Bard melee dps is trash. Take it from a 60 bard but with non-NTOV weapons you're looking at 10-16dps fully buffed with enchanter haste. It's just not worth it 99% of the time when grouping. With epic and NToV weapons + 41% haste you're looking at a cap of ~40dps (high end estimate). A 50+ warrior with reasonable (buyable) gear will still beat that by 20-30%. Point is, from level 50 onward the best benefit you can give the group is by not meleeing. That sucks, but it's the truth. 50+ the best bards never equip weapons unless in that exceptional group that didn't need all the other perks bards bring to the table. 50+ the best bards never equip weapons. If the group composition favors your melee contribution ... that's a group that never needed you and would be better without ya
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TLDR: bard melee dps is ass. If you your dps 'helps' they didn't need you as a bard to begin with. For all others, put the weapons away and contribute.
PS: Bard melee dps sucks. It blows. If you want to maximize your personal dps it involves dropping group songs for dots. If you find yourself doing that for your group - your group was better off without you.
PPS: use your instruments.