Pre-Gig Inventory - post your layout inspection pics

[Cleezmo]

I do not use a checklist. My gig setup is simple - 2 basses (each in a gig bag), amp head (in a gig bag), cabinet (with full cover), pedal board (in a gig bag), gear bag, mic stand. I bring a folding hand truck just in case I get a crappy parking spot and need to roll things in.

The gear bag has all my cables, mic, power strip, IEMs, extra batteries, tools, and folding bass stand. Straps are in each bass' gig bag. I can be set up or town down in 10 minutes if needed. I will occasionally pull everything out of the gear bag and clean/check stuff, but for the most part everything stays in that bag so I won't forget anything. All I have to remember to do before a gig is (a) charge my IEMs, and (b) adjust my baseline amp settings for whatever bass I'm gonna use that gig. I understand the rigor of the checklist, especially for more complicated setups, but I like Simple.

 

[fdeck]

I mentally trace the route from my bass to the speaker and wall outlet. And decide what I need for charts depending on the gig.

My only weird compulsion is that my cables are all different colors, just because you can get colored wire for the same price as black. So I can check for all of my cables by counting the colors.

Some spares in an old bag that stays in the car. If something could break or get lost, then I wonder if I really need it.

 

[Pings Bass]

I use an electronic punch list or I'll forget something.

(Note that "drugs" doesn't mean what it used to mean Now it means beta blockers, Zyrtec and ibuprofen)

 

[Gervais Cote]

There are a series of bags and totes that get loaded anytime I'm headed to a gig. The stuff I need, and backups for any practical scenarios are in them.

I've just done it so many times that even the load up is automatic.

*looks like this-

That’s exactly the folding stool I’ve been looking for for a while !

Any idea where it comes from ?

 

[EdwardofHuncote]

That’s exactly the folding stool I’ve been looking for for a while !

Any idea where it comes from ?

You know, I really can't remember. I bought it back in 2018-19 after some surgery. I don't sit on it to play anymore but I make a point of resting between sets. Let me think about it awhile.

*I think it came from either Ollie's or Big Lots. They're both kinda' overstock outlet stores. It wasn't expensive but it was exactly what I needed... a folding stool with a backrest. I also bought a cushion for it at the same time. The bicycle was to remind me that I could remember how to do this bass thing...

 

[ProbablyTooLoud]

good god no that makes me break out in hives

 

[lowfreqgeek]

That's way too much work to do for something that I've done a thousand times and know like the back of my hand. I guess if gigging was new to me I'd put more effort into it. Even if I did lay it out, there's no way I'm wasting time and memory space to take a picture of it. What am I gonna do with a picture of my stuff?

Now I will lay out my gear before a back-country hunting trip. You don't want to be setting up camp 8hr from home at 10000' to realize you didn't put your 15deg sleeping bag in your pack, or that you left your broadheads sitting on the kitchen table...

 

[LowActionHero]

Bass, amp, pedalboard case. Everything else i needed was in a small bag or the "emergency tote".
Anything I took out at home went right back in when I was done.
Always ready to go!

 

[S-Bigbottom]

If it leaves the house, it never gets unpacked. If I was to unpack to check, something may get left behind.

Everything in the bags and cases I know. Grab and go.

A quick pack out, there may be a few cables that may need re coiling when home. Then back in the bag or case.

 

[shadven]

Don’t have any pictures but I bring
2 Basses
2 Cabinets
2 Heads
Extra strings
Extra cords
Tool kit
Battery
Picks
Tuner

I also bring Duct Tape, a couple sweat rags, and a high-hat clutch ('cuz I'm a nice guy).

 

[shadven]

I have a checklist on my phone:

- Bass
- Clip Tuner
- Head w/ power cable
- Cab w/ speaker cable
- Wireless unit
- Guitar cable
- Compressor pedal
- Optional: Other pedals
- Power Supply
- Patch cables
- Power extension cord
- Bass stand
- Strings
- Tools
- Setlist
- Towel
- Clothes
- Deodorant
- Banner
- Business cards

Most of that stuff lives in my "gig backpack", so it's just an easy quick check before I head out.

Solid list. It looks more like my touring list, rather than the local gig.

 

[MCS4]

My pedalboard and basses are in hard cases, and my amp head is in a small rack case, and then I have either one or more often two cabs, so there's really nothing to check there. Everything else is in my bag of supplies, which mainly consists of one full set of all cables needed for the gig with a velcro tie holding them into a little package, a second set of backup cables as a separate package with a velcro tie, a towel, and then a pocket filled with all of the various other odds and ends I take with me (fingernail clippers, multitool, spare picks, etc.).

After a gig I leave the bag out in my home office/music room and go through it when time next permits (usually the next day) to put the cables back together nearly if I couldn't do it after the gig and double check everything else quickly, and then I'm good to go for the next one.

 

[shadven]

Where do you store your wallet, keys and phone during shows?
I hate having anything in my pockets while I play (bulging pockets). But, I don't want to leave these important items back in the Green Room. Geddy Lee said to always bring your wallet with you onto the stage, he had his wallet stolen while playing. The Green room is an easy target if the band is on stage. I often go out on tour for 2 or 3 weeks at a time, and there is often a very safe and secure Green Room, but I still don't trust it. Security people, venue employees and even roadies have access. So I drop my phone, keys and wallet somewhere close to me in my area of the stage. I don't want to get stranded, deal with the hassle, lose my wallet and phone two days into a 3 week tour.

 

[Norm Nelson]

I have a checklist. Like a grownup. Sort of.

 

[Norm Nelson]

Where do you store your wallet, keys and phone during shows?

On stage in a discreet bag. Cool, me and Geddy have something in common!

 

[MultiScaleMale]

I mostly just make sure I have a cable and a strap. I used to take a bag with guitar strings, straps drum sticks, etc but gave up on that.

 

[Neil Folkard]

I don't really have a checklist or anything, I just have a system. Cables for pedal board, ,to my bass and an extension chord go in the pedal board bag. Cables for the amp/cabinet go in my bass gig bag. That's about it.

I've never packed a lot of extra stuff like a second bass, strings and the like, because I don't gig that often. And believe it, or not, as a guy who plays 45 minute sets, I have never made a set list. It's all up in my deviant brain.

 

[darev]

and a high-hat clutch ('cuz I'm a nice guy).

Never thought about a clutch. Good idea.

I always have drum keys. I have more drum keys than picks in my gig bag and I don't use either of them.

 

[mapleglo]

Where do you store your wallet, keys and phone during shows?
I hate having anything in my pockets while I play (bulging pockets). But, I don't want to leave these important items back in the Green Room. Geddy Lee said to always bring your wallet with you onto the stage, he had his wallet stolen while playing. The Green room is an easy target if the band is on stage. I often go out on tour for 2 or 3 weeks at a time, and there is often a very safe and secure Green Room, but I still don't trust it. Security people, venue employees and even roadies have access. So I drop my phone, keys and wallet somewhere close to me in my area of the stage. I don't want to get stranded, deal with the hassle, lose my wallet and phone two days into a 3 week tour.

The rear of my amp riser opens up and can be closed and even locked if necessary. I can fit my whole purse in there if needed.

 

[iqi616]

Nope. Because usually after a gig I’m just grabbing my stuff and shoving it into my bag to get out of the way for the sound guy or the dj or the rest of the band. This isn’t about just making sure I have everything when I pack out (which I do). It’s also about making sure everything is neat and in good condition (which is usually impossible coming off of a dimly lit stage at a night club or bar venue).

I go by what I call "firetruck rules" - when I get back home I prep everything before doing anything else no matter how knackered I feel.