Essential Gigging Gear - From Novice to Pro

[Sean Brookes]

Hi all,

I'm a seasoned musician, but very new to bass. As I hit 30 I decided to take the plunge in picking up the instrument I've always enjoyed listening too.

My question revolves around my current situation, and a general interest in listening/reading to everyone's views.

I currently own and play a MIM Jazz bass. My next purchase will be a gigging amp where I'm looking at the Rumble 500. With those two obvious essentials I'll look to start getting out of the rehearsal room and with some gigging bands.

From the basic BASS and AMP, where do we go next? What's essential, helpful or just nice? Do I need a DI box? Compressor? Pedal Tuner? A second bass? Bass Synth?

I've had a scout around YouTube and Google, but always enjoy reading on here and wanted to hear what you all think.

Thanks,

Sean

 

[JACink]

I would say that the only thing you "need" is a tuner and a decent cable.

A DI box is definitely useful to have, but you can run to the FOH from the Rumble so you don't actually "need" one.

For the rest, there is an endless list of things that are useful, or that you may want, but I would say that with the bass, Rumble, cable and tuner you have everything you need.

(It would actually be two cables obviously, bass to tuner and tuner to amp, but you get my point )

 

[eJake]

Bass and amp are all u need. Rest is bells and whistles

 

[Wfrance3]

What has been said +tuner pedal with a fresh or at least good to go battery.

Pluses:
Silent tuning
Easy to see
Mute for when you put down your bass

 

[Gravedigger Dav]

Hi all,

I'm a seasoned musician, but very new to bass. As I hit 30 I decided to take the plunge in picking up the instrument I've always enjoyed listening too.

My question revolves around my current situation, and a general interest in listening/reading to everyone's views.

I currently own and play a MIM Jazz bass. My next purchase will be a gigging amp where I'm looking at the Rumble 500. With those two obvious essentials I'll look to start getting out of the rehearsal room and with some gigging bands.

From the basic BASS and AMP, where do we go next? What's essential, helpful or just nice? Do I need a DI box? Compressor? Pedal Tuner? A second bass? Bass Synth?

I've had a scout around YouTube and Google, but always enjoy reading on here and wanted to hear what you all think.

Thanks,

Sean

The Rumble has very good built in compression, so you don't need one. Whether you need any pedals at all really depends on the genre of music you play. Mostly, pedals are not necessary. The complete list of must haves:
Bass, Amp, strap, cable(s), tuner. Pedal tuners are what I prefer.

 

[knumbskull]

I think that about covers it /\/\/\

2 x Grolsch beer bottle rubber rings to hold your strap in place (or some proper straplocks if you want to be boring )
wire cutters (for string changes)

as you go along, you may want to learn to do your own setups, in which case a few basic tools are needed. but for now you're good.

my only other advice would be, don't cheap out on cables! you don't have to buy the super fancy snake oil ones, but paying a bit extra for sturdy cables is money well spent, in my view... and always bring a spare.

 

[ahbass2500]

Start with a good strap, case, tuner, and cables (with a few spares both power and 1/4"; they break on occasion) at a bare minimum.

I would also recommend purchasing an Auralex Gramma. You will likely play in some rooms with less than desirable acoustics/stage design and the Auralex really helps remove some of the issues you will get from a bad room. Not a necessity at all, but mine has gone everywhere with me since I bought it.

I also always keep extra fuses for my amp in my bag (have popped one on a power surge before at a gig and was glad I had them). On the note of power surges, a surge protector and extension cord are a worthwhile investments. When I do not have my rack mounted power conditioner, I usually take a Furman SS-6B Surge protector (the 15' cord is nice and it is a durable surge protector). Good places will have protected power and extension cords for you to hook up with. There are enough that do not that they are a necessity IMO.

Will probably catch some flak for saying it, but... Depending on stage volume, a good set of ear plugs is also a good idea. Note I said good set. You want some that give even response and reduce volume. You do not want the typical foam industrial worker style ones. Hearos makes a few decent musician plugs. I used them for years before getting a set of custom fit plugs with interchangeable filters. Hearing loss is real. I am only 30, but took too long to learn this lesson.

