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What do you need to gig?

#22
When playing out with my band, I could get away with only bringing my Ibanez bass and my Eden half-stack (along with a cable, tuner, strap, etc).

However, every time I go out to play/ jam/ record/ whatever, I always bring a backpack with me with extra things I might need. The backpack is where I keep my tuner, 1 or 2 extra 1/4in. cables, extra strings (for me AND my guitarists), a drum key, a pack of 9-volts, extra mic cables if they're needed, and other kinds of things. Hopefully this helped ya out.
 
#23
Bass and an amp. That's all I need. And this ashtray. The bass, the amp, and this ashtray are all I need. And this paddle game, this bass, this amp, this ashtray and the paddle game and that's all I need. And this remote control. The ashtray, this bass, this amp, the paddle game, and the remote control, and that's all I need. And these matches. The ashtray, this bass, this amp, and these matches, and the remote control and the paddle ball. And this lamp. The ashtray, this bass, this amp, this paddle game and the remote control and the lamp and that's all I need. And that's all I need too. I don't need one other thing, not one - I need this. The paddle game, the bass, the amp, and the chair, and the remote control, and the matches, for sure. And this. And that's all I need. The ashtray, the remote control, the bass, the amp, the paddle game, this magazine and the chair.
 
#25
Salud!

I don't gig that much, but everytime I miss something at a venue I add something to the gigbag to prevent it from happening again. Now I carry:

* 1 amp (TC Electronic RH450 head w/ RS210. The RS212 stays at home, too much weight)
* 1 bass (more if you feel like carrying/need it)

Gigbag:
* 1 strap
* Assortment of picks (don't use any in my actual band, but who knows)
* 6m Jack cord
* 3m replacement jack cord
* 5m XLR cord for the amp's DI, just in case
* RCA to minijack short cord (to connect the phone to PA, just in case)
* Nailcutter
* Small flashlight
* Portable bass stand (attached to the outside of the gigbag)
* Replacement 9V battery
* iRig for the phone
* Small tuner w/ short cord (might be replaced by the phone, but)
* Replacement battery for the tuner
* Cleaning cloth
* Wirecutter (sorry, my Engrish is so so, I refer to a string cutter).
* Pliers
* Replacement strings
* Adjustment tools (Allen keys, I don't know their name in English right now)
* Small X screwdriver
* Small -- screwdriver
* A replacement t-shirt
* Deodorant
* A book

Yes, my gigbag weighs A LOT.

Right now I don't use any effects, but I'm going to add a Zoom B3+MXR compressor, so I'll have to add a bag for them.
 
#26
I'm surprised at how many people feel they need a compressor. Never considered that a need.

I've probably played about 2000 gigs. The first couple of hundred were with a POS bass and a TNT 115, same as the first guy who responded here. Who I'd also advise against the neo 4X12 as that was what my upgrade was from the Peavey and I was sorely disappointed. I'd be happy to elaborate in a PM if he reads this and want details.

Bare essentials as far as I'm concerned are a bass, a gigbag, a strap, a cable, a tuner, an extra set of strings, and at least 200 watts and a 15 or 2X10s. I'm pretty dang sure I could do club gigs for years with just that, and never encounter a problem.

First thing I'd upgrade on the above is my wattage and speakers. I feel a lot more comfortable with 500 watts (allows me to dial in the sounds I want, as opposed to just a decent sound that cuts), and more speakers. A backup bass is great, but I never EVER used one, although I had 3 gigs where I could have. All 3 times things worked out anyhow. Everything else on top of that is stuff that's just good to have. Flashlight is an awesome idea, yet far from essential. I've probably needed one twice in all my gigging, and the soundman had one to borrow. All our phones have them now anyhow. Effects are absolutley not needed, just desired. I carry a small pack of tools (allen wrenches, wire cutters, and screwdrivers) which doesn't hurt. Bla, bla, bla... don't think there's much else to say.
 
#29
Essential all you NEED to gig is a reliable bass, a reliable lead, a reliable tuner, a reliable rig with enough head room - Combo or head/cab ( 300w is more than enough) and a reliable band!

