What do you take to a performance ?

[johnvice]

My intent is not a "show your rack" or "show your axe" but to inventory what you bring to a gig and, if necessary why, and maybe even how.

In 20+ years of performing, I like to think I have a good "musical first aid kit". That said, I stopped needing things and started taking stuff out that never got used.

We could all learn from each other's gear inventory and strategy.

[jadesmar]

I am a minimalist.

I bring my EB-SR5, two patch cords, one CAT5 cable with RJ-45 connectors, my FBV footboard and my Bass POD XT.

If anything bad happens, I sing really bassy into a mic

[Meyekul]

Originally Posted by jadesmar

I bring my EB-SR5, two patch cords, one CAT5 cable with RJ-45 connectors, my FBV footboard and my Bass POD XT.

Why the Cat5 cable with RJ-45s? Do much computer networking at gigs?

Besides the obvious bass and amp, I bring my pedals, at least one extra cord, an extra set of strings, a wrench/wire cutters, hex keys and/or screwdriver with hex bit, spare battery (for my active pickups), cigarettes, condoms (you never know..), and any promo stuff (fliers, CDs, etc) I want to give out at the gig. Most of it fits in a compartment in my bass case.

Originally Posted by johnvice

In 20+ years of performing, I like to think I have a good "musical first aid kit".

So, what do YOU bring?

[jadesmar]

The POD uses network cabling to connect the footboard.

ETA: Amps are so 2nd millenium.

[Eldermike]

years ago I went to the local GI store and purchased a military tool bag. I carry one of everything in it, every where I go. It has tools, cords, battries, extensions, flashlight, bottle of asprin, ear plugs, a DI, even a spare preamp tube. It also has strings and a book I intend to read one day.

The most important thing I take to gigs is my personal fan. it sits on top of my rig and I stand in front of it and cool down while everyone else melts. The fan get's pack first, that and a towel and several bottles of water.

[Psychdave]

YEAH... the fan! Sometime I'll tell a funny story about the fan and too many beans. I always have a fan at my gigs, PAR cans from 5 feet away are murder, plus in the 80s it gave my curly locks the flow it needed.

Serious: Fan, two extra instrument cables, 2 sets of strings, 2 sets of fuses, one set of output tubes, Extra mike, extra DI, extra strap. Right now I am only bringing my RIC (makes me nervous) I should bring my fretless but my confidence is not quite there yet. An extra amp and bottom, my practice gear. I only bring one mike stand, with a boom. Lets see.. I have a NADY wireless, sometimes I even use it, some picks I never use them unless I am playing guitar. The guitar bag is a little bigger.. pedals that I never use.. oh well.

Bass equip: RIC 4003, no name fretless, Boogie 400 SWR goliath 4 x 10, aguilar GS112.

Guitar equip: Les Paul, Zion T, Boogie F-30

[Jazzin']

I barely bring anything to me "gigs". They aren't gigs, just various shows. Just my bass, and someitmes my tuner and patch cord.

[Intune]

Xtra cord, strings, FAN and clean face towels. I try to drink a lot of water that day.

[Sonic Seamus]

Usually an extra bass on the off chance I should break a string. It doesnt happen that often but it's the most horrid thing if it does and you're not prepared for it. Also an extra patch cord (or 4) and a tool box with pliers, allen wrenches, fuses and string snot.

[tplyons]

2 Basses
1 Amp
2 Cabs
1 Pedalboard
1 Wireless
2 Extra cables
1 Roll of duct tape
1 Tube of superglue
1 Extra Set of Strings
1 Pair nail clippers
1 NASCAR driver to go get anything I forgot at my house and be back in 5 minutes...

[Rockgurl]

I bought a good sturdy tool box and I pack in it duck tape, spare strings, spare cables, wrench, hex keys, screwdriver, Nu Skin (in case of sore fingers for those long gigs!), spare strap lock parts, ear plugs, painkillers, spare mic, spare mic cable, spare battery for my active pickup, and most importantly...a flashlight.

[Peter Squire]

bass
strap
2 x lead
spare strings
leatherman wave
spare 9v
gaffer tape
set list
amp

[xshawnxearthx]

i know, i used to be a boyscout when i was a kid.

2 bassess(mia and mim p)
rack(svt 3 pro, dtr1000 tuner, bbe, furman)
cab(ampeg 610hlf)

my tool box has.

top compartment:
picks
screws(for misc parts)
extra parts for my strap locks
sand paper
nine vole batteries
rolling papers(you never know)
electrical tape
ear plugs
duct tape(usually wrap about an inch worth around a pencil)
battery tester

main compartment:

2 cables(one monster, one spectraflex)
extra cabinet cable
extra patch cables for rack
extra strings(usually a full set used, and 2-4 new single strings)
old tubes(you never know)
all the paper work and info for my set up(bass, cab, head, rack)
sans amp
leatherman super tool(most used tool i own)
allen key set
phillips head screw driver
aa mag lite flash light


in bass case:

strap
tuner
cable
neck adjustment tool
picks
swiss army knife
silica gel
polish cloth
whipe down cloth

[nottswarwick]

Warwick Corvette
Yamaha BBN4 (backup)
2 guitar stands
Mic Stand
Shure SM58 Vocal mic
AKG spare mic
Rack case - Hartke 3500 head, Korg DTR1 tuner (do not have a spare head - would just di to PA if it failed)
Boss TU2 tuner pedal (spare)
Ashdown ABM mini15 and mini 48 cabs
Trolley to wheel cabs in on
Behringer DI box
Various XLR, guitar and mic leads
Various surge protected power strips
Socket tester
Toolkit for emergencies
Spare strings, fuses
Dynacord Powermate 1000 powered mixer (we have our own pa, and this is mine - I do the sound for us too)
Mixer stand
Carlsbro powered monitor wedge
Various speaker leads etc
Water
Clothes
Gaffer tape
2 extension reels - 25m and 40m
......

