How to Gig Without Breaking the Bank: The Gigging Guitar Rig Shopping Challenge

Features
By
published

Many of you—hundreds of thousands, at least—are familiar with the popular and humorous gear-centric YouTube videos produced by the U.K.'s Rob Chapman.

If you're not, here's a fine introduction!

Rob and his associate—aka "The Captain"—typically throw themselves into gear-related "challenges" and film their trials, tribulations and drinking along the way. This particular challenge, which is from the summer of 2014, is called "How to Gig for Under £500—Gigging Guitar Rig Shopping Challenge!" ... and it's already surpassed the 1,000,000-views mark.

It certainly does address an important issue: How can you put together a worthwhile gigging rig (where you're able to be heard above the drummer, as they say in the clip) with a budget of £500, or about $650-ish?

Check out the results, and stay tuned for more vids by Rob and the Captain.

Damian Fanelli
Damian Fanelli
Editor-in-Chief, Guitar World

Damian is Editor-in-Chief of Guitar World magazine. In past lives, he was GW’s managing editor and online managing editor. He's written liner notes for major-label releases, including Stevie Ray Vaughan's 'The Complete Epic Recordings Collection' (Sony Legacy) and has interviewed everyone from Yngwie Malmsteen to Kevin Bacon (with a few memorable Eric Clapton chats thrown into the mix). Damian, a former member of Brooklyn's The Gas House Gorillas, was the sole guitarist in Mister Neutron, a trio that toured the U.S. and released three albums. He now plays in two NYC-area bands.