The (Just in Case) Tool Baghere are many things a guitarist needs toprepare for before playing a gig,open micnight or rehearsal. However, manyguitarists are not organised enough when

it comes to preparing for breakdowns withtheir guitars or equipment while playing live. ltis prudent to have a tool bag handy with all ofthe things you might need on a gig just in caseanything should go wrong. lt is Murphy's Lawthat you will break a string when you haven'tgot any spares handy, or the battery will goflatin your tuner when the nearest shop is 50kilometres away.

The reason I am writing this article is a fewmonths ago a guitarist, who was playing at thebar across the road from our gig, came overand wanted a top E string for his guitar. He hadbroken his and had no spares. All the musicshops were shut, but luckily I had a spare set tolend him. Never letyourself be in this situation.While i t is normally only minor issues that cropup if you look after your equipment, they canruin your night and possibly your reputation.

Some of the things that many top playerscarry with them are:. Spare strings - Always have at least one

spare set of strings on hand, but two or threespares would be better. lf you carry acousticsand electrics with you, like I do, you will needspare strings for each instrument.

. Spare straps - lt is surprising how often thespare strap comes in handy because one ofthe guys left their's at home. Sometimes I getpeople who want me to play their guitar, butthe strap is not right for me, so I get my spare.

. Picks - lt is surprising how these little thingsvanish. Buy them in bulk and always buybright coloured picks as they are easier to seeif you drop one while playing.

. Screwdrivers - You will need both Phillipsand slot screwdrivers.

. Pliers and vice grips - Both normal andlong-nose pl iers wil l come in handy as wil l thevice grips for those difficult situations.

. Microphones - | have seen microphonesdropped, which then don't work and theband havent got any spares. Don't you becaught out.

. Allen keys - A lot of music related equipmentuse screws that need Allen keys to undothem - like on floating bridges.

.Wire cutters - Handy for when your guitarleads need fixing and cutting off the endsof strings.

.Tape - Both electrical and duct tape. Gaffatape is also great for keeping leads fixed to thefloor so no one can trio or fall over them.

. Extension cords - Both long and short ones.I even have a 20m extension cord that getsused ouite a bit.

. Power strips - You can never have enoughof these. The best ones are with the doubleplugs on the ends, extra space for the Iargeradapters - and have surge protection.

. Spare tubes and fuses - lt is easy to damagetubes while transport ing your gear around. l fthe tubes get damaged your amp won't work,simple as that. Make sure you know whattubes and fuse sizes your amps need beforeyou need them and get some replacements.

. Batteries - Many musical devices like tunersand pedals require the standard 9 volt squarebattery. lt is always best to run them bypower if you can, but always have a spare plusany other batteries that are required for yourother devices.

. Torch - A large torch is good for in the darkcar park after the gig or on the dark stage,while a small one comes in handy for lookingin the back of the rack units and other smallsDaces.

. String winder - lt is much quicker to changestr ings using a winder than to wind them byhand. With a bit of practice you can get veryquick at changing a str ing while the band isst i l l playing.

. Soldering iron and solder - The moreserious repairs require a soldering iron, butthey also come in handy for the simple job offixing a cable.

. Guitar stands - Most cheao stands are a bitflimsy and can break easily so it is best to buythe stronger more expensive types. Having aspare in the back of your vehicle will pay off.

. Music stands - These come in handy i fyou are on a reading gig and quite oftensomeone leaves their's at home.

. Perspex screen - these are handy to stopyour music blowing away on a windy outsidegig. A glass business wil l cut one to f i t yourmusic stand. Many musicians use clothespegs, but they don't work very well in thesesituations.

.Tuners - | always carry two or three tunerswith me.

. Towels and polishing cloths -Towels are greatfor when idiots spill drinks over your gear, andpolishing cloths can make your guitar sparkleunder the lights and look like new again.

. Band aids - When speedily changing a stringyou can often prick your finger taking the oldbits of str ing offand i t is surprising how muchyour finger can bleed. The band aid will saveyou having to clean your guitar the next day.

. Spares - Many professional players also carrylarge spare items like guitars, amplifiers, CDor mp3 players, mixers, speaker cabinets, etc.There are many other spares you might thinkof which you need to take to the next gigas well , so make a l ist of al l the things youcan think of. Once you have all these itemsready it is important that you know how touse them quickly. l t is surprising how manymusicians carry a soldering iron around withthem, but don't know how to use it.

Carrying out routine maintenance on all ofyour equipment will save you some major stressand should be canied out by competent repairpeople when you haVe some down time in yourschedule. Always arrive at the gig early enoughto set up then if any of your equipment is notworking properly you'll have time to sort it out.

One thing I have learnt after many years inthis business is to always expect the unexpected- sooner or later it will happen to you. I recallworking with a sax player friend of mine, Larry,who had a bag with the label 'Just in Case'on i t .I t included al l his spares, etc, and a bott le of hisfavourite tipple with two glasses. Some guysare really prepared.

Kevin Downing is a guitarist, teacher, andauthor. He con be contacted through his websiteat www.guitar.co.nz or PO Box 4586, PalmerstonNorth.4442.

Page 54 NZM December/Januaru ZDIO