{"id":43089,"date":"2025-01-27T17:30:41","date_gmt":"2025-01-27T17:30:41","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.gear4music.com\/blog\/?p=43089"},"modified":"2026-08-12T17:03:44","modified_gmt":"2026-08-12T16:03:44","slug":"band-equipment-checklist","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.gear4music.com\/blog\/band-equipment-checklist\/","title":{"rendered":"A Comprehensive Band Equipment Checklist &#8211; Including Bags and Cases"},"content":{"rendered":"<div id=\"ez-toc-container\" class=\"ez-toc-v2_0_86 counter-hierarchy ez-toc-counter ez-toc-grey ez-toc-container-direction\">\n<div class=\"ez-toc-title-container\">\n<p class=\"ez-toc-title\" style=\"cursor:inherit\">Table of Contents<\/p>\n<span class=\"ez-toc-title-toggle\"><a href=\"#\" class=\"ez-toc-pull-right ez-toc-btn ez-toc-btn-xs ez-toc-btn-default ez-toc-toggle\" aria-label=\"Toggle Table of Content\"><span class=\"ez-toc-js-icon-con\"><span class=\"\"><span class=\"eztoc-hide\" style=\"display:none;\">Toggle<\/span><span class=\"ez-toc-icon-toggle-span\"><svg style=\"fill: #999;color:#999\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" class=\"list-377408\" width=\"20px\" height=\"20px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" fill=\"none\"><path d=\"M6 6H4v2h2V6zm14 0H8v2h12V6zM4 11h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2zM4 16h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2z\" fill=\"currentColor\"><\/path><\/svg><svg style=\"fill: #999;color:#999\" class=\"arrow-unsorted-368013\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"10px\" height=\"10px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" version=\"1.2\" baseProfile=\"tiny\"><path d=\"M18.2 9.3l-6.2-6.3-6.2 6.3c-.2.2-.3.4-.3.7s.1.5.3.7c.2.2.4.3.7.3h11c.3 0 .5-.1.7-.3.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7zM5.8 14.7l6.2 6.3 6.2-6.3c.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7c-.2-.2-.4-.3-.7-.3h-11c-.3 0-.5.1-.7.3-.2.2-.3.5-.3.7s.1.5.3.7z\"\/><\/svg><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/a><\/span><\/div>\n<nav><ul class='ez-toc-list ez-toc-list-level-1 eztoc-toggle-hide-by-default' ><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-1\" href=\"https:\/\/www.gear4music.com\/blog\/band-equipment-checklist\/#In_a_hurry_Heres_a_summary\" >In a hurry? Here\u2019s a summary<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-2\" href=\"https:\/\/www.gear4music.com\/blog\/band-equipment-checklist\/#Protect_your_gear\" >Protect your gear<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-3\" href=\"https:\/\/www.gear4music.com\/blog\/band-equipment-checklist\/#Band_equipment_checklist_Singer\" >Band equipment checklist: Singer<\/a><ul class='ez-toc-list-level-4' ><li class='ez-toc-heading-level-4'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-4\" href=\"https:\/\/www.gear4music.com\/blog\/band-equipment-checklist\/#Microphone\" >Microphone<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-4'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-5\" href=\"https:\/\/www.gear4music.com\/blog\/band-equipment-checklist\/#PA_system\" >PA system<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-4'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-6\" href=\"https:\/\/www.gear4music.com\/blog\/band-equipment-checklist\/#Mixer\" >Mixer<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-4'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-7\" href=\"https:\/\/www.gear4music.com\/blog\/band-equipment-checklist\/#XLR_cables\" >XLR cables<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-4'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-8\" href=\"https:\/\/www.gear4music.com\/blog\/band-equipment-checklist\/#In-ear_monitors\" >In-ear monitors<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-4'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-9\" href=\"https:\/\/www.gear4music.com\/blog\/band-equipment-checklist\/#Bags_and_cases\" >Bags and cases<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-10\" href=\"https:\/\/www.gear4music.com\/blog\/band-equipment-checklist\/#Band_equipment_checklist_Guitarist\" >Band equipment checklist: Guitarist<\/a><ul class='ez-toc-list-level-4' ><li class='ez-toc-heading-level-4'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-11\" href=\"https:\/\/www.gear4music.com\/blog\/band-equipment-checklist\/#Guitars\" >Guitars<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-4'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-12\" href=\"https:\/\/www.gear4music.com\/blog\/band-equipment-checklist\/#Guitar_amp\" >Guitar amp<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-4'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-13\" href=\"https:\/\/www.gear4music.com\/blog\/band-equipment-checklist\/#Effects_pedals\" >Effects pedals<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-4'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-14\" href=\"https:\/\/www.gear4music.com\/blog\/band-equipment-checklist\/#Bags_and_cases-2\" >Bags and cases<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-15\" href=\"https:\/\/www.gear4music.com\/blog\/band-equipment-checklist\/#Band_equipment_checklist_Bassist\" >Band equipment checklist: Bassist<\/a><ul class='ez-toc-list-level-4' ><li class='ez-toc-heading-level-4'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-16\" href=\"https:\/\/www.gear4music.com\/blog\/band-equipment-checklist\/#Basses\" >Basses<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-4'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-17\" href=\"https:\/\/www.gear4music.com\/blog\/band-equipment-checklist\/#Bass_amps\" >Bass amps<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-4'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-18\" href=\"https:\/\/www.gear4music.com\/blog\/band-equipment-checklist\/#Bags_and_cases-3\" >Bags and cases<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-19\" href=\"https:\/\/www.gear4music.com\/blog\/band-equipment-checklist\/#Band_equipment_checklist_Drummer\" >Band equipment checklist: Drummer<\/a><ul class='ez-toc-list-level-4' ><li class='ez-toc-heading-level-4'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-20\" href=\"https:\/\/www.gear4music.com\/blog\/band-equipment-checklist\/#Shells\" >Shells<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-4'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-21\" href=\"https:\/\/www.gear4music.com\/blog\/band-equipment-checklist\/#Cymbals_snare_and_hardware\" >Cymbals, snare, and hardware<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-4'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-22\" href=\"https:\/\/www.gear4music.com\/blog\/band-equipment-checklist\/#Bags_and_cases-4\" >Bags and cases<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-23\" href=\"https:\/\/www.gear4music.com\/blog\/band-equipment-checklist\/#Band_equipment_checklist_Keyboardist\" >Band equipment checklist: Keyboardist<\/a><ul class='ez-toc-list-level-4' ><li class='ez-toc-heading-level-4'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-24\" href=\"https:\/\/www.gear4music.com\/blog\/band-equipment-checklist\/#Keyboard\" >Keyboard<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-4'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-25\" href=\"https:\/\/www.gear4music.com\/blog\/band-equipment-checklist\/#Cables\" >Cables<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-4'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-26\" href=\"https:\/\/www.gear4music.com\/blog\/band-equipment-checklist\/#Bags_and_cases-5\" >Bags and cases<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-27\" href=\"https:\/\/www.gear4music.com\/blog\/band-equipment-checklist\/#How_to_transport_your_gear_safely\" >How to transport your gear safely<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-28\" href=\"https:\/\/www.gear4music.com\/blog\/band-equipment-checklist\/#FAQs\" >FAQs<\/a><ul class='ez-toc-list-level-4' ><li class='ez-toc-heading-level-4'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-29\" href=\"https:\/\/www.gear4music.com\/blog\/band-equipment-checklist\/#What_type_of_instruments_do_bands_use\" >What type of instruments do bands use?<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-4'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-30\" href=\"https:\/\/www.gear4music.com\/blog\/band-equipment-checklist\/#What_does_a_band_need_for_a_gig\" >What does a band need for a gig?<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-4'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-31\" href=\"https:\/\/www.gear4music.com\/blog\/band-equipment-checklist\/#What_instrument_is_best_for_me\" >What instrument is best for me?<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-32\" href=\"https:\/\/www.gear4music.com\/blog\/band-equipment-checklist\/#Final_thoughts\" >Final thoughts<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/nav><\/div>\n<p>[et_pb_section fb_built=&#8221;1&#8243; _builder_version=&#8221;4.16&#8243; global_colors_info=&#8221;{}&#8221;][et_pb_row _builder_version=&#8221;4.16&#8243; background_size=&#8221;initial&#8221; background_position=&#8221;top_left&#8221; background_repeat=&#8221;repeat&#8221; global_colors_info=&#8221;{}&#8221;][et_pb_column type=&#8221;4_4&#8243; _builder_version=&#8221;4.16&#8243; custom_padding=&#8221;|||&#8221; global_colors_info=&#8221;{}&#8221; custom_padding__hover=&#8221;|||&#8221;][et_pb_text admin_label=&#8221;Intro&#8221; _builder_version=&#8221;4.17.4&#8243; _module_preset=&#8221;default&#8221; global_colors_info=&#8221;{}&#8221;]<\/p>\n<p>So, you have a gig booked or you\u2019ve picked up some new gear, maybe even both. Congratulations! It\u2019s probably still quite early in the game for you; maybe it&#8217;s your first gig or perhaps you\u2019ve done a few and are still\u00a0mastering the process. No matter where you are in your journey, it begs the question, what equipment do you need and how do you get it to the gig safely?<\/p>\n<p>We&#8217;ve put together a <strong>band equipment checklist <\/strong>covering all the gear you need, how to set it up, and how to protect it on your way to the gig. The latter is super important, as you don&#8217;t want your equipment to get damaged in transit, yet it might be the last thing you think of!<\/p>\n<p>[\/et_pb_text][et_pb_image src=&#8221;https:\/\/storage.googleapis.com\/stateless-blog-g4m-co-uk\/2024\/07\/Secondhand-live.jpg&#8221; alt=&#8221;Secondhand live gear&#8221; title_text=&#8221;Secondhand-live&#8221; url=&#8221;https:\/\/www.gear4music.com\/secondhand\/live-gear?utm_source=blog&#038;utm_medium=banner&#038;utm_campaign=secondhand_live&#8221; url_new_window=&#8221;on&#8221; admin_label=&#8221;Secondhand Live Sound Banner&#8221; _builder_version=&#8221;4.17.4&#8243; _module_preset=&#8221;default&#8221; global_module=&#8221;41665&#8243; global_colors_info=&#8221;{}&#8221;][\/et_pb_image][et_pb_text admin_label=&#8221;In a hurry? Here\u2019s a summary&#8221; _builder_version=&#8221;4.17.4&#8243; background_size=&#8221;initial&#8221; background_position=&#8221;top_left&#8221; background_repeat=&#8221;repeat&#8221; custom_padding=&#8221;20px||||false|false&#8221; border_width_top=&#8221;2px&#8221; border_color_top=&#8221;#f08000&#8243; global_colors_info=&#8221;{}&#8221;]<\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"In_a_hurry_Heres_a_summary\"><\/span>In a hurry? Here\u2019s a summary<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p>For a quick rundown, this is our list of equipment. You might be able to work with a more streamlined setup, for example, guitarists and bassists might go for a combo amp, with an included cabinet, and not require pedals, or just go for an amp head with a DI output.<\/p>\n<p>Singers may be expected to bring a PA system and mixer if the band runs its own sound &#8211; but there will also be times when this isn&#8217;t necessary, it all depends on the venue and setup. Similarly, keyboardists may not need separate sound modules, sequencers, or effects pedals &#8211; they might just need their keyboard and cables!<\/p>\n\n<table id=\"tablepress-303\" class=\"tablepress tablepress-id-303\">\n<tbody class=\"row-striping row-hover\">\n<tr class=\"row-1\">\n\t<td class=\"column-1\"><strong>Singer<\/strong><\/td><td class=\"column-2\">Microphone, PA system, mixer, in-ear monitors<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr class=\"row-2\">\n\t<td class=\"column-1\"><strong>Guitarist<\/strong><\/td><td class=\"column-2\">Guitar, pedals, amp, cabinet, picks, cable<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr class=\"row-3\">\n\t<td class=\"column-1\"><strong>Bassist<\/strong><\/td><td class=\"column-2\">Bass, pedals, amp, cabinet, picks, cable<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr class=\"row-4\">\n\t<td class=\"column-1\"><strong>Drummer<\/strong><\/td><td class=\"column-2\">Drum shells, hardware, sticks\/mallets, cymbals, replacement heads, tuning keys<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr class=\"row-5\">\n\t<td class=\"column-1\"><strong>Keyboardist<\/strong><\/td><td class=\"column-2\">Keyboard, sound modules, sequencer, mixer, effects pedals, MIDI, audio cables<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<!-- #tablepress-303 from cache -->\n<p>[\/et_pb_text][et_pb_button button_url=&#8221;https:\/\/www.gear4music.com\/PA_Equipment.html&#8221; url_new_window=&#8221;on&#8221; button_text=&#8221;SHOP LIVE SOUND GEAR&#8221; button_alignment=&#8221;center&#8221; admin_label=&#8221;NEW CTA Button&#8221; _builder_version=&#8221;4.17.4&#8243; _module_preset=&#8221;default&#8221; custom_button=&#8221;on&#8221; button_text_size=&#8221;14px&#8221; button_text_color=&#8221;#FFFFFF&#8221; button_bg_color=&#8221;#0e95cf&#8221; button_border_width=&#8221;0px&#8221; button_border_color=&#8221;#0e95cf&#8221; button_font=&#8221;Arial|700|||||||&#8221; button_icon=&#8221;&#x35;||divi||400&#8243; button_icon_color=&#8221;#FFFFFF&#8221; custom_margin=&#8221;||||false|false&#8221; custom_padding=&#8221;10px|30px||30px|false|false&#8221; box_shadow_style=&#8221;preset6&#8243; box_shadow_blur=&#8221;2px&#8221; global_colors_info=&#8221;{}&#8221;][\/et_pb_button][et_pb_text admin_label=&#8221;Protect your gear&#8221; _builder_version=&#8221;4.17.4&#8243; background_size=&#8221;initial&#8221; background_position=&#8221;top_left&#8221; background_repeat=&#8221;repeat&#8221; custom_padding=&#8221;20px||||false|false&#8221; border_width_top=&#8221;2px&#8221; border_color_top=&#8221;#f08000&#8243; global_colors_info=&#8221;{}&#8221;]<\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Protect_your_gear\"><\/span>Protect your gear<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p>So, you have your gear, now you need to protect it. Music equipment is expensive, often quite large, and sometimes fragile or at least easily damaged in some way. It&#8217;s worth investing in some rugged, high-quality bags and cases that will shield your instruments and gear from knocks and bumps on the road.<\/p>\n<p>We recommend anything by <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.gear4music.com\/Gator.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Gator<\/a><\/strong> or <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.gear4music.com\/BAM\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">BAM<\/a><\/strong> &#8211; these brands are renowned for their durable road-worthy cases that offer the utmost protection for anything from live gear to orchestral instruments.<\/p>\n<p>[\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text admin_label=&#8221;Band equipment checklist: Singer&#8221; _builder_version=&#8221;4.17.4&#8243; background_size=&#8221;initial&#8221; background_position=&#8221;top_left&#8221; background_repeat=&#8221;repeat&#8221; custom_padding=&#8221;20px||||false|false&#8221; hover_enabled=&#8221;0&#8243; border_width_top=&#8221;2px&#8221; border_color_top=&#8221;#f08000&#8243; global_colors_info=&#8221;{}&#8221; sticky_enabled=&#8221;0&#8243;]<\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Band_equipment_checklist_Singer\"><\/span>Band equipment checklist: Singer<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<h4><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Microphone\"><\/span>Microphone<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h4>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-medium wp-image-11049 alignright\" src=\"https:\/\/storage.googleapis.com\/stateless-blog-g4m-co-uk\/2022\/06\/preview-300x300.jpg\" alt=\"e865 Condenser Microphone\" width=\"300\" height=\"300\" srcset=\"https:\/\/storage.googleapis.com\/stateless-blog-g4m-co-uk\/2022\/06\/preview-300x300.jpg 300w, https:\/\/storage.googleapis.com\/stateless-blog-g4m-co-uk\/2022\/06\/preview-480x480.jpg 480w, https:\/\/storage.googleapis.com\/stateless-blog-g4m-co-uk\/2022\/06\/preview.jpg 600w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px\" \/>Does a vocalist really need their own microphone when gigging? Well, it depends on your preferences and the venue. Venues will typically have <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.gear4music.com\/PA_Equipment\/Vocal-Mics\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">vocal mics<\/a><\/strong> available for their performers, but the condition and level of care given to these mics can vary a lot.<\/p>\n<p>Whether the mics get regularly cleaned and maintained will depend on the kind of venue and the care the owners and engineers have for their equipment, and is that a risk you want to take?<\/p>\n<p>It\u2019s also just practical. If something goes wrong with your mic, the venue has a backup, but you can clean, maintain, personalise, and pick out your own signature live sound.<\/p>\n<p>It can also be beneficial to carry around multiple mics for backing vocals from your bandmates. We would usually recommend vocalists try and bring at least their own mic for these reasons, even though it\u2019s not totally necessary.