Equipment Checklist, Setup

Here's a checklist of all the things you should take to a gig, as well as some things you should do before the gig, and how to setup your gear at the gig itself.

Before the Day of the Gig

• Make a setlist
• Restring your guitars (if strings older than 2 weeks)
• Stretch new strings
• Tune all your guitars
• Setup and test your complete rig
• Finalize and Level all your patches at gig volume
• If your main tone comes from a processor, and it doesn't have a global EQ, make alternate bright/dark versions of your patches
• Organize all patches if unorganized
  • If possible, make it so that you progress through them in the same order as your setlist
• Check and install new batteries on any gear that requires them

Equipment Checklist

• Extra Strings
  • At least 2 extra strings for each string you commonly break, for each guitar
  • At least 1 extra full set of strings for each guitar
• All Cables you need for your rig
  • Instrument cable (make sure it's long enough for a stage setting)
  • Pedalboard patch cables
  • Pedalboard to amp/rack cable (make sure it's long enough for a stage setting)
  • Effects Loop send/receive cables (make sure they're long enough)
  • Pre-Amp to Power Amp cable (if separate units)
  • Power amp to cab cables (speaker cable) (at least one for each cab)
  • At least 2 long backup cables
  • At least 2 backup patch cables
  • At least 1 backup speaker cable
• Wireless Transmitter and Receiver (and backups)
• Tuner
• Noise Gate
• Delay
• Reverb
• Additional effects
• Lots of Picks
• Guitar cases/gig bags
• Guitar Stand(s) (optional)
• Slide

At the Venue before the Gig

• Setup and Test your Rig
• Get any backup gear in place and as set up as much as possible
• Adjust Guitar Straps
• Thoroughly Tune all your Guitars
• Double-check guitar setup and adjust if necessary
• Sound Check
• Warm-Up