Advice for a gigging new boy

[Dazza1004]

Am looking for some advice from you guys that gig,

What gear to you take with you, I have some nice guitars which were meant for playing out but as the time draws closer I am getting paranoid about them getting damaged / nicked. I have been considering getting some cheap but functional gear for playing out, mex strat, Ibanez RGA121 etc but it seems a bit mental for me to have a quality guitars at home and be out gigging inferior gear.

Also, I fancy a Marshal Vintage Modern, problem is they don’t make a 2x12 cab for it so I will be forced to get either the combo (which I am betting will weigh a ton) or a 4x12, on one hand a 4x12 seems a bit overkill for the local but guess it only takes up the same footprint as a 2x12.

Any advice welcome, thanks

[indysmith]

don't be afraid of your gutiars getting battle scars - it adds character. Think of all the gutiar greats. none of them have pristine high-polished guitars; they have guitars they're not afraid to play and play hard.
On the Vintage Modern front; i don't see why you can't get the head and a 2x12. Marshall sell 1936 and 1922 2x12s i think. Framus do a cheap 2x12 which can be used open or closed backed, which comes stock with V30s. I reckon that would work well for any application...

[Twinfan]

For the amp, I'd get a head and a 2x12 for a 1/4 stack.  I have both a 2x12 and a 4x12 and use whichever suits the venue best.  A 4x12 in a small pub is TOTAL overkill.

For the guitars, I had the same dilemma and I bought an Epiphone SG to gig with.  Much as I love the guitar, if something happened to it I could replace it.  Unlike my Gordon Smith SG I was going to use which was a wedding present from my wife.  I decided I couldn't gig it for fear of something happening to it.

If you're unsure, get cheap guitars to gig with.

[maliciousteve]

Always take a tuner, either a rack mounted one or pedal tuner.

If you use quite a bit of gain use some sort of noise gate.

Spare strings.

plenty of picks.

batteries for pedals or adapters.

clean connections to (jack inputs, jack plugs etc)

[Dazza1004]

cheers guys,

I have a comprehensive spares kit.

I was going to go for the Planet Waves tuner (the Peterson looks good but is 3x the price, I have heard the Boss TU2 is a bit of a tone sucker)

the reason behind the 4 x 12 is the speakers Marshall say match up best with the VM are only in a 4x12, I guess I will have to try out some 2x12s and let my ears decide.

Am still interested on what kit people take to their gigs.

[Twinfan]

Take a spare everything if you can.  I have a spare guitar, spare amp head, spare valves and spare cables in addition to the things Steve suggests.

[Ratrod]

I try to travel light.

- My trusty 2 X 12 (when the location is too small I leave this at home)

- Amp combo containing: guitar strap, cable, guitar stand and an extension cord with multiple sockets.

- One case containing: FX, tuner, power supply, picks, strings, cables, cloth, battery and papers.

- One case containig: a guitar.

I never needed a backup guitar. I can change a broken string in a minute.

[38thBeatle]

I would say use one of the guitars you like-regardless of value. I know guitars can get damaged and/or stolen but when I gig, i like to have something dependable that sounds great. If you are playing real dives then maybe I am wrong but I gave up that type of gig long ago. I have always made a point of keeping an eye on my stuff and never let anyone touch it or near it.
Amp-wise-depends upon the size of the venues-get the amp that sounds best to you-playing live is what it is all about. Unless you really want a 4 x 12, you could consider a combo and maybe buy an extra cab to stick on the other side of the stage. Spares wise, a set of strings, cables, spare strap, spare kettle lead for your amp, fuses, screwdriver, small torch, string changing stuff, tuner. I use two of those aluminium tool boxes-one for f/x and their associated mains units plus  string wipes, patch leads, capo, slide and the other for P/A cables and an f/x unit that we use for the P/A.

[noodleplugerine]

1. Best looking guitar.
2. Most reliable guitar.
3. Amp head, Cab.
4. Tuner.
5. Pedal Board.
6. Bag with spare strings, cables, etc.

[Sekhmet]

I was going to mention tuner aswell as it's so annoying when someone is tuning up in the middle of a set on full wack through the p.a.

Also remember to take your confidence with you, just think when you get onstage, the people in the crowd have handed over their hard earned cash to come and see you play, that always seems to make me confident about going on stage (even if it is to a drunk and his dog )

Above all just remember to have fun and rock out.

Best of luck hope it all goes well :-)

[Ratrod]

The most important thing of all.

One member of the band should bring a roll of duct tape.

[shaman]

I cant live without my Swirly Gig.....snaps onto my mic stand and it holds my fave beverage
...+1 to the duct tape..extra everythings...I blew tubes in my old Marsh at an Earth Day Fest-no spares-had to play thru another guy's amp!!it was not a good day...
ooohh...and chicken wire..almost forgot that

[plastercaster]

The most important thing of all.

One member of the band should bring a roll of duct tape.

WD40
If it moves and it shouldn't use duct tape. If it doesn't move and it should use WD40.
If nothing else, if you stick duct tape on something you didn't intend to, wd40 will remove it.

[TwilightOdyssey]

The most important thing of all.

One member of the band should bring a roll of duct tape.

You mean gaffa tape? Gaffa tape doesn't leave any residue behind and will stick to anything ...

What I bring to a typical gig:

2x guitars
2x stands
1x bag with necessary tools, spare valves, spare fuses, extra strings, direct box, ground lifter, impedence adapters
1x bag with a spare for every cable
Amp head
4x12 cabinet
Change of clothes

[shaman]

hey TO, where do you buy your gaffer's tape?I am tired of all the residue...sticky cables,etc