What Do You Carry Misc. Gear In?

[jondiener]

Hey TBers,

I'm back in a gigging band after a couple years off (and selling off much of my gear.) I'm trying to find a case or a bag of some sort for carrying cables, bass stands, charts, parts, water bottle, etc. - you know, all the stuff that doesn't fit anywhere else. In the past I've used gym bags, suitcases, or small SKB cases for similar purposes, but I'm coming up short on finding something really balances functionality, weight, size, durability, and of course, cost.

So what is your favorite vessel for these kinds of items?

[lbanks]

A mid-sized gymbag. But I carry a lot of record equip. in there, also.

[bassteban]

Stands & the like, I usually hand-carry. For everything else, I have a sweet little canvas bag- IIRC it's a camera bag, but it could be for handguns/accessories. It's packed w/cables, duct tape, breath mints, small tools, pens, highlighters, bandaids, aspirin, usually a pedal or two, strings...
I call it the save-a-gig bag, as it has on several occasions.

[Blueszilla]

Anything you can get for free. Ask for something like the gym bag, overnight bag, etc.. for your birthday, Xmas, Mothers-Fathers day, etc...OR, go to Goodwill and buy 5 for hardly anything. No need encouraging someone in China to make another bag for you to buy new when there´s a gazillion rotting in the local landfill.

[bassteban]

I inherited mine.

[Blueszilla]

Perfectly acceptable, in fact preferable.

[bongomania]

[Sartori]

Cables and a tuner pedal I've carried in the cavity of my head (it's solid state, so no tubes to get damaged from such). My usual preferred method is my old beat up backpack, though, for everything that'll fit into it. Stands I just hand carry.

[Lazylion]

I've got a multi-pocket leather bag I bought in Tijuana nearly 30 years ago. I don't remember what I paid, but it's been one of the best investments I ever made. Getting a bit roadworn now, but it's got a couple years left! It carries everything from tools, strings and cables, to sunglasses, Mardi Gras beads and New Years Eve noisemakers. And a spoon, in case there's free food.

Funny thing about Tijuana. They have a ton of crap on sale that you wouldn't pay a nickel for, but once in a while you can find something cool, for cheap. At least, that's how it was in 1980.

Before that, we used to get old suitcases from Goodwill.

[TheBear]

Right now I use a duffel bag to carry cables, tubes, strings, etc. However, I am looking for a travel case or chest (like the one that Kevin opens to find Playboys in Buzz's room in Home Alone) because I'd like to have something a bit more roadworthy that a duffel bag when traveling. I hand carry stands now, but hopefully I'll be able to put them in that chest whenever I find one.

[duff beer]

Check out the tool section of Home Depot or any other building supply store. They usually have plenty of sturdy tool bags in all shapes and sizes.

[DanAleks]

Originally Posted by duff beer

Check out the tool section of Home Depot or any other building supply store. They usually have plenty of sturdy tool bags in all shapes and sizes.

You beat me to it!
Tool box or fishing tackle box. Depending on what you need to carry

[Wesley R]

We used to have a thick block of foam ina 6 pack type cooler. We were the kings of cheap.Currently I use a tool bag.

[nsmar4211]

Tote bags I get on sale wherever, I seem to get tired of em quick. Right now the "don't have to have unless everything goes wrong" cables are in a $3 hard briefcase from goodwill..... and I found an old samsonite hard shell suitcase that my amp head fits in for $5... Check out the thrift stores.

Friend of mine uses a hinged hat box cause all his pedals/cables fit in it....... someone else uses a duffle bag, another uses a milk crate and just tosses all in it, one guy uses a tool box, one throws a lot of his cables into his pedal board.

[Dr_Funkdamental]

I use a ruck sack. Deep main well, and lots of pockets and compartments. Also tough as nails. Search your local military surplus store. Might also see something else that fits your needs.

[jondiener]

Lotsa great ideas so far! Keep 'em coming.

[ggunn]

Originally Posted by jondiener

Lotsa great ideas so far! Keep 'em coming.

I've got a 17" X 23" X 8" Keal case. It holds a whole lotta stuff and is pert near indestructible.

[Monkey]

I've been using a plastic toolbox for a long time. It holds all of my cords, small guitar stand, mini-mixer, mic, etc. It has compartments on the top for a tiny flashlight, multi-tool, I-Pod, ear plugs, mints, etc.

[The Golden Boy]

My Grandfather passed away around 10 years ago. One of the things he left me with was his medical bag. My Grandfather was in general practice for almost 50 years. During that time, he lived out in the sticks and his office was in a small town. He was still doing house calls when he retired. He always took this bag with him on all of his house calls.

For those of you who've never known the medical system outside the HMO system, there was a time when the doctor actually knew you. If you didn't have insurance and you couldn't afford to pay the doctor when he came to your house- you made it up to the doctor. Even after he retired he had former patients that would bring by eggs, vegetables, jelly, jams, pies and all that sort of stuff in consideration for seeing them.

Anyway- I occasionally use my Grandfather's old doctor's bag. At 50+ years old, it's somewhat fragile, so it's not my 'every gig' sort of thing, but it does see use.








I just noticed in the open picture- in one of the compartments, there's a plastic bag with ear plugs and a package of stick on stars. In the thread about 'can't see the fretboard in the dark,' I mentioned those stars, putting them at position markers where I could no longer see the dots...

[JohnnyPustular]

Originally Posted by Sartori

Cables and a tuner pedal I've carried in the cavity of my head (it's solid state, so no tubes to get damaged from such). My usual preferred method is my old beat up backpack, though, for everything that'll fit into it. Stands I just hand carry.

Amp head, right? Something about seeing Christopher Walken, then reading your post...

Nevermind.