Written By:  Kevin Chisholm - American Guitarist - www.american.guitarist.com

There are few things more frustrating than driving 50 miles away from a gig you just finished and someone in the van shouts out: “Oh no! I forgot the bass amp!!!” (or the mixer, or the CDs you sell at gigs, or your passport, your wallet, etc…) This happens, and it is understandable. Most of us have to wear many hats; booking agent, roadie, and sound engineer and merchandise seller, all at the same time. Frequently the time we spend being musicians is in the minority over the course of our day. But by the end of the night, you can often find yourself so tired and frazzled that you simply forget to take your guitar with you when you finally get in the van for the long drive to the next gig.

In general, the best way to avoid this is to try having a well thought-out way of breaking down your equipment, and getting it to the van. Especially if you are able to establish a routine where every night it is the same equipment and the same van. After several nights, you can develop a rhythm and routine with your load-out that enables you get all y our stuff back in the van quickly without mistakes. 

Then, there’s the “Dummy Check” – They key to the Dummy Check is to pretend it’s not going to happen. Go about your business of breaking down after the gig. Double-check everything as you put it in the van. Just be diligent and thorough. Then, just as you are sure you have remembered everything and are ready to hit the road, someone yells out “Dummy Check!!” 

Then a dully appointed volunteer from the band takes one last gander around the premises; “ok, the stage is empty, there are no guitars on or around the stage, no jackets left on chairs, no wallets on the bar, no passports on the ground, no guitar pedals left on the floor, no mics left on mic stands…” As said volunteer approaches the band van, he / she says aloud: “Ok, I see the complete drum set, I see  the guitar amp the bass amp, I see our cables and misc. electronics in the road case, I see the guitars, I see Bob, Jim, Sally, Dave and I see myself. It appears to me that every thing and everyone is indeed in the van and we can now go.” 

I can personally guarantee you that the “Dummy Check” can serve to undeniable purposes; It minimizes the “Oh my god, I totally forgot the bass amp!” factor, and It provides a much-cherished ritual for your band that helps you laugh a little on an otherwise tough night. I’m dead serious. Do the dummy check every time. It works.

Written By:  Kevin Chisholm - American Guitarist - www.american.guitarist.com