Every guitarist has their essentials. Some are obvious, while others only reveal their importance the hard way, usually five minutes before rehearsal starts or right before walking on stage.
Whether you’re heading to a jam session with your mates, rehearsing with your band, or loading into a summer festival, the difference between a stressful gig and a smooth one often comes down to the small things you packed beforehand.
Here are a few items that have permanently earned their spot in our gig bags.
Spare strings: because one will eventually snap
You can tune carefully, stretch your strings properly, and still hear that unmistakable ping halfway through a set.
A spare pack of strings is one of those accessories you hope you won’t need, but you’ll never regret bringing. Besides emergencies, fresh strings can completely revive your sound before an important performance or recording session. When inspiration strikes, dead strings shouldn’t hold you back.
By the way, our Barber/Premium strings are so neat that they come with a nail file, restringing diary, chords & notes overview and a string action ruler
Peg winder: the tiny tool that saves time
Changing strings without a peg winder is possible. Fun and quick? Not exactly. A simple peg winder is an inexpensive tool that saves both time and effort, so your hand isn’t tired before you even play your first chord. Small enough to disappear into any accessory pocket, it’s one of those tools you barely notice until the moment you really need it.
Nail files: stop stealing your girlfriend’s manicure kit
If you’re into fingerstyle playing, your nails matter. Actually, they matter whatever style you play.
A tiny crack or rough edge can completely affect your playing comfort and mood. Keeping a small nail file or compact manicure set in your bag means you’re always ready for quick fixes before rehearsals, studio sessions, or live performances.
Even players who mainly use picks appreciate having basic grooming essentials nearby. Torn skin, broken nails, or rough fingertips are distractions nobody wants during a session.
Small towel: a lifesaver in more ways than one
This might be the most underrated item in any gig bag.
Hot stage lights, summer rehearsals, long practice sessions, nervous hands before a performance. A good gig can get sweaty fast.
That’s when having a nice cotton towel nearby makes all the difference. It keeps your hands dry, helps maintain grip, and is generally useful for quick wipe-downs between sets.
It’s simple, lightweight, and takes up almost no space. Yet once you start carrying one, it quickly becomes part of your routine.
Guitar cleaners: because a small luxury goes a long way
Okay, this one might be a luxury. But playing a guitar that’s been prepped with fretboard conditioner, string cleaner, and body cleaner just feels good. Better still, it can easily be done on the go.
Wipe down your fretboard with Barber Serum Fretboard Conditioner to remove the natural skin oils, dead skin cells, and sweat that make the neck feel sticky.
The same “gunk” builds up on your strings, causing them to lose their brightness over time. Using Barber Renew String Cleaner helps keep them sounding crisp and feeling smooth.
Finally, Barber Glossy Body & Neck Cleaner gets rid of the unsightly fingerprints all over the guitar body, so it doesn’t look like it’s been handled by the entire crew.
