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Tips for Being Organized and Prepared for Gigs
- Thread starter Beej
- Start date
I keep most of my gear packed up and ready to go in my garage. I just need to pack my bass, pedalboard and gear bag from inside. I've gotten good at putting anything I take out of the gear bag back before I leave. I have a separate set of gear in my home studio that never leaves the house.
I do have a master list on the Packing List Pro app on my Pixel just in case. But I haven't needed to look at it in awhile.
I do have a master list on the Packing List Pro app on my Pixel just in case. But I haven't needed to look at it in awhile.
buldog5151bass
Kibble, milkbones, and P Basses. And redheads.
I figure for every gig, I will need a power cord, instrument cord, speaker cord, and XLR cord. I coil them together, and keep 2 sets in my bag. I also check and make sure I have a tuner, tools to make repairs/neck adjustments, ear plugs, IEMs, and my old set of strings from last string change.
Have seen several shows at HOB Orlando. GREAT venue.
I’d always bring a backup bass and a DI, but that’s just me.
One thing I’d add is a few DeOxit wipes. Clean and a godsend when needed.
Regarding a backup instrument: a few years ago, I attended the BICSI show in Orlando for work. As exhibitors, we were ticketed to see a show at the House of Blues in Downtown Disney. The band came on, and during the first song, the guitarist broke the B string on his MusicMan Axis. With a Floyd Rose trem, which promptly threw the entire instrument out of tune. He had no backup instrument with him.
It took him 20 MINUTES to change the string and retune. They played a 30 minute set as the opening act. He was MIA for 2/3 of it.
My customers knew I played, and asked me what was happening. I said, “You’re looking at a band that f’d up their big opportunity out of laziness.” They all agreed. As salespeople, they all had their own version of this in their personal histories. Always have your big presentation copied to a flash drive, with your assistant or boss’ laptop ready to go if yours craps out. Duplicate all cables. Etcetera.
Only one chance to make a good first impression. Don’t blow it.
If I had a big gig like HOB or other similar venue/gig, I'd definitely have a spare on stage.
I know plenty of guitarists who only bring one and they've never blown a gig. I almost always only bring one bass, too, and I've never blown a gig. Plenty of other things are more likely to go wrong than breaking a string or internal wiring. My Fender P once fell off a 7 ft high stack of chairs 2 minutes before a gig and didn't even go out of tune
I bring a backup bass to every gig. It's insurance.
The last time I brought only one was last summer. First time in years I only brought one. Five minutes before downbeat, I turn the volume pot up and nothing. A backup instrument would have saved a lot of trouble at that moment.
a checklist is a great idea. I also use a tool bag from home depot as my gig bag, I try to think of what could go wrong, and prepared for that, i also,liked to pack Multi-tools to cut clutter in the bag, also i pack many, adapters (3 prong power adapters), cables+m/f adapters for cables, strings, tape, a good set of pliers, and a mini power strip & extension cord,and can't forget, 9 volt or other (AA,AAA batteries)!
I also wrapped address labels around everything for Id purposes, or I mark tools with pink nail polish for the same reason.it's easy to id a "lent" cord"mine has the pink polish on the input jack". always keep your bag in sight. I used to put the ugliest stickers (neon duct tape) on my property to discourage theft. more for id than a deterent. a checklist is more helpful when tearing down "is any thing missing? or not returned". I got tired of being the "boyscout" at gigs.s o i just had a std gig bag to take(left in the car). super handy to have around when you need spare batteries! better to have than not.(an extra strap, & patch cables, a string winder,bungie cords, a sharpie & crazy glue too
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I have a backup for everything that is essential to the gig. So: bass, 6m guitar cable, 6m xlr cable, tuner and a Behringer BDI21 in case my amp fails. I long ago decided that carrying two basses was easier than carrying one bass and then tools, strings, solder, etc. Besides, I can put on a new bass in much less time than I can change a string.
One thing I did a while back was order several cables and several really cheap straps so now each bass' gig bag has one of each in. Just in case.
One thing I did a while back was order several cables and several really cheap straps so now each bass' gig bag has one of each in. Just in case.
