The Ultimate Gig Survival Kit

[DuckVanMojo]

New additions are in red

Inspired by this discussion, the Ultimate Gig Survival Kit (UGSuK) is a list of all the tools, accessories, odds, ends, and miscellaneous stuff that gigging musicians often need but often forget. A faulty cable or a broken string could be the difference between a successful show and an embarrassing cancellation, so be a good little scout and be prepared! A carpenter wouldn't show up at the job site without their toolbox, and neither should a serious musician.

I recommend every group have their own UGSuK that contains at least items common to the entire band; I'm the Keeper of the Kit in my band, and it goes with us everywhere. Of course, every gig is different and every band has different needs; you don't necessarily need every single item on this list. Instead of a hard and fast checklist, think of it as simply a reference guide to jog your memory while you're packing up. It's written from a bass player's perspective but should be applicable to anyone.

Please share your own additions to this list, along with any stories of how having the right tool at the right time saved your gig! This list could also use some recommendations for extended tours. My own experience is sadly limited to weekend tours only.

The Ultimate Gig Survival Kit

Getting Connected
[ ] Cables - Instrument, speaker and microphone. Bring spares. This should be a no-brainer.
[ ] Cable adapters - For fitting a square plug into a round hole.
[ ] D.I. box - Never assume the sound guy is going to mic your amp for you, or even do it properly for that matter.
[ ] Power strip - Make sure it has some kind of surge protection.
[ ] Extension cords - Some stage designs are just plain inconvenient for modern equipment.
[ ] AC cords - The removable variety, from the back of your amp to the outlet. Also consider "wall wart" removers if you have a lot of pedals.
[ ] Fuses - They can save your expensive amp from a nasty power surge, but it's still useless unless you have spares handy.
[ ] Outlet tester - Imagine the sleaziest venue you've ever played. Do you trust that their wiring isn't a horrible death trap?
[ ] Batteries - 9-volts and AA's are essential. Make sure you have the right size for your tuner too.
[ ] Battery tester - Ex: Batt-O-Meter. Handy for judging whether your active bass is going to die mid-set.
[ ] Cell phone charger - Essential for a long tour. Get both a wall and car charger.

Accessorize
[ ] Straps/buttons/locks - If any of these fail, you'll be sitting out during the set... literally.
[ ] Picks - Fill a sandwich bag with many different sizes and gauges. Your guitar player will thank you. (or maybe not, the jerk...)
[ ] Tuners - I love the clip-on variety. No plugging in required, and easy to share with the guitarist.
[ ] Strings - Not just bass strings, guitar strings too!
[ ] Capo - For the folksy and the fancy.
[ ] Peg winders - For guitar and bass.
[ ] String cutter - Some fancy peg winders have these integrated.
[ ] String cleaner & cloth - Keep all liquids safely stowed in a sandwich bag. Terry cloth is effective and mess-proof.
[ ] Microphone - Never assume the house will provide.
[ ] Mic stand clip - These little bastards always break at the worst times, especially if they belong to the venue.
[ ] Compact guitar stand - Handy on a crowded stage.
[ ] Silica gel packets - Helps prevent moisture inside your case.

Tools of the Trade
[ ] Screwdrivers - Pack both heavy duty drivers and a small precision set (or jazz if you prefer).
[ ] Hex wrenches - You might as well buy a whole set, since it often seems like every damn guitar uses different sized hex keys.
[ ] Truss rod wrench - Get a nice long one; a standard hex wrench is usually a pain to work with.
[ ] Drum key - Be kind to your drummer. He has the most gear to set up, so it's understandable if he forgets this essential tool.
[ ] Drum sticks - Very easily lost/broken/stolen. Stock up.
[ ] Spare parts - Whatever you have lying around. I always pack a spare strap button.
[ ] Tape - Electrical, duct, gaffer and Scotch. Arguably one of the greatest inventions in the history of civilization.
[ ] Multi-tool - If duct tape or a screwdriver won't fix it, chances are this will.
[ ] Superglue - If duct tape, a screwdriver AND a multi-tool won't fix it, glue it. Also handy for fingernail repair! Get the fast-drying variety.
[ ] Shoelaces - Brush up on your knots and you'll be able to fix a lot more than just your sneakers.
[ ] Safety pins - Good for repairing a broken strap or preventing wardrobe malfunctions.
[ ] Toothpicks - This MacGyver 101 tool has endless uses. Perfect for fixing stripped screw holes.
[ ] Flashlight - Let there be light on a dark stage. LED book lights make great rack lights!
[ ] Soldering iron & solder - A lifesaver if you're skilled in the art and have time before your set to make repairs.
[ ] Multimeter - Useful for testing cables and assisting with quick soldering jobs.
[ ] Padlock & chain - Give yourself some peace of mind if you need to leave your expensive gear unguarded for any length of time.
[ ] Hand truck - Have everyone chip in for one. Loading and unloading will be sooooo much easier.
[ ] Van/Trailer - When you're tired of stuffing gear into the back (and front) seats of three cars, invest in a gigmobile.

