What would you put in a "gig bag?"

[double_stop2584]

And by "gig bag," I mean a luggage bag filled with miscellaneous items.

To better explain, here's the long title:
"The bag filled with things we always end up needing at some point, but never actually buy when we have the chance."

I've decided to be the member of the band who keeps this bag with us, and makes sure we always have some of the stuff we always forget about.

Here's what's in it so far:

Written introduction (for college/military gigs, of that sort)
Sunscreen
Batteries (AA and 9V)
Duct Tape
iPod connector to go through our PA (for setbreak music)
Hand Sanitizer
Quarters (for laundry at hotels)
a frisbee (for fun)


Things we're going to add soon:

Flashlight
Music documents (charts, song list, laminated setlists)
A sleeping bag/bedrool/air matress? (if it's portable enough)


I'm a boy scout, so a lot of these things are just "be prepared" type things, but a lot of them came about from one of us saying "we should get that" and then not thinking about it. Now I write it on the list on my phone, and I'm trying to get it up and running for our upcoming long road trips.

So who's got some more stuff to add? What would you put in your "gig bag?"

To clarify: This isn't a bag to help specific people - we all are good at remembering strings, picks, etc. Just generic stuff anybody might need.

[The Golden Boy]

Condoms.

[Phalex]

Razor

K-Y Jelly

Alka-Seltzer

Protein bars

[double_stop2584]

The protein bars and antacid tablets/alka seltzer is a good idea, thanks.

We'll let each band member worry about their own condoms though. You gotta get what works for you, in my opinion.

[gottawalk]

Originally Posted by double_stop2584

And by "gig bag," I mean a luggage bag filled with miscellaneous items.

To better explain, here's the long title:
"The bag filled with things we always end up needing at some point, but never actually buy when we have the chance."

I've decided to be the member of the band who keeps this bag with us, and makes sure we always have some of the stuff we always forget about.

Here's what's in it so far:

Written introduction (for college/military gigs, of that sort)
Sunscreen
Batteries (AA and 9V)
Duct Tape
iPod connector to go through our PA (for setbreak music)
Hand Sanitizer
Quarters (for laundry at hotels)
a frisbee (for fun)


Things we're going to add soon:

Flashlight
Music documents (charts, song list, laminated setlists)
A sleeping bag/bedrool/air matress? (if it's portable enough)


I'm a boy scout, so a lot of these things are just "be prepared" type things, but a lot of them came about from one of us saying "we should get that" and then not thinking about it. Now I write it on the list on my phone, and I'm trying to get it up and running for our upcoming long road trips.

So who's got some more stuff to add? What would you put in your "gig bag?"

To clarify: This isn't a bag to help specific people - we all are good at remembering strings, picks, etc. Just generic stuff anybody might need.

Screw Driver
Wire Cutters
Plyers
Power Bars/Water Bottles

I'm sure there's a lot more; but then you'd need another bag....

[AxtoOx]

My "Gig bag" holds my:
Bass
Spare strings
Spare batteries
Cord
Spare Cord
Amp cables
Tuner.

If I go overnight, I pack a duffle bag

Now the extra stuff I have to have for the PA which I own is a whole different story.

[Bard2dbone]

I must need to go to sleep. I'm feeling really tempted to write in creepily inappropriate stuff just for shock value.

I'll probably give a serious answer later.

[boing]

So Far:

SM57 & XLR cable
9v batteries
9v adapter
short & long patch cords
extra bass strap
zip ties
extra strings (bass & guitar)
guitard picks & string winder
drum key
extra amp power cable
tape (duck/scotch/electrical/masking)
rack screws
paper & pens
allen wrenches
adjustable wrench
pliers
screw driver kit
soldering kit
wire
pots/caps/jacks
Multi-meter
outlet tester
amp fuses
alcohol wipes
paper clips

[Munjibunga]

Here's what's in mine. It's my daughter's old Lands' End diaper bag. Works bitchen, with lots of interior pouches and stuff.

Shure SM58
Shure Beta 58A
Shure Beta 57A
Shure Beta 87C
Foam wind screens

(2) 25-foot mic cables
(1) 15-foot mic cable
(1) 5-foot 12 ga. speaker cable, Speakon - Speakon
(1) 5-foot 12 ga. speaker cable, Speakon - ¼-inch
(3) 8-foot extension cords
(2) 8-foot IEC power cables
(5) 3-foot patch cables
(4) 5-foot patch cables
(2) 5-foot XLR cables
(1) 8-foot RCA to ¹/₈-inch stereo cable
(2) RCA - ¼-inch adapter plugs
(1) 3-way plug
20 feet of George L cable with plugs
(2) Countryman Type 85 DIs
A bag of assorted cable adapters ... at least 10 types

Small guitar stand
straight tamborine
Tool kit with soldering iron
2-inch roll of gaffer's tape
Bass and guitar string winders
Extra set of strings
Small Maglite flashlight
Set lists for everybody

[Pilgrim]

Yes to the above...the most important stuff in a bag such as you describe is a tool kit, spare strings and gaffer tape for securing cables.

