Things Every Guitarists NEEDS To Take To Gigs!

[@stuarthunt3837]

Spot on for all those bits of kit. But above all else every musician needs to take a sense of humour along to the gig. Seriously folks if you can't laugh at yourself, your band mates the toilets for changing rooms, and all those other bizarre things that happen at gigs you may as well go home.

[@CraigDeubler]

I'd also mention a strap. If you play mostly sitting down it's very easy to forget to pack one .....

[@Insertnameher3]

Look at that subtle off white colouring, the tasteful thickness of it.

[@JohnvanCapel]

One thing (or rather, several) I'd add, that I've saved gigs with: Take spares of little things your bandmates might use! I've brought spare drum sticks and had a drummer thank me profusely for saving his bacon. I've had the *bassist* snap a string and, since bass strings rarely snap, he didn't bring any - but I did. I've had the singer's mic cable crap out. You're not the only band member for whom malfunctions can happen on-stage, and your band members will love you for thinking of them. Another one, this one goes for if you have a large pedalboard with multiple power supplies involved: Put an isolated power strip on your pedalboard, plug all those power supplies into the one power strip. You can get absolutely screwed at venues if there's not enough mains sockets to plug your gear into, plus if you only have the one thing to unplug it'll save time in getting ready or packing it up.

[@MikeSingSing]

I'd also add cable ties. In terms of backup amp: If high gain is your thing, i'd recommend an Orange Micro Dark. That thing saved my arse on more than one occasion. Super small, affordable, portable and always in my backpack.

[@beaumas]

Awesome advice. I always have an extra microphone and XLR cable. I also think bringing a cheat book of all your songs and the chord progression, I know this seems weird but if you're only starting out those songs you've been practising every day will disappear from your mind the moment you get stage fright.

[@scrivinmusic]

sadly i learned about the stage fright the hard way. i had it down in the practice rooms and then as soon as i went on stage i forgot some of the chord progressions 😢

[@Demiglitch]

Mentioning the "other people might buy you a pint" part, it's also a good idea to bring spare strings of the same gauge as any other guitarist or bassist in your band, just in case they forget theirs. Even if they don't need it, someone else might, and it sure helps when it's 10PM and your only alternative is digging into a music store.

[@spikewulfenden706]

I also have in the gigbag plasters, superglue, torches, and plenty of water for when I'm onstage n those start cooking! Hydrating is so important, dude. I also have some glow in the dark glue stuff that I line my pedal board edges with. Paracetamol, aspirin, brufen and some savlon. As for backup, I have a fly rig made up of hx stomp, hx fx and more extensions!!! Ya can never have enough of those and the kettle leads etc. And never forget your phone charger, and a powerbank preferably a 10,000 rated one. 🤘🤘🤘 p.s. regarding batteries, it's worth investing in duracell procell 9v packs. Amazon have sellers vending them and they're absolutely worth it!

[@cyclesgoff9768]

Solid advice. If it moves and it shouldn’t, gaffer tape. If it doesn’t move and it should, WD40.

[@mikefarquhar5063]

Wd40 is OK for freeing stuff up, but after it dries the crap that got it all stuck in the first place is still there with no lubricant, 3 in 1 is better or if you want max rust freedom- wd40, clean thoroughly and then use appropriate grease or lube... applies to many eh things🤷‍♂️

[@cyclesgoff9768]

@@mikefarquhar5063 You are of course correct man. But it was a little rule of thumb for the kids. Vaseline or a led pencil also applies. WD40 has the added benefit of being spectacularly combustible. 🔥

[@mikefarquhar5063]

@cyclesgoff9768 combustible and corrosive at the same time, I was thinking about long term lubrication of all friction points, mechanical/moving parts for a couple good reasons, to stave off wear nd tear and reduce weird buzzing sounds, thicker lubricants like white grease, something that will last longer than some that's on the market for stupid privates ie big Ben's guitar nut sauce, I didn't make the name up, and I know two different metals at points of contact will react and the weakest will gibmve way sooner, grease after freeing up with a reactant like wd40 which serves only one real purpose- to react with theme corrosive residue that fuses when this happens, then clean the muck that's been loosened up thoroughly with steel wool or something that is grisly enough to free up the tougher affected parts then clean before resetting strings, I do this every time I change strings I get more out of my strings for it, and it will help prevent having to use wd40 which is fir extreme cases with delicate components on a guitar, if you leave it too long to have to use wd40 you're not taking care of your guitar properly. Same rule applies with anything it's used for. Prevention is a better lesson for kids than procrastination.

[@DavidAVest]

Great list! Another benefit to a spare guitar is that if something goes wrong with your main, but is fixable (like broken string) you can quickly switch and deal with it during a break. Pen/pencil and paper--never know when you'll really want to jot something down/ write on tape. Along with guitar cables, if anyone in your band uses XLR or USB cables in their chain, bring a couple of those as spare too.

[@IanStephenson-b5k]

Good list. I'd add a phone charger - for when your gig finishes at midnight, you're figuring how to get home from a strange town, and your phone has been in use all day (you had a three hour break between loading and showtime!). Put your phone on charge while you're playing (also gets it out of your pocket, so it doesn't interfere with your guitar). Also put all that stuff in a bag FOR GIGS. Never take it out at home, or you'll get to your next gig and remember the extension cord is currently powering your xbox, and your batteries have all disappeared. Buy a set of cables for home and a set for gigs.

[@malcolmgordon2988]

So glad you mentioned tape… I always have a roll of Gorilla tape in my gig bag and always put a strip of multi coloured tape round the end of my cables just so I know which are mine when I’m packing up

[@mikefarquhar5063]

There's a sale on! Yes! Nice one 👍

[@ottson]

You were made for this stuff Dagan! Informative and entertaining

[@destro.4554]

I am playing my first gig at 15 in August! Thanks for the vid!

