Off Topic What's in your gig box?

[adouglas]

Now that I'm in a band that gigs regularly (so far, anyway), I'm looking for ways to make life simpler and easier.

We've got an odd-and-ends box that carries all the miscellaneous crap needed by the band as a whole...extension cords, power strips, gaffer's tape, spare batteries, etc. (Each one of us is separately responsible for things that are ours alone, like spare strings and such -- this box is for general band supplies.)

So far we've been more or less taking these items out of our practice space and packing the box for each gig. To make it easier, though, I want to just put together what we need and leave it all packed. That way I can just chuck the box in my car on the day of the gig and be good to go without having to think about it.

So, what do you all carry around to gigs? Have you ever discovered a need for something that you didn't have?

TIA.

 

[strummer]

Apart from all the usual stuff, I always have band aids in different sizes.

 

[iamcatwarrior]

We (The High Crimes) carry around a few boxes of necessities, the contents of which vary depending on the gig. Out-of-town shows require some extra stuff, but we generally have the following:

- Several extra XLR cables
- Several Speakon speaker cables
- Several spare guitar cables
- Our personal vocal and instrumentation mics (good for OOT shows)
- Power strips
- Extension cords
- Adapters (you can never find one when you need it)
- Merchandise (gets its own dedicated tote)

Then, for myself, I have a backpack:

- A set of strings for each bass I bring with me (even if there isn't a show)
- A set of small screwdrivers
- A machinist's ruler
- A capo (so I can check neck relief with one hand)
- Feeler gauges
- A few allen wrenches
- A printout of the EBMM bass setup guide, in case I have to make adjustments
- Guitar polish and cloths
- Wonder Wipes
- Clarinet oil (for fretboards)
- Some extra cables
- A sack of earplugs (believe me, your friends will ask for them )
- A bottle opener
- A flashlight (makes it easier to see behind your amp while setting up)
- A Sharpie pen

So I guess I'm a bit more specific for myself, but everything is needed at some point or another.

 

[phatduckk]

I take an extra cable, a power strip and strings. that's about it

 

[adouglas]

Apart from all the usual stuff, I always have band aids in different sizes.

I could use a few band aides myself. I hate tearing down and packing up at the end of the night....

 

[oli@bass]

Thanks to iamcatwarrior for a good list to start with

I carry

In the bass case:

• A set of strings or two (even if there isn't a show)
• Set of small screwdrivers
• Multi purpose screwdriver with exchangable bits (which is our drummers favorite )
• Plier / cutter (I think )
• Nail clipper
• Tuning peg winder
• A few allen wrenches
• Guitar polish and cloths
• Guitar strap
• A tuner (thought that is generally in my pedalboard case)

In the amp case:

• All cables to set up the amp
• A flashlight (makes it easier to see behind your amp while setting up)

In the pedalboard case:

• All cables to hook up the instrument
• Tuner
• FX

 

[adouglas]

I'm thinking of stuff that's explicitly not personal gear. I don't want to have to think about what the drummer or either guitarist needs...I have enough to do already.

Here's what I've got so far...just casting about for things I might not have thought of.

Electrical – anything involved with electrons is here
• 50-foot heavy-duty extension cord
• Multi-outlet heavy-duty extension cord (a very cool thing I found...it’s about 12 feet long and has an outlet every few feet, total four outlets, perfect spacing to plug amps into)
• 4 power strips (one per person on stage, except for drummer)
• Multi-outlet cord reel (just to have an alternative to the 50-foot cord)
• Spare computer-type power cord for amps
• “Cheater” 3-prong adapter (a REALLY bad idea to use these, but if ya gotta, ya gotta)
• Batteries

Attachment – anything that sticks, binds or pokes is here
• Gaffer’s tape
• Blue painter’s tape (won’t mark walls)
• Push pins to hang band banners
• Finishing nails (alternative to push pins)
• Zip ties and velcro straps
• String

Tools – anything that manipulates other things is here
• Multitool (or separate knife/screwdrivers/pliers)
• Flashlight

 

[Spudmurphy]

Apart from what's been mentioned
Soldering Iron and solder.
Electrical Tester (for doing continuity checks on leads)
Wine Bottle opener

 

[Smallmouth_Bass]

Additionally to the stuff mentioned above, I bring an outlet tester.

On the personal equipment, I also bring some:
Toothpicks (incase a strap pin becomes loose)
Spare Strap (I've broken one on a gig)

 

[Smakbass]

I carry a back up bag in my car which contains
1 extra power bar
1 extra XLR
1 FOOTSWITCH for my amp when I want to use the 2 chan mode
1 extra fuses for every peice of PA gear and bass amp.
1 extra powercord
1 extra 1/4" instrument cable
1 extra 1/4" speaker cable
1 extra stereo 1/4" cable
1 kick drum stand
1 D112 kick drum mic
1 Neutrik'ed speaker cable
1 Korg Ca-30 cheapo tuner
2 9 volts
I also always have an extra cable and an extra strap in my gig bag (with my perterson tuner)
as well as a short 1/4" cable and DI in the bag for my LMK mark bass head, since the mark bass DI's are post I bring my own JDI.

I also have in my car a set of allen wrenches and some nail clippers.
oooh and bungee cords...

My car has lots of cool little compartments that I tend to fill.

 

[Smakbass]

I also keep one of those fold up dollies and a guitar stand in there....

 

[Aussie Mark]

Don't forget the clip-on beer holder for the mic stand.

 

[adouglas]

Don't forget the clip-on beer holder for the mic stand.

Yep, we've all got one...

 

[Psycho Ward]

Beer.

 

[five7]

A good fan that will blow you any time you want. Might not want to put in a gig bag.

 

[adouglas]

Beer.

What, no pasties?

 

[KennethB]

A good fan that will blow you any time you want.

That's called a "groupie", right?

 

[Fubzy]

you cant forget........

spare clothes, especially t-shirts, for those hot nights

B.O. basher (deodorant) for the ladies

pain relief tablets, for the headaches

 

[Davecg2]

This is just for myself not the whole band but i have a small kit i put together to take to practices and gigs. Its everything i need to do setup and quick repairs. I usually have a few sets of strings in there too. Sorry for the D***** products asked for a small cleaning kit and thats what he pulled off the shelf, didnt even realize EBMM made all the same stuff....

Contents:
Allen Wrenches Metric and Standard
Wire Cutters
6 in 1 Screw Driver
Feeler gauge (For truss rod adjustments)
Ruler 32/64 " (For adjusting action)
Flashlight
Battery Tester
Extra Batteries
Extra Instrument Cable
Folding Neck Saddle
Capo
String Winder
String Cleaner
Fretboard Conditioner
Polish/Cleaner
Soft Clothes for each chemical
Fret Polishing Paper
QTips
Toolbox Drawer Liner (For soft work surface)

Stuff Im adding after reading this thread :
Needle nose pliers
Box knife
Amp Fuses
Pen Sharpie
Ear Plugs
Nail Cutter
Towel
Antiperspirant
Tylenol
Extra TShirt

 

[Caca de Kick]

My equipment box:
assorted sized flat and phillips screwdrivers
needle noze pliers
wire cutters
set of allen wrenches
soldering iron, and a roll of solder, and roll of 16ga wire
electrical tape and duct tape
roll of shielding tape
container of fuses for both my Mesa and Ampeg, as well as the two guitar amps
spare drum key
capo
hand-held tuner with a needle
a pack of picks, although I do not play with picks, it's saved the guitarist
flashlight and matches
pen and sharpie
two spare speaker cables, and two spare instrument cables, short pedal cords
I save a set of old strings as backups
pack of 9v batteries