Going on Tour for the First Time - Tips

[whoatherechunk]

So I'm going on a two week tour for my first time ....any tips?

The tentative route is: Tuscon, Phoenix, San Diego, Riverside, Salt Lake City, Denver, Albuquerque, El Paso, San Antonio, Austin, Houston, Denton, and Lubbock.

-Check the Van ( this isn't a nice mini van or a new Suburban...its an 85 Chevy G30 so I'll definitely have to get it checked out to avoid anything breaking down)
- Merch (EP, stickers, pins, shirts)
- Extra Equipment (strings, picks, cables, etc)
- Clothes ( two pairs of pants, a few shirts, lots of socks and undies)
- Cash
- Items to keep me distracted/kill time on the road

I know I'm probably missing a few things but based on the experiences you guys have had what would you recommend as in do's/dont's.

Thanks guys!

[heath_r_91]

This exact topic is covered in at least 3 other threads.

I'm a search nazi.

[Stumbo]

Originally Posted by heath_r_91

This exact topic is covered in at least 3 other threads.

I'm a search nazi.

TB doesn't need a nazi on board.

Be nice! Post the links. Or don't post

Here are a couple:
Tips for going on tour
1st tour starts in 3 days...what am i forgetting?

[whoatherechunk]

haha thanks guys! sorry about that. mods just delete this or something haha.

[factorplayer]

Originally Posted by whoatherechunk

haha thanks guys! sorry about that. mods just delete this or something haha.

Hell no! This thread is destined for greatness.

[Jim Campbell]

Originally Posted by whoatherechunk

So I'm going on a two week tour for my first time ....any tips?

The tentative route is: Tuscon, Phoenix, San Diego, Riverside, Salt Lake City, Denver, Albuquerque, El Paso, San Antonio, Austin, Houston, Denton, and Lubbock.

-Check the Van ( this isn't a nice mini van or a new Suburban...its an 85 Chevy G30 so I'll definitely have to get it checked out to avoid anything breaking down)
- Merch (EP, stickers, pins, shirts)
- Extra Equipment (strings, picks, cables, etc)
- Clothes ( two pairs of pants, a few shirts, lots of socks and undies)
- Cash
- Items to keep me distracted/kill time on the road

I know I'm probably missing a few things but based on the experiences you guys have had what would you recommend as in do's/dont's.

Thanks guys!

guns and ammo.........seriously tho a van full of gear is a tempting target....have you considered how secure all the places you are going will be

[jetlaggemini]

You have everything you need to come back. Everything else you need to know you'll learn on the road. Oh and buy a GPS, don't bother printing maps, it's such a pain in the a$$.

[Badong]

Backup amp head

[skwee]

get those purex 3 in 1 laundry sheets. Put some in a ziplock bag (you can actually cut them in half longways--there's enough soap), and put them in your suitcase or what ever you're using. Better than paying through the nose at a motel for soap. This way, you keep your other clothes smelling nice, and they take up no room at all. Go to Dollar Tree and pick up a sudoku and xword puzzles (you should never have to pay more than a dollar for these btw). Headphones, splitter, a movie to watch on a laptop?

[whoatherechunk]

i'm going to take a multi-tool....i suppose that can double as a weapon if i ever needed it for protection.

Originally Posted by Jim Campbell

guns and ammo.........seriously tho a van full of gear is a tempting target....have you considered how secure all the places you are going will be

[TigerClaw]

Guns are a horrible idea. Just use common sense and nothing bad will happen. Bring flip flops, because getting in and out of the van and putting on shoes gets old real quick and I recommend Gold Bond powder.

[Bassman822]

Consider carrying a spare bass and head if room permits. Also, asprin/ tylenol, imonium, pepto-bismol, comdoms.

[JTE]

A. Don't plan on making as much money as you think you will
B. Have spares of anything you need to do the gig- strings, cords, bass, amp, cab. Don't need to be the same caliber of gear, but you gotta have something that'll work if your main bit of gear is toasted.
C. Enhance your calm...
D. Get some clothes that'll dry quickly. Wash 'em in the sink/tub, roll them up in a big towel to get most of the water out, and hang 'em up to dry. Only two pair of pants? I'm glad I'm not on tour with you.
E. Vitamins- eating on the road is a PIA, and it's easy to get fatigued. Work to eat healthy, exercise, and take care of your health...
F. ... speaking of which- STD can be a real problem
G. Don't mess with the law in strange place, nor attract the attention of potential thieves. In the late '70s I did small tour, and the band wanted to put the name on the side of the van. I figured it'd be easier to just paint "STEAL THIS TRUCK" on one side, and "POLICE- PLEASE STOP THESE LONG-HAIRED SCRUFFY LOOKIN' DUDES AND LOOK FOR ILLICIT SUBSTANCES" on the other side.
H. Plan extra time for getting bad directions, getting lost, road construction, and bad traffic.
I. Enjoy the places you go to- no point getting the opportunity to visit San Antonio and not know any of the history. Trust me, 20 years from now you'll wish you'd taken advantage of this.


John

[MikeBass]

Here's a tip, you're going to come home broke.

[MonkeyBass]

Bring a soldering iron, a drum key, and extra set of guitar strings and picks (for the guitar player). Plan on things breaking. Bring ear plugs for the stage and the hotel room (your roommate WILL snore). Don't drink too much or you'll be on the fast track to burning out. Try to eat as many fresh fruits and vegetables as you can. You will be sick and tired of everyone after a few days so bring some sort of distraction like a laptop that you can watch movies and not Dancing With The Stars like everyone else wants to watch. Scope out the couch at the hotel because you'll find yourself on it to get away from everyone.

Good luck.

[Hoover]

Originally Posted by MonkeyBass

Plan on things breaking

...including body parts: Last time I toured the American midwest, I broke a finger while trying to relax with a pre-show pickup basketball game. Had to play four more shows with a broken middle finger on my plucking hand. Not fun.

[whoatherechunk]

i'm expecting that hahaha

Originally Posted by MikeBass

Here's a tip, you're going to come home broke.

[bassist4dalord]

How long of a tour is this? Definitely get the van checked out. It might be worth it to rent a nice new Ford van or something; the van can be the most important and most overlooked aspect of the tour.

Bring a mini hand-held video camera or something. I know if it were my first tour, I would want to get a lot of video and such. A video blog, if you will. Everything else you need has been listed. Rock out man!!

[paulygonemad]

Eat/drink the right things and bring strings.
That is what I was told my first time.