<\/p>\n<p>A <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.gear4music.com\/PA_Equipment\/Dynamic_Microphones.html?page=1&amp;filters[42]=2814\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">dynamic handheld microphone<\/a> <\/strong>like the <strong><a href=\"\/PA-DJ-and-Lighting\/Shure-SM58-Dynamic-Cardioid-Vocal-Microphone\/4ZW\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Shure SM58<\/a><\/strong>\u00a0is usually the <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.gear4music.com\/blog\/11-best-live-vocal-mics-for-2023\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">best choice for live vocals<\/a><\/strong>, or if you want something a little different, we recommend the <strong><a href=\"\/PA-DJ-and-Lighting\/sE-Electronics-V7-Dynamic-Microphone\/1PWW\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">sE Electronics V7<\/a><\/strong>. However, as an alternative, handheld condensers like the <strong><a href=\"\/PA-DJ-and-Lighting\/Sennheiser-e865-Condenser-Microphone\/4S9\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Sennheiser e865<\/a><\/strong>\u00a0and <strong><a href=\"\/PA-DJ-and-Lighting\/Neumann-KMS-104-Handheld-Condenser-Vocal-Microphone-Nickel\/SWU\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Neumann KMS 104<\/a><\/strong> offer detail that\u2019ll shine on softer, more intricate vocal styles for genres like jazz, indie, and pop.<\/p>\n<hr \/>\n<h4><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"PA_system\"><\/span>PA system<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h4>\n<p>Now, this isn\u2019t always a necessity for performing bands as the vast majority of venues will have their own PA system already. That said, certain areas, types of venues, or kinds of events may require you to bring your own <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.gear4music.com\/PA_Equipment\/Speaker-Systems.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">PA system<\/a><\/strong>. And given that vocalists often have the least to carry and set up, the responsibility of bringing this to gigs might fall to you.<\/p>\n<p>DIY venues often won&#8217;t have a PA system available, so you&#8217;ll need to bring your own. It\u2019s worth checking with the event organiser first if you\u2019re not sure. Most external spaces will probably have something, but if you\u2019re playing a local caf\u00e9, village hall, open-air space, or a friend\u2019s garden or house party, a PA system would be extremely beneficial.<\/p>\n<p>If you\u2019re looking to do events like this, or organise your own with other local bands, it\u2019s definitely worth dropping the money on a pair of full-sized speakers. For starters, we\u2019d recommend an affordable pair like the <strong><a href=\"\/PA-DJ-and-Lighting\/G4M-12-Active-DSP-Speaker\/5C82\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">G4M 12-inch Active DSP Speakers<\/a><\/strong>.<\/p>\n<hr \/>\n<h4><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Mixer\"><\/span>Mixer<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h4>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-medium wp-image-41591 alignright\" src=\"https:\/\/storage.googleapis.com\/stateless-blog-g4m-co-uk\/2024\/12\/Yamaha-MG10XU-Analog-USB-Mixer-300x300.jpg\" alt=\"Yamaha MG10XU Analog USB Mixer\" width=\"300\" height=\"300\" srcset=\"https:\/\/storage.googleapis.com\/stateless-blog-g4m-co-uk\/2024\/12\/Yamaha-MG10XU-Analog-USB-Mixer-300x300.jpg 300w, https:\/\/storage.googleapis.com\/stateless-blog-g4m-co-uk\/2024\/12\/Yamaha-MG10XU-Analog-USB-Mixer.jpg 480w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px\" \/>If you put on your own events or are interested in home recording, you may need to consider running your own sound. In this case, you&#8217;ll need a <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.gear4music.com\/PA_Equipment\/Mixers\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">mixer<\/a><\/strong>.<\/p>\n<p>Something with about 16 channels should suffice for most bands, with enough preamps for drum mics (four to eight), vocal mics (two to four), sufficient line inputs for guitars and bass, and at least one stereo channel for keys.<\/p>\n<p>For this kind of portable setup, a durable <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.gear4music.com\/PA_Equipment\/Analog-Mixers\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">analog mixer<\/a><\/strong> is a quick way to get started with learning live sound principles.<\/p>\n<p>Check out our <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.gear4music.com\/blog\/live-sound-mixing\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">guide to live sound mixing<\/a><\/strong> to get started.<\/p>\n<p>For bands who need a durable mixer to bring with them on the road, we\u2019d recommend the <strong><a href=\"\/PA-DJ-and-Lighting\/Yamaha-MG16XU-Analog-USB-Mixer\/XBS\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Yamaha MG16XU<\/a><\/strong>, or for those who might want to do more home recording or record their live shows, the <strong><a href=\"\/Recording-and-Computers\/Tascam-Model-24-Analog-Mixer-with-Digital-Recorder\/2NGB\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Tascam Model 24<\/a><\/strong> has an in-built recorder.<\/p>\n<hr \/>\n<h4><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"XLR_cables\"><\/span>XLR cables<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h4>\n<p>You can\u2019t run a microphone without a <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.gear4music.com\/Cables\/Microphone.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">microphone cable<\/a><\/strong>! If you\u2019re bringing your own mic, it\u2019s probably worth bringing a cable too. That said, most venues have a plethora of cables, so it&#8217;s not the end of the world if you don&#8217;t. Something durable and with Neutrik connectors is probably ideal, but pick what fits your budget, you can get something that works well for almost any price.<\/p>\n<hr \/>\n<h4><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"In-ear_monitors\"><\/span>In-ear monitors<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h4>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-medium wp-image-43252 alignright\" src=\"https:\/\/storage.googleapis.com\/stateless-blog-g4m-co-uk\/2025\/01\/In-ear-monitors-300x300.jpg\" alt=\"In-ear monitors\" width=\"300\" height=\"300\" srcset=\"https:\/\/storage.googleapis.com\/stateless-blog-g4m-co-uk\/2025\/01\/In-ear-monitors-300x300.jpg 300w, https:\/\/storage.googleapis.com\/stateless-blog-g4m-co-uk\/2025\/01\/In-ear-monitors-600x600.jpg 600w, https:\/\/storage.googleapis.com\/stateless-blog-g4m-co-uk\/2025\/01\/In-ear-monitors-480x480.jpg 480w, https:\/\/storage.googleapis.com\/stateless-blog-g4m-co-uk\/2025\/01\/In-ear-monitors.jpg 665w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px\" \/>Again, vocalists tend to have the least to carry, and so they&#8217;re usually tasked with bringing general equipment for the whole band. This includes the <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.gear4music.com\/PA_Equipment\/In-Ear-Monitor-Systems\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">in-ear monitoring system<\/a><\/strong>, which enables you to listen back to your performance as you gig.<\/p>\n<p>We highly recommend most bands consider in-ear monitoring if they have regular paid gigs at sizeable venues.<\/p>\n<p>The <strong><a href=\"\/PA-DJ-and-Lighting\/NUX-B-7PSM-Personal-Monitoring-System-58GHz-Bundle\/6T52\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">NUX B-7SPM Custom Bundle<\/a><\/strong> is an affordable and portable entry-level system if you\u2019re struggling to hear yourself in smaller, more local venues or just need something to adapt to a variety of show sizes. For a more professional and comprehensive option, Sennheiser\u2019s <strong><a href=\"\/PA-DJ-and-Lighting\/Sennheiser-XSW-IEM-SET-Wireless-In-Ear-Monitor-System-E-Band\/481A\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">XSW IEM SET<\/a><\/strong> is ideal.<\/p>\n<p>We&#8217;ve rounded up more options for our list of the <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.gear4music.com\/blog\/best-in-ear-monitors\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">best in-ear monitors<\/a><\/strong>, and if you&#8217;re looking to keep costs low, check out our <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.gear4music.com\/blog\/best-budget-in-ear-monitors\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">favourite budget IEMs<\/a><\/strong>.<\/p>\n<hr \/>\n<h4><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Bags_and_cases\"><\/span>Bags and cases<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h4>\n<p>So, you\u2019ve got the kit. Now, how do you keep it safe?<\/p>\n<p>For microphones, the <strong><a href=\"\/PA-DJ-and-Lighting\/Gator-GM-4-Microphone-Bag\/D3C\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Gator GM-4 Microphone Bag<\/a><\/strong> would be a great setup &#8211; it has space for three other mics as well as mic clips and cables. If you\u2019re into self-recording, this bag can also be beneficial for storing and protecting your mics at home or while travelling.<\/p>\n<p>For your PA system, if needed, we\u2019d recommend Gator\u2019s <strong><a href=\"\/PA-DJ-and-Lighting\/Gator-GPA-712LG-Large-Format-12-Portable-Speaker-Bag-with-Wheels\/D3G\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">GPA-712LG<\/a><\/strong> or <strong><a href=\"\/PA-DJ-and-Lighting\/Gator-GPA-715-15-Portable-Speaker-Bag-with-Wheels\/26PA\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">GPA-715<\/a><\/strong> for portability with wheels, depending on the size of your chosen speakers.<\/p>\n<p>For the kind of setup and mixer size we\u2019ve been discussing, we\u2019d recommend the Gator <strong><a href=\"\/PA-DJ-and-Lighting\/Gator-GTSA-MIX222506-ATA-Rated-Mixer-Case-22-x-25-x-6\/H2Z\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">GTSA-Mix<\/a><\/strong> series. There are a lot of sizes within this range, and mixer sizes vary a lot, so make sure the internal dimensions of the model you pick fits the dimensions of your chosen mixer!<\/p>\n<p>Your microphone cables can easily fit into accessory pockets of your mixer cases and PA system bags, so you won\u2019t need dedicated protection for them.<\/p>\n<p>Depending on the size of your chosen in-ear monitoring system, the <strong><a href=\"\/PA-DJ-and-Lighting\/Gator-G-IN-EAR-SYSTEM-Half-Rack-Wireless-IEM-System-Bag\/2AA1\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">G-IN EAR SYSTEM<\/a><\/strong> bag or <strong><a href=\"\/PA-DJ-and-Lighting\/Gator-GM-1W-Padded-Single-Wireless-System-Bag\/D3A\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">GM-1W<\/a><\/strong> will be ideal. The former is designed to fit half-rack receivers, which most wireless in-ear systems tend to be, but the GM-1W fits full, rack-sized receivers when necessary.<\/p>\n<p>[\/et_pb_text][et_pb_button button_url=&#8221;https:\/\/www.gear4music.com\/PA_Equipment.html&#8221; url_new_window=&#8221;on&#8221; button_text=&#8221;SHOP LIVE VOCAL GEAR&#8221; button_alignment=&#8221;center&#8221; admin_label=&#8221;NEW CTA Button&#8221; _builder_version=&#8221;4.17.4&#8243; _module_preset=&#8221;default&#8221; custom_button=&#8221;on&#8221; button_text_size=&#8221;14px&#8221; button_text_color=&#8221;#FFFFFF&#8221; button_bg_color=&#8221;#0e95cf&#8221; button_border_width=&#8221;0px&#8221; button_border_color=&#8221;#0e95cf&#8221; button_font=&#8221;Arial|700|||||||&#8221; button_icon=&#8221;&#x35;||divi||400&#8243; button_icon_color=&#8221;#FFFFFF&#8221; custom_margin=&#8221;||||false|false&#8221; custom_padding=&#8221;10px|30px||30px|false|false&#8221; box_shadow_style=&#8221;preset6&#8243; box_shadow_blur=&#8221;2px&#8221; global_colors_info=&#8221;{}&#8221;][\/et_pb_button][et_pb_text admin_label=&#8221;Band equipment checklist: Guitarist&#8221; _builder_version=&#8221;4.17.4&#8243; background_size=&#8221;initial&#8221; background_position=&#8221;top_left&#8221; background_repeat=&#8221;repeat&#8221; custom_padding=&#8221;20px||||false|false&#8221; hover_enabled=&#8221;0&#8243; border_width_top=&#8221;2px&#8221; border_color_top=&#8221;#f08000&#8243; global_colors_info=&#8221;{}&#8221; sticky_enabled=&#8221;0&#8243;]<\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Band_equipment_checklist_Guitarist\"><\/span>Band equipment checklist: Guitarist<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<h4><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Guitars\"><\/span>Guitars<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h4>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignright size-medium wp-image-43254\" src=\"https:\/\/storage.googleapis.com\/stateless-blog-g4m-co-uk\/2025\/01\/Live-gig-300x300.jpg\" alt=\"Live gig\" width=\"300\" height=\"300\" srcset=\"https:\/\/storage.googleapis.com\/stateless-blog-g4m-co-uk\/2025\/01\/Live-gig-300x300.jpg 300w, https:\/\/storage.googleapis.com\/stateless-blog-g4m-co-uk\/2025\/01\/Live-gig-1024x1024.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/storage.googleapis.com\/stateless-blog-g4m-co-uk\/2025\/01\/Live-gig-600x600.jpg 600w, https:\/\/storage.googleapis.com\/stateless-blog-g4m-co-uk\/2025\/01\/Live-gig-768x768.jpg 768w, https:\/\/storage.googleapis.com\/stateless-blog-g4m-co-uk\/2025\/01\/Live-gig-1080x1080.jpg 1080w, https:\/\/storage.googleapis.com\/stateless-blog-g4m-co-uk\/2025\/01\/Live-gig-980x980.jpg 980w, https:\/\/storage.googleapis.com\/stateless-blog-g4m-co-uk\/2025\/01\/Live-gig-480x480.jpg 480w, https:\/\/storage.googleapis.com\/stateless-blog-g4m-co-uk\/2025\/01\/Live-gig.jpg 1200w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px\" \/>Of course, the first thing on your list should be a <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.gear4music.com\/guitar.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">guitar<\/a><\/strong>. You likely already have one, but let&#8217;s\u00a0look at two of the most versatile and popular guitar styles around the same price.<\/p>\n<p>The <strong><a href=\"\/Guitar-and-Bass\/Fender-Player-II-Stratocaster-HSS-RW-Polar-White\/6HUI\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Fender Player II Stratocaster HSS<\/a><\/strong> is one of the most versatile solid-body guitars around, taking the instantly familiar Stratocaster design that almost every guitar player likely started on and souping it up.<\/p>\n<p>Strats have been taken in by legendary players of all kinds, from Jimi Hendrix and Eric Clapton to David Gilmour and Jeff Beck, and this version&#8217;s bridge humbucker gives it extra punch for high-gain players while staying well-defined for clean playing too.<\/p>\n<p>So, that\u2019s all well and good, but what if the Fender style isn\u2019t really for you? The longer scale length, broader fingerboard radius, and single-coil twang of classic Fender specs don\u2019t always gel with some players, so Gibson are the clear alternative.<\/p>\n<p>For a mid-priced gigging guitar, we\u2019re looking at Gibson\u2019s sibling brand Epiphone, and their <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.gear4music.com\/Guitar-and-Bass\/Epiphone-Les-Paul-Custom-Inspired-by-Gibson-Custom-Ebony\/6KVP\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Les Paul Custom<\/a><\/strong> for a classy black and gold \u201ctuxedo\u201d look that can do just about anything with a slightly darker, warmer sound than the chime of a traditional Fender guitar.<\/p>\n<hr \/>\n<h4><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Guitar_amp\"><\/span>Guitar amp<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h4>\n<p><strong><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignright size-medium wp-image-43253\" src=\"https:\/\/storage.googleapis.com\/stateless-blog-g4m-co-uk\/2025\/01\/Fender-Champion-amp-and-Strat-300x300.jpg\" alt=\"Fender Champion amp and Strat\" width=\"300\" height=\"300\" srcset=\"https:\/\/storage.googleapis.com\/stateless-blog-g4m-co-uk\/2025\/01\/Fender-Champion-amp-and-Strat-300x300.jpg 300w, https:\/\/storage.googleapis.com\/stateless-blog-g4m-co-uk\/2025\/01\/Fender-Champion-amp-and-Strat-1024x1024.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/storage.googleapis.com\/stateless-blog-g4m-co-uk\/2025\/01\/Fender-Champion-amp-and-Strat-600x600.jpg 600w, https:\/\/storage.googleapis.com\/stateless-blog-g4m-co-uk\/2025\/01\/Fender-Champion-amp-and-Strat-768x768.jpg 768w, https:\/\/storage.googleapis.com\/stateless-blog-g4m-co-uk\/2025\/01\/Fender-Champion-amp-and-Strat-1080x1080.jpg 1080w, https:\/\/storage.googleapis.com\/stateless-blog-g4m-co-uk\/2025\/01\/Fender-Champion-amp-and-Strat-980x980.jpg 980w, https:\/\/storage.googleapis.com\/stateless-blog-g4m-co-uk\/2025\/01\/Fender-Champion-amp-and-Strat-480x480.jpg 480w, https:\/\/storage.googleapis.com\/stateless-blog-g4m-co-uk\/2025\/01\/Fender-Champion-amp-and-Strat.jpg 1200w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px\" \/><a href=\"https:\/\/www.gear4music.com\/Guitar-Amps.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Guitar amps<\/a><\/strong> have changed a lot over the years. They\u2019ve become more complex, more powerful, and technology like amp simulators and modellers have condensed complicated setups into rack units or even just singular pedals.<\/p>\n<p>The two main types of guitar amp are tube and solid state.<\/p>\n<p><strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.gear4music.com\/Electric_Guitar\/Valve-Amps\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Tube amps<\/a><\/strong> use a vintage form of amplification that uses vacuum tubes to add volume to your signal. Vacuum tubes distort more easily as they\u2019re not very efficient, resulting in a lot of variance in the signal, but this can add a pleasing harmonic sound that a lot of players seem to like.