 

[jthisdell]

Be aware that the DI on the Rumble is not a true DI. It is an XLR Line Out. So while it serves the same function as a line out (in that it can send a signal to a board, etc.) it is post everything, including master volume. So if you crank up your volume in the third set the level going to the FOH will also get cranked up. It works fine if you know and understand this. I used this with my 150 v2 for many gigs but it is good to understand this beforehand.

So as to what else to bring to gigs, a guitar stand is good so you can set your bass down and not have it fall over. I bring a 12' extension cord, surge protector strip, 3 prong adapter, and about five pounds of extra cords and cables that I don't need.

 

[fourstr00]

I don't see a bottle opener on your list.

In all seriousness, I've always been surprised at the number of musicians that look to the bass player to be the 'mom' of the group. In addition to what's mentioned above, which is a good list, I usually bring basic tools, small first aid kit (Aleve, benedryl, Dramamine), extra earplugs, extra cable (instrument and speaker), pretty much everything but the orange slices.

No, it's not required, but as you step into a supporting instrument role, it's often assumed you'll fill that capacity on the gig elsewhere. Or I'm just a sucker.

 

[lfmn16]

It depends on your goals. You need a bass, a tuner and a cord. Not everyone even needs an amp or a DI; some people need a pedal board the size of an aircraft carrier. Don't mistake what you need for what someone else needs (a common occurrence on TB - if it's good enough for me, it's good enough for everyone).

I need a bass, tuner, cord, and amp. I've never used pedals on stage. However, that is NOT to say that other people don't need pedals. You need whatever you need to express your musical vision. I'm not sure why some people don't seem to understand that.

 

[InhumanResource]

Hi all,

I'm a seasoned musician, but very new to bass. As I hit 30 I decided to take the plunge in picking up the instrument I've always enjoyed listening too.

My question revolves around my current situation, and a general interest in listening/reading to everyone's views.

I currently own and play a MIM Jazz bass. My next purchase will be a gigging amp where I'm looking at the Rumble 500. With those two obvious essentials I'll look to start getting out of the rehearsal room and with some gigging bands.

From the basic BASS and AMP, where do we go next? What's essential, helpful or just nice? Do I need a DI box? Compressor? Pedal Tuner? A second bass? Bass Synth?

I've had a scout around YouTube and Google, but always enjoy reading on here and wanted to hear what you all think.

Thanks,

Sean

I always bring a tuner, spare cables, battery, for myself.

For the gig in general I bring my swisstool (someone ALWAYS needs it), plastic zip ties, duct or gaffer tape, extension cord and really big power strips.

 

[gln1955]

It depends on your goals. You need a bass, a tuner and a cord. Not everyone even needs an amp or a DI; some people need a pedal board the size of an aircraft carrier. Don't mistake what you need for what someone else needs (a common occurrence on TB - if it's good enough for me, it's good enough for everyone).

I need a bass, tuner, cord, and amp. I've never used pedals on stage. However, that is NOT to say that other people don't need pedals. You need whatever you need to express your musical vision. I'm not sure why some people don't seem to understand that.

This right here. Start with a bass, tuner and cord and you'll figure out pretty quickly what else you need. From the above description of the DI out of the Rumble, I'd think a good DI, with or without preamp controls, would be a wise investment, even if you only use it as an amp backup.

 

[JACink]

I don't see a bottle opener on your list.

In all seriousness, I've always been surprised at the number of musicians that look to the bass player to be the 'mom' of the group. In addition to what's mentioned above, which is a good list, I usually bring basic tools, small first aid kit (Aleve, benedryl, Dramamine), extra earplugs, extra cable (instrument and speaker), pretty much everything but the orange slices.

No, it's not required, but as you step into a supporting instrument role, it's often assumed you'll fill that capacity on the gig elsewhere. Or I'm just a sucker.

To be honest, I don't think you are a sucker, just well organized. If you could only see the amount of stuff I take to a gig (whether I am playing or just doing FOH) it is shocking. I think I could probably fix most issues on stage just with bits that I find in my car trunk

However, to be totally honest, the OP doesn't really "need" any of that stuff, with just a bass, a tuner, an amp and a strap (@Gravedigger Dav , well spotted, I forgot about that one), he can perform no problem.

