[slopeshoulder]

My advice would be to buy the best gear you can afford. If you are gonna be playing and making money, don't go cheap early. Also, have spares of the basics, strings, picks, batteries and cables. Especially cables. Be on time and courteous to the people who booked you and are paying you. If someone, ie bar owner/bartender says your too loud,,,,,,you are, regardless of what you think personally. And by the way.....have fun and make good music.