Something I always keep in my gig bag: A Nail Clip. I don't tend to notice that my nails have grown too long until i'm playing and i'm getting that clipping sound from my nail on the string. I also keep picks. :-) My disaster story comes from my first tour 3 years ago. My first major gig, had only been playing bass for a year. Went to Suriname and during the final show, in front of thousands of people, one of the BGVs danced too close to me and slapped my headstock, detuning my E-string. Being a fairly young player, i wasn't proficient enough to tune by ear, and I didn't have a tuner on my headstock (as i've learned to keep now) nor a pedal tuner. Most panicky 10 mins of my life as it was a non-stop medley. Spent about a minute trying to figure out how badly detuned I was and realized I was a whole tone off. Played the rest of the show with my keyboardist giving me a death stare and my drummer laughing his ass off while I tried to remember the progression patterns and revise them for my new tuning. >_
Toxic Potato I got very lucky. :D First bassist couldn't make the tour and I got called. Put lots of hard work into that show. Truly payed off. Practice and rudiments really are important. They do more than you realize.
My disaster was with my MusicMan Sterling. Playing at church about 5 years ago we rehearsed with no issues, walked out on stage about an hour later and just quickly ran some lines to warm up my fingers and check tuning and the bass made a big pop in the in ear monitor. Drummer looks over at me and was like "What was that?" and my Bass was dead. Well literally 10 seconds later, stage lights up, Worship leader says a few words looks around at the drummer and he clicks us off. Mean while I'm scrambling to try and figure out what the problem is, bad cord, lost power to my pedals? Worship leader is looking at me unaware that I'm having a problem. Song ends he stalls explains I've got a problem and I run off stage to find a battery just to see if that's the issue. Nope, I played all the songs hoping it might come back but never did. Took the Bass home that night and the red wire broke off the battery housing. I took my Fender Jazz back with me the next morning. To this day I hate that bass and its no longer my No.1. Needless to say I take two basses with me now, you never know. Also make sure someone doesn't lock your gear in the van with the freaking keys. Had that happen once too.
+rpm750 Same thing just happened to me. Thankfully it was during a rehearsal. Local Bass tech told me it is so common that it is the first thing he will check on an active Bass that is not putting out a signal.
Yeah man.. Active basses are a scary deal. My electric upright bass went out one gig, but luckily I had my old p-bass with me as a backup. Active basses are great for pricise tones and stuff.. but I'd rather have an amp that has nice eq settings or options. I always like to play with flat eq anyways.. but if I wanted to, I can at least yank some frequences out without having to worry about a battery for the bass itself.
Duct tape can be a life saver as well. If you have something loose on your bass that can't be fixed immediatly. If you want your pedalboard is close to the audience, you can tape off the knobs. My horrorstory is kind of linked to the knob-thingy. I was performing once, and my pedalboard was off on the side, because the stage wasn't that big. I turned on my phaser, and for some reason it kept sounding weird and made weird sounds. Little did I know that there was a little kid pressing in my pedals and turning my knobs on the side of the stage. Duct tape could have prevented that haha ;D
I had a gig at a church a year ago. We always run through what we are playing a couple of hours before the show. Nothing was out of the ordinary as we were practicing. When the began, right in the middle of the first tune, my strap decided to break away from the bass. As the band continued on, I was trying helplessly to hold up the bass without a strap and play. My tip is, like Scott said, bring an extra strap. If not a strap, then ensure that there will be a chair for you to sit to balance your bass.
Not in your list: 1) Business cards 2) Tylenol/Advil/Paracetamol 3) Nail Clipper & File 4) Vox amplug headphone amp or iRig so I can rehearse via headphones 5) A440 tuning fork in case my electronic tuner has a flat battery or is misplaced 6) A variety of picks (yes I am admitting in public I sometimes play with a pick)
Some awesome suggestions in these comments. I like to have a multitool like a leatherman or similar - Doesn't get used often, but when it does it's a life-saver. The only stage disaster I can think of right now is watching a buddy of mine having his trousers fall round his ankles mid-song.
We were playing a show and our guitar player broke a string and he didn't have a spare set so from that point on I always put an extra set of guitar strings in my bag. A few weeks later the same thing happened, he was really happy when I handed him a new string.
Good list. I would add (from my own gig bag): a. Travel coffee mug (good for water, tea, coffee, etc.) b. Spare picks c. Gaff tape or duct tape for emergencies. d. Plastic tape (to mark your gear) I use electric blue as "my color" d. Sticky note paper or Post-it Notes (to notate or tab music) e. Snack bar or granola bar (to keep energy level “up”)
Hey Scott, I know this is an old lesson but I play bass for my school's jazz band and show choir band. Definitely agree with the screw driver and multikit, they are must haves. For me, food is a huge one. Especially for show choir, I'm at the venue almost all day long and a lot of times my schedule can be really weird, especially because I'm not playing with a 4 or 5 person band, it's more like a 15 person horn filled rock band. A few bags of chips or granola bars can be killer to have with you in a time like that. Also, if you're part of a crew that has to set up or tear down some stuff (show choir has props that I help with and risers to move) definitely a pair of work gloves, even some cheap whatever ones can be really helpful. Playing bass wears my hands out enough, I don't need a riser to start blistering me up before the show even starts, lol. Thank you for all your lessons, they are killer dude. I've learned a ton from you and I really appreciate all that you do for our community.
There was once an accident, my band was playing in a foreign country, and during the sound-check, the tuning peg of my D string broke being unable to hold the tune any more, I had to switch it places with the B string (since I was using it not so often as the D string), and play my 5 stringer as a 4 stringer, using octaves where needed. When I came to my home town, I bought, a new set of pegs, but I'm always carrying the old ones with me along with a regular 15 mm wrench, just in case.
The clothespeg trick reminds me of a time I was a bit too clever, during my days as a celist in an orchestra. There was a piece about eighteen or twenty pages long, and they gave it to us on single-sided individual sheets - effectively doubling the number of page turns. I thought I was being clever by taping it all together and accordion-folding it,so I could turn pages as though they were in a book - which worked perfectly in rehearsal. On concert night, I suppose I was on the second or third page when I knocked the first page from the stand. Gradually, page py page , the whole arrangement flop, - flop, - flopped to the floor, amid raucous laughter from the audience.
Nice list. I'm glad I have a big bag, I'm going to have to add a few things. I recommend one of those traveler bags that has the extending handle and wheels. It makes it easy to carry a bass and the (heavy) bag without actually carrying the bag. Some have mentioned the duck/duct tape, but I prefer the black gaffer tape. Also, being from classical guitar origins, I have a nice nail file (only file, don't cut) I got in Hot Springs, Arkansas, that is made of some sort of stone. Rough on one side and super fine on the other, and never wears out. I broke a piece off, and wish I could find another complete file. Or at least knew what type of stone it is... Someone else mentioned tools to tighten strap locks. I got so tired of having my strap locks loosen and fall off and having to catch my bass that I J.B. Welded all my strap locks on to all my straps. Aren't they supposed to prevent that? Anyways, I just have to make sure I always use the same type of strap locks (forgot once). --Not only catching my bass, but also finding the nut and washer on a dark stage. My man-bag also has a set of home-made LED floor lights for the small dark clubs. Bands I've played with were always pleasantly surprised. Did anyone mention spare pedal power? Not 9V batteries, but something like a 1 Spot. Usually its my guitar player that needs it, but I carry a spare.