<\/p>\n<p><strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.gear4music.com\/Guitar-Amps\/Types?page=1&amp;filters[125]=1318\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Solid state amps<\/a><\/strong> use transistors to boost signal, resulting in a cleaner, more linear playback.<\/p>\n<p>Wattage is a better indicator of an amp\u2019s headroom than its volume \u2013 as in, how easily and quickly it breaks up. If you\u2019re playing clean parts for music like funk, pop, or indie, or rely more on pedals for your sound, you\u2019ll want something with a higher wattage, as it\u2019ll take a lot more volume before it breaks up with audible distortion.<\/p>\n<p>Generally speaking, anything from 20 watts to 45 watts will suffice for small to medium-sized venues. For medium to larger venues, anything from 30 watts to 100 watts is ideal. Tube amps tend to sound louder than solid-state amps, despite not actually being louder.<\/p>\n<p>Something on the lesser end of these brackets will suffice if it\u2019s tube-based, especially if you\u2019re feeding it into a physical speaker cab that\u2019s miked up, as the live engineer can always boost the mic gain. If you\u2019re going for a solid-state design, it may be best to add a few extra watts to give you the punch you want.<\/p>\n<p>Solid-state amps have more headroom, are more precise, and can be pushed harder before reaching any audible distortion. They&#8217;re also generally more reliable, but digital components failure in solid-state amps can mean that the whole amp needs to be replaced with a new one. Although, depending on your amp, this might still prove cheaper!<\/p>\n<p>Tube amps break up sooner, but this can be desirable for more pushed, aggressive, or vintage styles. They&#8217;re not always reliable, however, especially if they\u2019ve got some years of use on them, but they\u2019re generally easier to maintain as their analog design means parts can be more easily replaced and fixed.<\/p>\n<p><strong><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignright size-medium wp-image-32698\" src=\"https:\/\/storage.googleapis.com\/stateless-blog-g4m-co-uk\/2023\/12\/Marshall-MG15GFX-Gold-15W-Combo-300x300.jpg\" alt=\"Marshall MG15GFX Gold 15W Combo\" width=\"300\" height=\"300\" srcset=\"https:\/\/storage.googleapis.com\/stateless-blog-g4m-co-uk\/2023\/12\/Marshall-MG15GFX-Gold-15W-Combo-300x300.jpg 300w, https:\/\/storage.googleapis.com\/stateless-blog-g4m-co-uk\/2023\/12\/Marshall-MG15GFX-Gold-15W-Combo-1024x1024.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/storage.googleapis.com\/stateless-blog-g4m-co-uk\/2023\/12\/Marshall-MG15GFX-Gold-15W-Combo-600x600.jpg 600w, https:\/\/storage.googleapis.com\/stateless-blog-g4m-co-uk\/2023\/12\/Marshall-MG15GFX-Gold-15W-Combo-768x768.jpg 768w, https:\/\/storage.googleapis.com\/stateless-blog-g4m-co-uk\/2023\/12\/Marshall-MG15GFX-Gold-15W-Combo-1080x1080.jpg 1080w, https:\/\/storage.googleapis.com\/stateless-blog-g4m-co-uk\/2023\/12\/Marshall-MG15GFX-Gold-15W-Combo-1280x1280.jpg 1280w, https:\/\/storage.googleapis.com\/stateless-blog-g4m-co-uk\/2023\/12\/Marshall-MG15GFX-Gold-15W-Combo-980x980.jpg 980w, https:\/\/storage.googleapis.com\/stateless-blog-g4m-co-uk\/2023\/12\/Marshall-MG15GFX-Gold-15W-Combo-480x480.jpg 480w, https:\/\/storage.googleapis.com\/stateless-blog-g4m-co-uk\/2023\/12\/Marshall-MG15GFX-Gold-15W-Combo.jpg 1500w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px\" \/><a href=\"https:\/\/www.gear4music.com\/Electric_Guitar\/Combo-amps.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Combo amps<\/a><\/strong> are compact and easy to transport as they combine the preamp, power amp, and speaker stages into one single block. Tube amps are considerably heavier than solid-state amps, often because they rely on chunky voltage transformers, so make sure you weigh this up \u2013 pun intended \u2013 before you pick your live rig!<\/p>\n<p>Alternatively, you can take an <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.gear4music.com\/Electric_Guitar\/Amp-Head.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">amp head<\/a><\/strong>. Amp heads will need to be paired with a suitable <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.gear4music.com\/Electric_Guitar\/Amp-Cabs.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">speaker cabinet<\/a><\/strong> \u2013 be sure the wattage of your amp matches the speakers in your cabinet or you\u2019ll get a very nasty, nasal distortion and risk damaging the cabinet.<\/p>\n<p>Amp modellers and simulators can be run direct into the venue\u2019s mixer or paired with a separate power amp. Most people will tend to run a solid-state power amp like the <strong><a href=\"\/Guitar-and-Bass\/Seymour-Duncan-PowerStage-170\/281E\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Seymour Duncan Powerstage<\/a><\/strong> with modellers, simulators, or multi-effects pedals.<\/p>\n<p>However, you can also buy FRFR cabinets like the <strong><a href=\"\/Guitar-and-Bass\/Laney-LFR-112-Powered-1x12-Speaker-Cab\/2BOE\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Laney LFR-112<\/a><\/strong>, linear speaker cabinets with built-in power amps. These are great if you prefer to mic up a cab or have that live feel of speakers blasting your tone out on stage while still using modellers. To work out whether or not these are right for your setup, have a read of our <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.gear4music.com\/blog\/what-is-an-frfr-speaker-cabinet\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">FRFR speaker cabinet guide<\/a><\/strong>.<\/p>\n<p>If you want a tube amp, we\u2019d recommend the 30-Watt <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.gear4music.com\/Guitar-and-Bass\/Vox-AC30-Custom-AC30C2\/CE8\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Vox AC30<\/a><\/strong> for a classic clean sound that\u2019s great for indie, blues, pop, and funk, but can be pushed into some breakup that can really shine in blues, classic rock, and even pop-punk.<\/p>\n<p>For people who want to play more aggressive styles, Marshall\u2019s <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.gear4music.com\/Guitar-and-Bass\/Marshall-SC20H-Studio-Classic-JCM800-Valve-Head\/2Q8W\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">SC20H<\/a><\/strong> recreates their beloved JCM800 in a 20-watt package, designed to deliver British-style gain that can do everything from chiming cleans to heavy metal and plays extremely well with pedalboards.<\/p>\n<p>For solid-state amps, Roland\u2019s <strong><a href=\"\/Guitar-and-Bass\/Roland-JC-40-Jazz-Chorus-Stereo-Guitar-Amplifier\/1B63\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">JC-40<\/a><\/strong> takes inspiration from their classic Jazz Chorus amp, with two speakers for a broad stereo effect and a built-in chorus, vibrato, and reverb effects. A favourite for clean tones and as a pedal platform &#8211; shoegaze players absolutely love these! Orange\u2019s <strong><a href=\"\/Guitar-and-Bass\/Orange-Super-Crush-100-Head\/40G4\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Super Crush 100<\/a><\/strong> is a versatile high-wattage amp head that can do everything from pure clean tones to hyper-aggressive metal tones.<\/p>\n<hr \/>\n<h4><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Effects_pedals\"><\/span>Effects pedals<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h4>\n<p>With advancements in modern digital technologies, you can get pretty much every form of <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.gear4music.com\/guitar-effects.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">effect<\/a><\/strong> \u2013 from overdrive, distortion, and fuzz to reverb, delay, pitch, and modulation effects in a single unit.<\/p>\n<p><strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.gear4music.com\/Guitar_Effects\/Multi-Effects.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Multi-effects pedals<\/a><\/strong> offer most \u2013 if not all \u2013 of these in blocks that can be swapped in and out, chained in different orders, and switched through preset chains or singular pedal settings. Some even have built-in amp simulations too. This is convenient and a great space-saver, but <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.gear4music.com\/blog\/best-multi-effects-pedals\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">are multi-effects pedals for you?<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n<p>The alternative is building a pedalboard of individual effects. This gives you some dynamic effects switching, setting your own order and swapping pedals in and out at a moment\u2019s notice, but once you\u2019ve placed the pedals in order, you don\u2019t have as many options as multi-effects tend to offer.<\/p>\n<p>People may argue that they prefer the sound of individual physical pedals, or they want to achieve specific sounds from particular circuits like a real analog delay, or a specific overdrive or distortion. Multi-effects save space but may need to be tweaked more heavily, and you\u2019ll need to learn to understand gain staging to prevent digitally clipping your effects chains.<\/p>\n<hr \/>\n<h4><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Bags_and_cases-2\"><\/span>Bags and cases<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h4>\n<p>Guitars are pretty expensive, so you want to make sure to <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.gear4music.com\/Accessories\/Bags_and_Cases.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">protect them properly<\/a><\/strong>! You can get fitted cases for a variety of guitar shapes, such as Stratocaster, Telecaster, Les Paul, or SG \u2013 like the Gator <strong><a href=\"\/Guitar-and-Bass\/Gator-GW-JAG-Deluxe-Offset-Electric-Guitar-Case\/GIM\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">GW-JAG<\/a><\/strong> for offset guitars, the <strong><a href=\"\/Guitar-and-Bass\/Gator-GW-LPS-Deluxe-Guitar-Case-43-x-15-x-5\/2AJX\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">GW-LPS Deluxe<\/a><\/strong> for singlecuts, and Fender\u2019s <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.gear4music.com\/Guitar-and-Bass\/Fender-Classic-Series-Wood-Case-Strat-Tele-Tweed\/2VS6\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">vintage-inspired Strat and Tele wood cases<\/a><\/strong>.<\/p>\n<p>There are also more generically shaped universal guitar cases that fit most typical guitars, like the <strong><a href=\"\/Guitar-and-Bass\/BAM-Crew-Adjustable-Electric-Guitar-Case-Black\/5CZI\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">BAM Crew Adjustable Case<\/a><\/strong>, where you can adjust straps and padding to fit almost any guitar.<\/p>\n<p>Be aware that certain rare guitar shapes might not fit the all-purpose cases, though, particularly Explorer and Flying V-style guitars, and other wild pointy metal guitars. As cool as they look &#8211; they&#8217;ll need dedicated cases like the <strong><a href=\"\/Guitar-and-Bass\/Gator-GWE-EXTREME-Electric-Guitar-Case\/IL1\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Gator GWE-EXTREME<\/a><\/strong>, which is purpose-built for those shapes.<\/p>\n<p>For amps, the case you pick will depend on whether you have a head and cabinet, a combo amp, or a modeller. You can use amp head cases, like the\u00a0<strong><a href=\"\/Guitar-and-Bass\/Gator-G-901-Amp-Head-Transporter-Case\/XWN\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Gator G-901 Amp Head Case<\/a><\/strong>, cases for combo amps, as well as fitted covers made by the manufacturers of your chosen amp.<\/p>\n<p>For pedals, you&#8217;ll likely want a pedalboard with a case, like the <strong><a href=\"\/Guitar-and-Bass\/Palmer-Pedalbay-50-S-Lightweight-Compact-Pedalboard\/19WA\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Palmer Pedalbay 50S<\/a><\/strong> or the <strong><a href=\"\/Guitar-and-Bass\/Gator-GPT-PRO-Pedal-Board-with-Tote-Bag-16-x-30\/MW3\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Gator GPT-PRO<\/a><\/strong>, depending on the number of pedals you&#8217;re seeking to use. Both of these include both the boards themselves and a travel bag.<\/p>\n<p>Accessories like jack leads, picks, spare strings, and folding stands can usually be stored in the same cases, there\u2019s often ample space for accessories in compartments within the guitar case.<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter wp-image-40616 size-full\" src=\"https:\/\/storage.googleapis.com\/stateless-blog-g4m-co-uk\/2024\/11\/Gator-Cases-Guitar-and-FX-Pedals.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"1330\" height=\"665\" srcset=\"https:\/\/storage.googleapis.com\/stateless-blog-g4m-co-uk\/2024\/11\/Gator-Cases-Guitar-and-FX-Pedals.jpg 1330w, https:\/\/storage.googleapis.com\/stateless-blog-g4m-co-uk\/2024\/11\/Gator-Cases-Guitar-and-FX-Pedals-600x300.jpg 600w, https:\/\/storage.googleapis.com\/stateless-blog-g4m-co-uk\/2024\/11\/Gator-Cases-Guitar-and-FX-Pedals-1024x512.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/storage.googleapis.com\/stateless-blog-g4m-co-uk\/2024\/11\/Gator-Cases-Guitar-and-FX-Pedals-768x384.jpg 768w, https:\/\/storage.googleapis.com\/stateless-blog-g4m-co-uk\/2024\/11\/Gator-Cases-Guitar-and-FX-Pedals-1080x540.jpg 1080w, https:\/\/storage.googleapis.com\/stateless-blog-g4m-co-uk\/2024\/11\/Gator-Cases-Guitar-and-FX-Pedals-1280x640.jpg 1280w, https:\/\/storage.googleapis.com\/stateless-blog-g4m-co-uk\/2024\/11\/Gator-Cases-Guitar-and-FX-Pedals-980x490.jpg 980w, https:\/\/storage.googleapis.com\/stateless-blog-g4m-co-uk\/2024\/11\/Gator-Cases-Guitar-and-FX-Pedals-480x240.jpg 480w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1330px) 100vw, 1330px\" \/><\/p>\n<p>[\/et_pb_text][et_pb_button button_url=&#8221;https:\/\/www.gear4music.com\/guitar.html&#8221; url_new_window=&#8221;on&#8221; button_text=&#8221;SHOP GUITAR GEAR&#8221; button_alignment=&#8221;center&#8221; admin_label=&#8221;NEW CTA Button&#8221; _builder_version=&#8221;4.17.4&#8243; _module_preset=&#8221;default&#8221; custom_button=&#8221;on&#8221; button_text_size=&#8221;14px&#8221; button_text_color=&#8221;#FFFFFF&#8221; button_bg_color=&#8221;#0e95cf&#8221; button_border_width=&#8221;0px&#8221; button_border_color=&#8221;#0e95cf&#8221; button_font=&#8221;Arial|700|||||||&#8221; button_icon=&#8221;&#x35;||divi||400&#8243; button_icon_color=&#8221;#FFFFFF&#8221; custom_margin=&#8221;||||false|false&#8221; custom_padding=&#8221;10px|30px||30px|false|false&#8221; box_shadow_style=&#8221;preset6&#8243; box_shadow_blur=&#8221;2px&#8221; global_colors_info=&#8221;{}&#8221;][\/et_pb_button][et_pb_text admin_label=&#8221;Band equipment checklist: Bassist&#8221; _builder_version=&#8221;4.17.4&#8243; background_size=&#8221;initial&#8221; background_position=&#8221;top_left&#8221; background_repeat=&#8221;repeat&#8221; custom_padding=&#8221;20px||||false|false&#8221; hover_enabled=&#8221;0&#8243; border_width_top=&#8221;2px&#8221; border_color_top=&#8221;#f08000&#8243; global_colors_info=&#8221;{}&#8221; sticky_enabled=&#8221;0&#8243;]<\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Band_equipment_checklist_Bassist\"><\/span>Band equipment checklist: Bassist<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<h4><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Basses\"><\/span>Basses<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h4>\n<p><strong><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignright size-medium wp-image-43256\" src=\"https:\/\/storage.googleapis.com\/stateless-blog-g4m-co-uk\/2025\/01\/Bassist-at-live-gig-300x300.jpg\" alt=\"Bassist at live gig\" width=\"300\" height=\"300\" srcset=\"https:\/\/storage.googleapis.com\/stateless-blog-g4m-co-uk\/2025\/01\/Bassist-at-live-gig-300x300.jpg 300w, https:\/\/storage.googleapis.com\/stateless-blog-g4m-co-uk\/2025\/01\/Bassist-at-live-gig-1024x1024.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/storage.googleapis.com\/stateless-blog-g4m-co-uk\/2025\/01\/Bassist-at-live-gig-600x600.jpg 600w, https:\/\/storage.googleapis.com\/stateless-blog-g4m-co-uk\/2025\/01\/Bassist-at-live-gig-768x768.jpg 768w, https:\/\/storage.googleapis.com\/stateless-blog-g4m-co-uk\/2025\/01\/Bassist-at-live-gig-1080x1080.jpg 1080w, https:\/\/storage.googleapis.com\/stateless-blog-g4m-co-uk\/2025\/01\/Bassist-at-live-gig-980x980.jpg 980w, https:\/\/storage.googleapis.com\/stateless-blog-g4m-co-uk\/2025\/01\/Bassist-at-live-gig-480x480.jpg 480w, https:\/\/storage.googleapis.com\/stateless-blog-g4m-co-uk\/2025\/01\/Bassist-at-live-gig.jpg 1200w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px\" \/><a href=\"https:\/\/www.gear4music.com\/bass-guitars\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Basses<\/a><\/strong> have similar principles to guitars, but obviously with thicker strings, a longer scale length, and a wider neck as a result. Fender are still a standard-bearer for classic bass guitars, so we\u2019d recommend the iconic <strong><a href=\"\/Guitar-and-Bass\/Fender-Player-II-Jazz-Bass-RW-3-Colour-Sunburst\/6HYY\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Fender Player II Jazz Bass<\/a><\/strong>.<\/p>\n<p>Alternatively, if you\u2019re dabbling in heavier or more experimental genres that require a lot of movements up and down the neck, Ibanez make a lot of fast, responsive guitars and basses that are popular with prog players, jazz musicians, and metal players.<\/p>\n<p>To get that extra punch, we recommend the humbucker-loaded <strong><a href=\"\/Guitar-and-Bass\/Ibanez-SR400EQM-Stained-Cosmic-Blue-Starburst\/6VYS\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Ibanez SR400EQM<\/a><\/strong>.