Get some sour cream and onion chips with some dip, man, some beef jerky, some peanut butter. Get some Häagen-Dazs ice cream bars, a whole lot, make sure chocolate, gotta have chocolate, man. Some popcorn, red popcorn, graham crackers, graham crackers with marshmallows, the little marshmallows and little chocolate bars and we can make s'mores, man. Also, celery, grape jelly, Cap'n Crunch with the little Crunch berries, pizzas. We need two big pizzas, man, everything on 'em, with water, whole lotta water, and Funyons. Funyons man, yeah.
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Survival kit for gigging bassists!
- Thread starter neurotictim
- Start date
A spare passive DI and a SABDDI. The SABDDI goes to every gig, every time despite the fact that I don't use it usually. Serves as a back up amp for not only myself, but also for anyone else. I had a lead player's amp start to die last night on the gig so I patched him through the PA using a Ibanez Tube Screamer and my SABDDI. We were able to get a passable tone out of that setup.
Seriously carry spare DIs though. They can serve as 1/4" to XLR adapters/a way to splice together 2 instrument cables for longer reach when needed/a ground lift/etc.
Seriously carry spare DIs though. They can serve as 1/4" to XLR adapters/a way to splice together 2 instrument cables for longer reach when needed/a ground lift/etc.
The biggest items in my survival kit are a spare bass and amp.
I keep adjustment tools, spare strings, screwdrivers, wrenches, etc., spare straplocks and straps. All sorts of cables.
I keep adjustment tools, spare strings, screwdrivers, wrenches, etc., spare straplocks and straps. All sorts of cables.
A lot of this stuff seems excessive.
Spare strings. Spare Battery. 1 spare of every lead you use. That should pretty much cover you for most eventualities.
I'd rather cancel a gig than bring stuff someone else should have (drum sticks picks etc.) I'd hate that other band members didn't look after their own stuff and just figured that I would have whatever they may or may not need.
Spare strings. Spare Battery. 1 spare of every lead you use. That should pretty much cover you for most eventualities.
I'd rather cancel a gig than bring stuff someone else should have (drum sticks picks etc.) I'd hate that other band members didn't look after their own stuff and just figured that I would have whatever they may or may not need.
I'll be adding some 9v's to my kit, probably a little thing of hand sanitizer, and I'm going to get rid of the wrenches... I tried the "all-in-one" allen thing and it couldn't fit in for a truss rod adjustment. 
Need to pick up an LED flashlight, but I also have one of those battery-powered stick-on fluorescent lights in the back of my rack. Also going to add a drum key (brilliant idea!)
I keep a POD xt in my car, along with my backup bass, just in case, but not in my kit.
Let's do this like the "best bassist/best bass" game. I'll list all the items I think are necessary, and once a day each person can add something, or add a point to one and subtract a point to another. Maybe we can get something of a consensus going for those who don't carry kits... yet...
1. 1’ Patch cable
2. 6” Zip ties
3. Guitar picks
4. Ratcheting driver w/bits
5. 10-32 nuts & bolts (rack size)
6. Extra bass strings
7. Scotch tape
8. Heavy-duty snips
9. Electrical tape
10. Superglue
11. Toothbrush
12. Hex wrenches (Allen & metric)
13. Combination wrenches
14. Ear plugs (3 sets)
15. Sharpie
16. Paint marker
17. Small flashlight
18. Hand sanitizer
19. 9v Batteries
20. Drum key
21. Extra guitar strings
Need to pick up an LED flashlight, but I also have one of those battery-powered stick-on fluorescent lights in the back of my rack. Also going to add a drum key (brilliant idea!)I keep a POD xt in my car, along with my backup bass, just in case, but not in my kit.
Let's do this like the "best bassist/best bass" game. I'll list all the items I think are necessary, and once a day each person can add something, or add a point to one and subtract a point to another. Maybe we can get something of a consensus going for those who don't carry kits... yet...