I play either guitar or bass, depending on what is needed. I have to double check to see that packed the correct amp for what instrument I'm playing. A few times, I caught myself about to leave the house with the wrong amp. Also, instead of using clothes pins, I use elastic straps or bands, found in fabric stores, to keep my music in place. I often perform outdoors and my frequent nemesis, the wind, wound flip your pages or blow them off your stand. I have my music affixed to a binder and elastic bands hold the outer edges of my sheets resisting the 'page flipping'. And, as for the spare strings - I usually pre-crimp and cut to length my strings for "ready to install" in a pinch. I enjoyed your video. There are plenty of guitar tutorials out there, but far fewer bass instructions. Yours are some of the best I've seen. Thanks for posting them!
Valve oil. I recently picked up the bass guitar coming from tuba. I once had a gig where a valve got stuck. A silly bit of oil would've fixed it but I didn't have any. This video was really helpful and it's good advice. Don' t forget to bring spares for anything you need.
I was working on a stage last summer and found that a Swiss army knife really saves you a lot of pain when you have to do stuff, whether that's cutting carpet for the show, screwing in a loose screw or something else
Disaster story top tip. Wrap the cable through your strap before plugging in. I was using a fretless for the opening song and was going to change bass for the next songs. So I didn't bother wrapping the cable through the strap to make the change easier. Murphy's law intervened. I stood on the cable mid song and pulled it out of the bass, meaning lots of faces wondering where the low end went. Very embarrassing!
My everyday carry items include multiple sets of earplugs. The Etymotic ER20 plugs you show are the best for the price. A box of adapteroids. XLR, TRS, M-F, F-M, RCA, 1/8", 1/4"... You name it. I have enough to turn any cable into any other cable. Ear Monitors! Yes, in the bag. Rolls PM351. At a minimum, the a Shure PSM200 body pack and a 1/4" splitter so that I can hear myself. A DI box! Picks, audio recorder, Memory stick, SD card, Recordable CD. Spare glasses.
Man, this is really basic but awesome!! You can get out of countless predicaments with this tips. The first things I get to my "manbag" (apart from cables) are my big muff fuzz and a cry baby. Can't live without them
I carry almost everything in the first list. I also use clips for holding sheets because of air conditioning and a volume pedal. Pretty stoked. I use the plastic binder sleeves for chord sheets and a dry erase pen for making notes so I don't mark up permanently the chord sheets. I also use the cheap Velcro cable ties as a zero fret string dampener. Although the Carol Kaye sponge painter tape hack looks pretty effective.
Hey Scott, nice tips collection there. The one thing I have seen much needed is the spare fuse for the amp. Maybe not so nowadays with modern amps, but this was years ago.Easily forgotten, almost never needed, but this one you can not be sure that someone else will have it.
I always take a tablet PC or Laptop with me. I just keep all the music on that as well as hard copy in case of emergancy. It is useful for networking and finding chords to songs when session playing as well! So many uses in such a small form factor and weight.
A plug for the Nightmare gig, I haven't had that bad of experiences but two at gigs(one was actually an audition). The first one I was playing with my 1972 jazz bass with a new neck that wasn't properly set. What this did was knocked the e string off its bridge post setting tuning it up to an f, so I had to compensate while playing in front of 300 people until there was enough time to down tune. When I down tuned, somehow it knocked it back in so now I had an Eb and had to compensate upwards which was a little bit easier(got a standing ovation still!). Next, I was playing for an audition but 5 minutes before it my amp started smoking and smoked the room up with an awful smell. I immediately turned it off and luckily the judges were running late long enough for me to grab a spare amp and open the doors for the smoke to clear.
My gig bag was a fat ps2 bag, it comes with a lot of zippers & compartments and the boss pedals fits so well. This bag & my bass hardshell case was all I need to transport my stuff.
Your videos are excellent! I always have my SansAmp with me and has saved me once when my old amp fried. I also helped another bass player by having it when his amp fried as he was opening for us.
Most important things for a gig for me are advil and something to drink. Especially for the long theater gigs. You can't play with a headache and being thirsty while playing sucks too
My essential is a preamp stomp box with an xlr DI out. My particular favorite is the Aguilar Tone hammer. That thing saved my life at a gig once when my big combo amp died that they were taking a signal from to the PA. I just stuck the XLR into the preamp and was back in it within the minute. Only problem was that the combo was serving as my monitor, but its better to play w/o a monitor than not at all for me. Not to mention, it just makes the tone shine in and out of the studio.
Picks (don't like picks but some songs demand them), fingernail clippers, Di box, Sans amp DI, 25' extension cord9 and a long cord metal cased outlet strip, Axe Wipes (by CAIG for the strings), bandaids, 60cc syringe with Luer adapter to hydrate on stage (I'm NPO and have a feeding tube), microphones, etc. Plus all of the stuff you recommended with one exception - I bring a used set of strings as the contrast between one new string and the other 4 might be a bit much (I play a 5string). Clip on fan for either me or the amp. Fingerless wool gloves (AKA shooters gloves) for those cold outdoor gigs...
6 лет назад
Great video as always. The only thing I would add it is a spare Speakon/plug speaker cable and maybe a preamp DI.
I tend to take a variety of picks in various gauges to get different types of attacks depending on the song when using my fingers isn't the best stylistic choice. Upon the subject of clothespins, my first outdoor performance, which was a wonderful experience all 'round, was on a sunny day with winds from 2mph gusting to 7mph. My music was attempting to imitate the little birds you find in your yard that skitter away when you come near them, and I didn't have the songs completely memorized. I had only been playing for about three months at that point. Luckily someone from another band that was playing after us had brought clothespins and I managed to secure my music to the stand. One sheet was never found, though.
Definitely bring nail clippers. Also, gaffer tape (not duct tape) - doesn’t have the sticky residue. I would also recommend a long (dark-colored) extension cord. Some stages actually don’t have outlets near me. Great video!
Something that I brought to some gigs/rehearsals was a sheet music notebook. It can be helpful if you need to write down a lick or if you need to copy down part of a score.
hey Scott! i'm from argentina I agree almost all on your list. I do not wear gloves, haha!! but if I have extra wires, extensions, belt, etc etc. I will add two elements that do not you mentioned, but have to do with my current job in a rock band to tour a lot. 1- a pile of picks in a vessel that lives in my bass bag 2- my playlist (with such settings of pedals, kind of bass mic, if i have to use pick or fingers, bass tone, and any other settings) thank you very much for your advice, are always welcome and exploited hug from Argentina PS: a bottle opener sets great too! in case of a big closed beer interfere in our way for instance PS 2: very sorry for my ugly english (feels like Tarzan of the Jungle, jaja)
+Dario G Artiguenave Hey! The guitar player in my band is from Buenos Aires! He just came back from a vacation actually, back here to L.A. And I also have the bottle opener...greatest idea I ever had.
