Traveling with a collection of spare essentials—from guitar and mic cables to extension cords, capos, tuners, and maybe even a mini-amp—can be the difference between a show and a night of no-go.
Anyone who’s seen a spy flick or caper movie knows about go bags—the always-packed-and-ready duffles or attachés filled with passports, a few weapons, and cash that’s ready to grab and run with when the hellhounds are on your trail. As guitar players, we also need go bags, but their contents are less dramatic, unless, maybe, you’re playing a Corleone-family wedding.
We need the essentials for gigs in our go bags, and that's somewhat subjective. At one point, for me, that included a bottle of Jameson, but no longer. I guess that’s a way of saying that our priorities change, so over time the contents of our go bags will, too.
Now, I have two go bags: a small one for local gigs or quick weekend runs, and a big, fat, roller-wheel bag for short tours or special event gigs, like album-release shows or festivals. The small bag is actually a silver box covered with stickers, and this is what it has inside: two sets of GHS Boomers .010 strings, a couple picks, a string winder and pointy-nose clippers for string replacements, two guitar cables, an extra clip-on tuner, a couple of 9V batteries, a slide, a capo, and a few 6" guitar pedal cables. If I’m not using a backline, I also tuck in an AmpRX BrownBox. (I’ve clocked 127 volts coming out of the walls in some Nashville clubs.)
The Big Black Bag, as it’s named, carries all of the above and a lot more. Ever been to a gig where an adequate number of mics were promised … and instead there were none? Or where a bandmate forgets a guitar strap or cables? Or the temperature’s pushing into the high 90s and there’s not a stage towel to be found? Those problems and more have fueled the packing of my Big Black Bag. Here’s what’s inside: six guitar cables, a half-dozen 9V batteries, six pedal cables, two guitar straps, an extra TU-3, five stage towels, a paint brush (for improv), four microphone cables, an XLR to RCA adaptor, an acoustic guitar soundhole plug, two rolls of duct tape, two SM58s, two SM57s, my BrownBox, four extension cords, a maraca (’cause why not?), a guitar multi-tool, pointy string-clippers, four sets of GHS Boomers, a wall-socket tester, string winders, capos, slides, two 2' instrument cables (for off-board pedal testing or emergency bypasses), $20, a flashlight, a replacement guitar-to-transmitter cable for my wireless, and several AC power cables should one be missing from an amp or other backline gear. And that doesn’t include the slides, capos, and vibrator I keep in my pedalboard case, along with an Ebow.
“When bandmates have forgotten cables, cords, capos, slides, or picks, I’ve had them covered.”
If that seems excessive … well, I’ve used all of it at one time or another. When bandmates have forgotten cables, cords, capos, slides, or picks, I’ve had them covered. When a PA went down in a funky little room—and I play as many funky little rooms as possible—I was able to plug a mic straight into an amp to finish a show. Mic or cable failures? I’ve had those covered, too, for the band and the house. No juice hitting the amp? Well, the wall tester showed a dead outlet.
I’ve played a lot of small towns where there either isn’t a guitar shop within an hour or simply isn’t a shop at all. And if there is, it usually closes at 5 p.m., just about when we’re getting ready to load into the gig. On co-bills, I’ve also bailed out other bands with cables, slides, capos, and even loaner guitars. ( I enjoy seeing other musicians play my 6-strings, to hear how different they sound on my very familiar gear.) All the times I didn’t have these extras and needed them over the years have taught me to pack like a Boy Scout.
There’s also the voodoo factor, which dictates that if you’re prepared for gear failures, they won’t happen. It’s only when you’re going to be caught off-guard that Baron Samedi sneaks in and fries a transformer or kills a switch in your favorite overdrive.
If you don’t have a go bag, it’s time to put yours together. It doesn’t have to be as extreme as the Big Black Bag, but I suggest you think about its contents carefully. A good go bag helps you keep going as a musician. And as you know, the show must go on—unless it really, absolutely can’t, and that’s sad for all the people you want to make happy, including yourself.
PG contributor Tom Butwin details the 5 accessory types he needs in his gigging and studio arsenal. Whether you're a weekend warrior or session ace, these accessories are essential to having what you need, when you need it.
Enter the giveaway here: https://www.premierguitar.com/win-stuff/pg-giveaways/five-accessories-every-guitarist-needs
Shubb C1 Standard Capo for Steel String Guitar (2-Pack) - Polished Nickel
Std Capo, Steel Str Acous/Elec Gtr, Polished Nickel 2pkD'Addario Backline Gear Transport Pack Musician's Accessories Backpack
Gear Transport BackpackDMI Guitar Labs Cleaning Supplies
ALL-IN-ONE CLEANING KIT!
FRET BUTTER IS A UNIQUE AND SIMPLE PATENTED PROPRIETARY SOLUTION FOR YOUR STRINGED INSTRUMENTS' FINGERBOARD.
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You could WIN a Guitarist Essentials Prize Package featuring gear from D'Addario, DMI Guitar Labs, Dunlop, Shubb Capos, Taylor Guitars, and Xvive! Giveaway ends in 30 days.
D'addario Backline Gear Transport Pack Solo
The D'Addario Backline gear transport solo pack provides a rugged yet ergonomic solution for transporting your essential gear between gigs. Designed with serious musicians in mind, this purpose-built pack features six specialized compartments to securely organize your laptop, cables, pedals, microphones, merchandise and more. Its heavy-duty construction and padded straps keep your equipment protected and your shoulders comfortable during transit. Multiple compartments provide dedicated space for your laptop, cables, pedals, mics and whatever else you need to bring to a show. Padded dividers keep items securely in place and prevent scratches. A large front pocket is perfect for smaller accessories like guitar picks or drum keys. There's even a padded laptop sleeve to keep your computer safe during travel.DMI Guitar Labs Cleaning Kit
ALL-IN-ONE CLEANING KIT!
FRET BUTTER IS A UNIQUE AND SIMPLE PATENTED PROPRIETARY SOLUTION FOR YOUR STRINGED INSTRUMENTS' FINGERBOARD.
Fret Butter hydrates the wood and removes grime and oxidation from your frets in one simple application. The result is a clean hydrated fingerboard with shiny frets and a satin smooth finish protecting against sweat, acids, metal corrosion, and string abrasion.
NOW YOU CAN:
Easily clean your finger-board with the Fret Butter all-in-one cloth
Prevent cracking and splitting of your finger-board
Bring back like-new luster to your frets
Fret Butter contains no harmful chemicals, is prop65 compliant, cruelty free and vegan. It is air-travel safe world-wide and ships to 169 countries. Fret Butter only contains food grade products and is free of lemon oil.
Dunlop System 65 Complete Guitar and Bass Setup Tool Kit
System 65 Complete Gtr/Bass Setup Tool KitShubb C8b Partial Capo for Drop-D Tuning - Brass
Taylor Beacon Digital Clip-on Tuner - Black
That’s why Taylor’s new Beacon is the perfect accessory for any guitar player. This convenient, USB-chargeable multi-tool includes five essential functions to cover any musical situation:
- Clip-on tuner
- Metronome
- Timer
- Countdown
- Flashlight
With its easy-to-use design and compact, versatile functionality, the Beacon represents the latest step in Taylor’s mission to make it easier for you to make music.