Running out of room onstage is a common problem. As a guitarist, bringing fewer guitars, a smaller amp, and using a smaller pedalboard are the obvious fixes. Here are some less obvious ways to shrink your onstage footprint and shed some excess fat!
CabGrabber
This is by far the best way to get a mic exactly where you want it on a guitar speaker without using a mic stand. The CabGrabber uses pressure and rubber clips to hug your amp securely and stay in place. A standard mic clip mounts to it, so you can easily position the mic in the sweet spot, without using any floor space at all. A short-body mic and a right-angle mic cable really tighten things up.
iPad Holder
Tablets and iPads can be used for so many things onstage: running backing tracks and sequences; controlling effects, charts, and set lists; running sound; etc. An iPad holder mounts to the middle of a mic stand and puts your tablet right where you need it. Sizes and shapes vary depending on your model of iPad or tablet.
Mighty Guitar Stand
The Mighty Guitar Stand is the most compact stand for guitar that I know of, plus it’s sturdy enough to trust it with your favorite guitar. Perfect for cramped stages, it has a small footprint and folds flat.
Amp Stand
An amp stand gets your combo amp or speaker cabinet off the floor and pointed right where you want it, without taking up anymore physical room than your amp. It also allows for space on the floor underneath. I prefer the RS7705 Pro Tiltback because it’s extremely sturdy at any angle.
Power Strip
A good power strip is convenient, safe, and can actually save space by organizing all your cables and wall warts in one spot. The SS-6B is solid, has EMI/RFI noise reduction, and has enough space for a few wall warts while keeping a relatively slim profile. The 15′ cable lets you set the SS-6B wherever is most convenient without having to worry about where the outlet is located.
Cable Wraps
Wraps that stay with the cables not only help with organizing at setup and tear-down, but they can keep your cables together during the performance. If a cable is longer than you need, then use a wrap to keep it condensed. If you have multiple cables running alongside each other, then use a wrap to keep them together. I try to keep high-impedance signal cables and power cables separated as much as possible to reduce noise.
Gaff Tape
Anything that needs to be held down or held together could benefit from gaff tape. Since it doesn’t leave a sticky residue like duct tape, you can use it almost anywhere. It keeps a low profile onstage, thanks to its dark color. Honestly, no stage should be without it.