I keep the mics, mic cables and instrument cables in other bags or cases.

[varunkapahi]

this is what i usually carry in my gig bag all the time
ear plugs
cables
spare strings
allen keys for that bass
9v battery
sheets of paper with whatever info
1/4" - 1/8" mono and stereo and other converter jacks
a piece of cloth
handheld tuner (sometimes this goes in the pedal case)

[Munjibunga]

Originally Posted by Pilgrim

Yes to the above...the most important stuff in a bag such as you describe is a tool kit, spare strings and gaffer tape for securing cables.

I keep the mics, mic cables and instrument cables in other bags or cases.

Those are just my personal mics. I have about 20 others that go to gigs as needed, with their cables, in other cases. In my bass bag, I have several instrument cables, another 20-foot mic cable, at least three guitar straps, a five-foot patch cable, a Boss TU-2 tuner, and my hipassmofo hat.

[bassybill]

Straps (including spare)
Bass stand
Bass cables
Speaker cables
Mains cables
XLR cable
Power reel
Power strip
Pandora!
Gaffa tape
Spare strings
Spare batteries
Spare cables (bass, speaker, patch, mains)
Charts
Pen and paper
Torch (flashlight to you guys )
Stage clothes
Music stand
Anti perspirant (in our band, your best friends WILL tell you)
Cloth for wiping down bass after gig
MP3 player for interval music if required
Tool kit for emergency repairs
Er….
That’s about it.

[Sven Olaffson]

the things I keep in a "gig bag" (actually a tool case)

- duct/gaffa/electrical tape, 2 or 3 sizes and colors
- Batteries (AA, 9V, other formats if any apparel needs so)
- assorted adapters, connectors and convertors (male to female and reverse, jack to xlr and reverse, mini-jack to 6.35 and reverse etc.)
- headlamp (better than a flashlight, because you can tweek cables behind your amp with your two hands while wearing it, instead of having the flashlight in one of your hand, or in your mouth)
- screw drivers, allen wrenches, adjustable wrenches, pliers and other tools ranging from mini-tools for quick ajustments on a guitar floyd rose bridge to a hammer for adjusting very old-school drum hardware
- every imaginable kind of spare cable (mic, instrument, speaker, power ... you name it, if I don't already have it I'll buy it for the next time)
- soldering kit
- multi-meter
- amp and house fuses (if your amp's fuse doesn't blow, the house's one will !)
- power strip
- spare guitar/bass strap
- spare drumsticks
- spare guitar/bass picks
- drum key
- handheld tuner
- ear plugs (lots of these)
- blank sheets of paper and assorted pens and markers
- aspirin/paracetamol and throat anti-inflammatory (for the singer)

I am the be-prepared-for-anything kind of guy and any of these items have already helped saving a reharsal or a gig. I don't care if the other musicians (including myself) have their instrument-correct spare things or not: I always act as if they haven't, and I'm not surprised when I'm (often) proved to be right.

[theshadow2001]

Set list
Ear plugs
Speaker/instrument cables
Set of old strings
Tuner pedal

Thats all I take to a gig in my box of tricks.

[IanStephenson]

Ibuprofen.

I'd be interested in expert opinions, but afaik it works as an anti-inflamitory as well as a pain killer, so it's actually doing you some good, as well as masking the pain.

[boing]

IB. Good call. If taken before strenuous activity it can prevent mild strain, especially for those of us with bad backs. I carry it always, anyway, but I'll add some to my kit.

[GeneralElectric]

Asprin too if you don't like the IB.

Something thats not mentioned is a notepad with a pen.

Useful stuff.

[ZenMoto]

Lots of good ideas above... Here's a few

Leatherman multi tool
Band business cards
Gig calendar

[AxtoOx]

OK, that's all great, but in a gig bag? Is the question what all do you take to a gig? Bacially everything mentioned here. In your gig bag? I can only fit so much in a Warwick bag.
Heck I've got 4 mics, dozens of cables, various diffrent kinds, Speak on. Low Z,1/4 inch. Instrument, speaker........
And I have to have back ups for darn near everything. I fill up a pick up w/ my Bass and PA stuff.