What I Take To The Gig - Ask Zac 166

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I was about to put away all of my gear after a run of shows, and I decided to show my somewhat minimalist approach to what I take to gig with. Here, I show my pedalboard, amp, cables, and spares I take with me, including my direct amp rig I use as a backup to my Headstrong Lil King. In the pursuit of completeness, I even show the gig bag and amp cover I use, and the old Coca-Cola crate I use as an amp stand and transport for cables and gear. Also included are some clips of me playing from this last run of shows with Paul Bogart.
Gear used in the live clips:
2023 Headstrong Lil' King with 12" Eminence GA-SC64 speaker
headstrongamps.com/lil-king-amp
1957 Fender Esquire with a 1954 neck pickup, and original bridge pickup. Restoration and Aging on the Body by Dan "Danocaster" Strain. Refret by Nick at Glaser Instruments. Both pickups were rewound by Ron Ellis. Pickguard design by Jay & Kristi Smith of Juicebox Designs.
danocaster.com/
www.ronellispickups.com/
Strings:
D'Addario NYXL 95-44
amzn.to/41rnl0V
Pick:
Blue Chip TPR 35
Effects: Amp reverb
#askzac #zacchilds #telecaster

[@BentTom]

I continue to love your channel. Your authenticity and knowledge are refreshing in a sea of influencers and other people that just want attention. Cheers Sir.

[@AskZac]

Thank you so much!

[@stephenmitchell7915]

I used Tuki covers for years. Learned a new function for them about a year ago. I donated a PA rig that got too heavy and bulky to carry around anymore, and also I wanted to get rid of the gear trailer. I donated a couple Yorkville 18" subs and a couple Mackie 3-way columns to the local American Legion hall. I set the system up complete with mixer, cables, mic, etc. Told them to call me if they needed help running it or wanted to modify the installation. They called about a month later to tell me the system had a problem and was WAY too bass-ey. I got down there and found the Tuki covers were still on the Mackies. Well bless their hearts. Never occurred to me to tell them to take the covers off!

[@chrissimpson3122]

The blue color of the string clipper handle is truly essential for tone! LOL

[@dalehamon4295]

Much needed information and as a retired school bus driver, I kept my eye open for free milk crates, I have collected several crates that are perfect for guitar parts storage

[@AskZac]

They are ideal, Dale

[@climbtibet]

Always a shocker how great Zac sounds live; just a joy to listen too.

[@pharmerdavid1432]

Thanks for sharing your road gaggle for small gigs, interesting and a few good ideas to learn from. You're sounding good, a players attitude is evident in their playing. You seem happier lately, and that healthier diet is good for more than just arthritis, it helps the body-mind-spirit all. You've helped inspire me to stay off alcohol and sugar again myself, I always "relapse" (sugar is a drug too) after getting healthier for awhile, but at 67 staying healthy is #1 on my "to do" list. My dog makes sure I get sufficient exercise - I swear by dogs, unconditional love too!

[@AskZac]

You are spot on!

[@jeffrot7334]

I've never gigged, rarely jam with others but have played in church acoustically since the 80's. Thanks for these insights. Your playing and authentic personality just blow me away!

[@ronroskowske6047]

+1 on the Tuki cover-I've been using them for about 20 years myself!!

[@mattrogers1946]

Great covers!

[@thomasdorris1122]

glad to see a new episode, I know to a certain extent the platforms and the trends of social media dictate that short format and clips etc are likely statistical more popular and to stay in the game you have to play along, please don't take my comments to be negative or criticism about what you are doing, I get it. but im a big fan and look forward to seeing "episodes" like these. I do enjoy some of, or most really ,of the short form but for me the meat and potatoes will always be the longer format videos. great Chanel, and great work Zac. keep em coming, we look forward to them.

[@aaronyoung8491]

I don’t watch the short junk from any channel.

[@AskZac]

Every Sunday is a new long form.

[@greenwichherbaria5173]

I don’t play a tele, I don’t play guitar, I don’t live in the USA, nor particularly like your genre of music but love the channel. Your substance over style is very 5 watt world, best wishes from a sweaty London

[@AskZac]

Hot and humid here

[@buddhamus]

Thanks for this video. Good stuff to know about what to bring to a gig. I always think about my guitar, amp, and effects, but sometimes I forget about the little things that are just as important to have on hand.

[@tomsewell7202]

This was great…very helpful. Thanks for taking the time to do it.

[@AskZac]

You're very welcome!

[@caleshtcincredibles]

I loved every minute of this video and I learned something as well !

