Conference napalm::guitar

    Classic guitar!

    
    I keep my tuner, one cord, a strap, a set of strings, a voltage tester
    (to check for bad grounds), picks, fuses, earplugs, a three prong plug
    adapter and a wiping cloth in my case  at all times.  For practices and
    jams, all I need is in the case except for an amp.
    
    For gigs, I carry two complete sets of cords (mike, guitar, speakers,
    etc.) plus my mike, a 6-way outlet combined with a 25 ft. extension
    cord and a roll of duct tape in a milk crate.   When I used to use
    stomp boxes on gigs, I threw these into the crate as well.
    
    I just started trying some velcro cable wraps that I got at Daddy's for
    two bucks (I've seen cheaper prices MO, or you could buy raw velcro
    yourself and make these up)to wrap up my cords. The ties I got come in
    flourescent colors, so I use a differnet color to identify what type of
    cord it is (XLR cords are obvious, but 1/4" ones aren't).  
    
    The milk crate can do double duty as an amp stand if needed.  I keep
    all my stuff in the crate all the time, so if I have to run to a gig, I
    just grab my case, crate, mike stand and amp and I'm off. 
    
    							Brian

I've been using a case which was intended for photographic equipment.
It's got one large compartment with adjustable partitioning and five
zipper pockets on the outside. The current contents include (with room
to spare) cables, strings, slides, cloths, tubes, picks, straps, tuner,
footswitches, pedals and sheet music.  It really helps keep things
organized - I only need to concern myself with carrying four items when
I move my equipment: guitar, amp, effects board and the photography case.

/Steve

    Hi Alan,
    
    I use a photography bag too....chords (wrapped neatly) go in two
    side pockets, stomp boxes, and extension chord go in main section.
    I keep my picks in a plastic box (thumbtack box), and my tools
    (allen wrenches,screwdrivers) in my strat case with my strap and
    spare strings. 
    
    Steve

    I bought 2 toolboxes a few years ago which have worked out great.
    One is a regular toolbox with a top tray, and room below. I carry
    a complete set of tools, a small dvm, and soldering iron in this
    case. It is small, light, and I only carry it with me when I need
    to. The other case is a tool box which is set up like a fishing
    tackle box. It opens up, and there are 6 partitioned trays inside
    which fold out, with more room below. In the tackle box, I keep
    picks, slides, xlr transformers, fuses, spare 1/4" phone jacks,
    an assortment of cable adaptors, duct tape, tuning forks, a guitool,
    schubb capos, a hollow-handle screwdriver, a guitar tuner, strings
    polish, etc. etc. I used to keep all this stuff in several bags, 
    boxes, drawers, and other places around the house, and was constantly 
    searching for stuff.
    
    I need the space and organization because I am a bonified equipment
    glutton, and I insist on keeping every item in it's place. Both
    toolboxes are light plastic, but are still pretty rugged. They
    match, and look good. I believe I paid around $50 for both, and
    I think they were a great investment.
    
    I don't play out very often, but when I do, if I attempt to 
    carry ALL my equipment, it is a major federal project. I have
    learned to get by with minimal gear. If I went out today, I
    would carry One electric, one of my amps, my Boss BCB6 carry box,
    a mic, and the tackle box.
    
    Mark Jacques
    

    
    
    	I use a flight bag that my Grandmother bought me for trips back
    to Scottsdale. I use the large compartment for chords, effects, mics,
    etc. It has several smaller compartments for picks, string winders,
    and other small items. Has a map compartment that is ideal for sheet
    music. It is made from canvas with some kind of water proofing so it
    protects the contents pretty well. There is a fold down hardboard bottom
    that can be used for heavy loads. About the only thing that does not
    fit in the flight bag is the guitar and amp.
    
    
    DonH
    

I use a three-space rack drawer that is in with my guitar rack.  I used to use
a duffle bag.

    I second the rack drawer...
    
    I just stuff all my junk in my guit case and in my rack now,
    but the drawer is the trick set up.
    
    jc

    Geez...
    
    I keep hearing words like organized, tidy, neat, and convenient in this
    discussion.  You guys are making me sick.  ;^) 
    
    I end up tossing spare cables into the bottom of my rack and have a
    medium sized nylon gym bag type thing that all the big cables, tuner,
    tools, mike, spare strings and stuff go rather haphazardly into.  It's
    a real pain.  Gotta get myself organized one of these days.
    
