All Pumped Up

If you perform your music live, there is always the possibility of gremlins creeping in and ruining a fantastic show. A bit of foresight and preparation beforehand can prevent any interruption to your performance and give you and your audience a trouble free and brilliant gig! Here are a few simple things you can take to your gig to avoid any embarrassing interruptions to your performance:

1. Guitar strings – make sure you have a spare set. Even better, have another guitar set up and ready to go, as it will avoid any tense breaks in the show whilst your guitar strings are replaced! Bass players also need to carry spare bass strings, as they can break! I speak from personal experience – I was left playing a 3 string bass after my E string broke. I had neglected to pack a spare set of bass strings!

2. Microphone cables and guitar cables are prone to failure at the most inconvenient times! Carry spares for all essentials such as guitar leads and microphone cables. If you use any specialist patch cables, make sure you have spares, or adapter connectors such as XLR-Jack to prevent a showstopper! Specialist leads such as MIDI cables should not be overlooked – several times I have had to provide a MIDI cable to another band on the same bill.

3. Make sure you have some basic tools with you – screwdrivers, pliers, drum key etc. If you are proficient with a soldering iron (and you should be!), carry it in your gig bag – it can be a lifesaver!

4. Batteries – always carry a healthy stock of all the batteries you use and make sure that each guitar, radio microphone or effects pedal has a battery that will last the gig – you do not want to be fumbling around mid-song to change a flat battery.

5. Music stands and guitar stands – use good quality guitar stands and music stands as they will provide security for valuable equipment and create a neat stage area which not only looks professional but also alleviates any risk factors. Hercules Stands provide a great range of high quality guitar stands and music stands that fulfil this purpose.

6. Bring back ups of your backing tracks on whatever media you use. You could also bring an mp3 player or smart phone with your backing tracks on to use in an emergency. For clicktrack users, make sure the mp3s are recorder with the track on one side and the clicktrack on the other. They can then be separated at the mixer. Having a back up strategy like this has saved my neck on several gigs!

It’s easy to forget that things can (and do!) go wrong when performing to your adoring public. Your gigs will be far more enjoyable for you and them if you are prepared for all eventualities. We all need reminding – I recently did a gig where I ran out of batteries for my active bass guitar. A quick trip to the 24 hour service station down the road in the interval saved my skin! A lucky escape!

Graham Burton has been a performing bassist and singer for over three decades. Graham also helps run the Bandshop online music accessory store – a fantastic resource for bands, musicians and performing artists. Visit Bandshop today to see a full range of guitar stands, microphone stands and music stands, as well as strings, effects pedals and music accessories.

Pure quality is what you get in the Schecter Omen 7 String Guitar. A lot of times you hear, you get what you pay for, well that may be true in most cases too. But with these guitars you really are getting the deal of deals. You’re getting great quality that cost a lot less than you would think it should cost. Some that have been able to afford a more expensive brand still choose this one because it’s not just a great deal, it’s such a wonderful instrument.

These guitars are considered a real piece of art. They stay tuned so it’s better for the instrumentalist and this is always a good thing since others don’t stay in tune like you want or really need them to. The company who produces them really emphasize on their construction. From being lightweight and easy to handle to a solid neck, giving great benefit and quality that’s impressive to the artist. Finally you are able to get quality for less.

Made with a quilted top and a mahogany body, give it awesome stability. And rosewood fret-boards along with a maple neck and pickups are made for good playing. These great qualities make it excellent in the ability to play. It’s sound is very good also, again, making for a better instrument and making it fun to play.

Those who own this one say that the tuners, bridge, and knobs for volume and tone or coil tap are perfect, they’re unbeatable. They say it’s the best in sound and being so easy to handle also, it’s just the perfect one out there. And they would recommend it over and over again.

How it feels is very solid in your hand, which is a nice feeling, sturdy and strong. It’s gorgeous in the way it looks to the eyes. From the ones watching the artist play and to the instrumentalist himself, not a prettier one out there. The fact that it plays so well too makes this the best one to many.

What a great time you will have playing with friends, or recording and writing your own music. It’s more than satisfaction you will be getting from this great instrument. It’s good for anyone, from professionals to beginners to everyone in between.

An absolutely great guitar for the money, the Schecter Omen 7 String Guitar. If you’re looking for great quality in an instrument then you have got to check this brand one out. You will be definitely amazed and happy with what you get, whether someone who plays professionally or one that’s just starting out.

The schecter 7 string guitar is excellent! There is a reason musicians enjoy the schecter omen 7 when they play their music.