+Dario G Artiguenave His name is Gaston and he was in a couple of bands down there before he came up here to California. Our band is named Smooth Touch.
Dude, I've got such a crush on your white P bass. It's just beautiful and has a lot of character. What can you tell me about it? Is it modified from a classic series or custom shop? I'd would be cool if you made a video about your axes. Instrument stories are always interesting :)
Mine's comprised of; Spare strings (normally 2x 4-string packs and 1 5-string packs) Leads and patch leads FX pedals spare 12AX7 tube (I have a hybrid amp) tools including string ruler, capo, cutters, tuner, allen keys, and a multi-bit screwdriver A bulk pack of 9V batteries (Plans to replace this with power supplies since I altered my Jazz bass, meaning I have no active basses right now) And it all fits in a hardshell case alongside my choice of bass (If you're wondering... my choices are: Yamaha BB424X, Fender Jazz bass and a Tanglewood Rebel 4K)
Hi Scott, I'm from Brazil. I have a tragic stage story. It was the first gig on a group and I don't had all songs by memory, so I wrote all the songs and put on the music stand. On the sound check everything went fine, but when the show begun I saw scenic smoke for all the stage, and obviously, in front of my sheet and notes. So, after this gig I put in my bag a ventilator.
+Beto Schmidt or you could have used an mp3 player with the bass lines recorded on to it and just mimed to it lol. that what i would have done. pulled some bass faces and no one would know
+1 on the DI. I take a Countryman Type 85 with me everywhere. I also recommend a string winder for faster string changes when necessary. I carry a hand winder that goes over a machine head / tuning peg.
I keep glucose tabs in mine. I had a couple times when I was first diagnosed with diabetes that my blood sugar dropped on stage. Not conducive to a good performance.
Clothes pegs - GREAT idead! Was on a recent outdoors gig in Glasgow, a sunny day but the wind picked up & 12 musicians had their music sheets blowing all over the stage! Luckily I had a secret weapon - magnets keeping the music clamped to the stand. The clip on light is a brilliant thing to have as I've seen all the stand lights "banned" after ground loop hum problems! (thank god the band knew the music!)
Quite a few of the top 10 items can be negated or amalgamated by simply taking a spare bass. Much quicker than changing broken strings, and you're likely also to have a spare strap. I'd also say the other essential is strap locks. I haven't had a disaster yet but had a close one once or twice without them.
one thing I bring is the L shaped metal thingy to adjust the truss rod. It might seem odd, but I live in Asia, tropical weather. Humidity often alters the truss rod tension overnight. I play a fretless with low action, and if the neck tightens I get several muted notes. Can be a painful surprise.
i'd definetly bring my dunlop 65 ultraglide string cleaner & conditioner along with the string cloth. it preserves the life of the strings, and actually does the job. makes your strings not grip your fingers so much, too. really comes in handy when you play steels. i like it on the nickels too.
I always bring a few cables of other types (rather than just line cables) to band practice because we always end up needing them. Midi, XLR, AUX, and even male to female versions of chords are great (male line to female XLR specifically) when you don't know what you might have to plug into if you are recording or sharing a mixer as a direct output. Im sure if you are in a professional situation your setup would be more ideal but if you don't know what you are getting into bring anything you think is useful. Oh and cable wraps for yourself and anyone who needs them
I'm a big fan of bringing a pen and notepad. Great list! As for what I bring that is not on the list would be extra picks because sadly certain worship songs call for it. I also bring a few bottles of water, and some aspirin.
Superglue- tore calus off a fingertip during soundcheck. Filled cavity with superglue- good to go! Also nail clippers, direct box, 3 sets of spare strings( I break a string every couple gigs- usually E) Electric tape! Had cords cut by gear boxes to many times to count. Always keep an extra Snake in the van- just in case ours gets damaged
I've only had like 4 gigs so far but on my second gig we were playing a rolling stones cover "torn and frayed" and I didn't quite know it by heart yet so I had my sheet music there but no clothesline pegs so of course the music sheet flew off the stand due to a electric fan that was on the ground in front of me. I was screwed and my keyboard player kept giving me the stink eye as I was messing up the chords hahaha! oops! My most important thing that I don't think you mentioned would be some ducktape for taping the setlist down to the floor around the stage in case you forget what song is next. Plus the ducktape is good for so many other quick fixes. Maybe extra picks if you don't play with your fingers. Also my effects pedals like Flanger, Envelope filter, etc..
I always bring a spare DI, because I've been in situations where there weren't any or just one too few, having a spare one can be a life saver. My stage horrors happened back when I just started performing with a band, trying to give a smooth performance and having fun, stepping on the cable... It didn't take long to learn that: 1. Amps make a lot of noise when getting unplugged from the bass when not muted. 2. Looping the cable through your strap before plugging it into your bass can save your ass. If you happen to step on your cable during your awesome stage performance at least the cable doesn't accidentally unplug from the bass.
I had to do a solo recital on upright and the stopper on my peg poked through in the middle of the solo. I noticed because my bass started sliding away from me and the crowd started gasping audibly. In order to finish the solo I had to walk with my bass as it slid towards the edge of the stage. A literal "walking bass line". Lucky for me the stage had a lip on it so I finished my solo without falling off the stage. Now I carry a ziplock bag full of stoppers as well as a carpet and I compulsively check my stopper before every gig or rehearsal.
I have a Couple of Gretsch Guitars with the Knurled Caps to hold Straps on, do each of those has it's own straps left on with Loctite on the Thumbscrew Threads (plus a spare screw cap if one goes missing). Others I have installed Strap locks, but different brands each time.
I used to be adamant about installing strap locks when I bought a new bass but I played a show on tour in Guelph, Ontario with a rock band where the actual screws connecting the strap locks to the body of my bass came loose. The strap kept disconnecting multiple times in every song and I had to jump down to one knee to try and catch the bass. Rocked out, got through the set, and now my #1 is a tuner.
DI box. Will never gig without one. My 3leaf DI sounds better than the one on my head and I can also send an EQ'd signal to front of house and then EQ my amp to suite the stage. I normally prefer lots of top end to hear the attack but don't necessarily want that tone to be heard over the PA. I bought a load of re-usable cable ties and these are great for stopping your cables from tangling or getting separated. I would recommend taking gaffs tape and duct tape. A retractable extension lead. Speaker leads with Speakon and Jack connections, a drum key, picks, a pair of pliers, Ibuprofen and Pro plus.
I would say an essential is always tape, and plasters, though most gigs will supply you tape there's no harm in having some just in case. And plasters in case you get cut adjusting something, or someone else gets hurt, it's always beneficial to have them. Bonus tip: Panadol/Paracetamol, a bit of a wildcard, but can serve you well if you play loud music. I've played in many jam sessions, where I've had to muscle through really bad headaches, and it really didn't fell well
I've got one suggestion, seems silly but take some extra fuses with you also, I've had fuses go before, like the extension cable for example and sometime's you can spend hours trying to troubleshoot the problem only to realise the bloody fuse has gone! They're cheap and very small so no extra burden for being safe :)
I would also recommend a bag of picks in the gig bag. They get lost so easy and sometimes you need the pick sound. I also have a foot stand that I use in BigBand-Rehearsals when everyone is sitting. But is not an essential.
