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What "stuff" do you bring to every gig?

Jehos

Jehos

Mar 22, 2006
1,311
1,727
DFW, TX
#1
Obviously we all bring basses and some of us bring amps. I'm curious what other non-instrument things you all bring to gigs. You know, the utility things just in case something goes wrong. I'm setting up a gear bag to take to gigs and here's what I'm planning on putting in it. Some of the stuff is in there because I own the PA as well, so I've got to support that too.

- Spare 50' mic cable
- Spare 25' instrument cable
- Spare 50' speaker cable (1/4" ends)
- 1/4" to Speakon converter
- Roll of gaffer's tape
- Roll of neon orange duct tape (it's how I mark all my stuff like cables, stands, etc.)
- Fresh 9v batteries (4-8)
- Pack of fresh AA batteries
- Spare bass strings (1 or 2 sets)
- Spare acoustic guitar strings (1 or 2 sets)
- Spare electric guitar strings (1 or 2 sets)
- Leatherman multi-tool
- Phillips head screwdriver
- Sharpie marker
- Pens
- Legal-size notepad
- Business cards with band contact info
- Copies of demo CD
- Medicine pack with decongestants, dayquil, advil, antacids, pepto-bismol, etc.
- Couple band-aids
- $20 bill hidden inside (you never know when you need cash and will be out)
 
#3
Pretty good list - I've often wanted to have guitar strings on hand so I could save the day and lay some shame on certain less-well-prepared guitarists. :p

Also: DRUM STICKS!

Spare vocal/instrument mic & clip

Extra Speakon plug.

I assume you already carry, but forgot to mention power stuff:

20' extension cord

50' extension cord

Beefy 3-way power tap

Power strip(s)

6' 2-prong cord (for wall warts, stand lights, etc)

A/C & DC adapters, switchable voltage, w/ assorted tips. (This could have really bailed out a certain keyboardist on a job, a few months ago! :D)

I keep a lot of this stuff in a small backpack. If I'm riding with someone else, I can grab it, real easy.
 
#6
well i leave it to everyone to bring their own extra stuff in case something breaks. Of course, we'll share if it comes to it.

Outside of the obvious, a flashlight is good. Pen, paper, sharpie, duct tape, white electrical tape for marking the board. And more power cords/power strips than we'll need. And i like to bring a few wall adapters in case a place doesn't have grounded outlets. I just hope i don't get zapped one day!:rolleyes:

I also got one of those mini music stands that screw onto a mike stand. then i use a binder clip to hold any cheat sheets to it (usually 4x7 cards). But that only gets used at sub gigs or gigs thrown together where i don't know all the tunes in my sleep.
 
#7
I started a thread on this awhile back, but I can't find it now. :rolleyes:
I have saved the gig a number of times by having oddball items in my bag- bandaids, aspirin/ibuprofen/mydol(not really :ninja:)& of course, duct tape(in several colors). It also seems thet at every gig, there's something I should have brought. At that point I'll toss it in the bag & likely never need it again.
Another good thing to do is to occasionally dump everything out & go through it; toss out anything that's broken, dried-up or otherwise useless.
 
#8
Don't forget to have a good jack in all of your travel to the gig vehicles, along with decent spare tires, and a few cans of ' Fixaflat' tire sealant. Road flares are handy too.
These will help you get your to gig and be able to leave afterwards. It ain't no fun being stranded on the road as a musician. To me, these are also part of my gig tools.
 
#10
I have a little cheap-o tool box I have put together over the years. It usually sits behind the drum riser or my amp.

Here is a list (from memory) of stuff in it:

Tools:
Two screwdrivers (flat and cross)
wire cutters
Jewelers files (never have used them at a gig)
pliers
flashlight
soldering iron and assoc equipment
pocket knife
Electrical Socket Checker (key bit of equipment... can check to see if the bar's electrical socket is properly grounded before I plug anything in--- $4 at Home Depot. Get one.)
Tweezers
Band-aids
razor blades

Parts:
A few of each of the common screws found on guitars/basses like strap pegs/screws, pick guard screws, bridge screws and adjustment screws, etc.
zip ties
3 feet of wire
electrical tape
gaffers tape
roll of velcro (left over from my army days, and very useful)
drum key/bottle opener :)
Assorted strings for bass, guitar, acoustic guitar



I also have a rolling duffel bag that has my pedal board in it as well as a 75 foot extension power cord, a power tap/surge protector, and bunch of extra cables, mics, and so on. It seems like a lot. But I carry in to a gig: Two basses, amp, cab, duffle, and tool box. Thats it. Two trips to the car, or one if the drummer helps... and he always does because I help him with his stuff.
 
