Musicians, how do you transport your gear?

"zeontestpilot" (zeontestpilot) 02/03/2016 at 08:00 • Filed to: Musiclopnik, question

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Recently I joined my church’s worship band as the bass player (it’s funny how in demand bass players are when everyone else plays guitar). I have a few basses which I plan on rotating each week, but I still want to bring my cord and effects pedal. I was thinking a child’s backpack to put them in but was open to other ideas as well. How do my fellow oppo-musicians their transport gear?

And yeah, I know my gear isn’t much to transport (a pedal, a cord, headphones, and other small things), but having it separate would be really convenient.

Thanks in advance!

Tripper > zeontestpilot 02/03/2016 at 08:15

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If you want dividers, you could probably get away with using a laptop bag too. However if any of your equipment is any kid of expensive, I would go with one of those hard cases with foam inside.

McMike > zeontestpilot 02/03/2016 at 08:26

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I used to throw all my cables the back of my combo amp, and carry the pedal board separately.

...and the two guitar cases

...and the guitar stand

I kept all my tools/extra strings between my two guitar cases.

I was thinking a child’s backpack

Do it.

zeontestpilot > McMike 02/03/2016 at 08:30

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Two things about the kids backpack. 1. I was think more along the lines of a power rangers themed backpack. 2. If I got a hello kitty one, I might just give her a curly mustache and a goatee. Actually, not might, I totally would.

zeontestpilot > Tripper 02/03/2016 at 08:32

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Eh, the multi-pedal was the most expensive, I think $130 or something, but it’s not in excellent condition, and it has survived 7+ years of me, so it’s something, lol.

I might have a spare laptop bag around here actually....

JEM > zeontestpilot 02/03/2016 at 09:09

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Crappy pic but this is a pedal board I made for the guitarist of my old band out of, yes, a pizza box and duct tape.

I would put the pedal pizza in an old small suitcase with all the cords and whatnot. Worked well!

I’d say look for an old briefcase or small suitcase at a thrift shop.

zeontestpilot > JEM 02/03/2016 at 09:48

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That’s actually pretty genius and cool, nice!

tromoly > zeontestpilot 02/03/2016 at 10:06

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Satchel / Messenger bag.

I’m not a musician, just judging by the small amount of stuff this would be my guess.

zeontestpilot > tromoly 02/03/2016 at 10:24

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Actually...i may have one of those laying around....

Galileo Humpkins (aka MC Clap Yo Handz) > zeontestpilot 02/03/2016 at 11:54

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I usually just carry my stuff from room to room. Because it’s a hobby and I don’t take anything outside my apartment, you see.

Seriously though, if you want separation and possibly a little extra room for things down the road, perhaps go with a backpack aimed at tech people. Some have loads of compartments with many of them padded. It’ll cost you a little more than just a kids backpack but could be a worthwhile investment.

Or, as was mentioned, a camera bag could work nicely, plus the sections in the main compartment are more often than not customizable.

zeontestpilot > Galileo Humpkins (aka MC Clap Yo Handz) 02/03/2016 at 12:09

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I’m just glad I don’t have to carry my amp to church anymore, it’s way too big. Church recently splurged on getting subs, just for me! I’m a bit paranoid of leaving something expensive out of my sight, :/

Galileo Humpkins (aka MC Clap Yo Handz) > zeontestpilot 02/03/2016 at 12:19

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Well that helps you out a lot. I too would be a little weary of leaving nice things somewhere where I’m not or can’t easily keep an eye on them.

CyborgAdaLovelace > zeontestpilot 02/03/2016 at 22:54

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For church playing, I only take my multi-effects pedal about 95% of the time, and that I can just stick in the large part of the double front pocket on my gig bag; cords go in the small part. Otherwise, I have my “music bag” that’s an old laptop bag, and I can stuff extra pedals in there. Or my jacket pocket.

I keep thinking I should build some sort of pedal board, or maybe get a briefcase and put foam with custom cut-outs inside.

zeontestpilot > CyborgAdaLovelace 02/04/2016 at 06:05

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I use the effects pedal not for effects, but a way to mute the bass (like during prayer or a speech/testimony), and a way to tune it while muted. It’s really useful. Right now I’m just lugging around the pedal and cord in the case itself, which is good but I have to switch everything around later.

CyborgAdaLovelace > zeontestpilot 02/04/2016 at 10:45

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Yeah, we’ve got a pretty acoustic sound at church, so I don’t go crazy with the effects either - I’ve really only got a handful of different presets, and I only regularly use about 2 per bass. Mostly just some light compression and EQ. Sometimes I’ll use the octaver on the multi-effects box for a loud bit, and occasionally I’ll bring my synth pedal too.

zeontestpilot > CyborgAdaLovelace 02/04/2016 at 11:01

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Last Tuesday I was asked to play the ‘E’ on a ‘C/E’ chord. I normally pick whichever feels right and blends in nicely with everyone else, but I was requested to just play the bass note, which I felt was odd. I know it’s what I’m suppose to play, but I’ve come across a few combo chords that sound awful with the bass note. I can't think of any examples though.

CyborgAdaLovelace > zeontestpilot 02/04/2016 at 11:27

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Yes, you’re expected to play the E in that situation. Sometimes it’s worth taking those with a small grain of salt. The problem is that chord symbols only give you a very general of how the chord is supposed to be voiced. Some things to try/keep in mind:

Sometimes the bass note is supposed to remain the same over the course of several different chords (this is called a pedal tone). In that case, it’s likely that at least some of the time, the bass note will not actually be a part of the chord (a non-harmonic tone). In that case, you might want to try to for a long sustained note instead of re-articulating on each chord change.

Sometimes a non-harmonic tone will be because there’s supposed to be an actual interesting bass line, in which case, just go for it!

In all cases, if you have a bass note that sounds weird, you can ask the other instrumentalists (especially the keyboard player, if you have one), what the lowest note they’re playing is, as sometimes that can cause issues. You can also try playing your note in a different octave (especially lower). A 9th sounds a lot less dissonant than a 2nd.

Worst case scenario, you can listen to the original recording, although that introduces a whole new set of issues, as it’s not uncommon for song charts to be in a different key that’s friendlier for the congregation.

Also, sometimes the charts are wrong, even if they’re the “official” version from SongSelect.

zeontestpilot > CyborgAdaLovelace 02/04/2016 at 11:48

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I'll keep this stuff in mind! :)