advice - amp for busking

Subject: RE: advice - amp for busking
From: Genie
Date: 21 Jan 03 - 02:11 PM

My Fender Amp Can is very easy to carry and use in any place with no place to plug in. Its sound quality varies a lot from place to place, and because it's only the size of a 3-lb coffee can (remember those?), it's a bit weak on bass frequencies. But it does have inputs for both mic and direct in (both take 3/4 in. jacks) and separate volume and tone controls for the two inputs.

In some venues I'm perfectly happy with it. In others, the sound leaves a lot to be desired -- not distorted or static-filled, just less than optimal sound frequency equalization. In a place like a subway station or under a bridge, where there would be a bit of natural reverb, it would probably sound pretty good.

Genie

Subject: RE: advice - amp for busking
From: mooman
Date: 21 Jan 03 - 11:55 AM

I'm not at all as experienced in busking as some like alanabit and Reggie and, in general, tend towards preferring the unamplified.

However a small amp (like the 10W Fender) can be useful if busking with a quiet instrument and I am very sympathetic to such performers. Recently, in Berlin, I got into an interesting conversation with a young Russian girl busker playing the domra quite beautifully. Being a quiet instrument, it did definitely benefit from a little amplification through a battery powered amp she had.

On the other hand, we have a busking group here in Brussels in the same spot for several hours every Saturday with a state-of-the-art Electrovoice mobile PA and, I must admit, I quietly utter more than one rude word to myself as I pass by!

Peace,

moo

Subject: RE: advice - amp for busking
From: alanabit
Date: 21 Jan 03 - 10:46 AM

We have discussed this before. Reggie is quite right to point out that you can get sidelined at festivals and in other situations if you are not amplified. My problem with the "Go back and get a bigger stick" philosophy is that it will inevitably result in busking being banned in more places. In the meantime, only one sort of busker will be able to survive - namely the loud one. I do not want to join in. If this trend prevails, busking will not produce any new Pete Morton, Kieren Goss, Don Partridge or Phil Free. At the end of the day, a lot of "Street Performer Festivals" are nothing of the sort. They feature loudly amplified acts which would be forbidden (understandably so) in most places at most times.
I do not want to be bigoted about this. I can see the point of using very low level amplification for a harp or a classical guitar - with the proviso that the volume level is there to make music audible rather than to hog space. Unless we buskers know where to draw the line here, others will do it for us.
You sound like an interesting bloke Reggie. Maybe we should PM and swap notes?

Subject: RE: advice - amp for busking
From: reggie miles
Date: 21 Jan 03 - 09:35 AM

Busking in a street festival situation, where there is a lot of other bleed from amplified stages, or other individuals or groups busking with louder instruments like horns and drums to compete with, I've seen, or rather heard, amplifiers make a world of difference. Without them a performer could easily be passed by due to not being easily heard over the din. I've busked off and on for years and have racked my brain to try to find the right combination of gear that would do the trick in those less than intimate situations. Acoustic guitar can't cut through the pounding of a twenty drummers in a circle echoing through the hollow or a bagpiper if he's anywhere nearby or that brass section that's decided to set up across the street from you and your voice won't last long if you are constantly having to try to compete. The use of some kind of amplification is key to holding a large enough audience. If you can't be easily heard the audience will gravitate to a path of least resistance. That's why larger/louder groups more often have larger crowds. It's much easier for a loud instrument to dominate that kind of scene and ruin the chances of folks with quiet instuments to be heard. It's happened to me regularly at those kind of events.

Subject: RE: advice - amp for busking
From: clansfolk
Date: 21 Jan 03 - 06:17 AM

Check out new restrictions under proposed licensing laws if in England/Wales - no point in buying something you'll not be able to use

Subject: RE: advice - amp for busking
From: smallpiper
Date: 21 Jan 03 - 04:56 AM

Don't do it!

I hate it when buskers use amps, they are not needed and people will pay you more attention if you don't use one and herefore more money!

They will hear your harp on the edge of their hearing and seek you out and that can only be good.

Subject: RE: advice - amp for busking
From: alanabit
Date: 21 Jan 03 - 02:42 AM

I feel the same way as Felipa. If it is just to make the harp audible, that's a different matter. If is to close the entire street for other buskers - like the Kelly Family used to do - we ain't going to be friends! You will find some constructive advice here for sure. Good luck. Alan.

Subject: RE: advice - amp for busking
From: Felipa
Date: 21 Jan 03 - 02:36 AM

I hate buskers using amps - might make exception for a harp if you don't overdo it

Subject: RE: advice - amp for busking
From: GUEST,MCP
Date: 21 Jan 03 - 02:35 AM

Have a look a this thread: amp combo thing for busking - advice, which also has links to other busking related threads.

Mick

Subject: advice - amp for busking
From: alison
Date: 20 Jan 03 - 11:56 PM

I'm thinking of taking the harp busking, and considering getting a small battery powered amp to project the sound a bit further.

has anyone any experience with battery powered amps?

a friend of mine has a very cute little fender amp powered by a 9V battery...... I was wondering how long a battery like that would last for, (he hasn't used it yet so doesn't know)......

or do you go for one of the others which takes 4 "D" batteries?

basically I want something that has a resonable sound... not one that sounds like a short wave radio.....

any ideas?

thanks

slainte

alison