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Essentials for tour

K

KlystronNoir

May 18, 2013
57
2
#1
Hi Justin,

I am about to go on my first tour out of the country for about five weeks. i will be travelling between gigs in a van. I wanted to know whether you had any tips for touring such as essential item that you should bring or maybe other things that i would not think of.

Thanks
 
#6
I'm just about to head off on tour as guitar tech for Jeff Martin (from The Tea Party)'s new band "Band of Dawn".

First time on the road as a tech, a and a tuning/guitar change EVERY song for a 14 song set. For example:

Castle Hill FGCFA#C -12 string
Raven Black DADGAA# - 6 string
Control FGCFG#F – 12 string
Set in stone D#A#D#F#G#A# - 6 string
Smokewriter EBEEBE- 12 string
Anaesthetist DADAAC – 6 string etc, etc.

- I hope I don't bugger it up! Rehearsals have all gone peachy so far though. :) I'll be watching this thread intently.

On that topic, Justin - do you take your tech with you to all shows or do you still like to do a bit of that manual stuff yourself?
 
#7
Baby wipes for sure!
Being the natural/alternative medicine type, I always bring a supply of oil of oregano capsules--it stops colds and flus dead in their tracks (been on numerous tours where I was the only one NOT hacking and wheezing in the van by mid-tour, thanks to ooo).

Otherwise, a Leatherman/multi-tool is great to have.
 
#9
Gaff in the suitcase every time. And in the suitcase. (Another with the gear.) I BELIEVE it was from Tony Levin's really great old book "Beyond The Bass Clef" (fantastic funny and enlightening read like Tony if you can get a copy, guys) that I learned the technique of Gaff-ing the hotel curtains closed upon entering. :^) But seriously. Sound sleep in darkness when you're anywhere away from routine is so key. Even a time zone or two makes a difference.

And books!! I'm the kind of guy that has a real hard time taking time out of my normal life at home to do any significant reading. It is SO bad. I'm a little embarrassed about it. Like I have so many more important things to worry about at home that I can't read a chapter of something a day... But one of my greatest travel joys is TEARING into books. And it helps me to have something normal day to day when things around me are changing constantly.

And here is a great first book recommendation: "A Winter's Tale" by Mark Helprin. My friend gave me a copy and I read it the last time I was away. Killer. And I'm told there is soon to be a movie of it, so read before they mess up the magic.

Oh, and how about a camera? I hobby around with photography and love it, but when I get into serious "music work" mode I sometimes forget to at least toss a camera and a 50mm into my Man-bag to carry around.

Safe travels, guys!!
 
#10
And redundant cheep lighters in the easily accessible outside compartments of your checked luggage if you are a smoker. It seems like American TSA is a bit more relaxed with that now than they used to be, but it blows to get where you're going and not have any fire... I should really quit, but that's a recommendation.
 
#12
Equipment wise a spare everything, no ifs, no buts if it can go wrong it will and likely when you're miles away from anything.

Baby wipes of course, I also like antibacterial gel and sprays, handy for showering and using public toilets in the desert.

Something to entertain yourself with for 23 hours a day, if you've never toured before talking to your band mates on the bus/van is a sure fire way to annoy everyone very quickly, no one wants to chat for 2,000 miles :p

Try an separate the stage clothes from the van clothes, this is the perfect time to get your Sopranos full sweat suit an outing, go for comfy, dark (hides stains) and loose.

The country you are touring in massively affects what you take like in the US you will stop at a Walmart every day and they have clean nice bathrooms you can use so you only ever need to be carrying 2-3 days worth of supplied meaning fresh food, in the UK you'll survive mainly on week old sausage rolls and have to use bathrooms that most animals would run screaming from ;)
 
#13
DethByDoom said:
D.I. Boxes and pre-amp tubes. Also... Tons of clean socks, especially if you're on your feet a lot. A clean shirt and fresh socks will make you feel like a new man.
Click to expand...

Yeah always carry 2 weeks worth of underwear as at some point in that time you'll be able to wash it, socks I use to buy them at Walmart when in the states in big packs, maybe bring them home, maybe drop them in goodwill.

Also go into every goodwill and vinyl store you see, this is the only chance you'll be doing a national shopping trip :p
 
#15
Yeah it's a dream life, I think there is a bit of a difference between how I did it and how JMJ does it :p I remember drinking night time cough syrup to pass the 2000+ miles from Texas to LA via New Mexico.

Sleeping 18 hours to wake up and find you're only half way there.
 
#19
Maps!!! Yes, paper maps, from AAA
Your GPS might not work in some places, and you will need directions.
a couple decks of cards for playing games
a travel bar. yes, because some places don't have good booze.
Upgrade your AAA account to Gold or Platinum status, so if the van breaks down, you can get 100 miles free tow.
a big bag of those dental floss / toothpick things
small flashlights for dark stages
condoms & lube
 

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