I live in the south. I take a fan with me and spare clothes. Loading in/out - I sweat like a pig! Therefore, the fan is a lifesaver. One problem I had - had a note ringing when I wasn't playing and bass sitting on a stand. Winds up the air pressure was pretty high causing the strings to vibrate.
Very basic. Water. The times I've rocked up without a supply only to find myself feeling parched halfway into the first set, and trying to get the attention of the bar staff.
+hahabass that's a very good shout, especially if you're a vocalist too. Nothing worse than being distracted by being thirsty as hell while playing though
When I was gigging in the 70s, we did one of those shows with several bands, we rushed on set up my two 4x12s,, the Sound City and the AC100 which was quite high by that point, started playing and realised that the coiled bass lead wasn't a good idea on a rickety stage, it was a close call. :-)
Wireless receiver + batteries. I've had people so grateful for that I got in free, loaned it to a different band that same night and got another free show ticket.
If you play an acoustic, make sure you bring string pins. Just the other day, I showed up at a place, thankfully it wasn't a gig, and while changing my strings, the pin for the E string broke while I was taking it off, then the same thing happened on the D string.
My gig bag list: guitar pedals tuner spare strings 1/4" TS cables (usually 3 at minimum) XLR cables (also 3 minimum) DI box extension cord power strip power cords for pedals notepad & sharpee batteries Sometimes I include: 15" MacBook Pro Logic Pro Focusrite Scarlett 2i2 DA interface Not in my gig bag, but I always carry in my pocket: Leatherman Surge high powered LED flashlight (Nitecore 800 lumen)
Early 90s I read an article similar to your video. The one quote that stood out was about bringing a tuner: "the most unprofessional thing you can hear is 'dude, give me an A'". About a year later I saw a band at a small club where the guitarist tuned to the song on the jukebox. A few seconds later the bassist says, very audibly "dude, give me an A". They finish up getting ready and play their first song, which had about a 2 minute instrumental part. Then the singer comes in and it sounds awful. He finally stops mid-song to have the band re-tune. Turns out the song on the jukebox was a half step off the key that they normally tune to. Oops.
CRC spry oil super important to lubricate and avoid problems with electronic, compressed air bottle (same reason, it is good to clean during the sound check, a spare bass (if you break a string you will need to change instrument ASAP, then you will have someone you trust changing the broken string for you). A portable, foldable chair (just in case). A tennis player wrist protection. A clean towel (for the sweat). Spare dress (gig based) and shoes.
Disaster: couldn’t do the gig because I didn’t have the bass (300km we were sure it was in the car it was actually in the studio). After that I took two bass every time.
I this video is old but for anyone who sees this, something I'd always take: A DI box. Once worked sound on a show where the bass amp didn't work and didn't have enough DI boxes spare. Had to have a jack-xlr cable made on site to get the bass through the PA system because we 100 miles away from the other gear back at our normal venue
Q-tips. Im a keyboardist and new bassist. but most of my church gigs have in-ear monitoring and there's nothing worse than dirty ears and your IEMs. I keep a couple in the case for my IEM. Also saves so much embarrassment when your IEM are hanging off your shoulder. LOL
Biggest thing to me is just strings. Not only bass strings but strings for your guitarists (if you're in a band). Nice one to have too in the band setting is a spare drum key! I never expect anyone to be prepared....
I was so happy to seeing strings!!! I had this awesome fender 5 string that I had perfected at band camp then my A string busted and I had to play this sad little squire😰
Duct tape man, these things fix anything that go wrong from a strap that keeps falling of to a too much talkative drummer ;) A black tape fits on any given stage ;)
I’m so late to the party but in high school I was playing this show gig because my quartet got a scholarship and the main condition to get the scholarship was we had to do play an event for the organization that gave us the money so it wasn’t too bad. It was a show gig, we only had to play on 2 or 3 tunes so it wasn’t so bad but for some reason that year I was unable to keep track of my music so this was the second showing of 3 and we get set up on stage and I open my case, my music is just gone. This was my first actual gig so I was of course freaking out and my buddy was trying to figure out what we were going to do, so I ended up just having to read from the score. If there’s anything I’m proud of it’s that I’m really good at memorizing things so I was able to play the show mostly from memory since it was fairly simple, but now I triple check before I leave and still keep an extra copy of music on hand so my ultimate gig bag must have is extra music!
I always carry a bunch of picks even though I don't use a pick to play. If anything happens (say you get a finger jammed in car doors and can't play with it), they're a good way to save face. Also I carry a capo because the guitarist always loses hers. Recently I've added a spare set of guitar strings, just to be on the safe side.
![Who Wrote a Short Story That Seriously Disturbed a Teacher? | Dirty Laundry x Smosh [Full Episode]](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/bvHAy_rKoEI/mqdefault.jpg)
![ARGENTINA vs. BOLIVIA [6-0] | RESUMEN | ELIMINATORIAS SUDAMERICANAS | FECHA 10](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/C3wPtKNbAOA/mqdefault.jpg)
Top 5 gig bag items for bass players (as decided by the rest of the band):
1. E string
2. A string
3. D string
4. G string
5. the ability to turn down
Not sure about 3 and 4 tbh. That's the guitarists turf
Fuck that shit, shred
Salt and pepper, never know what the food is going to be like at a venue
Rock Stars don't eat, look like joy division
lol
Something I always keep in my gig bag: A Nail Clip. I don't tend to notice that my nails have grown too long until i'm playing and i'm getting that clipping sound from my nail on the string. I also keep picks. :-)
My disaster story comes from my first tour 3 years ago. My first major gig, had only been playing bass for a year. Went to Suriname and during the final show, in front of thousands of people, one of the BGVs danced too close to me and slapped my headstock, detuning my E-string. Being a fairly young player, i wasn't proficient enough to tune by ear, and I didn't have a tuner on my headstock (as i've learned to keep now) nor a pedal tuner. Most panicky 10 mins of my life as it was a non-stop medley. Spent about a minute trying to figure out how badly detuned I was and realized I was a whole tone off. Played the rest of the show with my keyboardist giving me a death stare and my drummer laughing his ass off while I tried to remember the progression patterns and revise them for my new tuning. >_
+Andrew Campbell I love disaster stories Andrew... probably becuase i;ve had so many lol
Toxic Potato I got very lucky. :D First bassist couldn't make the tour and I got called. Put lots of hard work into that show. Truly payed off. Practice and rudiments really are important. They do more than you realize.
bite them off if necessary
the trick is to have crippling anxiety and bite them constantly
My disaster was with my MusicMan Sterling. Playing at church about 5 years ago we rehearsed with no issues, walked out on stage about an hour later and just quickly ran some lines to warm up my fingers and check tuning and the bass made a big pop in the in ear monitor. Drummer looks over at me and was like "What was that?" and my Bass was dead. Well literally 10 seconds later, stage lights up, Worship leader says a few words looks around at the drummer and he clicks us off. Mean while I'm scrambling to try and figure out what the problem is, bad cord, lost power to my pedals? Worship leader is looking at me unaware that I'm having a problem. Song ends he stalls explains I've got a problem and I run off stage to find a battery just to see if that's the issue. Nope, I played all the songs hoping it might come back but never did. Took the Bass home that night and the red wire broke off the battery housing. I took my Fender Jazz back with me the next morning. To this day I hate that bass and its no longer my No.1. Needless to say I take two basses with me now, you never know. Also make sure someone doesn't lock your gear in the van with the freaking keys. Had that happen once too.