That being said, i take at least one back up bass, a back up rig (usually just a D.I) plenty of spare leads of all types ( 1/4", XLR, Power, Patch etc.) spare batteries, spare straps, a basic tool kit or swiss army knife is handy, a back up tuner...anything that you need and could break, bring two!
 
#30
No one so far has mentioned a MUSIC STAND!
Really important to have one to keep notes on it or some music your not 100% on. Just don't keep it in front of you cause its ugly to be staring and sheet music all through out a gig. Have as a safety net
 
#32
You don't need much - as others mentioned, bass, amp, etc.

one thing that I find useful is a stand for my bass so I don't need to lean it against stuff.

as for the size of your amp, that all depends on the types of rooms you are playing. I played 60something gigs this summer with a 125w 12" EBS combo and it was fine on all of them. (to be fair, that amp gets crazy loud and deep for its size). On bigger gigs I'd run through PA. problem solved.

oh, and pack some ibuprofin. nothing worse than playing with a raging headache. well, I suppose searing blinding pain due to tendonitis is worse than a headache, but that is a story for another thread.
 
#33
JimmyM said:
Bass and an amp. That's all I need. And this ashtray. The bass, the amp, and this ashtray are all I need. And this paddle game, this bass, this amp, this ashtray and the paddle game and that's all I need. And this remote control. The ashtray, this bass, this amp, the paddle game, and the remote control, and that's all I need. And these matches. The ashtray, this bass, this amp, and these matches, and the remote control and the paddle ball. And this lamp. The ashtray, this bass, this amp, this paddle game and the remote control and the lamp and that's all I need. And that's all I need too. I don't need one other thing, not one - I need this. The paddle game, the bass, the amp, and the chair, and the remote control, and the matches, for sure. And this. And that's all I need. The ashtray, the remote control, the bass, the amp, the paddle game, this magazine and the chair.
Click to expand...

Love it! ;)
 
#34
Salud!

+1 to Ibuprofen/Aspirin/whatever! Good idea.

And it NEVER hurts to bring along a multiple socket. Once I add the effects bag, I'll leave one always inside.

And +1 to the towel too. I tend to forget it (once used, you can't leave it inside the bag for obvious reasons) and miss it more than not (I'm of the sweating type). Alien abductions and galactic travel notwithstanding. :)
 
#38
Back in my younger days of being in a teenage-angst ridden screamo band that were so popular in my area, all I would bring was a BDDI, a cable and a bass. Line in to the board, cable to bass, lean the thing against the wall, and then off to flirt with the local talent.

I had gear then, and I have much better gear now, but there's just always something satisfying about being the first one done setting up. I was loading in my 115/210 stack every show, but I soon figured that the places we were playing had more than enough PA, and in most cases I was drowned out by bad mixing anyway. Besides, half the people in the crowd were deaf from how loud they got it, so it didn't matter that much anyway.

To this day, I carry a Sansamp like a lucky rabbits foot in the hopes that I'll have an excuse to just throw it down and play through it.
 
#39
modulusman said:
Since this is the PA forum how about a PA.
Click to expand...

I don't see this as "the PA forum" at all. It's under the heading of Bass Guitar Forums. To me, this is a place to discuss various techniques for getting your (BASS) signal to the FOH, or simply covering the room with your BASS rig. His question fits perfectly here.

OP, the short answer is it all depends. For me, I wouldn't go to a gig with less than 2 basses and a pretty stout combo (Mesa Walkabout 15" Scout in my case..... however I usually bring along the matching extension cab). That would be bare minimum in my world. Many get away with less (one bass and a micro rig). It just depends on your situation.
 
#40
one bass, a Fender Bassman 250/115 combo, a cord. Add a tuner if you don't have much of an ear. Someway to patch into the PA.

I've played lots of bars, outdoor shows, small big crowds.

I have a lot more and better stuff, but really I could have done just fine, great in fact with that. It's all I've ever needed.
 

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