#11
In my flight helmet bag:
Power strip
16-gauge extension, 6 feet
ink pen
bible
mini Phillips screwdriver for intonation adjustments
string winder
gaffers tape (used it once in YEARS)
strings
mini flashlight
twist ties (I never throw those away)
Strobostomp
Gerber to cut wire/strings
the amp head

In my gig bag:
bass
cable
ink pen
mini Phillips screwdriver
note pad
 
#12
Spare bass.
Two 20ft instrument cables.
One 10ft instrument cable.
2 speakon leads.
DI box.
Spare patch cables.
6 outlet power strip with uber long cord.
Plenty of plectrums.
Spare set of strings.
Paper and marker pen.
Scissors.
Wire cutters.
Phillips screwdriver.
Gaffer tape.
Guitar stands.
At least 1 fresh 9V battery, usually more.
A Towel, always bring a towel ;)
 
#13
bass, 2 cables, 3 pedals, patch cables, power supply, and amp. most often i have a black sharpie in my pocket to mark my hands with. otherwise.. nothing.

ive never broken a bass string, my cables are in good condition, and anything else i need is always on my person.
 
#14
I've gone the opposite way than most others - I bring as little as possible nowadays. Only a few extra cables, perhaps a set of strings (I've never broken one by playing). Never brought a backup amp, if the amp would ever break I can plug into the board instead. Sometimes I've brought two basses to gigs, but I've always found myself playing only one of them anyway...

So the stuff I bring to every gig is:

One bass, Fender jazz
One amp, Yamaha BBT500H
One or two cabs (410, 210, same Yamaha series)
Three instrument cables, 6 meters each
Two XLR cables, 10 and 6 meter long
1 Beta58 vocal mic for myself
1 SM57 spare mic if someone need it
1 normal mic stand
1 small mic stand
1 bass stand or one that fits 5 basses/guitars (if the guitarist ask for it)
1 music stand
1 Boss TU-2 tuner
1 Behringer active monitor, 450 W
Lead sheets for all songs and a setlist

I'll also start bringing my new preamp/compressor (Art Tube Pac) to the gigs. I might buy another one as well so I have one for both bass and vocals. I might buy a set of fuses to the amp as well just in case...
 
#16
Good suggestions here. I'm really surprised that some of you have never broken strings at a gig. It's happened to me twice in the last 8 years of playing live music, and it's not like I abuse my strings or anything. Sometimes they just break and they always seem to pick the worst times to do it. The first time I had to get a string from the bassist in another band we were playing with. The second time I was prepared with a spare set in my case.
 
#18
That list does not rock.
Next gig just bring smokes, booze and porno.
Jehos said:
Obviously we all bring basses and some of us bring amps. I'm curious what other non-instrument things you all bring to gigs. You know, the utility things just in case something goes wrong. I'm setting up a gear bag to take to gigs and here's what I'm planning on putting in it. Some of the stuff is in there because I own the PA as well, so I've got to support that too.

- Spare 50' mic cable
- Spare 25' instrument cable
- Spare 50' speaker cable (1/4" ends)
- 1/4" to Speakon converter
- Roll of gaffer's tape
- Roll of neon orange duct tape (it's how I mark all my stuff like cables, stands, etc.)
- Fresh 9v batteries (4-8)
- Pack of fresh AA batteries
- Spare bass strings (1 or 2 sets)
- Spare acoustic guitar strings (1 or 2 sets)
- Spare electric guitar strings (1 or 2 sets)
- Leatherman multi-tool
- Phillips head screwdriver
- Sharpie marker
- Pens
- Legal-size notepad
- Business cards with band contact info
- Copies of demo CD
- Medicine pack with decongestants, dayquil, advil, antacids, pepto-bismol, etc.
- Couple band-aids
- $20 bill hidden inside (you never know when you need cash and will be out)
Click to expand...
 
#20
Pocket protector?
Jehos said:
Obviously we all bring basses and some of us bring amps. I'm curious what other non-instrument things you all bring to gigs. You know, the utility things just in case something goes wrong. I'm setting up a gear bag to take to gigs and here's what I'm planning on putting in it. Some of the stuff is in there because I own the PA as well, so I've got to support that too.

- Spare 50' mic cable
- Spare 25' instrument cable
- Spare 50' speaker cable (1/4" ends)
- 1/4" to Speakon converter
- Roll of gaffer's tape
- Roll of neon orange duct tape (it's how I mark all my stuff like cables, stands, etc.)
- Fresh 9v batteries (4-8)
- Pack of fresh AA batteries
- Spare bass strings (1 or 2 sets)
- Spare acoustic guitar strings (1 or 2 sets)
- Spare electric guitar strings (1 or 2 sets)
- Leatherman multi-tool
- Phillips head screwdriver
- Sharpie marker
- Pens
- Legal-size notepad
- Business cards with band contact info
- Copies of demo CD
- Medicine pack with decongestants, dayquil, advil, antacids, pepto-bismol, etc.
- Couple band-aids
- $20 bill hidden inside (you never know when you need cash and will be out)
Click to expand...
 

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