The Value of Over-Packing

[Chris Bauer]

After too many years of feeling like an idiot for packing a second volume pedal and, whenever possible, a second amp, in the last two months I've had both a first time ever volume pedal failure and amp failure happen.

In the first case, I had a Moyo volume pedal in my pack seat and in the second instance I had a Trace Elliot ELF in my grab and go utility case. Both were all I needed and the jobs ranged from a tiny coffeehouse to a moderate-sized festival gig. Both are tiny and weigh almost nothing. I'm now glad I've had them - or things like them - all these years, just in case.

Neither issue will probably ever happen again but I'm now sure I'll keep carrying back-ups just in case they do.

What do you all carry as 'just in case' items/tools/whatevers?

[Doug Beaumier]

I carry a spare Quilter 202 head (which I had to use once when my amp died) and a spare Hilton volume pedal. Also a spare power cord for the Hilton and a spare One Spot power supply. And of course, an extra bar, picks, batteries, strings, etc. Also a heavy duty extension cord in the car, in case the power outlets are far away.

[Dave Mudgett]

I have two Quilter Tone Block 201 heads, one of which I often use for steel. But regardless of what main amp I use, I always have a TB 201 in my gig bag. It has saved me multiple times, mostly when the venue told me they have a back line amp, that turned out to be total crap. I've used the head to power whatever speaker they had.

Sometimes I carry a spare volume pedal, sometimes not - I could survive a gig without a volume pedal. I always carry spare picks, bars, strings, instrument cables, speaker cables, female-to-female 1/4" TS adapters, a mic or two, a couple of XLR mic cables, extension power cords, an extra IEC cable or two, a decent power strip, and like Doug, always a spare One-Spot.

[Ken Morgan]

Always have a Quilter 101 under the back seat of my truck, along with a decent direct box, Boss ME90, assortment of strings, batteries, etc. One would be amazed that being prepared for yourself often means being prepared for for most anyone else in the band having an equipment failure, thus saving the gig

[K Maul]

I always carry spare shorts and socks in my car. Seriously, folks…. I do pack a MOYO volume pedal and Dekley Low Boy to gigs(I use either depending on my whims), a Quilter Interblock 45 and/or Microblock PLUS a Phantom Block in case my 202 or Evans fails. Cords and power cables, of course. A ZOOM MS 50G for backup effects(plus 1Spot). AND most importantly, a spare capo for when my guitar player forgets his.

[Dave Grafe]

I don't often take two amps but my seat always has two volume pedals and an RV-3 backup for potential amp reverb failure. In a pinch this could be taken directly to the PA mixer, but Quilter is making it look incredibly easy to carry a spare amp instead.

[Howard Parker]

Spare everything, including a few critical steel parts.

I over pack and am more than a tad anal in this regard.

hp

[Dave Grafe]

It never hurts to carry a drum key as well

[Lee Baucum]

Yep. Spare everything except a spare guitar.

Even a spare shirt...ever since "The BBQ Sauce Incident". That was a real mess.

[Jon Light (deceased)]

If I could, I'd tow a spare car. I am so neurotic about 'the unexpected'. I try to have all bases covered but I know that the universe can always throw me a curve ball that I did not see coming.

[Dave Grafe]

Yep. Spare everything except a spare guitar.

I've done that a few times on shows where it was easier and faster to switch out steel guitars than broken strings.

[Steve Lipsey]

Trick I recently learned...ditch the spare one-spot and carry a Rockboard battery supply...will power all your 9v stuff and also solves the problem when your amp is near an outlet but your steel is not...
https://www.amazon.com/Rockboard-Rechar ... B07D3GRDCZ

[David Farrell]

I have a Fender harmonica case (about the size of a brief case) I carry. I call it my 'save the gig box' It has a few spare cables, extension power cord, vocal mic, pics, etc.

[Bobby D. Jones]

My motto when I was working. "Think, The worst thing that can happen, And be prepared for it. If it don't happen, I get a free ride".

When I am playing a gig, Extra volume pedal, Cables, Evans AH 200 amp. in vehicle. Tuner batteries, Extra pick sets in seat. First time gig in a unknown facility, 3 12/3 25 foot extension chords in vehicle.