Essential Accessories for the Gigging Guitarist

The core kit: what actually saves a gig

Every gigging guitarist has a story about the night something small went wrong: a string snapped at the bridge, a lead crackled during a quiet passage, a capo pulled the tuning sharp on a vintage neck. The players who sail through those moments are rarely the ones with the most expensive guitars. They are the ones who packed a sensible bag and practised the fixes at home. Whether you play nylon-strung classical, a steel-string acoustic, or a treasured vintage electric, the same principle applies: your accessories are not an afterthought.

Spare strings: the difference between a set and a show

Never gig with the strings you intend to change tomorrow. A fresh set, fitted and stretched a day or two before, will hold tune better under stage lights and in cold churches. For classical players, a broken top E or B is the usual culprit, so some carry individual trebles as well as a full set. Acoustic players should keep a full set in the gauge the guitar is set up for; putting heavy strings on a lightly braced vintage instrument at a gig is a recipe for a lifted bridge.

• Match your gauge and type. Classical, acoustic and electric strings are not interchangeable. If you use a 12-string or a baritone, pack the correct set.
• Learn a quick change. Practise at home, then in a lesson. Know how to secure a classical tie block, how to wind a locking tuner, and how to stretch a new string without overdoing it.
• Include the tools. A string winder, wire cutters and a small pair of pliers save minutes when the clock is ticking.

Tuners and capos: accuracy when the room is against you

A clip-on tuner is the gigging standard for good reason: it hears the instrument through the body, not the room. Keep a spare battery, and check the contact points are clean. If you play electric, a pedal tuner with a mute function is invaluable for silent tuning between songs. A classical guitar has a flat fingerboard, so a curved capo will pull the outer strings sharp. Vintage acoustics with a gentle radius need a capo that matches, and any capo should be tight enough to stop buzz without bending the neck sharp.

• Two capos, if you can. One for classical necks, one for steel-string radius. Label them so you grab the right one in the dark.
• Check tuning after fitting. Always retune after the capo goes on. A capo that pulls sharp is worse than no capo.
• Keep a backup. A cheap spare capo in the bag has rescued many encores.

Cables and power: the gremlins of old venues

Intermittent leads are the most common cause of mid-gig silence. Carry at least two instrument cables: a short one for on-stage pedals and a longer one for the walk to the PA or amp. Coil them properly, and check the jack plugs for loose strain reliefs. If you use an acoustic amp or a DI box, pack a spare XLR and a spare 9V battery for any active pickup or preamp. Venues are not always generous with sockets, so a UK 13-amp extension lead with a surge protector is a quiet hero.

• Label your cables. A strip of tape with your name saves confusion at multi-band gigs.
• Respect speaker cables. Never use a guitar lead as a speaker cable. The results can be expensive.
• Pack batteries. PP3, AA and coin cells cover tuners, preamps and stand lights.

Tools, cloths and the small stuff that matters

The rest of the kit is about comfort and prevention. A microfibre cloth removes sweat and dust before they reach the finish. A small screwdriver and a set of Allen keys can tighten a vintage bridge saddle or a loose jack socket. Classical players should carry a nail file and a little emery board; a broken nail is a genuine emergency. Ear plugs protect your hearing in loud rooms, and a bottle of water keeps your voice and hands working.

• Strap and strap locks. Check the strap buttons on vintage guitars before every gig; they wear.
• Humidity care. In winter, a case humidifier protects a vintage acoustic from central heating and frost.
• Gaffa tape and cable ties. They fix rattling stands, loose leads and the occasional wobbly chair.

Your five-minute pre-gig check

Before you leave the house, run a simple routine. Tune the guitar, then fit the capo and check the tuning again. Plug in every cable you plan to use, wiggle the jacks and listen for crackle. Check the tuner battery, the spare strings and the set list. At the venue, find your power source, tape down your leads if the floor is busy, and do a quiet line check before the doors open. Pack well, practise the fixes, and your accessories will fade into the background where they belong.