Health & Lifestyle
[ ] Ear plugs - Hearing loss went out of style with feathered hair.
[ ] Fingernail clippers - Not only will it make playing 100% less painful, it will also protect that buttery smooth rosewood fretboard.
[ ] Headband/Wristbands - Stops sweat in its tracks. (If it suits your style)
[ ] Hair bands - Cut your hair, hippie! Or at least keep it out of the way. They also work great as super strong rubber bands.
[ ] Bottled water - Dehydration will sneak up on you. Just be sure to use the restroom before going on stage.
[ ] Antihistamine - Figure out which varieties are most effective for you and your bandmates and stock up.
[ ] Aspirin - Extra-extra strength.
[ ] Antacid tablets - Road food is unforgiving.
[ ] Cough drops - A sore throat can cripple your vocalist, and then it won't matter how well you play.
[ ] Deodorant - A travel-sized stick for each person will improve your public relations...
[ ] Chewing gum/breath mints - ...and a Tic-Tac will improve your intimate relations.
[ ] Hand sanitizer - Many venues are dirty places frequented by dirty people.
[ ] Condoms - Fellas, please keep the Chapman Stick in its gig bag.
[ ] Sunscreen - Perfect for festival gigs. Fact: You can get sunburn on a cloudy day.
[ ] Sunglasses - Take ZZ Top's advice and get yourself some cheap sunglasses.
[ ] Bottle opener - You can use your teeth in a pinch, just be sure you know a good dental surgeon.
[ ] Cup holder - Something sturdy that prevents tipping. Please, don't put your drink on top of your amp!
[ ] Lighter - For all you users of tobacco and other substances.
[ ] Towel - Be a hoopy frood and always know where your towel is.
[ ] T-shirt - Classy ladies & gents change their sweaty shirt before showing up at the afterparty.
[ ] Socks - Step in a puddle during unloading? Change your socks. Never play a set with soggy feet.
[ ] Gloves - Your hands are somewhat important to playing bass, so protect them from cold weather and heavy lifting.
[ ] Spare glasses/contacts - Just TRY and stop in the middle of the set to hunt for a fallen contact lens.
[ ] First aid kit - Bloody fingers may be so effin' metal, but infections are not.
[ ] Lice shampoo, bug spray, itch cream - The road is full of many dangers, and not all of them are visible to the naked eye.

Band Business
[ ] Copy of the contract - Don't get screwed over by a shady venue owner. Insist on getting the gig terms in writing, and have a copy on hand.
[ ] Emergency money - Just in case ________ happens. Keep a handful of coins for parking meters too.
[ ] Beer money - A close relative to the above item.
[ ] Luggage tags - Always label your gear with your name and phone number.
[ ] Set lists/lyric sheets/chord charts - Put these in a folder, not the bottom of your gig bag.
[ ] Business cards/flyers - Those drunks who think you guys f$#%!& rock are not going to remember your MySpace URL tomorrow morning without some help.
[ ] Pad & pen/pencil - For jotting down a sweet new bassline or collecting fans' email addresses.
[ ] Permanent marker - A big, black one for marking up those set lists and autographing body parts.
[ ] CD's/merchandise - Never miss an opportunity to promote!
[ ] Folding table - Mainly for merch, but if you're brave it can double as an emergency speaker stand.
[ ] Band banner - I ALWAYS forget the name of bands, especially after a few beers. Make sure your name is burned into the audience's brains.
[ ] Camera - If you don't have a photographer, buy a couple disposable cameras and pass them out in the front row.

Again, please share your own additions!

[Stingray5]

Awesome

[Honk'n_down-low]

Forgot trailer to haul all the above : )

[SlingBass4]

Originally Posted by Honk'n_down-low

Forgot trailer to haul all the above : )

+1 - Actually......*I* would suggest including a bottle of A200, and a lil' sumthin' for them true bedbugs

Good list - you truly pointed out essential habits and thinking

[KsToaDangr]

addendum to the merchandise: notebook to collect email addresses from fans. promotion to people who have already seen you play generally means that they'll bring more people out next time.