[@paulpmanhowland7818]

Thanks for the video. I'm always thinking about preparedness for unexpected situations at gigs. I always carry a nail file too. I always do a little touch before playing a gig up to make sure everything is smooth so I don't get any nail tears. I love your gack box, I carry a lot of stuff analogous to what you've got in there as well as a string changing kit. It's really cool that you found something that's the perfect size to double as an amp stand. I used to use a regular old milk crate the same way with my Peavey Bandit 65. On the subject of string changing, I really like using a product called a String Stretcha, it's really helpful for stretching and taking the slack out of strings quickly after changing them. If you're ever looking for something cheap to keep stuff from slipping around on the stage, cut up pieces of yoga mats work great. Yoga mats can be found pretty cheaply at discount stores. Black ones are the most unobtrusive. If I bring a wah, I like it on the floor before the other pedals, so I just run a 9 volt battery. I like to bring a couple of spares even though they tend to last a long time in a wah.

[@michaelmarshall1942]

Just came across this channel. I actually saw you at Hard Rock while out dancing with my wife. Great tone, and great band. Thanks for a fun night.

[@AskZac]

Awesome! Thank you!

[@ronrumsey3205]

Thanks, Zac! I love seeing videos about actual stage rigs. My current rig has about 8 pedals in it (Pedaltrain Metro 16) but I'm always looking for ways to shrink the board and lighten the load.

[@davidreidy5750]

Always a breath of fresh air watching your channel Zac!Tele's forever!

[@jfinester]

Great episode! Reminded me of my road days back in the late ‘70s. I carried two guitars-I had a ‘59 Tele and a Guild X-500 archtop, both in hardshell cases; a Music Man 410HD-130 amp that weighed about as much as a small car, and a suitcase that I had a bunch of guitar and mic cables in, a Shure SM58 vocal mic, an extension cord with six outlets, and a Morley volume/wah pedal. Plus a gym bag with a couple of guitar stands, and I replaced that bag with a soft golf bag that would fit the guitar stands plus a drummer’s stool, after the leader of that band told me I should sit down to play. It was a lot of stuff, and toward the end of my road days, I got a Peavey Deuce VT amp and a used road case with wheels, that doubled as an amp stand. It was my first channel-switching amp, and it had reverb and a phase shifter built-in. In that road case it must have weighed at least 90 pounds. I never had roadies, but usually one of the other musicians would carry my heavy stuff, and I’d carry anybody’s lighter stuff. It all went to the same place anyway!

[@user-ed7rx5hm4w]

Another great episode. Thanks Zac for your down to earth manor and your practical , helpful and fun information. My wife enjoys watching your episodes with me.

[@AskZac]

That is awesome!

[@dlux703]

Great tutorial and sharing episode. Your common sense always shines through. The plastic Coke box is similar to the black milk crate I've been using for years in the same ways you do. I have also found that a piece of black plastic drain pipe, abs 1 1/2 inch dia., cut in half length-wise and wire tied to the bottom of the crate allows me to tilt my amp back a few degrees if I feel like it. Some stages are so small that even raising the amp about 12 to 14 inches still has it blasting the back of your knees cause you're standing too close to it to hear it well in the mix.

[@StephenSpelman]

Great episode - I use the 2-guitar RBX carrying case from Reunion Blues, that Steve Sterlacci recommends. Holds my Les Paul and the Tele you found for me, plus a whole bunch other stuff And thanks for the head's up on the radius issue with older guitars. I've got a '68 Strat that I was having capo issues with - and now I know why. Always appreciate how helpful you are.

[@samuelhatman8995]

Answering the Call! And the joy of being that guy shows in every note! How do I know? After many years the folks you gig with line up to standard of Kin. Yesterday morning was great for us here. Saturday night at a local family bar and grill, a friend I've sat in with over the years celebrated his 70th with a Radio Transmitter Harmonica. He danced like a kid through the tables and crowd to a packed house. My little town is musicians young/old, pro-retired and mid career. It still stuns me the power of live music. So good to hear you today share the essentials. My rig is little different.

[@roberthurless4615]

I love my Strymon Iridium. I have used it for about three years now and it covers everything you could want. Put it through a PA and you cannot tell the difference through the FOH. If you ever decide to rewire your board or boards give me a shout. I do meticulous work with the best components available. Excellent video btw.

[@monmixer]

We used to give Roger Hoard all of our corcidin bottles at work in the theatre. I play a bit of slide but I use a porcelain slide when ever I have one one that I didn't drop and break.

