Marvin Posted January 30, 2011 Share Posted January 30, 2011 I'm not particularly interested but the wife asked besides the obvious bass itself, an amp and a lead what are the essential bits of kit? Mine, probably my gig bag (I don't like my bass getting damaged) and my iPod. The iPod for practicing songs. It's a boring thread so if you're not interested don't feel obliged. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Blademan_98 Posted January 30, 2011 Share Posted January 30, 2011 My Pandora for practicing. My A/B switch so I can switch between basses without unplugging (no mute on my rig). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sercet Posted January 30, 2011 Share Posted January 30, 2011 [quote name='Marvin' post='1107997' date='Jan 30 2011, 12:04 PM']I'm not particularly interested but the wife asked besides the obvious bass itself, an amp and a lead what are the essential bits of kit? Mine, probably my gig bag (I don't like my bass getting damaged) and my iPod. The iPod for practicing songs. It's a boring thread so if you're not interested don't feel obliged.[/quote] Tuner Allen key Stand Good strings Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Spike Vincent Posted January 30, 2011 Share Posted January 30, 2011 Another bass ( or at least a set of strings) A hard case (trust not those flimsy soft cases) A stand Spare leads Batteries as appropriate Nail clippers and a nail file ( ever broke a nail before a gig?) An extension lead. A towel. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
essexbasscat Posted January 30, 2011 Share Posted January 30, 2011 Strangely enough, a decent strap. If my shoulder's in burning pain, it's hard to hide it from the audience all the time. Oh, and a reliable car (boring, but true). Other stuff is preferential, but it must be reliable Then of course, there's all the supporting hardware, like spare stings, batteries, pain meds, ear plugs,etc, all of which contributes to being a reliable journeyman musician. Thinking further about that, if your complete kit contributes to building a good reputation (which in turn gets you work), is not your complete kit essential ? I dare say not everyone will agree with me, it's only my 2p's worth. Not a boring thread at all Marvin T Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
4-string-thing Posted January 30, 2011 Share Posted January 30, 2011 (edited) An assortment of womens clothes, leather codpiece, wig, mirrored aviators and possibly a hat. On the gear front, a stand, hardcase and a tuner are probably the only things apart from the obvious! By obvious I mean, bass, amp, leads, spare leads and gaffar tape. Some have mentioned earplugs.... For rehearsals yes, gigs no. What does it say to your audience if the band are wearing them? Edited January 30, 2011 by 4-string-thing Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JimBobTTD Posted January 30, 2011 Share Posted January 30, 2011 Bag/case Batteries Stand [b]Earplugs[/b] Strings Tools Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TimR Posted January 30, 2011 Share Posted January 30, 2011 [quote name='Marvin' post='1107997' date='Jan 30 2011, 12:04 PM']I'm not particularly interested but the wife asked...[/quote] Be very careful here. If the wife is asking, the essential number of basses is n+1 where n is the number of basses you currently own. 'A bass and an amp and a few leads' is going to leave you seriously under-equipped. At the very least the answer should be an entire cupboard full of kit, possibly leaning towards a room full of kit. It is not necessary for you to explain what any of that kit does, how often you use it (if ever), or even if it is necessarily essential. All she needs to know is ALL that kit is what you NEED and if possible you need a bit more space for expansion. She's not planning on extending your family is she? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Marvin Posted January 30, 2011 Author Share Posted January 30, 2011 [quote name='TimR' post='1108043' date='Jan 30 2011, 12:31 PM']Be very careful here. If the wife is asking, the essential number of basses is n+1 where n is the number of basses you currently own. 'A bass and an amp and a few leads' is going to leave you seriously under-equipped. At the very least the answer should be an entire cupboard full of kit, possibly leaning towards a room full of kit. It is not necessary for you to explain what any of that kit does, how often you use it (if ever), or even if it is necessarily essential. All she needs to know is ALL that kit is what you NEED and if possible you need a bit more space for expansion. She's not planning on extending your family is she?