As church sound engineers, we understand that “things happen.” It’s inevitable. No matter how careful the preparations, a surprise lurks just around the corner. Whether a musician forgets a simple-but-crucial piece of gear, you host an unexpected musician, or a guitar strap suddenly breaks, it’s great to be the hero. If your services incorporate children’s programs, large productions, or any sudden influx of new volunteers, then surprises are practically guaranteed. No one wants anything to distract the congregation, presenters, or musicians from what’s ultimately important. These emergency kit items can help when it’s time to save the day.
General
- Flashlight (much more manageable than your phone light)
- Megaphone (if power fails and someone must be heard)
- Gaff tape (holds about anything, is nonreflective, leaves no sticky residue)
Electrical
- Batteries: 9V, AAA, AA, coin (someone’s gear is going to fail, and they didn’t bring a spare)
- Emergency cables (separate from your regular cables): 20 ft. XLR cable, 10 ft. instrument cable
- Cable adapters (be sure to retrieve these afterward): 3.5mm stereo Y cable, 3.5mm stereo to L/R breakout cable, Lightning to 3.5mm stereo headphone adapter, 3.5mm to 1/4-inch TRS adapters
- Power: power cable, universal power supply/adapter, power strip, 1 ft. extension cable (for when someone’s wall-wart power supply won’t fit alongside other plugs on a power strip)
- Monitoring: personal monitor system (Use this quickie replacement if an IEM station goes down or if you have to add an unexpected musician monitor. It inserts as a pass-through between the musician and the snake to allow the musician to control the mix between their mic and instrument — two separate channels — and a monitor feed. There’s also a single-input, XLR-only version and a battery-powered, XLR-only version.)
Instruments
- Guitar picks (try to have a combination of light, medium, and heavy picks)
- Clip-on tuner (pick the one with the accuracy you need): Snark (least accurate; ±1 cent), Fender FT-1 (±1 cent), Peterson (most exact; ±0.01 cent plus sweetened and alt tunings)
- Guitar strap
- Guitar strings (have light, medium, and heavy gauges for both acoustic and electric strings; but, if you’re in a pinch, stock one 10-gauge electric set and replace it afterward)
- Peg winder/string cutter/pin puller tool
- Truss rod kit (Fender alone uses at least seven different sizes)
- Drum key set
Miscellaneous
- Include a fingernail clipper, a fingernail file, and a permanent marker
- In addition to the kit, consider having an “emergency only” guitar stand, mic stand, or even a tuned, affordable acoustic or electric backup guitar
Pro Tip: Less experienced musicians may not have learned to carry emergency supplies in their cases or rig. Help them out with a friendly suggestion or a gift as the opportunity arises.
This list doesn’t replace your regular toolbox with screwdrivers, pliers, soldering iron, label maker, cable tester, etc. Resist the temptation to grab items from your “when things go wrong” kit during day-to-day operations. Consider marking emergency items with a “Do Not Use” label to reserve them for those moments when the unexpected arises. And, of course, retrieve or replace them right away so you’re equipped to take on the unexpected challenge with confidence.
When you talk with your Sweetwater Sales Engineer at (800) 222-4700, don’t forget to ask whether your purchases qualify for a church discount!