[@OgamiItto70]

Break a leg.

[@olebrumme6356]

@@OgamiItto70 Don't follow this advice, unless you want to sit for the rest of the gig.

[@OgamiItto70]

@@olebrumme6356 Hals und beinbruch.

[@AnimalJohn85]

Some sound advice right there! Aside the dunlop multi-tool... the Ibanez branded one has much more usable things on it and wont fall apart after a couple of uses. It may just be me that does this but... I'd throw a soldering iron and solder in there too for the times the electrics are buggered so you can bodge it there n then to get through the gig. Nicely done sir

[@mikefarquhar5063]

No way I'm paying 13quid for two batteries but thanks, said with love ❤️

[@JLCwakeboardingFL]

“Tour grade” haha

[@dragonheartstudio]

I had to double check it wasn’t the first of April, holy moly!

[@nickcooper1000]

Other Battery sellers are available😀

[@willgunter2674]

Thank you SOOO Much Dagan, my first gig is coming up soon and this is all good to know stuff that I will definitely need to write down!

[@erikberg8352]

All great points, thanks!

[@ereimul1444]

Dagan gave the best tips

[@austinsandefer649]

Excellent tips. Thank You. 🎸🎶. 🇺🇸

[@sonicsega1699]

i would suggest a guitar case or any case/box, full of spares of everything. but i will allllllways highly recommend all the players have their own extension power adaptor that fulfills everything YOU need. this way you aren't reliant on anyone else, incase something were to go wrong on your side

[@rafniki420]

Love ya work mate

[@anthonymichael3029]

I keep a bag in the back of my vehicle with spare IEC cables, guitar cables, speaker cables, capo, power supplies and gaff tape. This is in addition to the spares I keep in my gig bag that goes into the venue with me. Can never be too sure.

[@richarde3378]

I was scared of your guitar falling off the amp!

[@conorfurlong]

This is great, great advice. Hopefully people will heed it so that, for one thing, other bands at gigs stop borrow/stealing my spare gear cos they forgot to bring a backup! 🤦‍♂️😂

[@justcallmedomi5334]

Great video , thanks for the amazing tips

[@_widas_]

Great video 👍

[@Brati999]

Yea extra guitar and amp is one of the most importent.

[@j7cc]

Appreciation. 🇺🇸🤘🇬🇧

[@RainMakeR_Workshop]

I once had a place I gigged accuse me of stealing their extension cable when I used my own because some staff member saw me pack it up and assumed it was theirs. After arguing with the manager for a while and threats of the police being called, their sound guy walked over, looked at it and explained to the manager it wasn't theirs because theirs are all labelled and a different style. Laughed in the managers face, called him a word YT hates, told him to fuck off and never player there again. Though that did teach me to label EVERYTHING, Even my patch cables are labelled.

[@Paul-D]

Just dont do what I managed to do and put those earplugs in back to front in a gig. The attenuator piece fell out deep down my ear hole. Made for a VERY uncomfortable evening lol

[@hamishsummers8585]

You can regrow arms and fingers?!

[@martinclayton7260]

Last gig I played, I took 3 guitars, and I used them all.

[@Manny_J]

Don’t forget to bring the sauce

[@31rdy]

"You can regrow your arms, you can regrow your fingers" Does Dagan know something we don't?

[@samabbitt5587]

1:31

[@gerald5028]

Fun fact - Dagan is selling this his Kramer guitar on reverb😂

[@OgamiItto70]

Extra guitars. Extra cables. Spare picks. Extra rig. Maybe some strings. Roadie. Groupies. Maybe a soundman. Boom! What more do you need? But seriously, keep extra picks in your wallet. Like behind your driver's license or in with your ATM receipts.

[@mikefarquhar5063]

Hahaha 😆 got that one yeah

[@Lyric.Fr01]

UNDO THE KNOT😭

[@KiloTj93]

Hi

[@Chillwave.o]

damn

[@davequiquegg]

A4 Pad and sharpie because people need setlists. Probably an extra sharpie because someone will borrow it and then it's disappeared into the ether. If you can have a QR code on your banner or business cards then people can just go straight to your website/FB page/Bandcamp then they won't lose your card. You can use it as a place for them to send photos and video too if they get good shots future promo. If you're watching this and thinking that you already have all of these and would bring them, remember that your bassist or other guitarist (whichever applies) is a useless human who spends all their money on booze and Funko Pops whilst calling themselves a 'creative'. Don't bring just spares for you, bring spares for that idiot too. Oh and sometimes the singer might get visions of grandeur and want to play a song on guitar (even through he doesn't own one) so prepare for that ego-centric twazzock requiring a full rig just because he wants to impress his bird. Also extra baccy, 3 packs of rizla, and 4 lighters, even if you don't smoke. A lot of this is hyperbole, but so is 'This is Spinal Tap' and people aren't watching that film for the gritty realism, even though it's scarily accurate about what a touring band is like to be in.

[@jackgavin7594]

How'd the singer playing guitar go down? Did he bluff well or do shite

[@peteralbertthomas]

Microphones. Very important.

[@minkorrh]

1) A guitar of the electric variety. Preferably not a Gibson or other crap that won't hold tune.

[@karimbechoux3417]

Nice vid but ... OMG BREAAAAAAAAAAATHE :D

[@DavidAVest]

Dagan's energy and love for rock guitar are infectious and a delight. It's refreshing to me he gets so hyped talking about it!

[@markmuniz3872]

One thing that is very often over looked … fingernail clippers.

[@mikefarquhar5063]

Now I'm being blocked so proves my point.