+rpm750 Same thing just happened to me. Thankfully it was during a rehearsal. Local Bass tech told me it is so common that it is the first thing he will check on an active Bass that is not putting out a signal.
Yeah man.. Active basses are a scary deal. My electric upright bass went out one gig, but luckily I had my old p-bass with me as a backup. Active basses are great for pricise tones and stuff.. but I'd rather have an amp that has nice eq settings or options. I always like to play with flat eq anyways.. but if I wanted to, I can at least yank some frequences out without having to worry about a battery for the bass itself.
rpm750 soldering needle would be good too, but man if that happens, I'm glad I bring a backup bass.
"The Battery isn't easily gettable to" - Scott 1-10-2015
"You'll see my man-bag." Such a tease.
Duct tape can be a life saver as well. If you have something loose on your bass that can't be fixed immediatly. If you want your pedalboard is close to the audience, you can tape off the knobs. My horrorstory is kind of linked to the knob-thingy. I was performing once, and my pedalboard was off on the side, because the stage wasn't that big. I turned on my phaser, and for some reason it kept sounding weird and made weird sounds. Little did I know that there was a little kid pressing in my pedals and turning my knobs on the side of the stage. Duct tape could have prevented that haha ;D
Thomas Raes It's also preferable to a quick kick in the teeth, audiences tend to frown upon that stuff :-)
I mark all my preferred setting for different styles marked with vibrantly colored dots of nail polish.
flashlight
Duct tape?! Ouch! Grab some Gaffer tape. If you dont have any the sound guy or lighting techs ALWAYS have some lying around!
I always have my DI box with me. Goods for sessions in different (and differently equipped) locations when you don't want to carry an amp around.
+LupinoArts Good call!
+LupinoArts Absolutely, I always take my sans amp, it makes soundcheck so much easier for everyone :)
I bring a spare bass as well. Double gig bag. Changing strings on the fly is not always an option.
Kevin Curtis how I wish.... m Saving for my second.
I had a gig at a church a year ago. We always run through what we are playing a couple of hours before the show. Nothing was out of the ordinary as we were practicing. When the began, right in the middle of the first tune, my strap decided to break away from the bass. As the band continued on, I was trying helplessly to hold up the bass without a strap and play. My tip is, like Scott said, bring an extra strap. If not a strap, then ensure that there will be a chair for you to sit to balance your bass.
Not in your list:
1) Business cards
2) Tylenol/Advil/Paracetamol
3) Nail Clipper & File
4) Vox amplug headphone amp or iRig so I can rehearse via headphones
5) A440 tuning fork in case my electronic tuner has a flat battery or is misplaced
6) A variety of picks (yes I am admitting in public I sometimes play with a pick)
+Tom Huguelet I almost always play with a pick so don't worry about admitting it haha
Some awesome suggestions in these comments. I like to have a multitool like a leatherman or similar - Doesn't get used often, but when it does it's a life-saver.
The only stage disaster I can think of right now is watching a buddy of mine having his trousers fall round his ankles mid-song.
We were playing a show and our guitar player broke a string and he didn't have a spare set so from that point on I always put an extra set of guitar strings in my bag. A few weeks later the same thing happened, he was really happy when I handed him a new string.
And your guitar player still has no spare strings...
The bassist is always the most responsible person on the stage
Good list. I would add (from my own gig bag):
a. Travel coffee mug (good for water, tea, coffee, etc.)
b. Spare picks
c. Gaff tape or duct tape for emergencies.
d. Plastic tape (to mark your gear)
I use electric blue as "my color"
d. Sticky note paper or Post-it Notes (to notate or tab music)
e. Snack bar or granola bar (to keep energy level “up”)
Hey Scott, I know this is an old lesson but I play bass for my school's jazz band and show choir band. Definitely agree with the screw driver and multikit, they are must haves. For me, food is a huge one. Especially for show choir, I'm at the venue almost all day long and a lot of times my schedule can be really weird, especially because I'm not playing with a 4 or 5 person band, it's more like a 15 person horn filled rock band. A few bags of chips or granola bars can be killer to have with you in a time like that. Also, if you're part of a crew that has to set up or tear down some stuff (show choir has props that I help with and risers to move) definitely a pair of work gloves, even some cheap whatever ones can be really helpful. Playing bass wears my hands out enough, I don't need a riser to start blistering me up before the show even starts, lol. Thank you for all your lessons, they are killer dude. I've learned a ton from you and I really appreciate all that you do for our community.
I always bring some juice, so I have liquid and sugar at the same time.
There was once an accident, my band was playing in a foreign country, and during the sound-check, the tuning peg of my D string broke being unable to hold the tune any more, I had to switch it places with the B string (since I was using it not so often as the D string), and play my 5 stringer as a 4 stringer, using octaves where needed. When I came to my home town, I bought, a new set of pegs, but I'm always carrying the old ones with me along with a regular 15 mm wrench, just in case.
The clothespeg trick reminds me of a time I was a bit too clever, during my days as a celist in an orchestra.
There was a piece about eighteen or twenty pages long, and they gave it to us on single-sided individual sheets - effectively doubling the number of page turns. I thought I was being clever by taping it all together and accordion-folding it,so I could turn pages as though they were in a book - which worked perfectly in rehearsal.
On concert night, I suppose I was on the second or third page when I knocked the first page from the stand. Gradually, page py page , the whole arrangement flop, - flop, - flopped to the floor, amid raucous laughter from the audience.
Nice list. I'm glad I have a big bag, I'm going to have to add a few things. I recommend one of those traveler bags that has the extending handle and wheels. It makes it easy to carry a bass and the (heavy) bag without actually carrying the bag.
Some have mentioned the duck/duct tape, but I prefer the black gaffer tape. Also, being from classical guitar origins, I have a nice nail file (only file, don't cut) I got in Hot Springs, Arkansas, that is made of some sort of stone. Rough on one side and super fine on the other, and never wears out. I broke a piece off, and wish I could find another complete file. Or at least knew what type of stone it is...
Someone else mentioned tools to tighten strap locks. I got so tired of having my strap locks loosen and fall off and having to catch my bass that I J.B. Welded all my strap locks on to all my straps. Aren't they supposed to prevent that? Anyways, I just have to make sure I always use the same type of strap locks (forgot once). --Not only catching my bass, but also finding the nut and washer on a dark stage.
My man-bag also has a set of home-made LED floor lights for the small dark clubs. Bands I've played with were always pleasantly surprised.
Did anyone mention spare pedal power? Not 9V batteries, but something like a 1 Spot. Usually its my guitar player that needs it, but I carry a spare.