[@srrrrfguitar]

Love the video - thanks Zac! Total validation for my kit - Tuki, Tele, bucking transformer, and I cracked up when you uncovered the Headstrong Lil King! Love mine and the only mod it needed was a pair of tilt back legs. Thanks again

[@AskZac]

Good mod

[@phillipasby9202]

Such a useful video!!! I used milk crates (albeit perhaps acquired back in the 80s in questionable circumstances) for both cables and switches etc... and as an amp stand for years. I need some more as those are long gone. Such a practical solution. Thanks Zac!

[@AskZac]

Wonderful!

[@robertglass978]

I always learn watching your videos! Like how I missed out on the chance of seeing and meeting you at Siloam! I live maybe 20 minutes away from that casino, and it is also the place I worked at when I first met Paul Bogart. The universe smiled down on you with that coke crate. Perfect size for amp AND amp cover!

[@scottreynolds6317]

Great episode!!! Always good to know what a professional uses and the reasons for those choices of gear. Thanks!!!!!

[@AskZac]

You bet!

[@Guitarpenter74]

I really enjoy your shows. Keep them coming! With the exception of type of guitar, we just about have identical rigs. Even down to the Iridium as back up. Every thing you need and nothing you don’t.

[@AskZac]

Rock on!

[@BillDutton]

That's some mighty fine playing Zac! Nice to get a peek of what you work with too.

[@PoundMountain]

Awesome video Zac, thank you for these insightful and practical tips 😌

[@AskZac]

My pleasure!

[@casey46]

Hey Zac. Thanks for the great video. I most enjoy your humble and straightforward delivery. I laughed out loud at your comments about the your wire cutters. I use red handle ones and wondered why my tone feels a bit off sometimes.

[@kevinswedlow5546]

You could flip the Tuki cover upside down and set the Coke crate inside with amp on top of the crate for a more secure but “dressed up” look.

[@VERBANDTREM]

Hi Zac, I play a similar set-up. Tele princeton and ODR1 are my essentials. Everything else is just seasoning. Love your channel!

[@crazywisdom2]

great vid Zack ! thank you.... this was great to see. Real world application ~ NICE !

[@AskZac]

You bet!

[@seanzinger]

That was awesome to see you in Rhett’s video! I was surprised not to see the Boss DM2 or the Mirage Compressor on your board. Maybe those are too rare to bring out on the road? Man, you are Mr. Prepared with that crate of gadgets, and it doubles as a stand 😮

[@AskZac]

I use the Mirage with bigger amps. The DM2 is still a fave, just going stripped down with only 1 delay

[@awesomeisasawesomedoesyo182]

Great! Thanks ZC.

[@AdamLevyGuitarTips]

Thanks for the deep dive, Zac. Lots of useful info here.

[@AskZac]

Thanks, Adam!

[@GPLP335]

Really interesting and cool video Zac. I liked it a lot. Thanks!

[@AskZac]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@bldallas]

Love the Cain’s Ballroom sticker. Reminds me of the time I saw Steve Earle and The Dukes play there, with Los Lobos opening, around 1992. Classic venue and killer show.

[@StandbyCymbalist]

Consistently stellar content Zac. I often reference your videos. I just set up a used 60th Anniversary Classic '50 Tele using you Setup Hacks video. Much appreciated

[@AskZac]

That is awesome!

[@terryeaster1]

I'm super glad you enjoyed Oklahoma, hope you can come back soon

[@TheStimpy60]

Love your channel and tips Zac. I’ve built two of those Klon clones for friends, great pedal. Also great tip about extra ac and outlets. I carry a cord reel with 25’ to get to a house outlet and has 4 outlets on top. Someone onstage always wants at least one of them 😎

[@AskZac]

Great tip!

[@danthegeetarman]

Thanks for the rundown Zac 👍🙏

[@AskZac]

No problem 👍

[@josephkatusich2551]

Very cool video, nicely done sir 👍🏼🙏🏼! I use a Headstrong Lil king S when not using my 64 Vibrolux and use all of the same items…mostly. Have the Allesandro 10’s in the Vibrolux, great speakers. Need a Brown box. Get a double gig bag, well worth it. Love the videos, keep them coming! Oh yeah, my tote box is a Cumberland Farms plastic crate. A convenience store up here in Massachusetts, not sure how far south they are. Take care and God Bless 🙏🏼.

[@tonywhetham8165]

I really enjoyed this episode.

[@nedward5871]

OMG - genius on the Tuki cover on the milk crate! Stealing this idea for Friday night with my Princeton Reverb and my D2F cover....

[@iamgcase]

Well done, kind sir!

[@babagadoush1]

Love this knowledge

[@MezzMcGillicuddy1]

Great video! Handy stuff to know.