<\/p>\n<hr \/>\n<h4><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Bass_amps\"><\/span>Bass amps<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h4>\n<p><strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.gear4music.com\/bass-guitars\/bass-amps\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Bass amps<\/a><\/strong> are more commonly <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.gear4music.com\/bass-guitars\/bass-amps\/types?page=1&amp;filters[125]=1318\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">solid-state<\/a><\/strong> and <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.gear4music.com\/bass-guitars\/bass-amps\/combo-amps\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">combo<\/a><\/strong> designs. Solid-state amps allow for the much higher headroom that bass amps require in a much more affordable and lightweight format, as bass amps will very regularly need upwards of 200 Watts of power.<\/p>\n<p>If you&#8217;re after a combo amp for a full stage setup, the <strong><a href=\"\/Guitar-and-Bass\/Ampeg-Rocket-Bass-115\/3T6U\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Ampeg Rocket Bass 115<\/a><\/strong> takes the classic warmth of vintage Ampeg bass amps into a manageable and portable combo that you can readily set up on stage.<\/p>\n<p>If you\u2019d prefer an amp head, the <strong><a href=\"\/Guitar-and-Bass\/Darkglass-Alpha-Omega-500-Bass-Head\/3M9M\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Darkglass Alpha Omega 500<\/a><\/strong> is excellent for more modern styles and it\u2019s a go-to choice for high-gain players in rock and metal with responsive EQ, fantastic dual drive, and DI output with a cabinet simulation, making it portable without the need for a cab, as well as a headphone output for home recording and practice.<\/p>\n<hr \/>\n<h4><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Bags_and_cases-3\"><\/span>Bags and cases<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h4>\n<p>As with guitars, basses have both <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.gear4music.com\/drums\/bags-cases.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">fitted and general-purpose cases<\/a><\/strong> available, usually with ample space for accessories if it\u2019s of good enough quality. For an all-purpose bass case, the Gator <strong><a href=\"\/Guitar-and-Bass\/Gator-GTSA-GTRBASS-ATA-Moulded-Case-For-Bass-Guitars\/1JYR\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">GTSA-GTRBASS<\/a><\/strong> is well-suited to local travel as well as international flights.<\/p>\n<p>For fitted cases, look at the model and dimensions of your chosen bass guitar, as there can be a lot of variance in sizes and shapes!<\/p>\n<p>[\/et_pb_text][et_pb_button button_url=&#8221;https:\/\/www.gear4music.com\/bass-guitars&#8221; url_new_window=&#8221;on&#8221; button_text=&#8221;SHOP BASS GEAR&#8221; button_alignment=&#8221;center&#8221; admin_label=&#8221;NEW CTA Button&#8221; _builder_version=&#8221;4.17.4&#8243; _module_preset=&#8221;default&#8221; custom_button=&#8221;on&#8221; button_text_size=&#8221;14px&#8221; button_text_color=&#8221;#FFFFFF&#8221; button_bg_color=&#8221;#0e95cf&#8221; button_border_width=&#8221;0px&#8221; button_border_color=&#8221;#0e95cf&#8221; button_font=&#8221;Arial|700|||||||&#8221; button_icon=&#8221;&#x35;||divi||400&#8243; button_icon_color=&#8221;#FFFFFF&#8221; custom_margin=&#8221;||||false|false&#8221; custom_padding=&#8221;10px|30px||30px|false|false&#8221; box_shadow_style=&#8221;preset6&#8243; box_shadow_blur=&#8221;2px&#8221; global_colors_info=&#8221;{}&#8221;][\/et_pb_button][et_pb_text admin_label=&#8221;Band equipment checklist: Drummer&#8221; _builder_version=&#8221;4.17.4&#8243; background_size=&#8221;initial&#8221; background_position=&#8221;top_left&#8221; background_repeat=&#8221;repeat&#8221; custom_padding=&#8221;20px||||false|false&#8221; hover_enabled=&#8221;0&#8243; border_width_top=&#8221;2px&#8221; border_color_top=&#8221;#f08000&#8243; global_colors_info=&#8221;{}&#8221; sticky_enabled=&#8221;0&#8243;]<\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Band_equipment_checklist_Drummer\"><\/span>Band equipment checklist: Drummer<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<h4><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Shells\"><\/span>Shells<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h4>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignright size-medium wp-image-39721\" src=\"https:\/\/storage.googleapis.com\/stateless-blog-g4m-co-uk\/2024\/09\/Natal-DNA-22-drum-kit-300x300.jpg\" alt=\"Natal DNA 22'' drum kit\" width=\"300\" height=\"300\" srcset=\"https:\/\/storage.googleapis.com\/stateless-blog-g4m-co-uk\/2024\/09\/Natal-DNA-22-drum-kit-300x300.jpg 300w, https:\/\/storage.googleapis.com\/stateless-blog-g4m-co-uk\/2024\/09\/Natal-DNA-22-drum-kit-1024x1024.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/storage.googleapis.com\/stateless-blog-g4m-co-uk\/2024\/09\/Natal-DNA-22-drum-kit-600x600.jpg 600w, https:\/\/storage.googleapis.com\/stateless-blog-g4m-co-uk\/2024\/09\/Natal-DNA-22-drum-kit-768x768.jpg 768w, https:\/\/storage.googleapis.com\/stateless-blog-g4m-co-uk\/2024\/09\/Natal-DNA-22-drum-kit-1080x1080.jpg 1080w, https:\/\/storage.googleapis.com\/stateless-blog-g4m-co-uk\/2024\/09\/Natal-DNA-22-drum-kit-1280x1280.jpg 1280w, https:\/\/storage.googleapis.com\/stateless-blog-g4m-co-uk\/2024\/09\/Natal-DNA-22-drum-kit-980x980.jpg 980w, https:\/\/storage.googleapis.com\/stateless-blog-g4m-co-uk\/2024\/09\/Natal-DNA-22-drum-kit-480x480.jpg 480w, https:\/\/storage.googleapis.com\/stateless-blog-g4m-co-uk\/2024\/09\/Natal-DNA-22-drum-kit.jpg 1500w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px\" \/>Depending on the venue you\u2019re playing in, you may have to provide your own <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.gear4music.com\/Drum\/Shell_Kit.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">shells<\/a><\/strong>.<\/p>\n<p>Typically for smaller gigs though, the headlining band on the bill will often share their kit with support acts if the venue doesn\u2019t provide a kit, so ensure you check with the venue and the headliner to make sure you know what\u2019s happening with shells.<\/p>\n<p>As a drummer, you probably already have a trusted pack of shells, but if you need some inspiration for a new set, check out our <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.gear4music.com\/blog\/best-drum-kits\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">top picks for the best drum kits<\/a><\/strong>.<\/p>\n<hr \/>\n<h4><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Cymbals_snare_and_hardware\"><\/span>Cymbals, snare, and hardware<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h4>\n<p>You may still be expected to bring your own <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.gear4music.com\/Drums\/Cymbals.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">cymbals<\/a><\/strong>, <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.gear4music.com\/Drums\/Snare_Drums.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">snare<\/a><\/strong>, <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.gear4music.com\/Drums\/drumsticks.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">sticks<\/a><\/strong>, and\/or <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.gear4music.com\/Drums\/Drum_Hardware.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">hardware<\/a><\/strong> for the snare and cymbals, at the very least, even if the shells are shared.<\/p>\n<p>It\u2019s also beneficial to bring <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.gear4music.com\/Drums\/Drum-Keys-&amp;-Tuners\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">tuning keys<\/a><\/strong> along. Tuning is very important to drum setup, so if you want to have a good live sound, it\u2019s worth tuning your shells and snare before you get to the venue and then again at sound check.<\/p>\n<p>There\u2019s also usually a lot of benefit in bringing replacement <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.gear4music.com\/Drums\/Drum_Heads.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">drum heads<\/a><\/strong>, just in case you or one of the other drummers starts hitting a little too hard. If at least one drummer on the bill brings some replacement heads, you can really save a set! So, be the change you want to see, and try to remember to bring backup drum heads as often as possible.<\/p>\n<hr \/>\n<h4><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Bags_and_cases-4\"><\/span>Bags and cases<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h4>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignright size-medium wp-image-43257\" src=\"https:\/\/storage.googleapis.com\/stateless-blog-g4m-co-uk\/2025\/01\/Gator-GP-STANDARD-100-5-Piece-Standard-Drum-Bag-Set-300x300.jpg\" alt=\"Gator GP-STANDARD-100 5-Piece Standard Drum Bag Set\" width=\"300\" height=\"300\" srcset=\"https:\/\/storage.googleapis.com\/stateless-blog-g4m-co-uk\/2025\/01\/Gator-GP-STANDARD-100-5-Piece-Standard-Drum-Bag-Set-300x300.jpg 300w, https:\/\/storage.googleapis.com\/stateless-blog-g4m-co-uk\/2025\/01\/Gator-GP-STANDARD-100-5-Piece-Standard-Drum-Bag-Set-1024x1024.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/storage.googleapis.com\/stateless-blog-g4m-co-uk\/2025\/01\/Gator-GP-STANDARD-100-5-Piece-Standard-Drum-Bag-Set-600x600.jpg 600w, https:\/\/storage.googleapis.com\/stateless-blog-g4m-co-uk\/2025\/01\/Gator-GP-STANDARD-100-5-Piece-Standard-Drum-Bag-Set-768x768.jpg 768w, https:\/\/storage.googleapis.com\/stateless-blog-g4m-co-uk\/2025\/01\/Gator-GP-STANDARD-100-5-Piece-Standard-Drum-Bag-Set-1080x1080.jpg 1080w, https:\/\/storage.googleapis.com\/stateless-blog-g4m-co-uk\/2025\/01\/Gator-GP-STANDARD-100-5-Piece-Standard-Drum-Bag-Set-980x980.jpg 980w, https:\/\/storage.googleapis.com\/stateless-blog-g4m-co-uk\/2025\/01\/Gator-GP-STANDARD-100-5-Piece-Standard-Drum-Bag-Set-480x480.jpg 480w, https:\/\/storage.googleapis.com\/stateless-blog-g4m-co-uk\/2025\/01\/Gator-GP-STANDARD-100-5-Piece-Standard-Drum-Bag-Set.jpg 1200w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px\" \/>The <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.gear4music.com\/drums\/bags-cases.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">bags or cases<\/a><\/strong> you use for drums will depend on what you\u2019re bringing and what size they are.<\/p>\n<p>Fortunately, case manufacturers tend to offer a range of different sizes to suit genres and the typical sizes of kick, snare, and toms you\u2019ll find within these styles.<\/p>\n<p>Gator alone offer <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.gear4music.com\/drums\/bags-cases\/Gator\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">specific drum cases<\/a><\/strong>\u00a0to fit the typical shell sizes you\u2019ll find. These are a great choice if you ever find yourself having to bring your kit or even just parts of it.<\/p>\n<p>You can also get cases and bags for hardware, drumsticks, and mallets. For cymbals, a gig bag should fit most standard sets, but ensure your cymbals are the right size for the bag before you buy!<\/p>\n<p>If you need space for your replacement heads, you can usually find space within the shell cases itself, but the tuning keys, screws, and washers are probably better off in your cymbal bag\u2019s accessory pocket.<\/p>\n<p>[\/et_pb_text][et_pb_button button_url=&#8221;https:\/\/www.gear4music.com\/drum-kits.html&#8221; url_new_window=&#8221;on&#8221; button_text=&#8221;SHOP DRUM GEAR&#8221; button_alignment=&#8221;center&#8221; admin_label=&#8221;NEW CTA Button&#8221; _builder_version=&#8221;4.17.4&#8243; _module_preset=&#8221;default&#8221; custom_button=&#8221;on&#8221; button_text_size=&#8221;14px&#8221; button_text_color=&#8221;#FFFFFF&#8221; button_bg_color=&#8221;#0e95cf&#8221; button_border_width=&#8221;0px&#8221; button_border_color=&#8221;#0e95cf&#8221; button_font=&#8221;Arial|700|||||||&#8221; button_icon=&#8221;&#x35;||divi||400&#8243; button_icon_color=&#8221;#FFFFFF&#8221; custom_margin=&#8221;||||false|false&#8221; custom_padding=&#8221;10px|30px||30px|false|false&#8221; box_shadow_style=&#8221;preset6&#8243; box_shadow_blur=&#8221;2px&#8221; global_colors_info=&#8221;{}&#8221;][\/et_pb_button][et_pb_text admin_label=&#8221;Band equipment checklist: Keyboardist&#8221; _builder_version=&#8221;4.17.4&#8243; background_size=&#8221;initial&#8221; background_position=&#8221;top_left&#8221; background_repeat=&#8221;repeat&#8221; custom_padding=&#8221;20px||||false|false&#8221; hover_enabled=&#8221;0&#8243; border_width_top=&#8221;2px&#8221; border_color_top=&#8221;#f08000&#8243; global_colors_info=&#8221;{}&#8221; sticky_enabled=&#8221;0&#8243;]<\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Band_equipment_checklist_Keyboardist\"><\/span>Band equipment checklist: Keyboardist<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<h4><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Keyboard\"><\/span>Keyboard<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h4>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignright size-medium wp-image-21023\" src=\"https:\/\/storage.googleapis.com\/stateless-blog-g4m-co-uk\/2022\/12\/Kawai-ES120-300x300.jpg\" alt=\"Kawai ES120 being played\" width=\"300\" height=\"300\" srcset=\"https:\/\/storage.googleapis.com\/stateless-blog-g4m-co-uk\/2022\/12\/Kawai-ES120-300x300.jpg 300w, https:\/\/storage.googleapis.com\/stateless-blog-g4m-co-uk\/2022\/12\/Kawai-ES120-1024x1024.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/storage.googleapis.com\/stateless-blog-g4m-co-uk\/2022\/12\/Kawai-ES120-600x600.jpg 600w, https:\/\/storage.googleapis.com\/stateless-blog-g4m-co-uk\/2022\/12\/Kawai-ES120-768x768.jpg 768w, https:\/\/storage.googleapis.com\/stateless-blog-g4m-co-uk\/2022\/12\/Kawai-ES120-1080x1080.jpg 1080w, https:\/\/storage.googleapis.com\/stateless-blog-g4m-co-uk\/2022\/12\/Kawai-ES120-1280x1280.jpg 1280w, https:\/\/storage.googleapis.com\/stateless-blog-g4m-co-uk\/2022\/12\/Kawai-ES120-980x980.jpg 980w, https:\/\/storage.googleapis.com\/stateless-blog-g4m-co-uk\/2022\/12\/Kawai-ES120-480x480.jpg 480w, https:\/\/storage.googleapis.com\/stateless-blog-g4m-co-uk\/2022\/12\/Kawai-ES120.jpg 1500w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px\" \/>Depending on your style of playing, desired setup, and musical project or genre, as a keys player, you can bring a wide range of equipment to a gig.<\/p>\n<p>A laptop and a MIDI keyboard are perhaps the most compact, immediate, and flexible options for pulling up a wide range of different sounds and triggering samples. If you\u2019re in modern pop, rap, or metal groups, this may be the way to go.<\/p>\n<p>A <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.gear4music.com\/pianos-keyboards\/digital-pianos\/stage\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">stage piano<\/a><\/strong> might be preferable for more seasoned players who want a standard acoustic piano and organ sounds \u2013 these are usually weighted 88-key keyboards with preset sounds and little tweaking available. So if you don\u2019t need a range of dynamic sounds on tap and just want to play, this is ideal.<\/p>\n<p>A stage piano is the option for the more classically-trained players amongst us. Blues, jazz, funk, soul, classic rock, and worship bands will likely only need this.<\/p>\n<p>We recommend the <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.gear4music.com\/Keyboards-and-Pianos\/Kawai-ES120-Digital-Stage-Piano-Black\/4WSM\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Kawai ES120<\/a><\/strong> and the <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.gear4music.com\/Keyboards-and-Pianos\/Casio-PX-S1100-Digital-Piano-Black\/42WH\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Casio PX S1100<\/a><\/strong>. These are lightweight pianos with authentic-feeling hammer action keys &#8211; perfect for recreating the experience of playing an acoustic piano.<\/p>\n<p>However, if you need a range of tones from a laptop and still desire the weighted key action of a piano, 88-key hammer action <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.gear4music.com\/pianos-keyboards\/midi-keyboards\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">MIDI keyboards<\/a><\/strong> are readily available. While large and heavy, these can give you the best of a laptop\u2019s tonal flexibility and programming power alongside the responsive, weighty expression of a piano keyboard.<\/p>\n<p>Just be aware that these kinds of keyboards don\u2019t have built-in speakers, and will need to be connected to mixers or audio interfaces to get signal out \u2013 both at home and at the gig.<\/p>\n<p>For something in-between the two: <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.gear4music.com\/pianos-keyboards\/keyboards\/arranger\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">arranger<\/a><\/strong> and <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.gear4music.com\/pianos-keyboards\/keyboards\/workstations\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">workstation<\/a><\/strong> keyboards have the digital tweakability, tonal power, and layering capabilities of a laptop with some of the flexibility of a synthesizer, all in one unit, so you don\u2019t have to look at a screen or make sure your laptop is safe throughout the night.<\/p>\n<p>It\u2019s less to worry about, there\u2019s a range of sizes and key actions and some powerful sequencing and layering options to change your sounds throughout the gig.<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignright size-medium wp-image-43258\" src=\"https:\/\/storage.googleapis.com\/stateless-blog-g4m-co-uk\/2025\/01\/Keys-player-Korg-300x300.jpg\" alt=\"Keys player - Korg\" width=\"300\" height=\"300\" srcset=\"https:\/\/storage.googleapis.com\/stateless-blog-g4m-co-uk\/2025\/01\/Keys-player-Korg-300x300.jpg 300w, https:\/\/storage.googleapis.com\/stateless-blog-g4m-co-uk\/2025\/01\/Keys-player-Korg-1024x1024.