1. 1’ Patch cable
2. 6” Zip ties
3. Guitar picks
4. Ratcheting driver w/bits
5. 10-32 nuts & bolts (rack size)
6. Extra bass strings
7. Scotch tape
8. Heavy-duty snips
9. Electrical tape
10. Superglue
11. Toothbrush
12. Hex wrenches (Allen & metric)
13. Combination wrenches
14. Ear plugs (3 sets)
15. Sharpie
16. Paint marker
17. Small flashlight
18. Hand sanitizer
19. 9v Batteries
20. Drum key
21. Extra guitar strings
All really good ideas,
I carry every size wrench/screwdriver I need to fix anything on my bass as well as my guitar players Les Paul, a truss rod adjuster, as well as a small soldering iron/solder, plus extra strings, a drum key, guitar picks (who would have thought that a guitar player could actually forget or run out of these????:scowl
.
I am definately going to add a 9 volt battery to the kit and a set of drum sticks.
I carry every size wrench/screwdriver I need to fix anything on my bass as well as my guitar players Les Paul, a truss rod adjuster, as well as a small soldering iron/solder, plus extra strings, a drum key, guitar picks (who would have thought that a guitar player could actually forget or run out of these????:scowl
. I am definately going to add a 9 volt battery to the kit and a set of drum sticks.
- Jun 25, 2007
- 4,531
- 135
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- Disclosures
- Artist:TC Electronic RH450 bass system (original test-pilot)
I've used this more times than I can count!
Add a mic clip & guitar strap (believe in or not)
I carry most of the items listed in the first post, and yes they have all come in handy. The one thing I haven't seen anyone else have their list is spare FUSES for your amp. Once I blew a fuse at a gig and luckily had a spare! This is one of the best threads I've seen on here in a while. Like the Boy Scout's always say, "BE PREPARED"!
Thangfish
...overly qualified for janitorical deployment...
Add a tunning peg crank... mine has a snip in the handle.
Acme users: extra 1156 tail light bulb or two... never needed mine, but there is that recurring nightmare.
Acme users: extra 1156 tail light bulb or two... never needed mine, but there is that recurring nightmare.
guitar picks (who would have thought that a guitar player could actually forget or run out of these????:scowl
i keep a bunch in my wallet at all times for the same reason.
ORIGINAL GIG (p.a. already there - other bands on too)
Spare bass
Gaffer
3 metre surge protected extension
5-6 jack leads
Spare 9v power adapter
2-3 kettle leads
old bass strings
plecs
COVERS GIG (own p.a./mics - only band on)
same as original gig PLUS
5-6 spare XLRs
Mini toolkit (wire, cutters, soldering iron, pliers, solder)
2-3 sm or beta 58s
beta 52 or cheap bass mic
PODxt (posh D.I.)
5m reel and 5m extension + couple power taps
green/yellow insulation tape...
...is there much else I'm missing?
Oh yeah - forgot to mention the plug socket tester (check the master plugs grounded) couple of fuses for amp and 9-volts for when I'm using my Jaguar would be a good idea too. May stick a notebook/felt tip in my drawer as well...
Whats that thing that was mentioned about tendonitis and wristbands? Is it contagious??!
Very helpful post. Being new to gigging, I'm sure knowing and having this stuff is going to save me. Thanks guys!
Well, I rescued my guitar player again at practice today, with tools from my "survival kit" that I've been carrying around for a few years, more or less. I finally asked him where his kit was, and he was mystified by the idea.
It occurred to me that some of the newer bassists here (and some of the older ones, AFAIK) may not think about this sort of thing.
A survival kit is a (IMO) necessary thing to have when you're in a gigging band, and includes a bunch of things you will probably need in the future and not have handy without one. Everyone's kit is different, but here's mine, with a list:
So, anyone else carry around a "survival kit"? What do you have in yours?
My Gig Tool Kit is pretty much the same as everyone else here -
1. 1or 3 Patch cable (You never know)
2. Guitar picks
3. Spare batteries and Fuses
4. Small Ratchet kit
5. Elec Tape
6. Extra strings
8. Small screwdriver set
9. Wire cutters
10. Allen Wrenches
11. Combo Wrenches
12. Marker (sharpie)
13. Paint marker
14. bailing wire and duct tape!
