Bass Survival Kit

ear plugs. always!

Extra cables
Extra straps
Extra bass strings
Extra guitar strings - because you can't rely on a guitard
Extra picks
Ear Plugs
Twenty Dollar Bill
Screwdrivers
Wire Cutters
Allen Keys

Here's what you're looking for: http://www.talkbass.com/forum/showthread.php?t=94280

Also: (courtesy of Dave Muscato) http://www.talkbass.com/forum/showthread.php?t=429034
- Bring backups for everything. That doesn't just mean strings & batteries, but backup flashlights, drum keys, set lists, cables, cabs/amps, DI boxes, mics, permanent markers, gaff tape, earplugs, bandaids & superglue, change of clothes, instruments, cell phone charger, zip strips, Tylenol, Gas-X, keys to the van... My band has these aluminum briefcases with foam cutouts where we keep most of this stuff. We call them "gig kits" and they also look really cool (they have the name of our band stenciled on the sides). We got them from this website. http://www.casesbysource.com

Extra cables for anything I have. That includes varioius speaker terminations.

Spare strings, but I also carry a set of guitar strings

Small tool kit with screwdrivers, pliers, C-wrench, wire cutters, and some select allen keys

GAFF TAPE- If anyone comes near my stuff with regular duct tape (not "duck"), I let them know that it will cause them lower bowel problems. Seriously, duct tape is good for taping duct work (I used to do HVAC), but it leaves a sticky residue on cables, floors, walls, ect. GOTTA have real Gaff tape.

Batteries

Minimag flash light

Drum key (it's like guitar strings- very handy for me to have because so many musicians are just out and out flakes).

Ibuprofen

Adhesive bandages

Ear plugs

Note book, pens, and Sharpie markers

Bottle/can opener

Gerber Multi-tool

Tuning fork

SM-57 with good cable

My own DI that doesn't mess up my bass' signal

Big honkin' heavy AC cords- I built one with a box holding two duplex AC outlets, and a 25' cord.

Power strips

Those ubiquitous AC cords which get lost too easily
Spare strap

VOM

Plug in outlet tester

Sense of humor

The cassette with "Donny Hathaway Live" on one side and "Aretha Franklin at the Fillmore" on the other side. Driving to a gig listening to Willie Weeks and Jerry Jemmott live is a great way to get in the right frame of mind!!

I also always take two basses, and generally there's an extra amp in the van.

jte

tplyons said:

Extra cables
Extra straps
Extra bass strings
Extra guitar strings - because you can't rely on a guitard
Extra picks
Ear Plugs
Twenty Dollar Bill
Screwdrivers
Wire Cutters
Allen Keys

Click to expand...

What's the $20.00 bill for??

Phalex said:

What's the $20.00 bill for??

Click to expand...

Just in case!

I haven't yet had to deal with a gig of only our band, so numerous times I've been able to cop stuff off of the other band on the bill. But after doing that a few times, I learned the importance of bringing my own stuff (although once the other b player didn't like the sound of my Fender so he let me borrow his fretless Musicman Stingray. ). But anyway, the stuff I've learned to bring.....
Strings (naturally)
Batteries
Tabs and sheet music (two copies)
More cables than I could possibly use
Adapters for the cables (cannot stress enough the importance of those!!!!!!)
Harmonica and Jaws Harp (in case I get bored during set breaks)
Microphone and stand (sometimes)
Case of Pepsi

That about sums it up for me.

Other than the usual stuff I've had one of these on my keychain for over 20 years and I can't begin to tell you the times it's gotten me out of a jam.

I will add a few more items to the list

Swiss Army knife
Fuses
U.S. Army can opener (about 25 cents at any Army/Navy store)
An extra bass amp if possible
A tool box filled with tools
A cordless screwdriver
A set of micro screwdrivers ($1.00 at the Dollar Tree)
9 volt batteries
9 volt or other electrical adapters
Grounded junction boxes
Over 100 feet of electrical power cables
Extra car keys
AAA membership
Cell phone auto recharge cable
Maps
A can of Fix-A-Flat
A car jack
An air compressor
Tire wrench
Flashlight or lantern
A dolly

Towels!

-Liquid skin & super glue
-extra power cord
-color coded allen wrenches
-extra batteries
-cotton bar towel
-Sharpie & blank paper
-Advil
-outlet tester
-ear plugs

This is what i haul around to gigs.
2x Bass Guitars ( 4 & 5string / 4 w/Rounds, 4 w/flats)
2x instrument leads
2x speaker leads
a strap
a pack of fuses
a power board
extension lead
gaffa tape
electrical tape
mic lead
SM58 mic
Sansamp Bass D.I
Spare batteries (9v and AA)
Screw drivers
allen wrench
Spanner
pliers
Leatherman tool/pocket knife
pen and paper

i should have a multimeter and a cable tester too.

mc.

I'll add 2 bottles of water and a tuner.

Everything everyone else said and a soldering iron and condoms.