Scotts bass playing is spectacular
I play either guitar or bass, depending on what is needed. I have to double check to see that packed the correct amp for what instrument I'm playing. A few times, I caught myself about to leave the house with the wrong amp. Also, instead of using clothes pins, I use elastic straps or bands, found in fabric stores, to keep my music in place. I often perform outdoors and my frequent nemesis, the wind, wound flip your pages or blow them off your stand. I have my music affixed to a binder and elastic bands hold the outer edges of my sheets resisting the 'page flipping'. And, as for the spare strings - I usually pre-crimp and cut to length my strings for "ready to install" in a pinch. I enjoyed your video. There are plenty of guitar tutorials out there, but far fewer bass instructions. Yours are some of the best I've seen. Thanks for posting them!
Valve oil. I recently picked up the bass guitar coming from tuba. I once had a gig where a valve got stuck. A silly bit of oil would've fixed it but I didn't have any. This video was really helpful and it's good advice. Don' t forget to bring spares for anything you need.
I was working on a stage last summer and found that a Swiss army knife really saves you a lot of pain when you have to do stuff, whether that's cutting carpet for the show, screwing in a loose screw or something else
Disaster story top tip. Wrap the cable through your strap before plugging in.
I was using a fretless for the opening song and was going to change bass for the next songs. So I didn't bother wrapping the cable through the strap to make the change easier. Murphy's law intervened. I stood on the cable mid song and pulled it out of the bass, meaning lots of faces wondering where the low end went. Very embarrassing!
My everyday carry items include multiple sets of earplugs. The Etymotic ER20 plugs you show are the best for the price.
A box of adapteroids. XLR, TRS, M-F, F-M, RCA, 1/8", 1/4"... You name it. I have enough to turn any cable into any other cable.
Ear Monitors! Yes, in the bag. Rolls PM351. At a minimum, the a Shure PSM200 body pack and a 1/4" splitter so that I can hear myself.
A DI box!
Picks, audio recorder, Memory stick, SD card, Recordable CD.
Spare glasses.
Man, this is really basic but awesome!! You can get out of countless predicaments with this tips.
The first things I get to my "manbag" (apart from cables) are my big muff fuzz and a cry baby. Can't live without them
I carry almost everything in the first list. I also use clips for holding sheets because of air conditioning and a volume pedal. Pretty stoked. I use the plastic binder sleeves for chord sheets and a dry erase pen for making notes so I don't mark up permanently the chord sheets. I also use the cheap Velcro cable ties as a zero fret string dampener. Although the Carol Kaye sponge painter tape hack looks pretty effective.
Hey Scott, nice tips collection there. The one thing I have seen much needed is the spare fuse for the amp. Maybe not so nowadays with modern amps, but this was years ago.Easily forgotten, almost never needed, but this one you can not be sure that someone else will have it.
Scott knows Friends! :D I LOVE that show! And yes there was an episode where Joey got a man purse, a purple one. He wanted to get a job I think... :D
I always take a tablet PC or Laptop with me. I just keep all the music on that as well as hard copy in case of emergancy. It is useful for networking and finding chords to songs when session playing as well! So many uses in such a small form factor and weight.
I acquired an "Active" Bass (Yamaha BB 1000s) and I wired it to have a 9VDC Jack (Tip - like Boss Pedals) to get around battery failure.
A plug for the Nightmare gig, I haven't had that bad of experiences but two at gigs(one was actually an audition). The first one I was playing with my 1972 jazz bass with a new neck that wasn't properly set. What this did was knocked the e string off its bridge post setting tuning it up to an f, so I had to compensate while playing in front of 300 people until there was enough time to down tune. When I down tuned, somehow it knocked it back in so now I had an Eb and had to compensate upwards which was a little bit easier(got a standing ovation still!). Next, I was playing for an audition but 5 minutes before it my amp started smoking and smoked the room up with an awful smell. I immediately turned it off and luckily the judges were running late long enough for me to grab a spare amp and open the doors for the smoke to clear.
My gig bag was a fat ps2 bag, it comes with a lot of zippers & compartments and the boss pedals fits so well. This bag & my bass hardshell case was all I need to transport my stuff.
I also always keep a stringwinder in my gigbag... speeds up changing strings when they break :)
Your videos are excellent! I always have my SansAmp with me and has saved me once when my old amp fried. I also helped another bass player by having it when his amp fried as he was opening for us.
Most important things for a gig for me are advil and something to drink. Especially for the long theater gigs. You can't play with a headache and being thirsty while playing sucks too
I always take a nail file and clippers.
+Wheel333 Argh... me too... knew I'd forgotten something!
My essential is a preamp stomp box with an xlr DI out. My particular favorite is the Aguilar Tone hammer. That thing saved my life at a gig once when my big combo amp died that they were taking a signal from to the PA. I just stuck the XLR into the preamp and was back in it within the minute. Only problem was that the combo was serving as my monitor, but its better to play w/o a monitor than not at all for me. Not to mention, it just makes the tone shine in and out of the studio.
Picks (don't like picks but some songs demand them), fingernail clippers, Di box, Sans amp DI, 25' extension cord9 and a long cord metal cased outlet strip, Axe Wipes (by CAIG for the strings), bandaids, 60cc syringe with Luer adapter to hydrate on stage (I'm NPO and have a feeding tube), microphones, etc. Plus all of the stuff you recommended with one exception - I bring a used set of strings as the contrast between one new string and the other 4 might be a bit much (I play a 5string). Clip on fan for either me or the amp. Fingerless wool gloves (AKA shooters gloves) for those cold outdoor gigs...
Great video as always. The only thing I would add it is a spare Speakon/plug speaker cable and maybe a preamp DI.
I tend to take a variety of picks in various gauges to get different types of attacks depending on the song when using my fingers isn't the best stylistic choice.
Upon the subject of clothespins, my first outdoor performance, which was a wonderful experience all 'round, was on a sunny day with winds from 2mph gusting to 7mph. My music was attempting to imitate the little birds you find in your yard that skitter away when you come near them, and I didn't have the songs completely memorized. I had only been playing for about three months at that point. Luckily someone from another band that was playing after us had brought clothespins and I managed to secure my music to the stand. One sheet was never found, though.
Definitely bring nail clippers. Also, gaffer tape (not duct tape) - doesn’t have the sticky residue. I would also recommend a long (dark-colored) extension cord. Some stages actually don’t have outlets near me. Great video!
Something that I brought to some gigs/rehearsals was a sheet music notebook. It can be helpful if you need to write down a lick or if you need to copy down part of a score.
hey Scott!
i'm from argentina
I agree almost all on your list.
I do not wear gloves, haha!! but if I have extra wires, extensions, belt, etc etc.
I will add two elements that do not you mentioned, but have to do with my current job in a rock band to tour a lot.
1- a pile of picks in a vessel that lives in my bass bag
2- my playlist (with such settings of pedals, kind of bass mic, if i have to use pick or fingers, bass tone, and any other settings)
thank you very much for your advice, are always welcome and exploited
hug from Argentina
PS: a bottle opener sets great too! in case of a big closed beer interfere in our way for instance
PS 2: very sorry for my ugly english (feels like Tarzan of the Jungle, jaja)
+Dario G Artiguenave Ha - YES - bottle opener! ;)
+Scott Devine Bottle opener? Noooo.....back in the days of my band, rizlas hahaha ;-)
+Dario G Artiguenave Hey! The guitar player in my band is from Buenos Aires! He just came back from a vacation actually, back here to L.A. And I also have the bottle opener...greatest idea I ever had.
jaja. Who is he? i know him? what's the name of your band?