But one thing I did that I haven't seen anyone else mention - I went to a second hand computer store and spent 10 bucks on a laptop case and I put everything in there along with my chords, straps and other necessities. It works out quite well!
Plus I stuff 20 bucks in there for emergencies!
We only play 2-3 times a month, but the following always gets me by...
picks
9v batteries
leatherman - indispensable!
strings
spare bass
spare head (in the car)
duct tape
extra cables and adapters
Really, the only soft spot would be my cab. If the cab bites it (not likely...it's a tank), I can always go DI and get a little back through the monitors.
picks
9v batteries
leatherman - indispensable!
strings
spare bass
spare head (in the car)
duct tape
extra cables and adapters
Really, the only soft spot would be my cab. If the cab bites it (not likely...it's a tank), I can always go DI and get a little back through the monitors.
Wowie Zowie - you guys are uber prepared.
Trunk mats work wonders when drummers forget their floor mats & their kit slides across the floor.
Here are my accessories, and are contained both in my gig bag & amp head case (an SKB clarinet bag, similar to a messenger bag):
1. Spare strings (long scale, to fit all of my basses)
2. Spare 9V battery
3. capo
4. tuner
5. Eyeglass case with all wrenches & screwdrivers needed for all basses, with 6" machinists ruler (for setup work)
6. Bottle opener attached to 2mm allen wrench - the most common wrench required for all of my basses - the bottle opener is absolutely a necessity!
7. Pencil
8. Tylenol or similar pain killer
9. You guys will laugh about this one - Immodium AD - When you have a stomach issue & cant leave the head, but still have to play a gig - you'll wish you had some Immodium!!! This has saved me twice so far!
10. Spare cable
11. power strip
12. Tuner patch cord
13. Spare Speakon cord
14. XLR cord - incase there isn't an extra one at a particular gig
15. Extra heavy picks
16. Gum
17. Instruction manual for amplifier (it is still new to me!)
Since this topic is new - I will double check my kit this evening.
Best,
imp
Trunk mats work wonders when drummers forget their floor mats & their kit slides across the floor.
Here are my accessories, and are contained both in my gig bag & amp head case (an SKB clarinet bag, similar to a messenger bag):
1. Spare strings (long scale, to fit all of my basses)
2. Spare 9V battery
3. capo
4. tuner
5. Eyeglass case with all wrenches & screwdrivers needed for all basses, with 6" machinists ruler (for setup work)
6. Bottle opener attached to 2mm allen wrench - the most common wrench required for all of my basses - the bottle opener is absolutely a necessity!
7. Pencil
8. Tylenol or similar pain killer
9. You guys will laugh about this one - Immodium AD - When you have a stomach issue & cant leave the head, but still have to play a gig - you'll wish you had some Immodium!!! This has saved me twice so far!
10. Spare cable
11. power strip
12. Tuner patch cord
13. Spare Speakon cord
14. XLR cord - incase there isn't an extra one at a particular gig
15. Extra heavy picks
16. Gum
17. Instruction manual for amplifier (it is still new to me!)
Since this topic is new - I will double check my kit this evening.
Best,
imp
That's a really good idea... My kit is starting to look overstuffed. D****d if I'm going any bigger than a laptop bag, though.
HI
I have a nice camera bag that I use. It holds a couple mics, my effect pedals, picks, patch cords, in-ears, Aleve, condoms, allen wrenches, jeweler screwdriver set, Sharpies, etc. Really makes heavy gigging easier. I have another duffle type bag with cords, surge protector strips, extension cords and the like. Holds the bigger items.
Two soft bags and I'm handled. After that, I keep any other things in my gig bag or bag that my amplifier is in.
Rob
I have a nice camera bag that I use. It holds a couple mics, my effect pedals, picks, patch cords, in-ears, Aleve, condoms, allen wrenches, jeweler screwdriver set, Sharpies, etc. Really makes heavy gigging easier. I have another duffle type bag with cords, surge protector strips, extension cords and the like. Holds the bigger items.
Two soft bags and I'm handled. After that, I keep any other things in my gig bag or bag that my amplifier is in.
Rob