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/storage.googleapis.com\/stateless-blog-g4m-co-uk\/2025\/01\/Keys-player-Korg-600x600.jpg 600w, https:\/\/storage.googleapis.com\/stateless-blog-g4m-co-uk\/2025\/01\/Keys-player-Korg-768x768.jpg 768w, https:\/\/storage.googleapis.com\/stateless-blog-g4m-co-uk\/2025\/01\/Keys-player-Korg-1080x1080.jpg 1080w, https:\/\/storage.googleapis.com\/stateless-blog-g4m-co-uk\/2025\/01\/Keys-player-Korg-980x980.jpg 980w, https:\/\/storage.googleapis.com\/stateless-blog-g4m-co-uk\/2025\/01\/Keys-player-Korg-480x480.jpg 480w, https:\/\/storage.googleapis.com\/stateless-blog-g4m-co-uk\/2025\/01\/Keys-player-Korg.jpg 1200w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px\" \/>Finally, there are <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.gear4music.com\/pianos-keyboards\/keyboards\/synths\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">synthesizers<\/a><\/strong>. A more tweakable instrument that\u2019s well-suited to experimental or electronic genres, synths come in a range of form factors, from desktop sound modules to Eurorack to mini keyboards, all the way to full-sized keyboards.<\/p>\n<p>Synths typically have somewhere between 37 and 61 keys that are semi-weighted for some slight resistance when playing, but not as much as hammer-action keyboards.<\/p>\n<p>Synthesizers make their own sounds based on their internal design and features, and while you can design sounds to emulate existing instruments, they won\u2019t be close to the real thing or the samples you\u2019ll find on stage pianos, arrangers, workstations, or laptops.<\/p>\n<p>Controllable via built-in keyboards, buttons, knobs, switches, and MIDI controllers, this is a different experience for a keyboardist, but if you\u2019re interested in playing electronic music or pushing the boundaries of traditional sound, a synth can be a great way to do so.<\/p>\n<p>Many keyboardists will blend at least one or two &#8211; sometimes more &#8211; of these instruments together to get the sounds the project needs, so think about what suits your style and the gigging setup you want most.<\/p>\n<hr \/>\n<h4><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Cables\"><\/span>Cables<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h4>\n<p>As with all instruments, you&#8217;ll need to think about the types of <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.gear4music.com\/pianos-keyboards\/accessories\/cables\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">cables<\/a><\/strong> you need on stage.<\/p>\n<p>You\u2019ll generally want two balanced 1\/4&#8243; jack cables to run sound from each source for clean, stereo signals. However, some synthesizers might only offer a single mono audio output &#8211; in which case, you\u2019ll only need one cable. Keyboardists may use and blend a range of different keyboard instruments for their sounds, which makes having a compact desktop mixer or audio interface a wise choice.<\/p>\n<p>It\u2019s also good to have at least two MIDI DIN cables per sound source you\u2019re using \u2013 one for input and one for output. This will let you connect your instruments together to control them from one central hub and let them synchronise timings for cohesive performances. USB cables for MIDI are also common and can help keep things connected.<\/p>\n<hr \/>\n<h4><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Bags_and_cases-5\"><\/span>Bags and cases<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h4>\n<p>For the most compact and travel-ready setup, i.e., a laptop and MIDI keyboard, Gator offer a joint MIDI controller and laptop backpack case: the <strong><a href=\"\/Recording-and-Computers\/Gator-GK-LT25W-EPS-Backpack-Style-Case-for-Micro-Controller-and-Laptop\/5Y7J\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">GK-LT25W<\/a><\/strong>. For larger MIDI controllers, look for a general-purpose <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.gear4music.com\/pianos-keyboards\/accessories\/bags-cases\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">keyboard case<\/a><\/strong> that fits the dimensions and number of keys of your chosen controller.<\/p>\n<p>Since arrangers, workstations, and stage pianos tend to be either 61 or 88 keys, the <strong><a href=\"\/Recording-and-Computers\/Gator-GTSA-KEY61-ATA-TSA-61-Note-Keyboard-Case-50-x-22-x-9\/2AJ6\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">GTSA-KEY61<\/a><\/strong> and <strong><a href=\"\/Keyboards-and-Pianos\/Gator-GTSA-KEY88-ATA-88-Note-Keyboard-Case-with-Wheels\/1OWA\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">GTSA-KEY88<\/a><\/strong> are probably the safest and most protective choices for these kinds of keyboards.<\/p>\n<p>Meanwhile, synthesizers can vary quite considerably in size depending on their design.<\/p>\n<p>Even things like the height of knobs and buttons, the length of the keys in the keybed, and the number of outputs and connectivity on a synth can have a massive effect on its dimensions and make generic cases unfeasible. Instead, we\u2019d recommend looking at our dedicated <strong><a href=\"\/Synth-Accessories\/Synth-Bags-Cases\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">synth bags and cases<\/a><\/strong> page to find the correct model for your chosen instrument.<\/p>\n<p>As with most accessories, you should be able to find sufficient space for cables within the cases themselves.<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-43259\" src=\"https:\/\/storage.googleapis.com\/stateless-blog-g4m-co-uk\/2025\/01\/Gator-keys-case.jpg\" alt=\"Gator keys case\" width=\"1100\" height=\"550\" srcset=\"https:\/\/storage.googleapis.com\/stateless-blog-g4m-co-uk\/2025\/01\/Gator-keys-case.jpg 1100w, https:\/\/storage.googleapis.com\/stateless-blog-g4m-co-uk\/2025\/01\/Gator-keys-case-600x300.jpg 600w, https:\/\/storage.googleapis.com\/stateless-blog-g4m-co-uk\/2025\/01\/Gator-keys-case-1024x512.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/storage.googleapis.com\/stateless-blog-g4m-co-uk\/2025\/01\/Gator-keys-case-768x384.jpg 768w, https:\/\/storage.googleapis.com\/stateless-blog-g4m-co-uk\/2025\/01\/Gator-keys-case-1080x540.jpg 1080w, https:\/\/storage.googleapis.com\/stateless-blog-g4m-co-uk\/2025\/01\/Gator-keys-case-980x490.jpg 980w, https:\/\/storage.googleapis.com\/stateless-blog-g4m-co-uk\/2025\/01\/Gator-keys-case-480x240.jpg 480w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1100px) 100vw, 1100px\" \/><\/p>\n<p>[\/et_pb_text][et_pb_button button_url=&#8221;https:\/\/www.gear4music.com\/pianos-keyboards\/keyboards&#8221; url_new_window=&#8221;on&#8221; button_text=&#8221;SHOP KEYBOARD GEAR&#8221; button_alignment=&#8221;center&#8221; admin_label=&#8221;NEW CTA Button&#8221; _builder_version=&#8221;4.17.4&#8243; _module_preset=&#8221;default&#8221; custom_button=&#8221;on&#8221; button_text_size=&#8221;14px&#8221; button_text_color=&#8221;#FFFFFF&#8221; button_bg_color=&#8221;#0e95cf&#8221; button_border_width=&#8221;0px&#8221; button_border_color=&#8221;#0e95cf&#8221; button_font=&#8221;Arial|700|||||||&#8221; button_icon=&#8221;&#x35;||divi||400&#8243; button_icon_color=&#8221;#FFFFFF&#8221; custom_margin=&#8221;||||false|false&#8221; custom_padding=&#8221;10px|30px||30px|false|false&#8221; box_shadow_style=&#8221;preset6&#8243; box_shadow_blur=&#8221;2px&#8221; global_colors_info=&#8221;{}&#8221;][\/et_pb_button][et_pb_text admin_label=&#8221;How to transport your gear safely&#8221; _builder_version=&#8221;4.17.4&#8243; background_size=&#8221;initial&#8221; background_position=&#8221;top_left&#8221; background_repeat=&#8221;repeat&#8221; custom_padding=&#8221;20px||||false|false&#8221; hover_enabled=&#8221;0&#8243; border_width_top=&#8221;2px&#8221; border_color_top=&#8221;#f08000&#8243; global_colors_info=&#8221;{}&#8221; sticky_enabled=&#8221;0&#8243;]<\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"How_to_transport_your_gear_safely\"><\/span>How to transport your gear safely<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p>So, we\u2019ve talked about a lot of gear and a lot of cases. But why are we recommending these products? What should you look for in a case? What kind of protection is best for what kinds of gear?<\/p>\n<p>Of course, the first priority is finding something that fits your equipment. It might be a microphone, PA speaker, mixer, guitar, bass, drum shell, or keyboard, but you need to find the right dimensions and style of transportation for it.<\/p>\n<p>Always check the internal dimensions of the case if they\u2019re available against the dimensions of the piece of gear you want to put in the case. We try to include this information in the specifications of every single listing we can, because even two similarly styled guitars may not be the same size if they\u2019re from different brands.<\/p>\n<p>Gig bags aren\u2019t highly protective in general, but they\u2019re certainly affordable, sometimes included, and far better than nothing. If you drive or can walk to your shows, a gig bag will probably suffice. But if you want a little extra protection than a thin covering of fabric, we\u2019d at least recommend the extra security of a padded gig bag as opposed to an unlined one.<\/p>\n<p>A padded bag is better at distributing shocks, so should the worst happen, the force of impact will at least be dispersed a bit.<\/p>\n<p>Softshell cases are a step up from this, but hardshell cases are usually the best, they\u2019re safer, more durable, and far more secure than the alternatives, and they\u2019ll remove that anxiety in the back of your mind about whether or not your equipment is actually protected.<\/p>\n<p>The next question is how far are you going, and how are you getting there? This not only helps you figure out the kind of case you buy &#8211; a gig bag, softshell case, or hardshell case &#8211; but extra features you need, such as accessory pockets for the important extras, whether or not you need wheels on the case, and the kind of latches and locks available.<\/p>\n<p>Make sure you have locks of some kind if you\u2019re using public transportation, for example, it\u2019ll make it less likely to get stolen.<\/p>\n<p>Hardshell cases are also often better at preventing things like dust, temperature, and humidity from impacting your instruments. Particularly wooden instruments like violins, cellos, and violas, as well as acoustic guitars, and even drum shells, can be subjected to warping from changes in humidity and temperature. Even solid-body electric guitars can undergo fret sprout or neck warping.<\/p>\n<p>These changes can damage, destroy, or at least ruin the playing experience of your instrument, so if you\u2019re travelling long distances, or live in a country with extreme weather and\/or humidity, it\u2019s worth making sure you get a hard case with a good lining.<\/p>\n<p>If you\u2019re taking an international flight, look for Gator\u2019s \u201cGTSA\u201d series. These flight cases come with TSA-approved latches, which means that they\u2019re both secure and can be opened by airport security teams when they deem it necessary to check the contents of a case. This can save you a lot of time and headaches when going through customs checks, not only with American TSA but all international customs and security teams.<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-43260\" src=\"https:\/\/storage.googleapis.com\/stateless-blog-g4m-co-uk\/2025\/01\/Band-gigging-gear.jpg\" alt=\"Band gigging gear\" width=\"1330\" height=\"665\" srcset=\"https:\/\/storage.googleapis.com\/stateless-blog-g4m-co-uk\/2025\/01\/Band-gigging-gear.jpg 1330w, https:\/\/storage.googleapis.com\/stateless-blog-g4m-co-uk\/2025\/01\/Band-gigging-gear-600x300.jpg 600w, https:\/\/storage.googleapis.com\/stateless-blog-g4m-co-uk\/2025\/01\/Band-gigging-gear-1024x512.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/storage.googleapis.com\/stateless-blog-g4m-co-uk\/2025\/01\/Band-gigging-gear-768x384.jpg 768w, https:\/\/storage.googleapis.com\/stateless-blog-g4m-co-uk\/2025\/01\/Band-gigging-gear-1080x540.jpg 1080w, https:\/\/storage.googleapis.com\/stateless-blog-g4m-co-uk\/2025\/01\/Band-gigging-gear-1280x640.jpg 1280w, https:\/\/storage.googleapis.com\/stateless-blog-g4m-co-uk\/2025\/01\/Band-gigging-gear-980x490.jpg 980w, https:\/\/storage.googleapis.com\/stateless-blog-g4m-co-uk\/2025\/01\/Band-gigging-gear-480x240.jpg 480w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1330px) 100vw, 1330px\" \/><\/p>\n<p>[\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text admin_label=&#8221;FAQs&#8221; _builder_version=&#8221;4.17.4&#8243; background_size=&#8221;initial&#8221; background_position=&#8221;top_left&#8221; background_repeat=&#8221;repeat&#8221; custom_padding=&#8221;20px||||false|false&#8221; border_width_top=&#8221;2px&#8221; border_color_top=&#8221;#f08000&#8243; global_colors_info=&#8221;{}&#8221;]<\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"FAQs\"><\/span>FAQs<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<h4><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"What_type_of_instruments_do_bands_use\"><\/span>What type of instruments do bands use?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h4>\n<p>Bands use a wide variety of instruments, typically divided into categories like brass, woodwinds, percussion, and strings. The typical instrument setup for a band is two guitars, a bass, and drums &#8211; and sometimes keys. Specific instruments depend on the band&#8217;s genre and style.<\/p>\n<hr \/>\n<h4><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"What_does_a_band_need_for_a_gig\"><\/span>What does a band need for a gig?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h4>\n<p>A band needs instruments, amplifiers, microphones, and a PA system for a gig. Essential items also include cables, a setlist, and backups like extra strings or drumsticks. Adequate preparation ensures seamless performance and professional sound quality.<\/p>\n<hr \/>\n<h4><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"What_instrument_is_best_for_me\"><\/span>What instrument is best for me?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h4>\n<p>The <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.gear4music.com\/blog\/what-instrument-should-i-learn\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">best instrument for you<\/a><\/strong> is the one you\u2019re most interested in. There are other factors, like the kind of role you\u2019re interested in within a musical project and what you have an ear for. Somebody with an ear for melody may be best suited to piano, lead guitar, or vocals. If you like harmony, you may prefer keyboard or rhythm guitar. Anyone who likes deeper sounds or rhythm might be more interested in bass or drums.<\/p>\n<p>[\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text admin_label=&#8221;Final thoughts&#8221; _builder_version=&#8221;4.17.4&#8243; background_size=&#8221;initial&#8221; background_position=&#8221;top_left&#8221; background_repeat=&#8221;repeat&#8221; custom_padding=&#8221;20px||||false|false&#8221; border_width_top=&#8221;2px&#8221; border_color_top=&#8221;#f08000&#8243; global_colors_info=&#8221;{}&#8221;]<\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Final_thoughts\"><\/span>Final thoughts<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p>As our <strong>band equipment checklist <\/strong>has shown, there are quite a few considerations to make when preparing for a gig! You need to know exactly what your role is in the band, understand your instrument, and choose a good protective case that suits your method of travel. Generally speaking, it\u2019s better to have a case that\u2019s overly protective for smaller local gigs than something that isn\u2019t protective enough.<\/p>\n<p>To find out more about how to put on a great gig, check out these articles:<\/p>\n<p><strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.gear4music.com\/blog\/best-microphones-for-vocals\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">The 13 Best Microphones for Vocals<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n<p><strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.gear4music.com\/blog\/audio-feedback\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">What is Audio Feedback and How Do I Fix It?