the forgetful bass player -- ME

[pcollin]

So last night we had a gig and forgot my strap, guitar stand, the band's banner and an extension cord. It was brutal! I had to sit the whole time on my amp! I hated my sound and just felt completely out of step with the rest of the band. Note to self: Pack EVERYTHING the night before!!!

[Bassic83]

Been there, done that...I'm sure we all have, from time to time. Lesson learned?

[IanStephenson]

buy a spare strap, stand + all the cords you need at a gig, and put them in a bag, so you've got one set for home and another for gigs. NEVER remove the gig stuff from the bag, except at a gig or rehersal.

You're talking about $20 to have a set of stuff that ALWAYS goes to the gigs, and you never need to risk that by using it at home. It would have been worth $20 just to have your strap last night. Add in the time you waste packing, and checking a bag before each gig, and it's totally worth it to never have to worry about forgetting stuff again (until the time you forget the bag!).

[BlackLake]

I have never forgotten anything to bring to a gig, session, rehearsal etc.

I make a checklist everytime and triple check it before leaving...foolproof!

[mrokern]

Originally Posted by IanStephenson

buy a spare strap, stand + all the cords you need at a gig, and put them in a bag, so you've got one set for home and another for gigs. NEVER remove the gig stuff from the bag, except at a gig or rehersal.

You're talking about $20 to have a set of stuff that ALWAYS goes to the gigs, and you never need to risk that by using it at home. It would have been worth $20 just to have your strap last night. Add in the time you waste packing, and checking a bag before each gig, and it's totally worth it to never have to worry about forgetting stuff again (until the time you forget the bag!).

Amen! I have one strap for home, one for playing out.

Cables all have dedicated homes in my world, and those homes are in other cases. The only way I can forget a cable is to forget a major part of my rig (like a bass or my pedalboard, and then I have bigger issues).

-Mark

[jaywa]

Keep it all in your case (except the guitar stand), and double-check that case every time before you leave for a gig, and you should be OK. Any decent hardshell case should have enough storage to hold all your cords, plus spare strings, a Leatherman (or similar all-in-one tool), spare batteries, etc.

When the gig is done, I make sure all "my" stuff is back in its case and/or my vehicle before I start helping with the P.A. teardown. That way if any of my stuff gets broken it's only my fault, my cords never wind up in the P.A. box and I'm not "donating" guitar stands to other players or the house.

BTW if you have an amp with a detachable power cord, ALWAYS make sure you have TWO cords on the gig and that they BOTH work. Nothing like that sinking feeling of unpacking your amp and realizing you have nothing to power it with, or having the power cord go out halfway through with no back-up.

[iamoldschool]

Originally Posted by jaywa

BTW if you have an amp with a detachable power cord, ALWAYS make sure you have TWO cords on the gig and that they BOTH work. Nothing like that sinking feeling of unpacking your amp and realizing you have nothing to power it with, or having the power cord go out halfway through with no back-up.

+1 - I keep two spare power cords in the console of my SUV at all times. They have been used innumerable times.

This is also a good reason to have a 2+ space rack drawer. I have a 3 space drawer and keep straps, cords, a tuner and two K&M stands in it. Plus batteries, don't forget batteries!

[gaunten]

I've never forgotten anything that I can remember of, but other people in my bands usually forget a pick, cord or earplugs or something, and they always ask me first, actually, in some cases where I've let them borrow something, they've forgotten it at the gig, and then it was lost. (they paid of course, well, at least for cords)

[jaywa]

Originally Posted by gaunten

I've never forgotten anything that I can remember of, but other people in my bands usually forget a pick, cord or earplugs or something

What are you doing with a pick anyway, son?

[Johnny Crab]

My gigs are about 90 miles away and forgot my Line 6 power supply one time(a frantic trip to GC in Houston rush hour traffic saved me). So I made this the next day and use it before leaving home for any gig:



I don't list a bass amp because a BOSE PAS or rack with ACME/SWR get used depending on the gig location, FOH or not, etc. I also carry a SansAmp programmable, 3 channel DI stompbox in my main bass case to bail me out if the Line 6 craters. A bass directly into a BOSE PAS, IMO, is similar to plugging a bass into a PA channel....nice but painful for an entire gig.

Works for me.

[BillyRay]

Last gig I made a list:

- P-bass
- Tuner
- Patch chord
- Amp (Head + cab)
- Strap.

Simple, I like it.

[E2daGGurl]

Batteries unless you're passive. Itsy bitsy screwdriver just in case. We do carry a Leatherman, it's nifty. Gerber makes a cool tool too.

I also take nailclippers and and nailfile - my nails seem to grow over night. Another good OTC medication (seriously): imodium.

Just saying.

[BlackLake]

I always asked other members what type batteries they use for wireless mics and packs, and stocked up on them, as well as an extra set of sticks, some gtr picks.

It always worked in my favor, as the deal was...you can have it if ya need it, but you owe me a brewski or two.

[BlackLake]

Originally Posted by Johnny Crab

Slick!....just like mine, although I use MS Word.

[McDreads]

What, no rubbers?

[WickedPissah]

Originally Posted by McDreads

What, no rubbers?

+1

[OtterOnBass]

Where was your strap? Why would you take it off your bass? The strap is as much a part of the bass as the neck. It's pretty useless without it as you found out.

My equipment sits together, ready to go or practice. These always go:
combo amp,
kickback stand,
bass in case,
bass guitar stand,
bag of extras.

Everything that I would use at a gig (earplugs, tuner, cords, etc.) stays in the case. I have extra cords in the bag of extras, along with the extension cord, repair tools and other back-up items. The case is a soft case with a shoulder strap, the bag of extras also has a shoulder strap, the kickback stand has wheels. I can unload and make a single trip pushing it and carrying everything else.

One area in my life is organized, at least.

[Parabolic Box]

Originally Posted by OtterOnBass

Where was your strap? Why would you take it off your bass? The strap is as much a part of the bass as the neck. It's pretty useless without it as you found out.

+1

My straps are pretty much perma-affixed to my basses.

[JmJ]

Originally Posted by IanStephenson

buy a spare strap, stand + all the cords you need at a gig, and put them in a bag, so you've got one set for home and another for gigs. NEVER remove the gig stuff from the bag, except at a gig or rehersal.

You're talking about $20 to have a set of stuff that ALWAYS goes to the gigs, and you never need to risk that by using it at home. It would have been worth $20 just to have your strap last night. Add in the time you waste packing, and checking a bag before each gig, and it's totally worth it to never have to worry about forgetting stuff again (until the time you forget the bag!).

+1

I did the same thing, bought a big bag and filled it with duplicates of all the accessories I use like power supplies, cables etc. Just eyeball it once before you go.

[Stumbo]

Originally Posted by pcollin

... forgot my strap, guitar stand, the band's banner and an extension cord.

So, none of the other band members carry and extra strap or extension cord either? You guys must like living on the edge.

Another thing you can do is get one of those luggage labels, make your list on it, attach it to your case handle and it will always be available for review.

You can also keep duplicates of everything in your car at all times.

You may want to read through the follow thread to find some suggestions for what to take to a gig:
If only I knew then what I know now...