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Extended Range Bass Guitar Neck Chart

The Well-Equipped Gig Bag

by Lane Baldwin

The hall is packed with adoring fans, and your band is in the middle of a blazing set. The promoter is smiling happily as he counts the gate, thinking he'll book you for several more shows. As the thundering applause dies down, you step to the front of the stage, preparing to wow the crowd with the bass solo you've practiced for a hundred hours. Pinwheeling your arm like a low-end Pete Townsend, you expect to hear a thundering bass chord. Instead you hear…

Nothing.

Sound like your worst nightmare? The one that wakes you up in a cold sweat in the middle of the night? It's happened to me in real life. In front of a thousand people. Thankfully, however, I was able to deduce the problem in short order. Even better, I had the necessary replacement in my gig bag, and the show went on as planned. While it was a mildly embarrassing moment in my career, it would've been far worse if I hadn't had a spare fuse to replace the one that had blown.

Like it or not, things break. Tubes and batteries have a nasty way of dying when you need them most. But if you keep your gig bag well-stocked, these occurrences will only be inconvenient, not set-enders. Below, I've put together a list of accessories and tools that every bassist should have in his or her gig bag to ensure that the show does indeed go on.

Strings

I carry a minimum of two sets per bass. This translates to an absolute minimum of four sets, as I always carry a back-up instrument. However, on certain gigs, I'll have several basses, so this number can quickly climb. I've seen bassists break the E string twice in ten minutes before realizing that a saddle burr was the culprit.

Batteries

And lots of 'em. My main bass uses three batteries (two for the pre-amp, one for the fiber optic neck markers). Each wireless transmitter uses one, and my tuner uses another. So I always carry a dozen or so in my bag. Again, I have a backup for my backup for every device that requires a 9-volt. Even if your stomp boxes are normally powered by an AC adaptor, you should carry several batteries in case an adaptor fails.

Tubes

Again, two is a good rule of thumb. That is, two replacements for every tube in every piece of gear. My amps use a single 12ax7 each; I carry six spares.

Fuses

Buy several boxes of each value used in your rig. When you open the last box of a certain value, buy several more.

Straps

I once hired a guitarist as a fill-in for a few shows. He was absolutely brilliant, but on the first gig, his strap broke and he had no spare. Refusing my offer for a replacement (it didn't feel right on his shoulder!?!), he played the last set sitting on a bar stool. After the show, I cancelled the remaining two gigs with him and found someone else to cover them.

Cords

How many cords do you use in your set-up? And how long are they? You should have at least one full set of replacements at all times. Guess how many I carry. If you said "two of each", you win a permanently tuned bass. (Just kidding.) I also carry four extra mic cords - two for the DI, and two for my microphone - because I never expect the soundman to have extras. (I also carry an extra mic and mic clip, but that's just me.) And don't forget spare speaker cords and power cords.

Tweeter Diaphragms

Many cabinets today have tweeters in them. While it's possible to dial out a malfunctioning tweeter so you can finish a set without having to listen to the darn thing shriek in pain as it dies, it's usually a quick and easy fix to replace the diaphragm on a break. If you're quick, you can even catch a quick drink and a bathroom break before returning to the stage on time.

Tools

You should have every tool necessary to make minor repairs to your instruments and equipment. Currently, I carry the following in my tool kit:

- Screwdrivers - four each of standard and Phillips head, various sizes
- Power driver - for changing out speakers
- String cutter
- String winder, sized for bass tuning keys
- Adjustable wrenches - three sizes
- Soldering kit
- Set of hex wrenches
- Small dowels and wood glue (for fixing strap buttons that have worked loose)
- Small files (for filing down burrs on nuts and bridges)
- Hammer (Hey, you never know)

Yes, there are multi-tools available. But I prefer full-sized versions of each tool that are easier to handle and use.

Screws, nuts, bolts and more

All my basses use Straplocks, and because I've lost parts for no apparent reason, I keep a few sets of them in my bag. I also keep an assortment of screws, nuts and bolts, because you never know when one might disappear. It also helps to have some spare wire of various gauges.

Speakers

If you work a busy schedule, it doesn't hurt to have an extra speaker or two. Because all of my cabinets use 10" speakers, I keep two around in case I blow one. I haven't had to change one out on a gig yet, but I know if I leave them at home, I'll blow one that very night. I keep the speakers in the car to save load-in time and hassle.

First Aid Kit

No need to go overboard, but you should have at least the following: adhesive bandages, antiseptic and pain relievers. You may also wish to have a nail clipper/file and some Liquid Skin® (in case you cut a finger or pop a blister). Additionally, I carry a bar of soap and a towel for those occasions when the bathroom has neither.

Writing Materials

I keep a standard notebook and a Sharpie® marking pen handy in case I need to write a quick chart for myself. This has allowed me to "learn" on the spot a song known to others in the band. I've helped band mates earn many a tip with this little trick when an audience member just had to hear their favorite tune.

Gaffer's Tape

Most musicians use duct tape instead, but I prefer the real deal and buy black gaffer's tape. Black tape hides better, and gaffer's tape is easier to remove. And yes, you can do all eleventy-thousand things you can do with it's silver-gray cousin.

So there you have it: a well-equipped gig bag. This list may seem extravagant, and, to a degree, it is. But I've needed every item listed (except the speakers) at one time or another during my career, and most have been needed far more often than that. Not only have I been saved from extreme embarrassment, I've been able to save others (namely, guitarists) as well. I've even gotten gigs out of it because potential employers know I come prepared to work. One band leader asked for my card after watching me repair a loose strap button during a break (on a two-band bill with his band). Over time, he hired me for more than a hundred shows.

For readers just starting to put together their gig bag, I suggest buying a few of the most important items and continuing to add as you're able. Get all your gear together and review your rig. What do you need most? What can wait until next payday? As for the bag itself, I currently use a leather back-pack. Several old Shure® mic bags hold the tools and parts. Small parts are kept in plastic bottles. Tubes, diaphragms and such are protected in small boxes. This system keeps everything in one place, easily accessible when needed.

At the very least, having a well-stocked gig bag will ensure you always Keep Thumpin'!