How much equipment to bring to a gig?

[dmusic148]

Depends. Are you talking about playing an actual 'Music Venue,' you know, an old theater or what-have-you that mostly caters to original bands playing for no money? Or an actual 'Night Club?' In those cases, yes, they'll(usually)provide PA, monitors etc.....you will generally need your instruments and amps but contact venue to be sure.

Or do you mean your average 'Bar Gig?' In that case you'll need to provide everything.

[RustyAxe]

I've been playing bass since '67 ... never once carried more than one bass to a gig. Coincidentally, never had a bass suddenly up and die at a gig either.

[jive1]

After many years in this biz, the only one thing that's safe to assume is that they have is an electrical outlet. And, I've been wrong on before too.

[ThudThudThud]

I always take two basses. Changing a broken string - even if you are quick - feels like an age to the audience. Easier to strap on another bass and carry on.

I have six things plus guitar stands and mic stand:
Amp in a flight case, pedal board, two basses, cabinet, and gig bag (cables etc.).
My pedalboard has SAPBDDi and an SABDDi if I ever have an amp issue.

[MatticusMania]

I generally bring two basses with me to gigs. I keep one tuned to Drop D, in case I dont feel like detuning for the one or two songs we play.
Mostly, though, I like having a second bass available for those rare occasions where I break a string. I can switch mid-song, or between songs depending.

[Raymeous]

Back in my gigging days....

The drummer and I would head to the venue the day or weekend before to scout it out if we were unfamiliar with the place. Also we would try to get in a few questions to the event organizer if available or chat with the bartender to find out whats up.

Generally speaking we just brought everything so that we wouldn't be missing anything we needed.

[Gearhead17]

I have had input jacks on my basses die midway through. MUCH SIMPLER to grab another bass and continue on. I have had cables fail too at shows - backup cables come in handy. In the grand scheme of things, these crazy occurrences happen on 5% of my gigs, but it only takes one WILD moment to solidify the importance of backup gear.

Recently, I had a string break at a show and I was playing normally. Not even close to hitting the strings like a gorilla. Grabbed the other bass and kept going....

[BayStateBass]

We typically play some quaint, intimate venues.

And by quaint and intimate, I mean small dive bars.

Nothing is provided other than electricity. We have to do the rest. We've been lucky to do a couple multi-band shows where the band hosting provided a sound system, drums, etc....

So we haul everything and have to set up/break down. It's not too bad, actually, and has a benefit; when you're using someone else's PA, amps, mics, etc....they get real irritated if you try to alter the settings. When you have your own stuff you can reproduce your own sound with your own settings.

As far as basses, I usually just bring one. But for a bigger, better show I'd probably have a backup. I always have extra cables and whatnot, even if mine are okay the guitarist might need one, etc...

When booking a show ask the bar owner or person who manages the venue what types of things are provided. They will tell you. Then you'll know what to bring.

[bassmeknik]

Originally Posted by jive1

After many years in this biz, the only one thing that's safe to assume is that they have is an electrical outlet. And, I've been wrong on before too.

You just don't want to be the one having equipment issues. Being unprepared or having equipment failure makes you look bad. Have 2 of everything if possible and know how to use it all. At least have extras of cables and stuff that commonly breaks. I don't carry a second cab so I rely on the DI as back up for the cab and (would) run with no stage amp. I also own the PA with subs so going ampless for a night (never happened yet) would be doable.

I bought a new Dingwall Combustion (uses custom strings) last Christmas and don't have a back-up set of strings yet (ALWAYS have extra strings at every gig) so I have to carry an extra 5 string bass for now.

[Grateful]

Originally Posted by backup

why does he need two bass guitars on a gig?
i only own one bass and im doing fine

I always take at least 2 basses: one with nickels, one with flats. When practical I also take a fretless. Different songs call for different tones.

I have them on switches and can change basses and usually be ready before the guitarist has his pedalboard ready for the next song.

to the OP, Re: how much stuff, call the venue and see what they provide. Take the rest plus enough cables for the guitarist and keys player. And get there early...

[Smallmouth_Bass]

In general, any venue that has a sound man usually has its own PA, monitors, mic stands, XLR cables and mics.

Most small bars have nothing. If it's a bar that regularly has bands, they might have their own PA speakers or powered mixer and a few other things, but it really varies by venue.

I know there are several that really think you should carry a spare of everything, but I generally try to travel as light as possible while being reasonable and evaluating each gig.

If you're only going to bring one bass (or only own one bass), make sure you have a spare set of strings and an extra 9V battery (for active basses). An extra patch cord and strap can come in handy too. For me, that's the minimum.

