Hauling Your Music Gear On Mass Transit

If you plan on moving to New York City, Chicago, or another large metropolitan area with any kind of mass transit, this article is for you.

When I first went to college, hauling a guitar and amp across campus to the practice rooms was a sobering experience, especially since I started college in August, in Texas. I quickly discovered that everybody has their own methods of hauling their gear. Drummers could stack their entire kit inside itself and fit it on a handtruck. Bassists with hatchbacks would perform a series of intricately coreographed moves to load their uprights into their passenger seat. I also learned bass players were bad people to ask for a ride to a gig.

Living in a city like New York, where the subway will likely be your main means of transportation, there’s a good chance you’ll be dragging your rig on the train at some point. Here are some things to consider so you can show up prepared:

1. Keep your car.

Most people are going to tell you to get rid of it. You can take the subway. Let me tell you, those people never carried 90 lbs. of gear up the 4,000 stairs from the D train to street level at the West 4th St. stop. I used to have a car in the city, and for gigs, it was priceless. Parking is tough, but if you pay $12 for a garage while you play, you’re still saving a lot of hassle from the commute, and even more money if you’d otherwise take a cab home after the gig (it happens more than I’d like to admit).

The easiest way to haul your gear on mass transit is to avoid it.  If you don’t have a car, you can always hire one. I’ve found that a good car service is usually less expensive than a taxi, and they’ll pick you up at your door. They’re also usually cleaner, and should you accidentally leave something in the car, it’s MUCH easier to get it back from a car service than from a yellow taxi.

Most gigs hardly pay enough to justify a taxi or car service, but if you have a formal gig in July, a car will get you there dry and looking ready to play. For the rest of the gigs, you want to know how to really get around using the trains.

2. Wheels.

Get yourself a solid handtruck or two wheel cart that can break down for easy storage in your apartment and at the gig. Light weight is also ideal, because you’ll sometimes need to pick the whole thing up, either alone or with a very nice friend/stranger. I still use the same cart I bought in college, but it’s in pretty bad shape. It’ll soon be replaced with something on sturdier rubber wheels that can better handle stairs.

I also know guys that have larger cases for their keyboards, drums, basses, pedalboards, etc. that have wheels on them.  These can be helpful, but I find the uneven sidewalk, numerous curbs, and inevitable stairs are too much for the little wheels on those things.

3. Gig bags.

If you can strap it to your back, do. If you have to head to the gig during rush hour, you’ll want to take up as little space as possible. Gig bags take up less space than a hardshell case, weigh less, and leave your hands free to hang on to something when the train starts and stops.

4. Buy a smaller, portable rig.

Most venues in NYC are relatively small, so you don’t need a large amp or full size drum kit. Many keyboardists use something like a Nord as a lighter alternative to a weighted key digital piano. Bassists play electric if the gig permits. I use a solid state amp if I can, which weighs 20 lbs. less than my tube amp.

When I lived in the Midwest where bands drove to every gig, it wasn’t uncommon to see guys hauling their 4×12 Marshall stacks or Fender Rhodes pianos to the club. While that’s the gear you might want for an authentic sound in the studio, you won’t really need it for most gigs in a town like New York. And you definitely won’t want to drag it on the subway.

5. Make the most of backlines.

Many clubs actually have some gear in their backline. Call, email, or check the venue’s website ahead of time to see what equipment is available. Chances are, it’s not going to be an ideal drum kit or amp, but learning how to play with what’s available will make your life easier.

6. Plan your route.

There are usually two options to get anywhere in New York City by subway. Either more transfers and less walking, or fewer transfers and more walking. Transferring trains to avoid extra walking may seem like the way to go, but if you’ve got wheels and gig bags, walking a few extra blocks is easier than four extra flights of stairs. Plus those transfers are more difficult with a lot of gear.

When possible, definitely avoid transfers in high traffic stations like 42nd St., Grand Central, or Port Authority during rush hour. Commuters do not want you and your rig between them and their 6:15 train to White Plains.

Also learn which entrances to use at each station. Many stations have two entrances, one near the front of the train and one a block or two away near the back. One of these will have an agent that can open a gate for you to wheel your gear through. Otherwise you may find yourself trying to cram through a floor to ceiling turnstile. I’ve actually figured out how to do this with my rig, but it’s pretty awkward.

In general, you want to be able to carry everything you need in one trip, by yourself. It’s not always easy. My first apartment was a 4th floor walk up, and as I mentioned earlier, if I have to take my entire rig I’m dragging 90 lbs. of gear. Now I live in a building with an elevator, but to get to the subway, I’ve got a few flights of stairs. Give yourself plenty of time to get to the gig. After a while, you’ll learn the tricks of the subway and have quads built like a linebacker.