[UncleFluffy]

Pepto-bismol (tablet form), for nervous stomachs and burrito bellies.

[stratovani]

I'm the "Keeper of the Kit" on our band, and I divide everything in two - one bag carries stuff that's common for the band - tools, tape, medical stuff, etc. - and every musician had his own bag for the stuff he needs, like I carry stuff I need, the drummer has what he needs, like drum keys, etc. That way everyone is responsible for their own gear while the stuff the band needs is also there. I don't carry a spare drum key, and I don't expect the guitarists to carry bass strings.

[Warrior_Bass]

I previously never would have considered bringing a backup strap. However, one of the first shows with my current band, during the last song, I jump off of my cab and the strong-for-seven-years levy strap breaks! Luckily it was the end of the last song, so it didn't matter.

Wall warts and capos have saved my guitarists on numerous occasions.

[Rudreax]

Originally Posted by KsToaDangr

addendum to the merchandise: notebook to collect email addresses from fans. promotion to people who have already seen you play generally means that they'll bring more people out next time.

It may seem obvious, but also remember to bring something to write with if you're going to bring a notebook. You'd be surprised how many people for get this...

[xxfaux_punkxx]

something's to be added..

Safety pins - great for a quick fix to a broken strap
handcuff keys - someday you'll be wishing you had them
boot knife - You don't want to keep your gear from being stolen by breaking it over someone's head
spare glasses/contacts - they always break when you need them the most.

[DuckVanMojo]

Thanks for all the great feedback! Some of the additions, like antacid, should have been obvious. Just goes to show how easy it is to forget stuff.

As far as handcuff keys and weapons, I'll leave items of questionable legality up to personal preference. I believe generally handcuff keys aren't illegal, but escaping from police custody definitely is! Just a word of warning. Still, I can see the benefit of having a set of keys handy if you meet a particularly kinky groupie...

[KsToaDangr]

Originally Posted by Rudreax

It may seem obvious, but also remember to bring something to write with if you're going to bring a notebook. You'd be surprised how many people for get this...

very good point. my old guitarist forgot to bring one to a show, and i didn't have one on me that night, but we were able to borrow one from the venue without any problem.

[Lo-E]

Truss rod wrench, anyone?

And if you have more than one bass (which many of us do), make sure you've got the right wrenches.

Great list! Thanks for putting it together.

[DuckVanMojo]

Originally Posted by Lo-E

Truss rod wrench, anyone?

I originally lumped truss rod wrenches in with hex wrenches, but last night I was reminded of how much of a pain it is to adjust a truss rod with a normal L-shaped wrench while the strings are installed. A dedicated long-handled truss rod wrench will save you a lot of work. Added!

[kraigo]

When I've been the drummer on a gig I have lent out guitar straps. I try to bring guitar strings, a strap, some picks, and cables with me, whether I'm the drummer or the bass player. I think a drum key and a pair of drum sticks, even a 14" snare drum head should be in your kit. The band looks lame if any of this stuff (these are the most common break points) goes, not just the unprepared band member. The rest of the band can humiliate the unprepared band member after the show. When the band is supposed to be on, they damned well better be on.

No one screws up MY gigs.

KO

[odin70]

Great list. Personaly i have enough trouble carrying my own stuff, so drum keys etc. is really out of the question for me.

[kraigo]

The best piece of advice I'd heard is to have a toolbox/fishing tackle box dedicated to the task. You grab your amp, grab the gig box.

I'd add a cheap multi-meter to the kit.

KO

[LiamPodmore]

Originally Posted by stratovani

I don't expect the guitarists to carry bass strings.

Yes, but guitarists tend not to be very well prepared for themselves, its normally the bassist who saves everyone else. Such as my guitarist tends to ask me for my screwdriver at every gig as his strap button is coming out.

Forgot to add: For those of us with long hair, a bobble or two is VERY useful.

Liam

[doctorpunch]

Mic stand mounted pick holder. I switch mid song for thrashier stuff and it's lame to watch a guy reach into his pocket or run over to his amp to grab a pick for the fun stuff.

Table(s) for merch. We've had to setup our merch nowhere near the stage/fans because we forgot this.

Sweatbands for your wrists. I know some guys never use them, but when you're playing a set in July in a bar with no AC those picks get a little hard to hold after a while.

An addendum for the lighter: During my breaks from cigarettes/weed I still carried a lighter, you never know when a cutie forgot her matches inside.

[etoncrow]

Originally Posted by xxfaux_punkxx

...boot knife - You don't want to keep your gear from being stolen by breaking it over someone's head...

Gibb's Rule No. 9: "Never go anywhere without a knife."