Hope for the Best, Plan for the Worst
What do you carry with you to your gigs? What should you carry? For many years, I was a minimalist, carrying my bass in a gig bag (with a cable and a strap) along with my amp. But more recently, I’ve realized that keeping a few more items on hand can save lots of grief — and sometimes save the gig.
My bass case has a pocket (or compartment, if it’s a hard case) that’s fine for a strap and a cable, but it’s not large enough for all the items that I carry these days, so I keep a gigging bag (or a gig backpack, like the Gruv Gear Club Bag) packed and ready. It not only saves me time when I’m putting stuff in the car for the gig, but it also speeds up setup and tear-down. Here’s how I pack for gigs these days.
Essentials
My gigging bag has a few different compartments; in the most easily accessible compartment, I put the items that I use at every gig: a 6′ power cable for the amp, a 10′ instrument cable, a BOSS TU-3 tuner, and a 3′ patch cable that goes between the tuner and the amplifier’s input. In another compartment, I have a few items that I only use when I’m playing upright bass: an LR Baggs Para DI, a 6″ patch cord, and rosin for my bow.
Spares
In a side pocket, I have a spare guitar cable, a spare strap, a clip-on tuner, packages of 9-volt and AA batteries, and a few picks. I carry these items in case something of mine quits working or if other musicians forget something or have issues with their gear.
Extras
Then there are the items that aren’t needed for every gig but get used often enough to warrant having in the bag: a power strip, a microphone with a clip, and a couple of XLR cables. I don’t sing that much, but these have been lifesavers when one of the singers didn’t bring a mic. The other XLR cable can be used to run a line from my amp to the PA (on electric bass gigs), from the DI to the PA (on upright bass gigs), or someone else in the band can use it. I also carry a Mighty Bright music stand light for those gigs that use charts and a K&M 19740 Universal Tablet Holder for gigs where the charts are on an iPad.
Repairs
There’s a tool pouch in my bag that contains a pair of wire cutters, a small screwdriver set with both straight and Phillips heads, and a small Allen wrench set. With those items, I can replace strings, open battery compartments, and make adjustments to bridges. I don’t need enough tools to do a full setup — I just need to be able to finish the gig. I also carry two sets of electric bass strings (a set of roundwounds and a set of flatwounds) and one set of upright bass strings.
Office Supplies
I keep paper, a couple of pencils, and a Sharpie to write down requests, quick charts, and contact information. I also carry an iPad; if I don’t need it for the gig, then it helps to pass the time between the soundcheck and the show.
Miscellaneous
I carry a few things that stay in my car — if I need them, then I bring them in. These include a microphone stand with a boom, a music stand, and a 20′ AC extension cord.
The goal is to have everything you need to do your job and a few items that can help other band members do their jobs. Why? Because we can’t do our job without them playing with us.