<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n<p><strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.gear4music.com\/blog\/stage-lighting-design\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">A Guide to Stage Lighting Design<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>[\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row column_structure=&#8221;1_2,1_2&#8243; _builder_version=&#8221;4.17.4&#8243; _module_preset=&#8221;default&#8221; global_colors_info=&#8221;{}&#8221;][et_pb_column type=&#8221;1_2&#8243; _builder_version=&#8221;4.17.4&#8243; _module_preset=&#8221;default&#8221; global_colors_info=&#8221;{}&#8221;][et_pb_button button_url=&#8221;https:\/\/www.gear4music.com\/PA_Equipment.html&#8221; url_new_window=&#8221;on&#8221; button_text=&#8221;SHOP LIVE SOUND GEAR&#8221; button_alignment=&#8221;center&#8221; admin_label=&#8221;NEW CTA Button&#8221; _builder_version=&#8221;4.17.4&#8243; _module_preset=&#8221;default&#8221; custom_button=&#8221;on&#8221; button_text_size=&#8221;14px&#8221; button_text_color=&#8221;#FFFFFF&#8221; button_bg_color=&#8221;#0e95cf&#8221; button_border_width=&#8221;0px&#8221; button_border_color=&#8221;#0e95cf&#8221; button_font=&#8221;Arial|700|||||||&#8221; button_icon=&#8221;&#x35;||divi||400&#8243; button_icon_color=&#8221;#FFFFFF&#8221; custom_margin=&#8221;||||false|false&#8221; custom_padding=&#8221;10px|30px||30px|false|false&#8221; box_shadow_style=&#8221;preset6&#8243; box_shadow_blur=&#8221;2px&#8221; global_colors_info=&#8221;{}&#8221;][\/et_pb_button][\/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=&#8221;1_2&#8243; _builder_version=&#8221;4.17.4&#8243; _module_preset=&#8221;default&#8221; global_colors_info=&#8221;{}&#8221;][et_pb_button button_url=&#8221;https:\/\/www.gear4music.com\/blog\/category\/live-sound\/live-sound-guides\/&#8221; url_new_window=&#8221;on&#8221; button_text=&#8221;READ MORE LIVE SOUND GUIDES&#8221; button_alignment=&#8221;center&#8221; admin_label=&#8221;NEW CTA Button&#8221; _builder_version=&#8221;4.17.4&#8243; _module_preset=&#8221;default&#8221; custom_button=&#8221;on&#8221; button_text_size=&#8221;14px&#8221; button_text_color=&#8221;#FFFFFF&#8221; button_bg_color=&#8221;#0e95cf&#8221; button_border_width=&#8221;0px&#8221; button_border_color=&#8221;#0e95cf&#8221; button_font=&#8221;Arial|700|||||||&#8221; button_icon=&#8221;&#x35;||divi||400&#8243; button_icon_color=&#8221;#FFFFFF&#8221; custom_margin=&#8221;||||false|false&#8221; custom_padding=&#8221;10px|30px||30px|false|false&#8221; box_shadow_style=&#8221;preset6&#8243; box_shadow_blur=&#8221;2px&#8221; global_colors_info=&#8221;{}&#8221;][\/et_pb_button][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][\/et_pb_section]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>We&#8217;ve put together a band equipment checklist covering all the gear you need, how to set it up, and how to protect it on your way to the gig. The latter is super important, as you don&#8217;t want your equipment to get damaged in transit, yet it might be the last thing you think of!<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":13,"featured_media":43249,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"_et_pb_use_builder":"on","_et_pb_old_content":"<p>So, you have a gig booked or you\u2019ve picked up some new gear, maybe even both. Congratulations! It\u2019s probably still quite early in the game for you; maybe it's your first gig or perhaps you\u2019ve done a few and are still\u00a0mastering the process. No matter where you are in your journey, it begs the question, what equipment do you need and how do you get it to the gig safely?<\/p><p>We've put together a <strong>band equipment checklist <\/strong>covering all the gear you need, how to set it up, and how to protect it on your way to the gig. The latter is super important, as you don't want your equipment to get damaged in transit, yet it might be the last thing you think of!<\/p><hr \/><h3>In a hurry? Here\u2019s a summary<\/h3><p>For a quick rundown, this is our list of equipment. You might be able to work with a more streamlined setup, for example, guitarists and bassists might go for a combo amp, with an included cabinet, and not require pedals, or just go for an amp head with a DI output.<\/p><p>Singers may be expected to bring a PA system and mixer if the band runs its own sound - but there will also be times when this isn't necessary, it all depends on the venue and setup. Similarly, keyboardists may not need separate sound modules, sequencers, or effects pedals - they might just need their keyboard and cables!<\/p><p>[table id=303 \/]<\/p><hr \/><h3>Protect your gear<\/h3><p>So, you have your gear, now you need to protect it. Music equipment is expensive, often quite large, and sometimes fragile or at least easily damaged in some way. It's worth investing in some rugged, high-quality bags and cases that will shield your instruments and gear from knocks and bumps on the road.<\/p><p>We recommend anything by <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.gear4music.com\/Gator.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Gator<\/a><\/strong> or <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.gear4music.com\/BAM\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">BAM<\/a><\/strong> - these brands are renowned for their durable road-worthy cases that offer the utmost protection for anything from live gear to orchestral instruments.<\/p><hr \/><h3>Band equipment checklist: Singer<\/h3><h4>Microphone<\/h4><p><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-11049 alignright\" src=\"https:\/\/storage.googleapis.com\/stateless-blog-g4m-co-uk\/2022\/06\/preview-300x300.jpg\" alt=\"e865 Condenser Microphone\" width=\"300\" height=\"300\" \/>Does a vocalist really need their own microphone when gigging? Well, it depends on your preferences and the venue. Venues will typically have <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.gear4music.com\/PA_Equipment\/Vocal-Mics\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">vocal mics<\/a><\/strong> available for their performers, but the condition and level of care given to these mics can vary a lot.<\/p><p>Whether the mics get regularly cleaned and maintained will depend on the kind of venue and the care the owners and engineers take in the venue, and is that a risk you want to take?<\/p><p>It\u2019s also just practical. If something goes wrong with your mic, the venue has a backup, but you can clean, maintain, personalise, and pick out your own signature live sound.<\/p><p>It can also be beneficial to carry around multiple mics for backing vocals from your bandmates. We would usually recommend vocalists try and bring at least their own mic for these reasons, even though it\u2019s not totally necessary.<\/p><p>A <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.gear4music.com\/PA_Equipment\/Dynamic_Microphones.html?page=1&filters[42]=2814\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">dynamic handheld microphone<\/a> <\/strong>like the <strong><a href=\"\/PA-DJ-and-Lighting\/Shure-SM58-Dynamic-Cardioid-Vocal-Microphone\/4ZW\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Shure SM58<\/a><\/strong>\u00a0is usually the <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.gear4music.com\/blog\/11-best-live-vocal-mics-for-2023\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">best choice for live vocals<\/a><\/strong>, or if you want something a little different, we recommend the <strong><a href=\"\/PA-DJ-and-Lighting\/sE-Electronics-V7-Dynamic-Microphone\/1PWW\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">sE Electronics V7<\/a><\/strong>. However, as an alternative, handheld condensers like the <strong><a href=\"\/PA-DJ-and-Lighting\/Sennheiser-e865-Condenser-Microphone\/4S9\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Sennheiser e865<\/a><\/strong>\u00a0and <strong><a href=\"\/PA-DJ-and-Lighting\/Neumann-KMS-104-Handheld-Condenser-Vocal-Microphone-Nickel\/SWU\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Neumann KMS 104<\/a><\/strong> offer detail that\u2019ll shine on softer, more intricate vocal styles for genres like jazz, indie, and pop.<\/p><hr \/><h4>PA system<\/h4><p>Now, this isn\u2019t always a necessity for performing bands as the vast majority of venues will have their own PA system already. That said, certain areas, types of venues, or kinds of events may require you to bring your own <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.gear4music.com\/PA_Equipment\/Speaker-Systems.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">PA system<\/a><\/strong>. And given that vocalists often have the least to carry and set up, the responsibility of bringing this to gigs might fall to you.<\/p><p>DIY venues often won't have a PA system available, so you'll need to bring your own. It\u2019s worth checking with the event organiser first if you\u2019re not sure. Most external spaces will probably have something, but if you\u2019re playing a local caf\u00e9, village hall, open-air space, or a friend\u2019s garden or house party, a PA system would be extremely beneficial.<\/p><p>If you\u2019re looking to do events like this, or organise your own with other local bands, it\u2019s definitely worth dropping the money on a pair of full-sized speakers. For starters, we\u2019d recommend an affordable pair like the <strong><a href=\"\/PA-DJ-and-Lighting\/G4M-12-Active-DSP-Speaker\/5C82\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">G4M 12-inch Active DSP Speaker<\/a><\/strong>\u00a0or the <strong><a href=\"\/PA-DJ-and-Lighting\/Mackie-Thump215-15-Active-PA-Speaker\/4ZOQ\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Mackie Thump 215<\/a><\/strong>.<\/p><hr \/><h4>Mixer<\/h4><p><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-41591 alignright\" src=\"https:\/\/storage.googleapis.com\/stateless-blog-g4m-co-uk\/2024\/12\/Yamaha-MG10XU-Analog-USB-Mixer-300x300.jpg\" alt=\"Yamaha MG10XU Analog USB Mixer\" width=\"300\" height=\"300\" \/>If you put on your own events or are interested in home recording, you may need to consider running your own sound. In this case, you'll need a <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.gear4music.com\/PA_Equipment\/Mixers\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">mixer<\/a><\/strong>.<\/p><p>Something with about 16 channels should suffice for most bands, with enough preamps for drum mics (four to eight), vocal mics (two to four), and sufficient line inputs for guitars, bass, and at least one stereo channel for keys.<\/p><p>For this kind of portable setup, a durable <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.gear4music.com\/PA_Equipment\/Analog-Mixers\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">analog mixer<\/a><\/strong> is a quick way to get started with learning live sound principles.<\/p><p>Check out our <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.gear4music.com\/blog\/live-sound-mixing\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">guide to live sound mixing<\/a><\/strong> to get started.<\/p><p>For bands who need a durable mixer to bring with them on the road, we\u2019d recommend the <strong><a href=\"\/PA-DJ-and-Lighting\/Yamaha-MG16XU-Analog-USB-Mixer\/XBS\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Yamaha MG16XU<\/a><\/strong>, or for those who might want to do more home recording or record their live shows, the <strong><a href=\"\/Recording-and-Computers\/Tascam-Model-24-Analog-Mixer-with-Digital-Recorder\/2NGB\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Tascam Model 24<\/a><\/strong> has an in-built recorder.<\/p><hr \/><h4>XLR cables<\/h4><p>You can\u2019t run a microphone without a <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.gear4music.com\/Cables\/Microphone.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">microphone cable<\/a><\/strong>! If you\u2019re bringing your own mic, it\u2019s probably worth bringing a cable too. That said, most venues have a plethora of cables, so it's not the end of the world if you don't. Something durable and with Neutrik connectors is probably ideal, but pick what fits your budget, you can get something that works well for almost any price.<\/p><hr \/><h4>In-ear monitors<\/h4><p><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-43252 alignright\" src=\"https:\/\/storage.googleapis.com\/stateless-blog-g4m-co-uk\/2025\/01\/In-ear-monitors-300x300.jpg\" alt=\"In-ear monitors\" width=\"300\" height=\"300\" \/>Again, vocalists tend to have the least to carry, and so they're usually tasked with bringing general equipment for the whole band. This includes the <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.gear4music.com\/PA_Equipment\/In-Ear-Monitor-Systems\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">in-ear monitoring system<\/a><\/strong>, which enables you to listen back to your performance as you gig.<\/p><p>We highly recommend most bands consider in-ear monitoring if they have regular paid gigs at sizeable venues.<\/p><p>The <strong><a href=\"\/PA-DJ-and-Lighting\/NUX-B-7PSM-Personal-Monitoring-System-58GHz-Bundle\/6T52\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">NUX B-7SPM Custom Bundle<\/a><\/strong> is an affordable and portable entry-level system if you\u2019re struggling to hear yourself in smaller, more local venues or just need something to adapt to a variety of show sizes. For a more professional and comprehensive option, Sennheiser\u2019s <strong><a href=\"\/PA-DJ-and-Lighting\/Sennheiser-XSW-IEM-SET-Wireless-In-Ear-Monitor-System-E-Band\/481A\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">XSW IEM SET<\/a><\/strong> is ideal.<\/p><p>We've rounded up more options for our list of the <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.gear4music.com\/blog\/best-in-ear-monitors\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">best in-ear monitors<\/a><\/strong>, and if you're looking to keep costs low, check out our <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.gear4music.com\/blog\/best-budget-in-ear-monitors\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">favourite budget IEMs<\/a><\/strong>.<\/p><hr \/><h4>Bags and cases<\/h4><p>So, we\u2019ve got the kit. Now, how do you keep it safe?<\/p><p>For microphones, the <strong><a href=\"\/PA-DJ-and-Lighting\/Gator-GM-4-Microphone-Bag\/D3C\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Gator GM-4 Microphone Bag<\/a><\/strong> would be a great setup - it has space for three other mics as well as mic clips and cables. If you\u2019re into self-recording, this bag can al so be beneficial for storing and protecting your mics at home or while travelling.<\/p><p>For your PA system, if needed, we\u2019d recommend Gator\u2019s <strong><a href=\"\/PA-DJ-and-Lighting\/Gator-GPA-712LG-Large-Format-12-Portable-Speaker-Bag-with-Wheels\/D3G\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">GPA-712LG<\/a><\/strong> or <strong><a href=\"\/PA-DJ-and-Lighting\/Gator-GPA-715-15-Portable-Speaker-Bag-with-Wheels\/26PA\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">GPA-715<\/a><\/strong> for portability with wheels, depending on the size of your chosen speakers.<\/p><p>For the kind of setup and mixer size we\u2019ve been discussing, we\u2019d recommend the Gator <strong><a href=\"\/PA-DJ-and-Lighting\/Gator-GTSA-MIX222506-ATA-Rated-Mixer-Case-22-x-25-x-6\/H2Z\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">GTSA-Mix<\/a><\/strong> series. There are a lot of sizes within this range, and mixer sizes vary a lot, so make sure the internal dimensions of the model you pick fits the dimensions of your chosen mixer!<\/p><p>Your microphone cables can easily fit into accessory pockets of your mixer cases and PA system bags, so you won\u2019t need dedicated protection for them.<\/p><p>Depending on the size of your chosen in-ear monitoring system, the <strong><a href=\"\/PA-DJ-and-Lighting\/Gator-G-IN-EAR-SYSTEM-Half-Rack-Wireless-IEM-System-Bag\/2AA1\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">G-IN EAR SYSTEM<\/a><\/strong> bag or <strong><a href=\"\/PA-DJ-and-Lighting\/Gator-GM-1W-Padded-Single-Wireless-System-Bag\/D3A\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">GM-1W<\/a><\/strong> will be ideal. The former is designed to fit half-rack receivers, which most wireless in-ear systems tend to be, but the GM-1W fits full, rack-sized receivers when necessary.<\/p><hr \/><h3>Band equipment checklist: Guitarist<\/h3><h4>Guitars<\/h4><p><img class=\"alignright size-medium wp-image-43254\" src=\"https:\/\/storage.googleapis.com\/stateless-blog-g4m-co-uk\/2025\/01\/Live-gig-300x300.jpg\" alt=\"Live gig\" width=\"300\" height=\"300\" \/>Of course, the first thing on your list should be a <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.gear4music.com\/guitar.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">guitar<\/a><\/strong>. You likely already have one, but let's\u00a0look at two of the most versatile and popular guitar styles around the same price.<\/p><p>The <strong><a href=\"\/Guitar-and-Bass\/Fender-Player-II-Stratocaster-HSS-RW-Polar-White\/6HUI\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Fender Player II Stratocaster HSS<\/a><\/strong> is one of the most versatile solid-body guitars around, taking the instantly familiar Stratocaster design that almost every guitar player likely started on and souping it up.<\/p><p>Strats have been taken in by legendary players of all kinds, from Jimi Hendrix and Eric Clapton to David Gilmour and Jeff Beck, and this version's bridge humbucker gives it extra punch for high-gain players while staying well-defined for clean playing too.<\/p><p>So, that\u2019s all well and good, but what if the Fender style isn\u2019t really for you? The longer scale length, broader fingerboard radius, and single-coil twang of classic Fender specs don\u2019t always gel with some players, so Gibson are the clear alternative.<\/p><p>For a mid-priced gigging guitar, we\u2019re looking at Gibson\u2019s sibling brand Epiphone, and their <strong><a href=\"\/Guitar-and-Bass\/Epiphone-Les-Paul-Custom-Ebony\/39A1\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Les Paul Custom<\/a><\/strong> for a classy black and gold \u201ctuxedo\u201d look that can do just about anything with a slightly darker, warmer sound than the chime of a traditional Fender guitar.<\/p><hr \/><h4>Guitar amp<\/h4><p><strong><img class=\"alignright size-medium wp-image-43253\" src=\"https:\/\/storage.googleapis.com\/stateless-blog-g4m-co-uk\/2025\/01\/Fender-Champion-amp-and-Strat-300x300.jpg\" alt=\"Fender Champion amp and Strat\" width=\"300\" height=\"300\" \/><a href=\"https:\/\/www.gear4music.com\/Guitar-Amps.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Guitar amps<\/a><\/strong> have changed a lot over the years. They\u2019ve become more complex, more powerful, and technology like amp simulators and modellers have condensed complicated setups into rack units or even just singular pedals.<\/p><p>The two main types of guitar amp are tube and solid state.