The Reminders app does this already
When it comes to logistics for getting an entire band on stage, the bottom line is: get the details early, and communicate with the guys ten times over. I am finally in a band full of responsible adults, so I help everyone out and get details as early as possible. I carry the PA, but everyone else is responsible for their own stuff.
I don't carry spares of anything but batteries, cables, and picks. I know some day disaster will strike, but I'll trade that one disaster for all the successful gigs before and after. I do always have a backup plan in my head so I don't spend 2/3 of a set changing a string!
I don't carry spares of anything but batteries, cables, and picks. I know some day disaster will strike, but I'll trade that one disaster for all the successful gigs before and after. I do always have a backup plan in my head so I don't spend 2/3 of a set changing a string!
2 x basses.
1 x multi effects. If it dies I go direct to head.
1 x DI box (not plugged in unless needed).
1 x head. DI from head. If it dies I go DI box.
2 x cabs.
1 x multi effects. If it dies I go direct to head.
1 x DI box (not plugged in unless needed).
1 x head. DI from head. If it dies I go DI box.
2 x cabs.
After a lifetime of gigging I have winnowed my safety stuff to the least amount possible.
#1 - first check is the bass, action/set-up is good, batteries fresh (as req'd).
My miscellaneous stuff bag contains a 12ft ext cord and 2 6-outlet power strips. More than enough, but an extra ext cord in trunk.
Several 1/4" amp-to-speaker cables. A couple of Neutriks for various amps. An extra 10' guitar cord, circuit checker, various multi-outlet plugs....
All being pro active.
I have never used anything in the bag, or needed extra strings due to bteakage, or had a cable crap out, or.....anything. I have carried that bag for over 30 years. No mistake, the stuff is necessary. Numerous tools are included as well.
Maybe I've just been lucky. I strive to be conscientious and buy the best gear I can.
I'm with Wissen.
P.S. I used to bring 2 basses to each gig but only to enjoy them both that night. I never considered one a spare.
#1 - first check is the bass, action/set-up is good, batteries fresh (as req'd).
My miscellaneous stuff bag contains a 12ft ext cord and 2 6-outlet power strips. More than enough, but an extra ext cord in trunk.
Several 1/4" amp-to-speaker cables. A couple of Neutriks for various amps. An extra 10' guitar cord, circuit checker, various multi-outlet plugs....
All being pro active.
I have never used anything in the bag, or needed extra strings due to bteakage, or had a cable crap out, or.....anything. I have carried that bag for over 30 years. No mistake, the stuff is necessary. Numerous tools are included as well.
Maybe I've just been lucky. I strive to be conscientious and buy the best gear I can.
I'm with Wissen.
P.S. I used to bring 2 basses to each gig but only to enjoy them both that night. I never considered one a spare.
My natural OCD is my best tool for being organized and not forgetting things.
All things go back in the same case every time. And every item and case goes in the same spot when I get home. So it's easy to do a walk through to double check before I leave for the gig.
All things go back in the same case every time. And every item and case goes in the same spot when I get home. So it's easy to do a walk through to double check before I leave for the gig.
Things I no longer bring to a gig (unless it’s a tour):
- Extra bass strings (backup bass instead)
- bass adjustment tools (use backup bass)
- spare tuner (for gods sake!)
- any tools other than a decent multi-tool (I have a Klein electrician’s multi. It’s perfect)
- spare parts of any kind. Why?
- things other band members might need. C’mon guys...
- spare anything else except cables.
That being said, I do carry a small kit with electrical tape, gaffers tape, non-contact voltage tester, Klein Multi-tool, drum key, a Sharpie, and a clip-on tuner)
- Extra bass strings (backup bass instead)
- bass adjustment tools (use backup bass)
- spare tuner (for gods sake!)
- any tools other than a decent multi-tool (I have a Klein electrician’s multi. It’s perfect)
- spare parts of any kind. Why?
- things other band members might need. C’mon guys...
- spare anything else except cables.