    Seriously, I think that part of my problem is that I carry about two of
    everything I might conceivably need and there's so many extra cables
    and junk that it gets cluttered.
    
    Greg

    My wife picked up an old "small" suitcase at a thrift shop for me.
    It's the perfect size for what I need and it cost $5.00! It can
    hold all my effects, cables and microphone.
    
    Fred 

    I've also got a little steel green box that I affectionately call
    my 'guitar hospital'.  It contains a bunch of stuff like my wurly-gig,
    soldering iron, spare pots, plugs, jacks, strings, polish, rags
    etc...  The perfect place to hide all that unsightly junk.
    
    ;^)

    I also use a flight bag, a nylon one with several pockets and a
    shoulder strap. It holds a lot of stuff, but I admit I usually wind up
    throwing most of the cords in the one large pocket. I like the idea of
    the photography bags, I'll keep my eyes open for one.
    
    - Ram

    
    
    I usually use a aviator's flight helmet carrying bag that I picked
    up at an army surplus store.  It's great.  It's just about the right
    size and has two smaller pockets on the outside.  All zippers. 
    Has two sewed in handles like a guitar case too. 
    
    Mr. Ed
    

Well....

Guitars in cases, amp/effects in a rack. Cords coiled into milk cartons, and I
have a small suitcase that contains:

a couple of miks in the cases they were sold in
a MXR phase 100 box that has spare strings
a metal box with a lid full of picks
another metal box, lined with cut out foam for holding 3 glass slides
a small bag full of tools
a box with paper, and someting to write with
misc rags etc.
a can a finger ease
and a fingernail file and clippers for those emergencies
some throat losenges, anti-acids and aspirin or aspirin substitute
another small box with a soldering iron and solder, shrink wrap and some short 
wires...

and the kitchen sink..:-)

I have yet to find a good way to carry guitar stands...other than a seabag 

dbii

    Believe it or not, Fender makes a gig bag. I saw a picture
    of it in an advertisement. It looks like one of those shoulder
    carry luggage things with the Fender logo on the side. It has 
    alot of compartments which are designed to accomodate things 
    like rackmount effects. 
    
    I don't know if it's any good, but it might be worth checking
    out.
    
    -Tom

    I had one of those FENDER gig bags, it was a nice bag ( sold to
    a fellow noter 'cause I didn't need it) but, it won't hold any rack
    mount effects.  The compartmen tis big but, not that big...
    
    
    Don

    
    
    
    	Yep... agree... I carry picks, strings etc. in it but not a whole
    bunch more.   Don, I think he's talking about a different gig bag that
    Fender's been advertising.. looks like a softsided suitcase...

    Oh, I haven't seen that one yet.
    
    Don

    Gallien Krueger has a cool bag for the GK 250ML amp... Has extra
    pockets for cords and things...  I wanted to buy it for my ML,
    but when I saw the price I almost choked...
    
    A whooping $79.99 retail...Sheesh.

    According to the latest ads, the Fender gig bag will accomidate
    a couple of *average* sized rack mount effects, one on each side. 
    They don't specify what they mean by average size. The one
    dimension that changes from one efx to another is depth. Some
    rack-mount units are only a few inches deep, others are as much
    as 20" deep. In my mind, though, rack mount efx should be in a 
    rack, not a gig bag, so the point is moot.
    
    Gibson also makes a gig bag with their logo. Mr. C's has/had
    one in stock for $60 (choke).
    
    It seems everyone has unique needs and no one solution is best.
    I like road cases, but admittedly, the size and weight adds up
    real quick. The issue I have with zipper gig bags is that you 
    have to know exactly where everything is. With my tackle box,
    I simply open the box, fold out the trays, and everything is
    staring me in the face.
    
    To each his own.
    
    Mark
    
    

    I found a nice little attache case for $8 at a flea market - it's
    great for straight cords, small tool and papers (read: band photos
    and music sheets!).
    
    It's useful to keep a small notebook in your gig bag, case, whatever.
    Whenever I find I need something, it gets written down right away.
    As a result, I always have nail clippers on hand....and wire cutters...
    and spare 9V batteries...and pens to sign autographs (just kidding):<)...
    
    						--Eric--