[@AskZac]

Thanks! 👍

[@mcfontaine]

Great insight Zac. Thanks man.

[@AskZac]

My pleasure!

[@roberthdahlquist]

Good stuff - thanks Zac! Glad you got that slide outta the trash - whew!

[@russlgtr]

This is cool. Thank you

[@GRBAquatics]

Very Cool, Thankyou. Interesting, Informative and Entertaining. Cheers

[@AskZac]

Glad you enjoyed it

[@lonesomelenny7606]

Cool rig rundown. My IEC cables are colored red & green so they don't get mixed up with other players cables.

[@tommyraper3895]

Thanks Zac, great info!

[@AskZac]

You bet!

[@DieselWeazel]

You’ve spent all week with me. I’ve listened to several podcasts from Monroe, LA to Wheeling, to PA and VA then back to Monroe.

[@StephenJamesGoodWill]

So helpful, thank you!

[@AskZac]

Glad it was helpful!

[@tonekilltech]

Well shoot. Y'all were all in my neck of the woods. Wish I'd happened by Guitar House that day, but I can't afford any more good deals from Drew. Lol

[@holdmybeeroutdoors223]

Man, wish I knew you were in West Siloam Springs. Heading there shortly. Tulsa is a great guitar town!!

[@mrbuttons1243]

My dad bought Tuki for his Music Man amps when he was playing in honky tonks in the 80s. I've always bought them for my amps.

[@mattlongmusic9139]

Enjoyed the video Zac! I was surprised to see you use the George L cables. I had those on my board at one time and I had a lot of trouble with them causing signal loss. Nothing worse than hitting a pedal to take a solo and you lose everything LOL. I finally figured out it was the cables. I didn't have the "master series" George L's that you have, those look like they are different design than what I had. Love the Headstrong Amp!

[@AskZac]

I don't use the thumb screw ends, only the ones that have a set screw. I had the same problem with the thumb screw models.

[@hearpalhere]

You sounded great Zac! I really like your setup, very simple relatively speaking but with enough resilience that you'd be covered in case something goes wrong. I always loved getting my amp off the floor too. One of my bands was a pretty powerful rock type of thing and I would take a 2x12 extension cab and turn it on it's end. I'd then put my 1x12 combo amp on top of that. It was perfect for me on the stage and the sound guys usually just mic'd up the combo speaker.

[@AskZac]

Awesome! Thank you!

[@shanewalton8888]

Blue handles for good tone. Got it!

[@Gtrmanify]

Thanks for sharing

[@AskZac]

My pleasure

[@sharihaynes816]

Great video Zak!

[@AskZac]

Thanks!

[@christopherlong8259]

Love my TrueTone CS6, have had it for years and it’s the quietest setup. Currently run 12 pedals off it using 2 VL X4 expanders and still dead silent. When I wanted to add more out I tried going Cioks but returning it after getting some hum, bought the second X4 to add to my CS6 instead and problem solved!

[@andrearecchia8859]

Still the best guitar channel on KZbin

[@AskZac]

Gracias

[@Mistertbones]

I don't think any two guitarists use Klon style pedals the same. Some use it as a clean boost, some use it as like a distortion pedal. The way you have it set up, I think you use it as a boost pedal. Great video, Zac, and have a great day!

[@guitarpicker6844]

Another great episode! Guessing there's usually a 57 stuck in front of your amp as well. Great sound and picking!

[@Mssrmikeone]

Excellent.

[@PatrickGeneLeBlancHardy]

I'm new to your KZbin Channel. Thanks For Sharing 🎸🎶 💪

[@paulheartsongs]

Great information, thank you. I'm a singer who plays guitar so any help I can get is gratefully received.

[@AskZac]

Wonderful!

[@leethebee1560]

Lots of connections, I'm sure your reputation precedes you. Happy gigging hoping your hands only get better and never burn out.

[@robamaral9089]

Awesome tips bud👍🇺🇸😉

[@AskZac]

Thanks 👍

[@TG_Sealey_Entertainment]

No Compressor on your pedal board? That surprised me being that your clean tone is spot on… Enjoy your playing and your channel… Thanks for sharing!

[@awesomeisasawesomedoesyo182]

That’s Zac

[@sesa2984]

I bet the case actually helps insulate tge amp from that sub noise as well. Just a little shock absorber padding. Nice one.

[@worthmoremusic]

Although expensive, Eventide and Strymon make some phenomenal pedals !