Seems like a lot, but it is 4 jhouneys from car to venue:
1. Rack case and Powered mixer
2. Cabs on trolley, and hardware case (wheeled - all leads in it and guitar stands etc)
3. Basses (on shoulders - strapped gig bags) and powered monitor
4. Anything else - extension reels etc

This is about a minimal as I can get things for what we do....you could always play the flute.

[RLT]

My it looks like us bass players are paranoid types. You know belt and suspenders types.
Now how many others carry guitar spares as well? I usually have a couple of sets of strings and extra straps. Plus a couple of tuners. The guitar players never think to bring them. They can use my spare cables when they forget/ loose their own.

EEEKKK!!! Don't forget extra picks!!!! Guitarists turn into quivering balls of drool when they loose all their picks!!!

[nottswarwick]

Originally Posted by RLT

My it looks like us bass players are paranoid types. You know belt and suspenders types.
Now how many others carry guitar spares as well? I usually have a couple of sets of strings and extra straps. Plus a couple of tuners. The guitar players never think to bring them. They can use my spare cables when they forget/ loose their own.

I always seem to be the one with a spare lead for someone or whatever. I try to get everyone to be "self sufficient" but invariably someone has not checked a lead or something, and we spen time farting around trying to figure what is wrong. Annoys me, but there we go.

[Esquillama]

I play in a "show" band, so in addition to the regular stuff
I get to lug two garment bags full of about 7 different tuxedos,
and a tool box with two pairs of tux shoes(white & black), and
all the various matching cumberbunds and bow ties etc.
Extra pieces of straplocks, small sewing kit.

Rack:
Furman PL Plus
Wireless receiver
Sabine Tuner
BBE BMax preamp
Soundtech PS802 power amp
i-Light(little LED type clip-on light through Musician's Friend)

Carvin 2x10
Carvin 1x15

Another tool box:
extra mic chords
extra speaker chords
extra patch chords
2 extention chords
1 outlet strip
flash light
fast fret string cleaner
bungee chords
chip clips(handy for windy gigs to hold music in place)
mic stand mounted music stand
microphone
extra 9volts for wireless & active bass
wireless transmitter
tums/rolaids
towel
outlet tester
2 battery testers

Dean Razor standard W/hardshell case
DeArmond Pilot standard W/hardshell case

In the two bass cases:
Strap
extra instrument cable
small screw drivers(1 philips/ 1 flat)
neck adjusting wrench
extra sets of strings
multi-tool(screw driver/pliers type combo)
charts/lyrics sheets
set lists
cassette tapes of tunes we're learning

Mic stand w/boom
triple folding guitar stand

It seems like alot seeing it all typed out here, but my keyboard
player hauls my rack, tool box, and speakers in his trailer,
so I only need to transport my clothes and basses.
Unless it's out of town, then I add over night stuff,
and extra clothes.

[Chad Michael]

Here's a thread you may be interested in.

What's in your Gig Bag...?

In addition to my bass rig, I bring:

mixer (Mackie CFX-16)
CD player (Denon, $45 @ pawnshop)
monitor eq (dbx 215)
monitor amp (QSC RMX 1850HD)
3 floor monitors (JBL MR 802)
assorted cabling

Here's what I have in my gig bag:


-Sharpie and paper for writing setlists
-Flashlight
-Spare JBL 2416 compression driver diaphragm (for monitor horns)
-Mixing console manual
-Electrical tape
-Pee Chee folder (remember those from 20 yrs ago?) containing: notes for live sound, note frequencies (great for taming boom in a room), common freq’s that “tune up” drums, bass, guitar, vox, etc., keyboard notes
-Cd’s for PA lightoff and break music
-Spare mic clip
-Spare SM57
-ConducTool (cleans ¼” m & f connections)
-Rack screws
-Zip ties
-Tweeter bulb for Goliath horn
-empty 9v packages (oops)
-Ibuprofen
-Misc. dustbunnies &grime. Oh, and a good coating of bar smooge on everything listed above (that smoke/beer stench that perfumes everything so nicely for you)

[baba]

My God, some of you are out of control!

Bass
Rig
strap
ear plugs
9 volt battery
instrument cables
pedals
bass stand
extension cord
duct tape


I won't include the PA gear, that's a whole different story....

[Brendan]

Amps
Cabs
Basses (in gigbags/cases)

Inside cases/bags:
Duct Tape
Allen Wrenches
Spare strings
Leatherman multi-tool
Tuner
Strap
Spare strap
Gaffers tape
Pen/Paper (for names/numbers; bands, groupies, or otherwise)
Picks
two pack of fresh 9V batteries
Instrument Loan Agreement (you thought I was kidding.)