+Dario G Artiguenave His name is Gaston and he was in a couple of bands down there before he came up here to California. Our band is named Smooth Touch.
Scott Awesome and helpful video ! and Keep that BEARD Rocking !
You're rock Scott. I really dig, and have benefitted greatly from your videos! Cheers!
...sweet little groove at the beginning!-)
Dude, I've got such a crush on your white P bass. It's just beautiful and has a lot of character. What can you tell me about it? Is it modified from a classic series or custom shop? I'd would be cool if you made a video about your axes. Instrument stories are always interesting :)
+Daniel Blanco Go on his channel, he uploaded a video all about his "P-bass of doom".
+caleb franks Thanks man!
I wasn't concentrating properly and I read "I've got such a crush on your white ass" xP
Mine's comprised of;
Spare strings (normally 2x 4-string packs and 1 5-string packs)
Leads and patch leads
FX pedals
spare 12AX7 tube (I have a hybrid amp)
tools including string ruler, capo, cutters, tuner, allen keys, and a multi-bit screwdriver
A bulk pack of 9V batteries (Plans to replace this with power supplies since I altered my Jazz bass, meaning I have no active basses right now)
And it all fits in a hardshell case alongside my choice of bass (If you're wondering... my choices are: Yamaha BB424X, Fender Jazz bass and a Tanglewood Rebel 4K)
Hi Scott, I'm from Brazil.
I have a tragic stage story. It was the first gig on a group and I don't had all songs by memory, so I wrote all the songs and put on the music stand. On the sound check everything went fine, but when the show begun I saw scenic smoke for all the stage, and obviously, in front of my sheet and notes.
So, after this gig I put in my bag a ventilator.
+Beto Schmidt or you could have used an mp3 player with the bass lines recorded on to it and just mimed to it lol. that what i would have done. pulled some bass faces and no one would know
+1 on the DI. I take a Countryman Type 85 with me everywhere. I also recommend a string winder for faster string changes when necessary. I carry a hand winder that goes over a machine head / tuning peg.
Hey Scott! Instead of clothes pegs I use an A4 plexy glass. I think it is easier to turn pages, even if you may have some reflexion issues.
I keep glucose tabs in mine. I had a couple times when I was first diagnosed with diabetes that my blood sugar dropped on stage. Not conducive to a good performance.
+Come And Get It Good call! :)
Clothes pegs - GREAT idead! Was on a recent outdoors gig in Glasgow, a sunny day but the wind picked up & 12 musicians had their music sheets blowing all over the stage! Luckily I had a secret weapon - magnets keeping the music clamped to the stand. The clip on light is a brilliant thing to have as I've seen all the stand lights "banned" after ground loop hum problems! (thank god the band knew the music!)
Quite a few of the top 10 items can be negated or amalgamated by simply taking a spare bass. Much quicker than changing broken strings, and you're likely also to have a spare strap.
I'd also say the other essential is strap locks. I haven't had a disaster yet but had a close one once or twice without them.
one thing I bring is the L shaped metal thingy to adjust the truss rod. It might seem odd, but I live in Asia, tropical weather. Humidity often alters the truss rod tension overnight. I play a fretless with low action, and if the neck tightens I get several muted notes. Can be a painful surprise.
i'd definetly bring my dunlop 65 ultraglide string cleaner & conditioner along with the string cloth. it preserves the life of the strings, and actually does the job. makes your strings not grip your fingers so much, too. really comes in handy when you play steels. i like it on the nickels too.
I always bring a few cables of other types (rather than just line cables) to band practice because we always end up needing them. Midi, XLR, AUX, and even male to female versions of chords are great (male line to female XLR specifically) when you don't know what you might have to plug into if you are recording or sharing a mixer as a direct output. Im sure if you are in a professional situation your setup would be more ideal but if you don't know what you are getting into bring anything you think is useful. Oh and cable wraps for yourself and anyone who needs them
An amplifier power source cable. I've forgotten one a few times. Now I always keep a spare in my "gig box" from gator cases
Fantastic video Scott! Congratulations!
I'm a big fan of bringing a pen and notepad. Great list! As for what I bring that is not on the list would be extra picks because sadly certain worship songs call for it. I also bring a few bottles of water, and some aspirin.
Superglue- tore calus off a fingertip during soundcheck. Filled cavity with superglue- good to go!
Also nail clippers, direct box, 3 sets of spare strings( I break a string every couple gigs- usually E)
Electric tape! Had cords cut by gear boxes to many times to count.
Always keep an extra Snake in the van- just in case ours gets damaged
I've only had like 4 gigs so far but on my second gig we were playing a rolling stones cover "torn and frayed" and I didn't quite know it by heart yet so I had my sheet music there but no clothesline pegs so of course the music sheet flew off the stand due to a electric fan that was on the ground in front of me. I was screwed and my keyboard player kept giving me the stink eye as I was messing up the chords hahaha! oops!
My most important thing that I don't think you mentioned would be some ducktape for taping the setlist down to the floor around the stage in case you forget what song is next. Plus the ducktape is good for so many other quick fixes. Maybe extra picks if you don't play with your fingers.
Also my effects pedals like Flanger, Envelope filter, etc..
I always bring a spare DI, because I've been in situations where there weren't any or just one too few, having a spare one can be a life saver.
My stage horrors happened back when I just started performing with a band, trying to give a smooth performance and having fun, stepping on the cable... It didn't take long to learn that:
1. Amps make a lot of noise when getting unplugged from the bass when not muted.
2. Looping the cable through your strap before plugging it into your bass can save your ass. If you happen to step on your cable during your awesome stage performance at least the cable doesn't accidentally unplug from the bass.
I had to do a solo recital on upright and the stopper on my peg poked through in the middle of the solo. I noticed because my bass started sliding away from me and the crowd started gasping audibly. In order to finish the solo I had to walk with my bass as it slid towards the edge of the stage. A literal "walking bass line". Lucky for me the stage had a lip on it so I finished my solo without falling off the stage. Now I carry a ziplock bag full of stoppers as well as a carpet and I compulsively check my stopper before every gig or rehearsal.
I usually have a SPARE tuner in my gig duffel.
-Extension Cord
-Speaker Cables
-DI Box
-Gaffer Tape
-Headlamp
-Extra micro head
I have a Couple of Gretsch Guitars with the Knurled Caps to hold Straps on, do each of those has it's own straps left on with Loctite on the Thumbscrew Threads (plus a spare screw cap if one goes missing). Others I have installed Strap locks, but different brands each time.
Nail clippers are key for me. Also, replacement fuses for your amp head!
I used to be adamant about installing strap locks when I bought a new bass but I played a show on tour in Guelph, Ontario with a rock band where the actual screws connecting the strap locks to the body of my bass came loose. The strap kept disconnecting multiple times in every song and I had to jump down to one knee to try and catch the bass. Rocked out, got through the set, and now my #1 is a tuner.
