Gig Essentials for any Musician
Stuff that might just matter. Article written by Joel Honea, contributing writer Back to Cover
Every guitarist has different tastes, ________
to be sure. Some like tubes, while others like solid-state. Some like stomp boxes, others like rack gear. Some like Fenders, some like Gibsons. Despite these individual differences, there are some things that should be in every gear bag. The following is a list of things I can't do without at a gig...other than the obvious that is.
1. Duct tape / Gaffer's tape - I can't stand having cables strewn all over the floor between my floor board and my amp, so after I hook everything up, ___
I use duct tape to gather up all my cables and tape them to the stage. If you have a custom switching system, or some other pedal board that uses a snake to contain all the cables, it's still worth duct taping the snake to the stage. But taping down cables is not the only use for duct tape. If the sound guy forgets the small mic stand for your amp, you can string the mic cable through your amp handle and tape it down. You can make minor repairs to your gear (McGuyver, anyone?). You'll be much less likely to trip over a cable and into the arms of your lead singer!
Gotta have a gearbag to carry the gear!
Keep the hands & fingers smooth.
2. Powder - What, do I need to feel 'fresh' during a gig or something? No, it's even better than that. Here in Texas, where I often play gigs in hot, humid, muggy climates, your hands get sticky and it becomes difficult to move your left hand up and down the neck. I've found that having some baby powder or some Gold Bond ® powder to put on your hands between songs does wonders for keeping them dry. I couldn't do without it. And it adds an interesting aesthetic appeal, sitting there at the foot of your mic stand!
3. A Portable Fan or Space Heater - No, not the babe that follows you from gig to gig. I mean the kind that you can put at your feet and adjust to point up at you. Not only does it help keep you cool, but it along with the powder it can help keep your hands dry. I also used a small fan that I clipped behind my amp to keep my tubes cooler during the gig. And perhaps the most important 'cool' factor: if you have long hair, it gives you that Fabio factor that the chicks love. Conversely, a space heater might come in handy for those colder outdoor gigs, since when fingers get cold, they are hard to move!
4. A Good Surge Protector - All of your important gear should be plugged into a good surge protector. You may need to spend a little dough on one of these, but it's money well-spent. Many pedal boards have good surge protection built-in, and there are some good power conditioners on the market by Furman and others. Whichever way you go, get a good one.
5. A Pick Holder - These come in different varieties, but the one I prefer is rubber and fits around the mic boom and holds about a dozen picks. The one I use even comes with a plastic rod to hold your slide. Having picks readily available when you drop one is much more convenient than trying to find it on the floor, or find a new one in your pocket or gig bag. These are very inexpensive and you can get them at any music store.
Mic stand pick holder
6. Towels - Towels are indispensable. You can wipe the sweat from you forehead after that 10-minute solo, or dry your hands, guitar neck and body, a wipe up spills on your gear (yes, they do happen). You can bring your own, but the bar
was always more than happy to loan me a few to use during the gig.
7. A Flashlight - You've GOT to have one of these. I liked to carry those little Mag-Lites around with me, but an LCD keychain light is good, as is a headlamp of some kind, for those of you who are the hands-free types. No matter what the venue, you will need a flashlight at some point during the night. And keep it near your rig so that it's accessible.__
8. Dress for the Occasion - Yeah, I know we like to look cool. But we also like to be cool, temperature-wise. Be sure you're dressed comfortably for the venue where you're playing.
9. Know your Sound Guy - You've got to be able to hear yourself well on stage. You also have to be able to hear others (what you hear in your monitor mix, of course, depends on personal taste and the capabilities of the PA system). I found that having a yucky stage mix makes a difference in my performance, even if you know it sounds different in the house. I want to be able to "feel" the music, as well as hear it. So get to know your sound guy, and don't be shy about telling him what you want. The sound check is invaluable!
10. Hydration! - Be sure you belly up to the bar and get yourself something cool to drink to have on stage with you (I always prefer ice water). You do sweat a lot up there, and keeping hydrated keeps you in top shape throughout the night. And having a ____
drink holder to put on your mic stand never hurts!
Doubtless I have left out some really useful gadgets and accessories, so write the editor with your own!
Joel Honea is a guitarist in the Dallas/Fort Worth area and is a
contributing author to Weekend Musician. You can write to
him at joelhonea@mac.com.
Joel Honea
jhonea@mac.com
MEET THE WRITER - JOEL HONEA
A native of the Dallas, Texas area, Joel began playing both violin and guitar at age 11, but dropped violin at the end of 9th grade due to its “non-cool” factor and concentrated all his efforts on guitar. "I’ve played with numerous bands over the years, in D/FW, Utah, and Seattle, and have also dabbled in session playing from time-to-time. Currently my only musical endeavor is writing, something to which I’ve wanted to dedicate more attention for a very long time."
