I could write a book about this - having one man banded for over eighteen years now. Don Partridge told me that he got the idea for his from Jessie Fuller - only he (Don) needed to have the drum on his back. Busking was a hairy business when Don started out (hasn't changed much) and he had to be able to run away quickly if the Old Bill turned up! The first piece of advice I want to offer you is DO NOT PUT THE F&&&ING DRUM ON YOUR BACK! It does quite horrible things to your spine and shoulder musculature and puts you in the worst possible posture for singing. Remember, it's not just the weight of the drum plus necessary mechanics and cymbals/and or tambourine, it is the fact that you require tension between your feet and shoulder. My daily fitness routine (among stretches and other things) involves a hundred press ups, eighty squats and eighty sit ups and assorted karate exercises. I am no longer anywhere near fit enough to go out one man banding on a regular basis. Bear that in mind if you are thinking about putting it on your back still!
    The next thing is to start with a decent sized bass drum. That mens at least a twenty incher. You need a good bass thump. I would recommend aquiring a second hand foot pedal and building it into the drum. An adequate second hand hi-hat machine is OK, but you would be well advised to choose your cymbals carefully. Go for a soft cymbal sound which does not overpower your drum - or even worse clash with the upper range of your voice. If I was starting again (my busking career is all but over!) I would build it into some sort of frame which both looks good and is easily transported on a bicycle trailer. Carrying the gear is not part of the fun. Remember that pedestrian precints are very easily reached by bicycle and this enables you to leave your van parked cheaply away from the city centre. If you are intending to do festivals, I would build in some sort of low amplification into the frame. I personally loathe the use (or more frequent abuse) of amplification on the street, but you may need this at festivals if you are placed too close to other loud acts.
    Good one man bands are not necessarily loud. A smart apearance with some soft edges comes across well. Another advantage of sitting -quite apart from being far healthier - is that is is much less threatening for small children. Very often they will be sent to put money in your case. If you can build a moving puppet into your get up, so much the better.
    Make as many of the moving parts replaceable as you possibly can. Anything that moves wears. Use a drop of oil from time to time. Have spare springs, nuts, screws, rubber bands and springs with you at all times. A two minute check of your gear before you go out can save you a lot of pain on the job. Mail me and tell me how you are getting on. Good luck and Merry Christmas. Alan.