knocking over cymbals, toms and stands. This was back in the late 60's early 70's so I wasn't "enclosed" in a "cage" made up of sturdy aluminum, but the "strings" were usually able to "protect" me - usually .
That one night, the bass and rhythm guitars were playing a new tune with a tricky sequence which called for some accents and their concentration was on the music,. As this passage involved me as well, I didn 't see this well-meaning guy bringing me a beer until he landed in my lap.
CRASH!, BOOM and more CRASHES along with a TWANNNNGGGGG or two went the instruments. EXPLETIVES DELETED went Bill and the well-meaning drunk and BZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZTTTTT went the electronics and then all went quiet.
"Better get him to the nearest hospital", I said. "Looks like he cut himself."
My cymbals won't cut you normally, but if you add friction to the edge of one, it could open a gash, and that's what happened to this guy. He wound up needing 20 stitches.
As far as I know, this never happened to "the strings", but from that time on, we talked to the bar owner and had him make sure he included us on his insurance. THAT night's accident wasn't bad enough to require repair or replacement of any of my equipment, but I suspect we were covered anyway. He may have had to file claims before and didn't want to see his premiums increase by telling us we were playing at our own risk.
Bill
Epiphone Les Paul Studio
Fender GDO300 Orchestral - a gift from Amy & Jim
Rogue Beatle Bass
Journal: www.wheretobud.blogspot. com