Top 10 items you wish you took to the gig.
When you are packing your gig bag in preparation for the big night, don't treat the packing the same way as a rehearsal. For gigging you will need extra stuff.
Strings
No brainer really, but I am always forgetting this one. My frets are nice and warn down on my gigging guitars. So I seldom brake strings.
But it happens and it happens during the first song and not the last, also if you have a Floyd rose trem it will really mess you up.
No brainer really, but I am always forgetting this one. My frets are nice and warn down on my gigging guitars. So I seldom brake strings.
But it happens and it happens during the first song and not the last, also if you have a Floyd rose trem it will really mess you up.
Guitar
If you can bring a spare great, if not try to have at least one spare guitar between the members of the band. When a string brakes do you really want to spend 10mins getting that Floyd rose trem balanced with 300 people giving you shit?
If you can bring a spare great, if not try to have at least one spare guitar between the members of the band. When a string brakes do you really want to spend 10mins getting that Floyd rose trem balanced with 300 people giving you shit?
Tuner
This is a easy one, most people have smart phones these days, and tuner apps are free. Get one.
I've lost count how many times I've had to find a guitarist from another band to use his tuner when the sound guy panicking because sound check has gone over time.
This is a easy one, most people have smart phones these days, and tuner apps are free. Get one.
I've lost count how many times I've had to find a guitarist from another band to use his tuner when the sound guy panicking because sound check has gone over time.
Fuses
Fuses are the first thing to go when you knock your beer over the plug socket, (happened 3 times to me so far) don't rely on the venue having yearly PAC tests, there is a lot of power on stage and a lot fuses stopping you from getting shocked.
Cheap extension leads are a usual culprit (just ask our singer Pete about his monitor)
Fuses are the first thing to go when you knock your beer over the plug socket, (happened 3 times to me so far) don't rely on the venue having yearly PAC tests, there is a lot of power on stage and a lot fuses stopping you from getting shocked.
Cheap extension leads are a usual culprit (just ask our singer Pete about his monitor)
Deodorant
It gets hot on stage, very hot, remember the reason you started playing guitar years ago, yup girls. Not all of them like the smell of sweat. And nor does your bass player stood next to you.
It gets hot on stage, very hot, remember the reason you started playing guitar years ago, yup girls. Not all of them like the smell of sweat. And nor does your bass player stood next to you.
Spare leads
Patch leads and instrument leads brake all the damn time.
People trip over them, stand on them, tie them in knots and generally abuse your leads when your on and off the stage.
Patch leads and instrument leads brake all the damn time.
People trip over them, stand on them, tie them in knots and generally abuse your leads when your on and off the stage.
Tool kit
Make up a small tool kit for your gig bag. Wire cutters, pliers, alien keys, and screw drivers for adjusting pickups.
I also keep my spare fuses and picks in the guitarist toolkit.
Make up a small tool kit for your gig bag. Wire cutters, pliers, alien keys, and screw drivers for adjusting pickups.
I also keep my spare fuses and picks in the guitarist toolkit.
Nail clippers
Ever tried to play guitar with long nails? Ever forgot to cut them before a gig?
Leave a set in your gig bag next to your hairbrush.
Ever tried to play guitar with long nails? Ever forgot to cut them before a gig?
Leave a set in your gig bag next to your hairbrush.
Batteries
Another obvious one but one I am famous for.
You spent £800 on a great pedal board full of effects you rely on. What's another quid.
Another obvious one but one I am famous for.
You spent £800 on a great pedal board full of effects you rely on. What's another quid.
Ducktape
Possibly the most important item in any guitarist's bag.
People tripping over leads, bass drum moving off the rise, that sheet behind you that your mum made with the band name on it? Singer still singing in the van on the way home?
Ducktape is your friend.
Possibly the most important item in any guitarist's bag.
People tripping over leads, bass drum moving off the rise, that sheet behind you that your mum made with the band name on it? Singer still singing in the van on the way home?
Ducktape is your friend.
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