Touring, whether in any form, continues to make up a big part of any musician’s life. It is also how the largest share of the music industry’s revenue is generated on top of it being one of the last remaining ‘physical’ aspects of a musical career in what is mostly a digital-first industry.
When going on tour there are a number of essentials that every musician has to pack. This includes personal items such as clothing and hygiene products, musical equipment, and a range of basic tools. Even if your DIY skills are limited, you can definitely benefit by taking a basic toolkit on the road with you that includes a range of tools such as screwdrivers, hex keys, and wire cutters.
Screwdrivers are an absolute must
As a traveling musician, you will soon find that you can’t get by without having a couple of trusted screwdrivers at your disposal. Ideally, you want to invest in a range of Phillips and flathead screwdrivers that can be used on everything from guitar neck screws and cavity covers to instrument case hinges and various plugs and adaptors. Apart from ensuring you have a variety of screwdrivers in your toolbox, also try to carry a variety of frequently-used screws with you. You can’t go wrong by opting for a selection of wood screws, oval head screws, and eye lags that can come in very handy when you need to join pieces of wood together to join together pieces of wood to create a make-shift stage, reinforce a speaker that got damaged in transit or even to make emergency repairs to a guitar or drum kit.
Hex keys always come in handy
Another important addition to any traveling musician’s toolbox is a set of hex keys. Hex keys (which are also known as Allen keys) are used in place of screwdrivers when it comes to driving in and loosening screws and bolts with hexagonal sockets in their heads. These bolts and screws are typically found in electric guitar saddles and locking nut pressure pads. They are also often used in electronic devices ranging from laptops and looping pedals to digital soundboards and speaker systems. While one hex key may look pretty similar to the next, it is important to put some thought into your purchase. Aspects to consider include durability, design, and convenience benefits such as having the key size stamped onto the side, and a comfortable grip.
Wire cutters have various uses
No musician’s toolkit will be complete without at least one pair of decent wire cutters in it. Wire cutters are invaluable when changing guitar strings as they are more versatile than a pair of dedicated string cutters. They also come in very handy when having to repair or replace the wiring on any of your electronic devices. A quality pair of wire cutters will enable you to cut guitar strings and wires with ease and may even make it possible to strip the insulation off of wires. Include two wire cutters in your toolbox: a small pair for intricate work such as cutting the edges off guitar strings and a larger pair to take care of thicker wires.
A toolkit can be very useful to a traveling musician. Even if you only invest in the most basic of tools you can rest assured that it will be a saving grace in an emergency.
Courtesy of Sally Writes