Takes gear off bands (6)
I believe the answer is:
strips
This could be a double definition.
'takes gear' is the first definition.
'strips' can be an answer for 'takes' (stripping is a kind of taking). I am not certain of the 'gear' bit.
'off bands' is the second definition.
'strips' can be an answer for 'bands' (I've seen this before). I am not certain of the 'off' bit.
Can you help me to learn more?
(Other definitions for strips that I've seen before include "layers" , "Bands" , "Long narrow pieces" , "Gets undressed" , "Undresses" .)