I think there are exceptions to the "lose the amp" rule.

I sing and bash out chords, so an amp would generally be offensive:

1. because the sound is always rubbish when buskers sing and play through a PA

2. Because nobody likes it - there is no icentive to stand and watch a busker at close proximity id his PA is so loud you can hear him up the street.

3. because it drives other buskers off the street which undermines the whole busking marketplace

4. it pisses off the local businesses - who then ensure that buskers are constantly being moved on ...

5. most importantly, it kills all the romance of street performance - to be in business, you have to understand your product - and the idiom of street performer is all about the romance. The guys who blare their stuff out through PA's show no awareness of the public they are playing to let alone anyone else trying to do any other type of business around them - and often they are crap.


HOWEVER


Classical guitarists for example won't be heard unless you stand within 5 feet of theem, and even then you have to lean in to hear properly.

In such circumstances, the considerate option is to use an amp.

1. You aren't just an inaudible obstacle on the footpath

2. you can add to the atmosphere in a shopping area which businesses like

3. your audience can stop and listen and enjoy.


The buskers art is to be able to draw a crowd and hold them for 2 or 3 songs before giving them time to move on so a new crowd can form - thats how to make your money.

You need to be a positive addition to peoples day.