[@PreachaMan]

Great video! Thank you for sharing your road gear. My “amp stand” is a 13”w X 11”h black milk crate…. I’m sure there could be a debate if a Milk Crate amp stand produces a smoother-more organic tone, While the Coke Crate amp stand provides more bite, fizz and excitement? We both know some people who would debate it. Haha

[@robamaral9089]

MUST mark the old fender tremolo pedal😉

[@duaneanderson6393]

thank you

[@AskZac]

You're welcome

[@thesjkexperience]

G7 makes a Capo that has auto adjust on fretboard radius. I have 7.25. 9.5. 10 and 12 radius electrics and its nice to know that it fits all of them. Shubb makes great ones and I do prefer them on acoustic.

[@andyhightides]

I've been dragging my feet on buying a Brown Box. It's $500 CAD, and now I have gigs coming, and I want to run my Bandmaster.

[@davidkellner8465]

Tasty guitar pickin again, i just started using NYXL 9.5s, i like them 9s are too rubber band, as i get older my fretting hand would lock up and cramp,really embarrassing on a show, no loss of tone.All the athletic bends are alot easier, keep up the good work, David

[@AskZac]

Good choice!

[@stringspicksandfiddlestick6388]

I’ve got that shirt LOL. I saw a band at the Odell Brewery called Heart Medicine. The guitar player was playing thru what I thought was a Tweed Fender Pro Junior. It was actually a Tweed Fender Champ. I looked it up. 5 Watt and just a volume knob. Reminded me of Five Watt World and your When Small Amps got Big video. The guitar player said he would like to gig with a Tweed Bassman but it would be too loud for a small stage so he just mics the Champ. Does the Brown Box check for ground faults? If not you need a ground test plug.

[@thefraish2660]

I've ordered 2 Tuki covers in the last few weeks. One for my Victoria 20112, and one for my '65 non-reverb Deluxe. I play mostly small clubs, so I always have my amp on the floor. Every time I try to put it on a chair or stand, it feels like the bottom just drops out of my sound. Though I haven't tried it yet, another advantage of the Tuki covers solid construction is, I think it would work great as an amp baffle, instead of a plexiglass shield, which seems to make the tone weird, to me. Aloha from Hawaii, Zac.

[@brianbard3846]

Hey fraisj,,what do you think of your Victoria, amp, compared to the fender.

[@Grant_Ferstat]

I thought I was the only person who put the amp cover over the crate! Great minds mate, great minds.... 🙂

[@AskZac]

😁

[@loopdawgg]

gotta try the two notes torpedo, its awesome.

[@guppybill]

There you go, man... outplayin' Uncle Pecos himself.

[@barrettbryant6892]

Thanks!

[@barrettbryant6892]

Question: regarding the 50 songs you me mentioned, are they mostly originals or mostly covers? - Barrett

[@AskZac]

THANK YOU

[@AskZac]

half originals

[@willdenham]

I prefer soft guitar cases too. Deep pockets in one, I can fit a CaptorX in it.

[@jaime.27.CBR.]

Hi Sr. I modded my Marshall foot switch with led lights of different led colors for each switch (it has 2, now blue for FX and red for Distortion channel) I recommend you that mod for your foot switch. Is impossible now for me to have mistakes with it now. There are lots of DIY videos to do it for every pedal and footswitch and is not too hard to do it

[@joeldowdy404]

Rock n Roll lifestyle of playing Gigs is much easier when you're in your 20's to early 30's after that you need more and more naps :) I have two True tone power supplies, excellent power supplies!!

[@AskZac]

Rock on!

[@gadavieira]

New video! Killer rig! Josh and Rhett are gargantuan tall guys! Earlier today I was rewatching the desert rose band tribute video, you talked about the 1987ish nashville sound. Have you made any video on the evolution of "nashville sound" over the decades? Or if there's some video or source for me to check it... Love your videos, greetings from Brazil!

[@AskZac]

Watch my Truetone interviews with John Jorgenson and Brent Mason

[@gadavieira]

@@AskZac nice! I’ll check them, thank you!

[@hearpalhere]

Haha, I thought you were going to miss mentioning the power supply Zac 🙂

[@silverwings1843]

That's the exact same size I use in the studio

[@bobbiemiles-foremaniii8747]

Bass players and forgetting their straps. Name a more iconic duo!

[@thomaschilds8781]

Best last name for a guitarist!

[@AskZac]

Agreed

[@rickwellings4127]

I really enjoyed this video. I like the idea of travelling light to gigs, so I'm all for a stripped back rig! I'm thinking of picking up a Mad Professor Deep Blue Delay. Do you find that this covers a lot of the bases that you'd otherwise cover with the DM-3 and the Echo Park?

[@AskZac]

It does. You just have to change the settings for long vs short