DI box. Will never gig without one. My 3leaf DI sounds better than the one on my head and I can also send an EQ'd signal to front of house and then EQ my amp to suite the stage. I normally prefer lots of top end to hear the attack but don't necessarily want that tone to be heard over the PA.
I bought a load of re-usable cable ties and these are great for stopping your cables from tangling or getting separated.
I would recommend taking gaffs tape and duct tape. A retractable extension lead. Speaker leads with Speakon and Jack connections, a drum key, picks, a pair of pliers, Ibuprofen and Pro plus.
I would say an essential is always tape, and plasters, though most gigs will supply you tape there's no harm in having some just in case. And plasters in case you get cut adjusting something, or someone else gets hurt, it's always beneficial to have them.
Bonus tip: Panadol/Paracetamol, a bit of a wildcard, but can serve you well if you play loud music. I've played in many jam sessions, where I've had to muscle through really bad headaches, and it really didn't fell well
I've got one suggestion, seems silly but take some extra fuses with you also, I've had fuses go before, like the extension cable for example and sometime's you can spend hours trying to troubleshoot the problem only to realise the bloody fuse has gone! They're cheap and very small so no extra burden for being safe :)
I would also recommend a bag of picks in the gig bag. They get lost so easy and sometimes you need the pick sound. I also have a foot stand that I use in BigBand-Rehearsals when everyone is sitting. But is not an essential.
I live in the south. I take a fan with me and spare clothes. Loading in/out - I sweat like a pig! Therefore, the fan is a lifesaver. One problem I had - had a note ringing when I wasn't playing and bass sitting on a stand. Winds up the air pressure was pretty high causing the strings to vibrate.
Very basic. Water. The times I've rocked up without a supply only to find myself feeling parched halfway into the first set, and trying to get the attention of the bar staff.
+hahabass that's a very good shout, especially if you're a vocalist too. Nothing worse than being distracted by being thirsty as hell while playing though
Great list. Might add gaff tape.
I’m a pro guitarist and most of my spares and backups get used by the bass player!
I use a Korg GT-12 tuner because the analog indicator is so stable and it makes it much easier to tune
Hello Scott's, very good their classes, great vídeo!!
Gaffa Tape (some call it duck tape) is a life saver as well
Quack
When I was gigging in the 70s, we did one of those shows with several bands, we rushed on set up my two 4x12s,, the Sound City and the AC100 which was quite high by that point, started playing and realised that the coiled bass lead wasn't a good idea on a rickety stage, it was a close call. :-)
I always keep snacks in my gig bag. Power bars of some type. I often need a little energy boost before or between sets.
Wireless receiver + batteries. I've had people so grateful for that I got in free, loaned it to a different band that same night and got another free show ticket.
Especially for quiet shows or musical theatre -"Fisherman's Friend" cough lozenges
My bass head is always with me!!
If you play an acoustic, make sure you bring string pins. Just the other day, I showed up at a place, thankfully it wasn't a gig, and while changing my strings, the pin for the E string broke while I was taking it off, then the same thing happened on the D string.
My gig bag list:
guitar
pedals
tuner
spare strings
1/4" TS cables (usually 3 at minimum)
XLR cables (also 3 minimum)
DI box
extension cord
power strip
power cords for pedals
notepad & sharpee
batteries
Sometimes I include:
15" MacBook Pro
Logic Pro
Focusrite Scarlett 2i2 DA interface
Not in my gig bag, but I always carry in my pocket:
Leatherman Surge
high powered LED flashlight (Nitecore 800 lumen)
+Matt Shields Great list matt!
I've always use tuner lite, it's really good
Early 90s I read an article similar to your video. The one quote that stood out was about bringing a tuner: "the most unprofessional thing you can hear is 'dude, give me an A'". About a year later I saw a band at a small club where the guitarist tuned to the song on the jukebox. A few seconds later the bassist says, very audibly "dude, give me an A". They finish up getting ready and play their first song, which had about a 2 minute instrumental part. Then the singer comes in and it sounds awful. He finally stops mid-song to have the band re-tune. Turns out the song on the jukebox was a half step off the key that they normally tune to. Oops.
all of these tips apply to guitarists too. top tips scott
CRC spry oil super important to lubricate and avoid problems with electronic, compressed air bottle (same reason, it is good to clean during the sound check, a spare bass (if you break a string you will need to change instrument ASAP, then you will have someone you trust changing the broken string for you).
A portable, foldable chair (just in case).
A tennis player wrist protection.
A clean towel (for the sweat).
Spare dress (gig based) and shoes.
Disaster: couldn’t do the gig because I didn’t have the bass (300km we were sure it was in the car it was actually in the studio). After that I took two bass every time.
Thank you for this video, you are great, it sounds obvious but they are very helpful tips
+Samir El Kadmiri Aggairi Cheers Samir! :)
I this video is old but for anyone who sees this, something I'd always take: A DI box. Once worked sound on a show where the bass amp didn't work and didn't have enough DI boxes spare. Had to have a jack-xlr cable made on site to get the bass through the PA system because we 100 miles away from the other gear back at our normal venue
Strange question, but where can you buy the gig bag you've set as the cover for the video? Need a new case for my Rickenbacker!
Q-tips. Im a keyboardist and new bassist. but most of my church gigs have in-ear monitoring and there's nothing worse than dirty ears and your IEMs. I keep a couple in the case for my IEM. Also saves so much embarrassment when your IEM are hanging off your shoulder. LOL
Spare plectrums, an absolute boat load of them. Also a DI box + XLR lead, you never know when you might need them
Somehow every video this guy makes is a giant stroke piece about how cool he thinks he is.
Biggest thing to me is just strings. Not only bass strings but strings for your guitarists (if you're in a band). Nice one to have too in the band setting is a spare drum key! I never expect anyone to be prepared....
I was so happy to seeing strings!!! I had this awesome fender 5 string that I had perfected at band camp then my A string busted and I had to play this sad little squire😰
That's a cool looking bass. Did you distress the finish yourself, or did you buy a "road worn" edition?
Duct tape man, these things fix anything that go wrong from a strap that keeps falling of to a too much talkative drummer ;) A black tape fits on any given stage ;)
+Raphael Guillot Duct tape. Perfect. Don't go to a gig with out it.
I’m so late to the party but in high school I was playing this show gig because my quartet got a scholarship and the main condition to get the scholarship was we had to do play an event for the organization that gave us the money so it wasn’t too bad. It was a show gig, we only had to play on 2 or 3 tunes so it wasn’t so bad but for some reason that year I was unable to keep track of my music so this was the second showing of 3 and we get set up on stage and I open my case, my music is just gone. This was my first actual gig so I was of course freaking out and my buddy was trying to figure out what we were going to do, so I ended up just having to read from the score. If there’s anything I’m proud of it’s that I’m really good at memorizing things so I was able to play the show mostly from memory since it was fairly simple, but now I triple check before I leave and still keep an extra copy of music on hand so my ultimate gig bag must have is extra music!
I always carry a bunch of picks even though I don't use a pick to play. If anything happens (say you get a finger jammed in car doors and can't play with it), they're a good way to save face. Also I carry a capo because the guitarist always loses hers. Recently I've added a spare set of guitar strings, just to be on the safe side.