That being said, I do carry a small kit with electrical tape, gaffers tape, non-contact voltage tester, Klein Multi-tool, drum key, a Sharpie, and a clip-on tuner)
I alway brought my two bass guitars to every gig. 200+ gigs, I probably needed to switch to the backup 4 times, just 2%, but just like in my day job, you can do 100 things right, but the customer really remembers that ONE time you screwed up. You look like a hero if you deal with it fast. It is easier to switch guitars on the fly, especially if both are on stage, than it is to mess with a string or tech problem mid-set.
My gig bag is a gym bag that has cables, slid into collars made from paper towel rolls to keep them neat. Cable ties, a roll of painters tape, markers, and batteries. Usually I was the guy that would have copies of the set list printed for everybody. Other incidentals collected along the way, like a knit cap and gloves with the fingers cut out for cold gigs (that does happen in Florida, and think DAMP, cold nights).Key groups of supplies in their own ziplock bags so that you don't have to rummage through everything.
One Line 6 combo amp. There is a line out going to the subs. If it fails, go direct. A nice side benefit is I can control my stage volume if the whoever is running the sound isn't making me happy.
Another post mentioned that bass players are the most prepared member of the band. Just thought it was me. My garage is set up in a similar manner. Not particularly neat, but I know where everything is usually.
My gig bag is a gym bag that has cables, slid into collars made from paper towel rolls to keep them neat. Cable ties, a roll of painters tape, markers, and batteries. Usually I was the guy that would have copies of the set list printed for everybody. Other incidentals collected along the way, like a knit cap and gloves with the fingers cut out for cold gigs (that does happen in Florida, and think DAMP, cold nights).Key groups of supplies in their own ziplock bags so that you don't have to rummage through everything.
One Line 6 combo amp. There is a line out going to the subs. If it fails, go direct. A nice side benefit is I can control my stage volume if the whoever is running the sound isn't making me happy.
Another post mentioned that bass players are the most prepared member of the band. Just thought it was me. My garage is set up in a similar manner. Not particularly neat, but I know where everything is usually.
Take a picture of what you are taking on your phone including serial numbers.
That way IF something is stolen you already have recent pictures to give to the police.
That way IF something is stolen you already have recent pictures to give to the police.
I always bring a spare bassist. I leave him in the trunk of the car, just in case.
I simplified. A smaller checklist is easier to check.
I drive multiple cars so keeping spares of anything in each isn't practical.
My big rig is relatively tiny. I only need three cables and I keep a spare set in my gigbag along with tools to setup my bass and basics tools. Samsung tablet with my notes which are also on my phone. D'Addario micro tuners with spare batteries (bought a sheet on ebay). Along with spare straplock hardware, a pack of strings, batteries, earbuds, a pen and Sharpie, USB cables and blocks. All in the pockets of my gigbag. I try to stick to one bag, recently started bringing only one bass.
Laptop bag with stands, tape, etc. Music stand.
Garment bag for appropriate gigwear.
I even do a three pocket pat to make sure I have my wallet, phone and keys.
One trip load-in and it's extremely rare that I forget anything. If I use a spare I put a note on my calendar on repeat to remind me to restock. Google calendar may be my favorite tool, I can remind myself of anything I could possibly forget: gig requirements, parking meter, etc.... besides setting a reminder.
I drive multiple cars so keeping spares of anything in each isn't practical.
My big rig is relatively tiny. I only need three cables and I keep a spare set in my gigbag along with tools to setup my bass and basics tools. Samsung tablet with my notes which are also on my phone. D'Addario micro tuners with spare batteries (bought a sheet on ebay). Along with spare straplock hardware, a pack of strings, batteries, earbuds, a pen and Sharpie, USB cables and blocks. All in the pockets of my gigbag. I try to stick to one bag, recently started bringing only one bass.
Laptop bag with stands, tape, etc. Music stand.
Garment bag for appropriate gigwear.
I even do a three pocket pat to make sure I have my wallet, phone and keys.
One trip load-in and it's extremely rare that I forget anything. If I use a spare I put a note on my calendar on repeat to remind me to restock. Google calendar may be my favorite tool, I can remind myself of anything I could possibly forget: gig requirements, parking meter, etc.... besides setting a reminder.
I can't tell if some of you guys are in a band or the boy scouts .
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