<\/p><p><strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.gear4music.com\/Electric_Guitar\/Valve-Amps\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Tube amps<\/a><\/strong> use a vintage form of amplification that uses vacuum tubes to add volume to your signal. Vacuum tubes distort more easily as they\u2019re not very efficient, resulting in a lot of variance in the signal, but this can add a pleasing harmonic sound that a lot of players seem to like.<\/p><p><strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.gear4music.com\/Guitar-Amps\/Types?page=1&filters[125]=1318\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Solid state amps<\/a><\/strong> use transistors to boost signal, resulting in a cleaner, more linear playback.<\/p><p>Wattage is a better indicator of an amp\u2019s headroom than its volume \u2013 as in, how easily and quickly it breaks up. If you\u2019re playing clean parts for music like funk, pop, or indie, or rely more on pedals for your sound, you\u2019ll want something with a higher wattage, as it\u2019ll take a lot more volume before it breaks up with audible distortion.<\/p><p>Generally speaking, anything from 20 watts to 45 watts will suffice for small to medium-sized venues. For medium to larger venues, anything from 30 watts to 100 watts is ideal. Tube amps tend to sound louder than solid-state amps, despite not actually being louder.<\/p><p>Something on the lesser end of these brackets will suffice if it\u2019s tube-based, especially if you\u2019re feeding it into a physical speaker cab that\u2019s miked up, as the live engineer can always boost the mic gain. If you\u2019re going for a solid-state design, it may be best to add a few extra watts to give you the punch you want.<\/p><p><strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.gear4music.com\/Electric_Guitar\/Combo-amps.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Combo amps<\/a><\/strong> are more compact and easy to transport as they combine the preamp, power amp, and speaker stages into one single block. Tube amps are considerably heavier than solid-state amps, often because they rely on chunky voltage transformers, so make sure you weigh this up \u2013 pun intended \u2013 before you pick your live rig!<\/p><p>Alternatively, you can take an <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.gear4music.com\/Electric_Guitar\/Amp-Head.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">amp head<\/a><\/strong>. Amp heads will need to be paired with a suitable <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.gear4music.com\/Electric_Guitar\/Amp-Cabs.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">speaker cabinet<\/a><\/strong> \u2013 be sure the wattage of your amp matches the speakers in your cabinet or you\u2019ll get a very nasty, nasal distortion and risk damaging the cabinet.<\/p><p>Solid-state amps have more headroom, are more precise, and can be pushed harder before reaching any audible distortion. Tube amps break up sooner, but this can be desirable for more pushed, aggressive, or vintage styles. Both can sound great, so it\u2019s up to you and what you want to achieve.<\/p><p><img class=\"alignright size-medium wp-image-32698\" src=\"https:\/\/storage.googleapis.com\/stateless-blog-g4m-co-uk\/2023\/12\/Marshall-MG15GFX-Gold-15W-Combo-300x300.jpg\" alt=\"Marshall MG15GFX Gold 15W Combo\" width=\"300\" height=\"300\" \/>Tube amps aren\u2019t always reliable, especially if they\u2019ve got some years of use on them, but they\u2019re generally easier to maintain as their analog design means parts can be more easily replaced and fixed.<\/p><p>Solid-state amps are generally more reliable, but digital components in solid-state amps failing can mean that the whole amp needs to be replaced with a new one. Although, depending on your amp, this might still prove cheaper!<\/p><p>Amp modellers and simulators can be run direct into the venue\u2019s mixer or paired with a separate power amp. Most people will tend to run a solid-state power amp like the <strong><a href=\"\/Guitar-and-Bass\/Seymour-Duncan-PowerStage-170\/281E\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Seymour Duncan Powerstage<\/a><\/strong> with modellers, simulators, or multi-effects pedals.<\/p><p>However, you can also buy FRFR cabinets like the <strong><a href=\"\/Guitar-and-Bass\/Laney-LFR-112-Powered-1x12-Speaker-Cab\/2BOE\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Laney LFR-112<\/a><\/strong>, linear speaker cabinets with built-in power amps. These are great if you prefer to mic up a cab or have that live feel of speakers blasting your tone out on stage while still using modellers. To work out whether or not these are right for your setup, have a read of our <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.gear4music.com\/blog\/what-is-an-frfr-speaker-cabinet\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">FRFR speaker cabinet guide<\/a><\/strong>.<\/p><p>If you want a tube amp, we\u2019d recommend the 30-watt <strong><a href=\"\/Guitar-and-Bass\/Vox-AC30-Custom-OneTwelve-AC30S1\/2K13\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Vox AC30S1<\/a><\/strong> for a classic clean sound that\u2019s great for indie, blues, pop, and funk, but can be pushed into some breakup that can really shine in blues, classic rock, and even pop-punk.<\/p><p>For people who want to play more aggressive styles, Marshall\u2019s <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.gear4music.com\/Guitar-and-Bass\/Marshall-SC20H-Studio-Classic-JCM800-Valve-Head\/2Q8W\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">SC20H<\/a><\/strong> recreates their beloved JCM800 in a 20-watt package, designed to deliver British-style gain that can do everything from chiming cleans to heavy metal, and plays extremely well with pedalboards.<\/p><p>For solid-state amps, Roland\u2019s <strong><a href=\"\/Guitar-and-Bass\/Roland-JC-40-Jazz-Chorus-Stereo-Guitar-Amplifier\/1B63\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">JC-40<\/a><\/strong> takes inspiration from their classic Jazz Chorus amp, with two speakers for a broad stereo effect and a built-in chorus, vibrato, and reverb effects. A favourite for clean tones and as a pedal platform - shoegaze players absolutely love these! Orange\u2019s <strong><a href=\"\/Guitar-and-Bass\/Orange-Super-Crush-100-Head\/40G4\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Super Crush 100<\/a><\/strong> is a versatile high-wattage amp head that can do everything from pure clean tones to hyper-aggressive metal tones.<\/p><hr \/><h4>Effects pedals<\/h4><p>With advancements in modern digital technologies, you can get pretty much every form of <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.gear4music.com\/guitar-effects.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">effect<\/a><\/strong> \u2013 from overdrive, distortion and fuzz to reverb, delay, pitch and modulation effects in a single unit.<\/p><p><strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.gear4music.com\/Guitar_Effects\/Multi-Effects.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Multi-effects pedals<\/a><\/strong> offer most \u2013 if not all \u2013 of these in blocks that can be swapped in and out, chained in different orders, and switched through preset chains or singular pedal settings. Some even have built-in amp simulations too. This is convenient and a great space-saver, but <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.gear4music.com\/blog\/best-multi-effects-pedals\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">are multi-effects pedals for you?<\/a><\/strong><\/p><p>The alternative is building a pedalboard of individual effects. This gives you some dynamic effects switching, setting your own order and swapping pedals in and out at a moment\u2019s notice, but once you\u2019ve placed the pedals in order, you don\u2019t have as many options as multi-effects tend to offer.<\/p><p>People may argue that they prefer the sound of individual physical pedals, or they want to achieve specific sounds from particular circuits like a real analog delay, or a specific overdrive or distortion. Multi-effects save space but may need to be tweaked more heavily, and you\u2019ll need to learn to understand gain staging to prevent digitally clipping your effects chains.<\/p><hr \/><h4>Bags and cases<\/h4><p>Guitars are pretty expensive, so you want to make sure you <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.gear4music.com\/Accessories\/Bags_and_Cases.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">protect them properly<\/a><\/strong>! You can get fitted cases for a variety of guitar shapes, Like dedicated cases for a Stratocaster, Telecaster, Les Paul, or SG \u2013 like the Gator <strong><a href=\"\/Guitar-and-Bass\/Gator-GW-JAG-Deluxe-Offset-Electric-Guitar-Case\/GIM\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">GW-JAG<\/a><\/strong> for offset guitars, the <strong><a href=\"\/Guitar-and-Bass\/Gator-GW-LPS-Deluxe-Guitar-Case-43-x-15-x-5\/2AJX\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">GW-LPS Deluxe<\/a><\/strong> for singlecuts, and Fender\u2019s <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.gear4music.com\/Guitar-and-Bass\/Fender-Classic-Series-Wood-Case-Strat-Tele-Tweed\/2VS6\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">vintage-inspired Strat and Tele wood cases<\/a><\/strong>.<\/p><p>There are also more generically shaped universal guitar cases that fit most typical guitars, like the <strong><a href=\"\/Guitar-and-Bass\/BAM-Crew-Adjustable-Electric-Guitar-Case-Black\/5CZI\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">BAM Crew Adjustable Case<\/a><\/strong>, where you can adjust straps and padding to fit almost any guitar.<\/p><p>Be aware that certain rare guitar shapes might not fit the all-purpose cases though, particularly Explorer and Flying V-style guitars, and other wild pointy metal guitars. As cool as they look - they'll need dedicated cases like the <strong><a href=\"\/Guitar-and-Bass\/Gator-GWE-EXTREME-Electric-Guitar-Case\/IL1\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Gator GWE-EXTREME<\/a><\/strong>, which is purpose-built for those shapes.<\/p><p>For amps, the case you pick will depend on whether you have a head and cabinet, a combo amp, or a modeller. You can find a dedicated <strong><a href=\"\/Guitar-and-Bass\/Gator-Transit-Series-bag-for-Kemper-Profiling-Amps\/3GAN\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">bag for the Kemper Profiler<\/a><\/strong>, the <strong><a href=\"\/Guitar-and-Bass\/Gator-G-901-Amp-Head-Transporter-Case\/XWN\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Gator G-901 Amp Head Case<\/a><\/strong>, or cases for both <strong><a href=\"\/Guitar-and-Bass\/Gator-G-112A-1x12-Combo-Amp-Transporter-Case\/XWK\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">1 x 12<\/a><\/strong> and <strong><a href=\"\/Guitar-and-Bass\/Gator-G-212A-2x12-Combo-Amp-Transporter-Case\/XWL\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">2 x 12<\/a><\/strong> combo amps, as well as fitted covers made by the manufacturers of your chosen amp.<\/p><p>For pedals, you'll likely want a pedalboard with a case, like the <strong><a href=\"\/Guitar-and-Bass\/Palmer-Pedalbay-50-S-Lightweight-Compact-Pedalboard\/19WA\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Palmer Pedalbay 50S<\/a><\/strong> or the <strong><a href=\"\/Guitar-and-Bass\/Gator-GPT-PRO-Pedal-Board-with-Tote-Bag-16-x-30\/MW3\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Gator GPT-PRO<\/a><\/strong>, depending on the number of pedals you're seeking to use. Both of these include both the boards themselves and a travel bag.<\/p><p>Accessories like jack leads, picks, spare strings, and folding stands can usually be stored in the same cases, there\u2019s often ample space for accessories in compartments within the guitar case.<\/p><p><img class=\"aligncenter wp-image-40616 size-full\" src=\"https:\/\/storage.googleapis.com\/stateless-blog-g4m-co-uk\/2024\/11\/Gator-Cases-Guitar-and-FX-Pedals.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"1330\" height=\"665\" \/><\/p><hr \/><h3>Band equipment checklist: Bassist<\/h3><h4>Basses<\/h4><p><strong><img class=\"alignright size-medium wp-image-43256\" src=\"https:\/\/storage.googleapis.com\/stateless-blog-g4m-co-uk\/2025\/01\/Bassist-at-live-gig-300x300.jpg\" alt=\"Bassist at live gig\" width=\"300\" height=\"300\" \/><a href=\"https:\/\/www.gear4music.com\/bass-guitars\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Basses<\/a><\/strong> have similar principles to guitars, but obviously with thicker strings, a longer scale length, and a wider neck as a result. Fender are still a standard-bearer for classic bass guitars, so we\u2019d recommend the iconic <strong><a href=\"\/Guitar-and-Bass\/Fender-Player-II-Jazz-Bass-RW-3-Colour-Sunburst\/6HYY\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Fender Player II Jazz Bass<\/a><\/strong>.<\/p><p>Alternatively, if you\u2019re dabbling in heavier or more experimental genres that require a lot of movements up and down the neck, Ibanez make a lot of fast, responsive guitars and basses that are popular with prog players, jazz musicians, and metal players.<\/p><p>To get that extra punch, we recommend the humbucker-loaded <strong><a href=\"\/Guitar-and-Bass\/Ibanez-SR400EQM-Stained-Cosmic-Blue-Starburst\/6VYS\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Ibanez SR400EQM<\/a><\/strong>.<\/p><hr \/><h4>Bass amps<\/h4><p><strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.gear4music.com\/bass-guitars\/bass-amps\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Bass amps<\/a><\/strong> are more commonly <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.gear4music.com\/bass-guitars\/bass-amps\/types?page=1&filters[125]=1318\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">solid-state<\/a><\/strong> and <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.gear4music.com\/bass-guitars\/bass-amps\/combo-amps\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">combo<\/a><\/strong> designs. Solid-state amps allow for the much higher headroom that bass amps require in a much more affordable and lightweight format, as bass amps will very regularly need upwards of 200 Watts of power.<\/p><p>If you're after a combo amp for a full stage setup, the <strong><a href=\"\/Guitar-and-Bass\/Ampeg-Rocket-Bass-115\/3T6U\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Ampeg Rocket Bass 115<\/a><\/strong> takes the classic warmth of vintage Ampeg bass amps into a manageable and portable combo that you can readily set up on stage.<\/p><p>If you\u2019d prefer an amp head, the <strong><a href=\"\/Guitar-and-Bass\/Darkglass-Alpha-Omega-500-Bass-Head\/3M9M\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Darkglass Alpha Omega 500<\/a><\/strong> is excellent for more modern styles and it\u2019s a go-to choice for high-gain players in rock and metal with responsive EQ, fantastic dual drive, and DI output with a cabinet simulation, making it portable without the need for a cab, as well as a headphone output for home recording and practice.<\/p><hr \/><h4>Bags and cases<\/h4><p>As with guitars, basses have both <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.gear4music.com\/drums\/bags-cases.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">fitted and general-purpose cases<\/a><\/strong> available, usually with ample space for accessories if it\u2019s of good enough quality. For an all-purpose bass case, the Gator <strong><a href=\"\/Guitar-and-Bass\/Gator-GTSA-GTRBASS-ATA-Moulded-Case-For-Bass-Guitars\/1JYR\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">GTSA-GTRBASS<\/a><\/strong> is well-suited to local travel as well as international flights.<\/p><p>For fitted cases, look at the model and dimensions of your chosen bass guitar, as there can be a lot of variance in sizes and shapes!<\/p><hr \/><h3>Band equipment checklist: Drummer<\/h3><h4>Shells<\/h4><p><img class=\"alignright size-medium wp-image-39721\" src=\"https:\/\/storage.googleapis.com\/stateless-blog-g4m-co-uk\/2024\/09\/Natal-DNA-22-drum-kit-300x300.jpg\" alt=\"Natal DNA 22'' drum kit\" width=\"300\" height=\"300\" \/>Depending on the venue you\u2019re playing in, you may have to provide your own <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.gear4music.com\/Drum\/Shell_Kit.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">shells<\/a><\/strong>.<\/p><p>Typically for smaller gigs though, the headlining band on the bill will often share their kit with support acts if the venue doesn\u2019t provide a kit, so ensure you check with the venue and the headline band to make sure you know what\u2019s happening with shells.<\/p><p>As a drummer, you probably already have a trusted pack of shells, but if you need some inspiration for a new set, check out our <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.gear4music.com\/blog\/best-drum-kits\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">top picks for the best drum kits<\/a><\/strong>.<\/p><hr \/><h4>Cymbals, snare, and hardware<\/h4><p>You may still be expected to bring your own <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.gear4music.com\/Drums\/Cymbals.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">cymbals<\/a><\/strong>, <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.gear4music.com\/Drums\/Snare_Drums.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">snare<\/a><\/strong>, <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.gear4music.com\/Drums\/drumsticks.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">sticks<\/a><\/strong>, and\/or <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.gear4music.com\/Drums\/Drum_Hardware.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">hardware<\/a><\/strong> for the snare and cymbals, at the very least, even if the shells are shared.