 

[30calbass]

Hi Sean. As a bass player I use a compressor when playing with a drummer and guitarist so I can push my sound without blowing my speakers. Something to think about. I also use a eq pedal to shape my sound after the compressor squashes it. Not a must have but useful. I will not gig without these things but you can get by without them. Extra strings in case one breaks, guitar stand, case, tuner, stap, cables, batteries and rehearsal.

 

[ThinCrappyTone]

Hi all,

I'm a seasoned musician, but very new to bass. As I hit 30 I decided to take the plunge in picking up the instrument I've always enjoyed listening too.

My question revolves around my current situation, and a general interest in listening/reading to everyone's views.

I currently own and play a MIM Jazz bass. My next purchase will be a gigging amp where I'm looking at the Rumble 500. With those two obvious essentials I'll look to start getting out of the rehearsal room and with some gigging bands.

From the basic BASS and AMP, where do we go next? What's essential, helpful or just nice? Do I need a DI box? Compressor? Pedal Tuner? A second bass? Bass Synth?

I've had a scout around YouTube and Google, but always enjoy reading on here and wanted to hear what you all think.

Thanks,

Sean

Depends on your needs, band, gigs, venues, etc. But here are my thoughts:

• Stombox tuner, I consider essential: really handy for quickly muting, switching or unplugging bass, and of course, tuning

• A good compressor is really nice for keeping your levels even, and/or fattening your sound. Not necessary, but becomes more/less essential depending upon your ability to control dynamics with your playing.

• IMO, if you get more than one pedal, some sort of pedalboard to mount everything to becomes very useful, so you're not trying to plug all that crap together during a quick setup

• IMO a backup bass is important, depending upon your gig. But there are lots of people here who totally disagree and gig without one for decades with no issues.

• Bass Synth would definitely not fall into the category of necessary, for me. That's a special-use-case enhancement, imo.

• DI Box is a small, handy thing to have with you for a variety of purposes

and... gaffer tape and a flashlight

 

[Basspirate69]

Along with the essentials, i always carry a leatheman. And i cant count how many times a extension cord has come in handy.

 

[WardEarth]

I've never used a compressor and believe you can get great sound without it. Some kind of overdrive or fuzz is nice if you play that kind of music. If you play near a big city you may look into a larger used amp n speaker vs the rumble. Or look on talkbass for a nice setup. But that's just me. More power usually means more headroom and I higher chance of getting the sound that you want. High quality speakers sound awesome, might be more important than the amp.

 

[MojoPenguin]

As I hit 30 I decided to take the plunge in picking up the instrument I've always enjoyed listening too.

Me a couple of years ago
I'd say that a tuner, and if you can have it some Overdrive or Chorus is all you need.

 

[lermgalieu]

If you're going to be playing rock, I'd suggest a dirt pedal - even a light overdrive can be really what a song calls for. Not AT ALL necessary, but out of all my pedals, these are probably the most used.

 

[jcerio]

I always bring a tuner, spare cables, battery, for myself.

For the gig in general I bring my swisstool (someone ALWAYS needs it), plastic zip ties, duct or gaffer tape, extension cord and really big power strips.

I think that about covers it /\/\/\

2 x Grolsch beer bottle rubber rings to hold your strap in place (or some proper straplocks if you want to be boring )
wire cutters (for string changes)

as you go along, you may want to learn to do your own setups, in which case a few basic tools are needed. but for now you're good.

my only other advice would be, don't cheap out on cables! you don't have to buy the super fancy snake oil ones, but paying a bit extra for sturdy cables is money well spent, in my view... and always bring a spare.

With the above, I would add a small folding guitar stand and "CSI Flashlight". Handy for finding stuff that falls on the floor on a dark stage. An extra strap. If your bass is active stock some 9-volt batteries. And a big second on cables. I typically use the Live Wire brand from GC. They are decent and have a lifetime warranty so I don't mind getting beer spilled on them or dragging them around on a filthy stage. If you want really good cables, I suggest Conquest Cables. A small folding flat cart from Harbor Freight Tools is always a nice investment. A good Leatherman Tool, as mentioned above is a great idea. I recommend the Leatherman Wave.

That's all I have. If I think of anything else I'll comment again.