A Guitar Tech's toolbox

[Nadz1lla]

I was thinking today... which always gets painful... about the ultimate tool / emergency repair kit for guitarists. Does anyone else bring things like this to gigs with them?

I'm currently trawling the Stanley and Draper sites to see what box would be most suitable, but then I got thinking "These are all very good, but what is a good size and type to fit all my gubbins in without being too big / looking ridiculous".

So I'm starting to make a list of what the ultimate Guitar Tool Box should hold, feel free to post anything I may have missed out!  :D

List:
Two sets of replacement strings.
String Winder
String snips
StewMac interchangeable guitar screwdriver kit
Five fully-charged 9v batteries (if using active pick-ups and pedals without power supplies)
Soldering Iron and associated gubbins (flux, helping hands, heat mat etc)
Pliers
Adjustable spanner
Super glue
Small Maglite
Leatherman multi-tool.

I may have missed some things out, heh.

[Nadz1lla]

HOW did I miss gaffer tape?  :x

[Toe-Knee]

valves, fuses

[AndyR]

Yep, I had a "kit" as well. Stuff that was in mine that isn't in yours:

Switch-cleaner - I used Servisol - cleans jacks, sockets, and switches/pots.
WD40 - people laughed, but it's a water repellent, I used it on bridge saddles as "sweat-protector" for strings (and it worked!)(try and keep it off bare wood, though)
Replacement Plectrums
Replacement guitar leads
Nail scissors and nail file

And you missed gaffa tape because the missus has nicked it for some strange gardening purpose (well, that's what's happened here! :lol:)

[PhilKing]

Throw in a set of needle files too.  I always had a couple of spare jack plugs and a spare speaker lead.

[Dave Sloven]

Multimeter.
Patch cables.

[bucketshred]

Ive got...

Stringwinders
Spare strings
Spare patch leads
Spare leads
Spare Speaker Cable
Snips
Two Screwdrivers
Gaff Tape

Get me by everytime!

Paddy!

[Kiichi]

Two things wanne add to the list:
A lighbulb
Condom

[Dave Sloven]

Two things wanne add to the list:
A lighbulb
Condom

The condom will be stolen by your vocalist, who never brings any gear with him and sits at the bar drinking the bands rider and chatting up broads while you are lugging in gear and troubleshooting your amp with the multimeter.  I'd leave it home unless you have roadies and techs to do all of that for you ...

[FELINEGUITARS]

capo - a useful third hand when making setup tweaks
feeler gauges (essential IMO) - I prefer imperial ones as thousands of an inch are more use to me when measuring
digital vernier calliper
switch contact cleaner
nut sauce lubricant

[Alex]

A 3 plug socket is always handy, especially for amateur stages.

[Nadz1lla]

Great additions guys, thanks!  :D

[nfe]

I sometimes take strings. Don't usually bother. Gear gets checked at home before a gig and that's it. I've never had a problem in what must be over 1000 gigs.


EDIT: That's a bit of a fib. I've never had a problem that prevented me from playing fine. Little things happen, you get on with it.

[JimmyMoorby]

Allen keys for Floyd roses or is that part of the multi tool?

9 volt batteries for pedals too id say.

[Nadz1lla]

My StewMac screwdriver has interchangeable heads for all the different sizes of allen bolts and screws you will ever need as a guitar player, heh. Pretty decent bit of kit, handle could be a bit more robust, though.
I included a set of new / fully charged batteries in the original list...