[/quote] She (meaning me!) reads these from time to time No I'm not planning on extending the family! I was just curious (ok nosey) and Mr M didn't think many would reply. Plus I need some ideas of what 'bits and pieces' I can get him for b'day, christmas etc etc. ( oh I also know what most of the 'stuff' does generally ) Mrs Marvin xx Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Happy Jack Posted January 30, 2011 Share Posted January 30, 2011 Judging by my wife's views on cars, I've usually managed to avoid the scenario above by pointing out that red basses sound different to blue ones ... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
charic Posted January 30, 2011 Share Posted January 30, 2011 [quote name='Marvin' post='1108049' date='Jan 30 2011, 12:37 PM']She (meaning me!) reads these from time to time No I'm not planning on extending the family! I was just curious (ok nosey) and Mr M didn't think many would reply. Plus I need some ideas of what 'bits and pieces' I can get him for b'day, christmas etc etc. ( oh I also know what most of the 'stuff' does generally ) Mrs Marvin xx[/quote] Busted! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BTS_Spacebass Posted January 30, 2011 Share Posted January 30, 2011 In my flight case I carry (in no order of preference): 2 rolls of gaffa/duct tape earplugs allen key set mini screw driver set couple of batteries 2 set strings spare jacks/patch/speakon/kettle leads pliers 1 pack emergancy smokes Gets me out of pretty much anything Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TimR Posted January 30, 2011 Share Posted January 30, 2011 [quote name='Marvin' post='1108049' date='Jan 30 2011, 12:37 PM']She (meaning me!) reads these from time to time No I'm not planning on extending the family! I was just curious (ok nosey) and Mr M didn't think many would reply. Plus I need some ideas of what 'bits and pieces' I can get him for b'day, christmas etc etc. ( oh I also know what most of the 'stuff' does generally ) Mrs Marvin xx[/quote] ROTFPMSL You've made my day. Although I will admit I'm easily pleased. You can never have too much Gaffa tape, too many spare strings or 9v batteries. But it is a very personal thing so I tend to ask my wife for specifics or I end up with some very nice well meant things but I would have bought different ones. So maybe I'm not that easily pleased Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lozz196 Posted January 30, 2011 Share Posted January 30, 2011 Backup bass Spare lead for every lead I use, inc power lead for amp Torch Spare set of used strings (don`t like new strings) Basic tool kit, inc screwdrivers, allen keys Sansamp BDDI Indigestion tablets (I have an ulcer) Gaffa tape Spare tie - we`re a very smart band Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Marvin Posted January 30, 2011 Author Share Posted January 30, 2011 [quote name='charic' post='1108058' date='Jan 30 2011, 12:42 PM']Busted! [/quote] [quote name='TimR' post='1108076' date='Jan 30 2011, 12:54 PM']ROTFPMSL You've made my day. Although I will admit I'm easily pleased. You can never have too much Gaffa tape, too many spare strings or 9v batteries. But it is a very personal thing so I tend to ask my wife for specifics or I end up with some very nice well meant things but I would have bought different ones. So maybe I'm not that easily pleased [/quote] That'll teach me to remain logged and leave the computer unattended To her credited Mrs M did buy me my ZoomB2.1u which was very nice of her - useful but not essential : Gaffa tape maybe an idea. Mrs M has been mixing with a basschat member on FaceBook - she may be a bad influence, you know who you are Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
yorick Posted January 30, 2011 Share Posted January 30, 2011 Strings, plecs, ear plugs, leads, gaffa tape, extension power lead, stand, marker pen, paper, towel, spare t-shirt, Gerber multitool, new Protec Contego gigbag(thanks Soliloquy), bass, bass rig. Sure to have forgotten something...... Nige Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