After that, it depends on the gig and the venue. I may or may not bring a spare bass, amp head and other assorted accessories.

[FretlessMainly]

The key is to call or email the person in charge of the stage and get exact details as to what is provided and what is not. I'm surprised to read here how few bars seem to have PAs. I've played dozens of rock gigs at bars, small to large, from Manchester, NH, all around Boston/Cambridge/Somerville to Manhattan and every bar I've played has had a PA with microphones at a bare minimum. Some bars will have backline equipment that you either must use, or have the option of using. Originals vs. cover tunes? I don't see the relevance in whether a PA is provided.

Keep in mind that storage space may be at a premium, so some bars require that bassists and guitarists use the rigs provided while others will have no backline, and others have one but allow you to use your own rig if you want. Same for drum equipment.

To reiterate: find out who is in charge of the stage and communicate clearly with them so you know exactly what is provided and what is not, and what must be used and what is optional. Communicate this information clearly to all of your bandmates in no uncertain terms.

Then do this for every gig you ever do.

[pushbuttonfour]

thanks for all the help, everyone. Do you think a simple Line 6 Spider III 15 watt amp will be enough for a very small, inside venue? Also, I'm assuming the drums would need mics as well, but would there ever be a small situation where the drums could go micless?

Also, because I only have one guitar, I think bringing backup strings is the least I could do in the absence of a second guitar.

[Smallmouth_Bass]

Originally Posted by pushbuttonfour

thanks for all the help, everyone. Do you think a simple Line 6 Spider III 15 watt amp will be enough for a very small, inside venue? Also, I'm assuming the drums would need mics as well, but would there ever be a small situation where the drums could go micless?

Also, because I only have one guitar, I think bringing backup strings is the least I could do in the absence of a second guitar.

Are we talking guitar or bass here? 15 Watts on bass is not much and wouldn't cut it for pretty much any band situation with drums. For bass, I'm thinking 120 - 150W is a minimum for a fairly tame volumed band with drums.

For guitar, it's a whole different story. Often 15W - 30W will be plenty.

[pushbuttonfour]

Originally Posted by Smallmouth_Bass

Are we talking guitar or bass here? 15 Watts on bass is not much and wouldn't cut it for pretty much any band situation with drums. For bass, I'm thinking 120 - 150W is a minimum for a fairly tame volumed band with drums.

For guitar, it's a whole different story. Often 15W - 30W will be plenty.

yeah, I meant guitar. I own both, but I'm the guitarist in my band. It's good to hear that 15W will be enough to cut it. I'm not sure how many watts my bass amp is, but it's enough to compete with the 15 W guitar amp, so it should be fine.

[dmusic148]

15 watts is plenty for guitar in a small place-it's surprisingly loud. No need to mic the drums, except maybe the kick drum. And yes, please bring spare guitar strings. And picks. And a couple of instrument cables. Maybe a 9v battery or two.

[pushbuttonfour]

Originally Posted by dmusic148

15 watts is plenty for guitar in a small place-it's surprisingly loud. No need to mic the drums, except maybe the kick drum. And yes, please bring spare guitar strings. And picks. And a couple of instrument cables. Maybe a 9v battery or two.

awesome! Sounds like I'm good to go then thanks for the halp.

[bassybill]

Originally Posted by pushbuttonfour

thanks for all the help, everyone. Do you think a simple Line 6 Spider III 15 watt amp will be enough for a very small, inside venue? Also, I'm assuming the drums would need mics as well, but would there ever be a small situation where the drums could go micless?

Also, because I only have one guitar, I think bringing backup strings is the least I could do in the absence of a second guitar.

You most certainly don't have any need at all to mic drums in a small venue. Especially so if the guitarists are just using 15W amps.

It's nice to have a backup guitar, but if you only have one then you can manage with just one (not much choice, really). I did lots and lots of gigs with just one bass when that's all I owned and didn't have the luxury of a spare.

[mellowinman]

You will want to scout your venue.

Don't bring an entire PA, when they have a house system.

Don't show up without a PA, when they don't.

Don't show up with all your own monitors, mic and stands only to be told if you unload any of it, you will be fired.

Scout your venue.

[bluewine]

Originally Posted by Phalex

For a cover band gig? Yes, about 99% of them will provide nothing. (If you're lucky they'll have lights)

For an original band gig? IME about 99% of them will provide PA, Lights, and a soundguy.

YMMV

+1

That's it in a nut shell.

Blue