<\/p><p>It\u2019s also beneficial to bring <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.gear4music.com\/Drums\/Drum-Keys-&-Tuners\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">tuning keys<\/a><\/strong> along. Tuning is very important to drum setup, so if you want to have a good live sound, it\u2019s worth tuning your shells and snare before you get to the venue and then again at sound check.<\/p><p>There\u2019s also usually a lot of benefit in bringing replacement <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.gear4music.com\/Drums\/Drum_Heads.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">drum heads<\/a><\/strong>, just in case you or one of the other drummers starts hitting a little too hard. If at least one drummer on the bill brings some replacement heads, you can really save a set! So, be the change you want to see, and try to remember to bring backup drum heads as often as possible.<\/p><hr \/><h4>Bags and cases<\/h4><p><img class=\"alignright size-medium wp-image-43257\" src=\"https:\/\/storage.googleapis.com\/stateless-blog-g4m-co-uk\/2025\/01\/Gator-GP-STANDARD-100-5-Piece-Standard-Drum-Bag-Set-300x300.jpg\" alt=\"Gator GP-STANDARD-100 5-Piece Standard Drum Bag Set\" width=\"300\" height=\"300\" \/>The <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.gear4music.com\/drums\/bags-cases.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">bags or cases<\/a><\/strong> you use for drums will depend on what you\u2019re bringing and what size they are.<\/p><p>Fortunately, case manufacturers tend to offer a range of different sizes to suit genres and the typical sizes of kick, snare, and toms you\u2019ll find within these styles.<\/p><p>Gator alone offer their <strong><a href=\"\/Drums-and-Percussion\/Gator-GP-STANDARD-100-5-Piece-Standard-Drum-Bag-Set\/2ADX\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">GP-Standard<\/a><\/strong>, <strong><a href=\"\/Drums-and-Percussion\/Gator-GP-FUSION-100-5-Piece-Fusion-Drum-Bag-Set\/2AE0\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">GP-Fusion<\/a><\/strong>, <strong><a href=\"\/Drums-and-Percussion\/Gator-GP-ROCK-100-Rock-Drum-Bag-Set\/68T9\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">GP-Rock<\/a><\/strong>, and <strong><a href=\"\/Drums-and-Percussion\/Gator-GP-JAZZFS-100-Jazz-Fusion-Drum-Bag-Set\/68UU\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">GP-Jazz<\/a><\/strong> to fit the typical shell sizes you\u2019ll find. These are a great choice if you ever find yourself having to bring your kit or even just parts of it.<\/p><p>You can also get cases and bags for hardware, drumsticks, and mallets. For cymbals, a gig bag should fit most standard sets, but ensure your cymbals are the right size for the bag before you buy!<\/p><p>If you need space for your replacement heads, you can usually find space within the shell cases itself, but the tuning keys, screws, and washers are probably better off in your cymbal bag\u2019s accessory pocket.<\/p><hr \/><h3>Band equipment checklist: Keyboardist<\/h3><h4>Keyboard<\/h4><p><img class=\"alignright size-medium wp-image-21023\" src=\"https:\/\/storage.googleapis.com\/stateless-blog-g4m-co-uk\/2022\/12\/Kawai-ES120-300x300.jpg\" alt=\"Kawai ES120 being played\" width=\"300\" height=\"300\" \/>Depending on your style of playing, desired setup, and musical project or genre, as a keys player, you can bring a wide range of equipment to a gig.<\/p><p>A laptop and a MIDI keyboard are perhaps the most compact, immediate, and flexible options for pulling up a wide range of different sounds and triggering samples. If you\u2019re in modern pop, rap, or metal groups, this may be the way to go.<\/p><p>A <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.gear4music.com\/pianos-keyboards\/digital-pianos\/stage\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">stage piano<\/a><\/strong> might be preferable for more seasoned players who want a standard acoustic piano and organ sounds \u2013 these are usually weighted 88-key keyboards with preset sounds and little tweaking available. So if you don\u2019t need a range of dynamic sounds on tap and just want to play, this is ideal.<\/p><p>A stage piano is the option for the more classically-trained players amongst us. Blues, jazz, funk, soul, classic rock, and worship bands will likely only need this.<\/p><p>We recommend the <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.gear4music.com\/Keyboards-and-Pianos\/Kawai-ES120-Digital-Stage-Piano-Black\/4WSM\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Kawai ES120<\/a><\/strong> and the <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.gear4music.com\/Keyboards-and-Pianos\/Casio-PX-S1100-Digital-Piano-Black\/42WH\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Casio PX S1100<\/a><\/strong>. These are lightweight pianos with authentic-feeling hammer action keys - perfect for recreating the experience of playing an acoustic piano.<\/p><p>However, if you need a range of tones from a laptop and still desire the weighted key action of a piano, 88-key hammer action <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.gear4music.com\/pianos-keyboards\/midi-keyboards\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">MIDI keyboards<\/a><\/strong> are readily available. While large and heavy, these can give you the best of a laptop\u2019s tonal flexibility and programming power alongside the responsive, weighty expression of a piano keyboard.<\/p><p>Just be aware that these kinds of keyboards don\u2019t have built-in speakers, and will need to be connected to mixers or audio interfaces to get signal out \u2013 both at home and at the gig.<\/p><p>For something in-between the two: <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.gear4music.com\/pianos-keyboards\/keyboards\/arranger\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">arranger<\/a><\/strong> and <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.gear4music.com\/pianos-keyboards\/keyboards\/workstations\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">workstation<\/a><\/strong> keyboards have the digital tweakability, tonal power, and layering capabilities of a laptop with some of the flexibility of a synthesizer, all in one unit, so you don\u2019t have to look at a screen or make sure your laptop is safe throughout the night.<\/p><p>It\u2019s less to worry about, there\u2019s a range of sizes and key actions and some powerful sequencing and layering options to change your sounds throughout the gig.<\/p><p><img class=\"alignright size-medium wp-image-43258\" src=\"https:\/\/storage.googleapis.com\/stateless-blog-g4m-co-uk\/2025\/01\/Keys-player-Korg-300x300.jpg\" alt=\"Keys player - Korg\" width=\"300\" height=\"300\" \/>Finally, there are <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.gear4music.com\/pianos-keyboards\/keyboards\/synths\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">synthesizers<\/a><\/strong>. A more tweakable instrument that\u2019s well-suited to more experimental or electronic genres, synths come in a range of form factors, from desktop sound modules to Eurorack to mini keyboards, all the way to full-sized keyboards.<\/p><p>Synths typically have somewhere between 37 and 61 keys that are semi-weighted for some slight resistance when playing, but not as much as hammer-action keyboards.<\/p><p>Synthesizers make their own sounds based on their internal design and features, and while you can design sounds to emulate existing instruments, they won\u2019t be close to the real thing or the samples you\u2019ll find on stage pianos, arrangers, workstations, or laptops.<\/p><p>Controllable via built-in keyboards, buttons, knobs, switches, and MIDI controllers, this is a different experience for a keyboardist, but if you\u2019re interested in playing electronic music or pushing the boundaries of traditional sound, a synth can be a great way to do so.<\/p><p>Many keyboardists will blend at least one or two - sometimes more - of these instruments together to get the sounds the project needs, so think about what suits your style and the gigging setup you want most.<\/p><hr \/><h4>Cables<\/h4><p>As with all instruments, you'll need to think about the types of <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.gear4music.com\/pianos-keyboards\/accessories\/cables\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">cables<\/a><\/strong> you need on stage.<\/p><p>You\u2019ll generally want two balanced 1\/4\" jack cables to run sound from each source for clean, stereo signals. However, some synthesizers might only offer a single mono audio output - in which case, you\u2019ll only need one cable. Keyboardists may use and blend a range of different keyboard instruments for their sounds, which makes having a compact desktop mixer or audio interface a wise choice.<\/p><p>It\u2019s also good to have at least two MIDI DIN cables per sound source you\u2019re using \u2013 one for input and one for output. This will let you connect your instruments together to control them from one central hub and let them synchronise timings for cohesive performances. USB cables for MIDI are also common and can help keep things connected.<\/p><hr \/><h4>Bags and cases<\/h4><p>For the most compact and travel-ready setup, i.e., a laptop and MIDI keyboard, Gator offer a joint MIDI controller and laptop backpack case: the <strong><a href=\"\/Recording-and-Computers\/Gator-GK-LT25W-EPS-Backpack-Style-Case-for-Micro-Controller-and-Laptop\/5Y7J\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">GK-LT25W<\/a><\/strong>. For larger MIDI controllers, look for a general-purpose <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.gear4music.com\/pianos-keyboards\/accessories\/bags-cases\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">keyboard case<\/a><\/strong> that fits the dimensions and number of keys of your chosen controller.<\/p><p>Since arrangers, workstations, and stage pianos tend to be either 61 or 88 keys, the <strong><a href=\"\/Recording-and-Computers\/Gator-GTSA-KEY61-ATA-TSA-61-Note-Keyboard-Case-50-x-22-x-9\/2AJ6\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">GTSA-KEY61<\/a><\/strong> and <strong><a href=\"\/Keyboards-and-Pianos\/Gator-GTSA-KEY88-ATA-88-Note-Keyboard-Case-with-Wheels\/1OWA\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">GTSA-KEY88<\/a><\/strong> are probably the safest and most protective choices for these kinds of keyboards.<\/p><p>Meanwhile, synthesizers can vary quite considerably in size depending on their design.<\/p><p>Even things like the height of knobs and buttons, the length of the keys in the keybed, and the number of outputs and connectivity on a synth can have a massive effect on its dimensions and make generic cases unfeasible. Instead, we\u2019d recommend looking at our dedicated <strong><a href=\"\/Synth-Accessories\/Synth-Bags-Cases\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">synth bags and cases<\/a><\/strong> page to find the correct model for your chosen instrument.<\/p><p>As with most accessories, you should be able to find sufficient space for cables within the cases themselves.<\/p><p><img class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-43259\" src=\"https:\/\/storage.googleapis.com\/stateless-blog-g4m-co-uk\/2025\/01\/Gator-keys-case.jpg\" alt=\"Gator keys case\" width=\"1100\" height=\"550\" \/><\/p><hr \/><h3>How to transport your gear safely<\/h3><p>So, we\u2019ve talked about a lot of gear and a lot of cases. But why are we recommending these products? What should you look for in a case? What kind of protection is best for what kinds of gear?<\/p><p>Of course, the first priority is finding something that fits your equipment. It might be a microphone, PA speaker, mixer, guitar, bass, drum shell, or keyboard, but you need to find the right dimensions and style of transportation for it.<\/p><p>Always check the internal dimensions of the case if they\u2019re available against the dimensions of the piece of gear you want to put in the case. We try to include this information in the specifications of every single listing we can, because even two similarly styled guitars may not be the same size if they\u2019re from different brands.<\/p><p>Gig bags aren\u2019t highly protective in general, but they\u2019re certainly affordable, sometimes included, and far better than nothing. If you drive or can walk to your shows, a gig bag will probably suffice. But if you want a little extra protection than a thin covering of fabric, we\u2019d at least recommend the extra security of a padded gig bag as opposed to an unlined one.<\/p><p>A padded bag is better at distributing shocks, so should the worst happen, the force of impact will at least be dispersed a bit.<\/p><p>Softshell cases are a step up from this, but hardshell cases are usually the best, they\u2019re safer, more durable, and far more secure than the alternatives, and they\u2019ll remove that anxiety in the back of your mind about whether or not your equipment is actually protected.<\/p><p>The next question is how far are you going, and how are you getting there? This not only helps you figure out the kind of case you buy - a gig bag, softshell case, or hardshell case - but extra features you need, such as accessory pockets for the important extras, whether or not you need wheels on the case, and the kind of latches and locks available.<\/p><p>Make sure you have locks of some kind if you\u2019re using public transportation, for example, it\u2019ll make it less likely to get stolen.<\/p><p>Hardshell cases are also often better at preventing things like dust, temperature, and humidity from impacting your instruments. Particularly wooden instruments like violins, cellos, and violas, as well as acoustic guitars, and even drum shells, can be subjected to warping from changes in humidity and temperature. Even solid-body electric guitars can undergo fret sprout or neck warping.<\/p><p>These changes can damage, destroy, or at least ruin the playing experience of your instrument, so if you\u2019re travelling long distances, or live in a country with extreme weather and\/or humidity, it\u2019s worth making sure you get a hard case with a good lining.<\/p><p>If you\u2019re taking an international flight, look for Gator\u2019s \u201cGTSA\u201d series. These flight cases come with TSA-approved latches, which means that they\u2019re both secure and can be opened by airport security teams when they deem it necessary to check the contents of a case. This can save you a lot of time and headaches when going through customs checks, not only with American TSA but all international customs and security teams.<\/p><p><img class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-43260\" src=\"https:\/\/storage.googleapis.com\/stateless-blog-g4m-co-uk\/2025\/01\/Band-gigging-gear.jpg\" alt=\"Band gigging gear\" width=\"1330\" height=\"665\" \/><\/p><hr \/><h3>FAQs<\/h3><h4>What type of instruments do bands use?<\/h4><p>Bands use a wide variety of instruments, typically divided into categories like brass, woodwinds, percussion, and strings. The typical instrument setup for a band is two guitars, a bass, and drums - and sometimes keys. Specific instruments depend on the band's genre and style.<\/p><hr \/><h4>What does a band need for a gig?<\/h4><p>A band needs instruments, amplifiers, microphones, and a PA system for a gig. Essential items also include cables, a setlist, and backups like extra strings or drumsticks. Adequate preparation ensures seamless performance and professional sound quality.<\/p><hr \/><h4>What instrument is best for me?<\/h4><p>The <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.gear4music.com\/blog\/what-instrument-should-i-learn\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">best instrument for you<\/a><\/strong> is the one you\u2019re most interested in. There are other factors, like the kind of role you\u2019re interested in within a musical project and what you have an ear for. Somebody with an ear for melody may be best suited to piano, lead guitar, or vocals. If you like harmony, you may prefer keyboard or rhythm guitar. Anyone who likes deeper sounds or rhythm might be more interested in bass or drums.<\/p><hr \/><h3>Final thoughts<\/h3><p>As our <strong>band equipment checklist <\/strong>has shown, there are quite a few considerations to make when preparing for a gig! You need to know exactly what your role is in the band, understand your instrument, and choose a good protective case that suits your method of travel. Generally speaking, it\u2019s better to have a case that\u2019s overly protective for smaller local gigs than something that isn\u2019t protective enough.<\/p><p>To find out more about how to put on a great gig, check out these articles:<\/p><p><strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.gear4music.com\/blog\/best-microphones-for-vocals\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">The 13 Best Microphones for Vocals<\/a><\/strong><\/p><p><strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.gear4music.com\/blog\/audio-feedback\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">What is Audio Feedback and How Do I Fix It?<\/a><\/strong><\/p><p><strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.gear4music.com\/blog\/stage-lighting-design\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">A Guide to Stage Lighting Design<\/a><\/strong><\/p>","_et_gb_content_width":"","_monsterinsights_skip_tracking":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[244,111],"tags":[290,169],"class_list":["post-43089","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-live-sound-guides","category-live-sound","tag-guide","tag-live-sound"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v28.3 - https:\/\/yoast.com\/product\/yoast-seo-wordpress\/ -->\n<title>A Comprehensive Band Equipment Checklist | Gear4music<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"Have you just booked a gig and wondering what to bring? 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