arthurhenry Posted January 30, 2011 Share Posted January 30, 2011 On a gig: Spare strings x2 Spare strap Spare Bass Small & large flat head screwdriver Philips screwdriver Variety of fuses Spare battery Ear plugs 2x XLR lead 2x power lead 4x Jack to Jack lead 2x XLR to jack lead Soldering iron Spare speaker lead Pen and paper Polishing cloth Wire cutters XLR to Jack adaptor XLR M/F adaptor Spare Mic Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fatback Posted January 30, 2011 Share Posted January 30, 2011 (edited) [quote name='Happy Jack' post='1108052' date='Jan 30 2011, 12:39 PM']Judging by my wife's views on cars, I've usually managed to avoid the scenario above by pointing out that red basses sound different to blue ones ...[/quote] I'll have that A DI pedal seems to have been left out of the essentials kit. Easier to carry around than a spare amp. Edited January 30, 2011 by fatback Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jezzaboy Posted January 30, 2011 Share Posted January 30, 2011 (edited) An assortment of womens clothes, leather codpiece, wig, mirrored aviators and possibly a hat. Cheers for that, cheered up my sunday! Jez Edited January 30, 2011 by jezzaboy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
skankdelvar Posted January 30, 2011 Share Posted January 30, 2011 (edited) Normal gig: Capacitors / Resistors - various Speaker re-coning kit Fretwire and fret press Bessemer converter Sun block (5l.) Pyjamas - paisley Corby trouser press Holy water / garlic / silver bullets Portable gallows Circumcision knife Mars bar Edited January 30, 2011 by skankdelvar Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fatback Posted January 30, 2011 Share Posted January 30, 2011 (edited) [quote name='skankdelvar' post='1108139' date='Jan 30 2011, 02:01 PM']Normal gig: Capacitors / Resistors - various Speaker re-coning kit Fretwire and fret press Bessemer converter Sun block (5l.) Pyjamas - paisley Corby trouser press Holy water / garlic / silver bullets Portable gallows Circumcision knife Mars bar[/quote] And thumbscrews to extract dosh out of reluctant promoter. Plus wheelbarrow in which to transport pissed drummer after gig. Or before gig. Edited January 30, 2011 by fatback Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paul S Posted January 30, 2011 Share Posted January 30, 2011 [quote name='4-string-thing' post='1108034' date='Jan 30 2011, 12:22 PM']Some have mentioned earplugs.... For rehearsals yes, gigs no. What does it say to your audience if the band are wearing them?[/quote] That we care about the state of our hearing? If they think anything else I couldn't give a toss, frankly. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
risingson Posted January 30, 2011 Share Posted January 30, 2011 I use my Korg PX4D for practice, it's an awesome bit of kit and dirt cheap as well. Usually take it to gigs and warm up in the van before we start! Other than that: Multiple jack leads and patch cables Spare strings Pliers [b]GUITAR STAND[/b] Emergency smokes, as someone mentioned before Red bull more often... and then a lot of water etc. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bottle Posted January 30, 2011 Share Posted January 30, 2011 (edited) I'll chuck in my £0.02 worth if I may? Obvious: Bass (in soft carry bag, with strap and gel pad), Combo or Amp + Cab, long guitar lead with R/A connector (I would suggest that this is essential, especially if the output jack is on the side), mains leads for amp/combo (plus a spare), mains 4-way block or extension lead, SansAmp pedal, Tuner, short patch leads, XLR cable, Speakon cable or two. Don't normally take a spare set of strings, but sometimes a whole spare bass (in a different tuning as well, helps on certain songs). Some bits that usually make their way into the gig-bag: Pozi-drive screwdriver, Allen keys, spare batteries, plec's, cloth (to wipe sweaty strings down after the gig - you'd be amazed at the gunk that comes off of your hands during a long set), earplugs, and a couple of pens (black and red usually). I also take a couple of guitar stands and a collapsable music stand for my music folder. That's generally it. Over the years it's evolved to include all of the above, especially in the light of experience. HTH, Ian Edited January 30, 2011 by Bottle Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stingrayPete1977 Posted January 30, 2011 Share Posted January 30, 2011 I take earplugs to see bands as an audience member too. Can you see if anyone is wearing docs proplugs from the stage? If you can your sight is better than most. They dont take anything other than the fizz away and its so satisfying when you get in the car and take them out to find no nasty whistles going on but you usually have to put them back in after as everyone else in the car has gone deaf and are shouting all the way home! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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