The Gigging Musician - #1 "Case Candy"

by Büdda

As aspiring musicians, there comes a time, when you start gigging- or performing at clubs, venues, concert halls etc. When gigging, there are always certain measures taken to protect your gear from damage; you spend money on a good quality hard case, and a good strong strap to keep your axe from hitting the floor, you buy a case for your amps and effects, and the list goes on. Most gigging musicians serious about their craft will spend quite a bit on protecting their gear. So it stands to reason that these same musicians take every aspect of their set up this seriously - right?

The answer is yes and no. While working as a tech on tours, and as a gigging musician myself, I have had musicians at the same gig come ask me if they can borrow a flash light, or electrical tape, a pick, etc, and I am always willing to help out. But after this happened repeatedly, over and over in several different places; It got me to thinking -with all the wealth of information on the Internet about how to purchase a guitar, how to protect a guitar, how to operate and set up your equipment, how to maintain your guitar and equipment, etc why don't more musicians put more forethought into the little stuff- the things that can make or break a concert performance?

There is one thought, one 'rule' that all gigging musicians should take to heart:

Always have a back up plan.

Your Guitar case is a great place to stick small items that are all lifesavers at a gig. I have complied a list of things I keep in my guitar case, and I can attest that having these items with in quick reach has saved me from a gig meltdown many times. Keep in mind, this list is what I keep in there. Use this list as a general guide and modify to your unique situation.

1) String it Up. It doesn't matter if you are a guitarist, bassist, banjo player, etc- all strings will break, and usually right when you do not need them to. Keeping an extra pack of strings in your case allows for most on-the-fly string changes, and even if one song is 'ruined' by a string break, the entire set doesn't have to be.

2) Light it up, YO! A good flash light is a must have, and the uses are endless. From lighting up the back of a rack on a dark stage, to digging spare change out of your guitar case for your favorite beverage - having a good reliable flash light is almost as important as your strap! Make sure you keep an extra set of batteries on hand just in case- as I always say- "good musicians have a back up for their back up."

3) Pick it (no, Not your nose...) If you use a guitar pick, you WILL need more. Picks get dropped mid performance, lost, worn out, and pitched out to the crowd in true rock star fashion. If I had a nickel for every time another musician asked me for a pick, I would be writing this blog post from my yacht. Picks in music stores tend to get expensive when you buy them at 4 for a dollar (some "high quality" picks are even more expensive than that!) I recommend buying them in bulk- usually I will buy a Gross (144) and always keep two separate baggies in my case- one main bag of picks I "work from" first, and then I also keep one extra bag of picks, just in case(no pun intended!). Not only will you never be with out a pick, but buying them in bulk saves you money as well.

4) Electrical Tape- not just a Goth Fashion accessory any longer! Electrical tape and even duct tape are what I would consider to be two necessary items I believe no one should gig with out. Both types of tape have an incredible amount of uses around the stage, from taping cables down, to taping the set list to your amp. Never leave for the gig with out Electrical and Duct tape- you will never regret being prepared.

5) Tools aren't always 40 something suit and tie guys. Keeping a small bag with basic tools you need to make minor adjustments or on the fly repairs will always come in handy. Small pliers, wire cutters, assorted Allen wrenches, Phillips and flat screw drivers (I keep a bit driver set, with all the screw and allen bits I need.- it saves space and you can get them with bit storage in the handle for ease of organizing and transportation. Not to mention when you need to change that broken string in between songs when the crowd is jumping, those tools are gonna come in handy.

6) Don't gig Broke! I keep $20-30 dollars of cash in my guitar case that I only use in an emergency. That cash comes in handy if you break down, or need to suddenly take a cab home from the gig. Trust me on this, a little spare green stashed in your case will save the day more than you realize.

7) Write it down! Keep a "sharpie" permanent marker in your guitar case at all times. These come in handy for writing out the set list, signing autographs or even writing down that newly obtained phone number of that hottie in the front row.

8) Spare cable. Even if you utilize a wireless set up for your rig, it is always good to keep a spare cable in good condition in your case. You never know when that wireless, or your main cable will fail.

9) Voltage overkill. Players that use pedals, listen up! The biggest request I get from other musicians at a gig is for a spare 9v battery. Sometimes Power adapters fail. This is one true downside to gigging. Even with careful fore thought and extra attention given to your gear, it gets abused in most live situations. Sometimes, power cords, especially the small diameter ones you find on most power adapters will eventually fail. If one of these adapters were to fail in your pedal with no backup how would you keep performing with out a necessary element of your tone? Keeping a small handful of 9 volt batteries in your case will save the day here. For those of you who only use batteries to power those underfoot tones, spare batteries should be as important as air.

10) Stay Clean and Dry. Finally, keep a polishing cloth and a small hand towel in your case. Wiping down your axe after a long set will keep it looking good, and keep the grime build up to a minimum. Too many times I see guys who have sweat all over their guitar, spilled beer on it, etc, just put it in it's case after a performance. Always take the few seconds to give your axe a good wipe down before putting it back in its case. Good prevention and maintenance will help keep your fave guitar in good working and good looking condition. Besides a messy, smudged axe looks unprofessional. By the way, the hand towel is for you to keep the sweat out of your eyes and off your hands.


That's it for the first installment of The Gigging musician. I hope you've enjoyed the information here, and possibly learned a thing or two. Music is alot of fun and will never seem like work when you're prepared for the worst.
Next: Preparing for a gig

Büdda is the IT specialist for Blue Rock Guitars, and a professional musician with over 20 years experience both on stage and off. Büdda is also the guitarist for the Utah based Rock act Crutchmoney.