I will be busking for the Day of Change on the 17th of September. I have agreed to play for 4+ hours and this will be my first time truly busking, although the proceeds will be going to the charity.
Any tips as to what I should bring, or not bring. I had planned on playing acoustically with no amplification. However, I'm running that by you as well. I'll be playing both guitar and harp both alone and together. There will be many musicians up and down the street. I don't want to overpower anyone, but I also want to be heard.
Here is a the event vid, you may have seen the original video before...
I'd get a small amplification setup man. Like you said, you don't wanna overpower anyone. But you also wanna be heard too. Maybe just a one speaker deal and run everything through a small mixer. ---------- Hawkeye Kane
"A chair."...Some chap stick, a case of water, a few GU packs,(for crumb less nutrition) and the mic and amp. If ya get too loud and someone nags, you can always turn it down or off. Better to have it and not need it than need it and not have it.
IMHO--four hours without amplification would just be brutal--maybe everybody doesn't do this--but I tend to play really hard and as loud as I can without an amp and it takes a lot more out of me than having the amp help me out. . . ----------
I agree. Four hours is a good stretch. If that's your allotted goal, you might consider setting yourself up with the ability to utilize some backing tracks or other accompanying sounds that can allow you to catch your breath or even take a break.
I realize that you want to keep the mobilization and loadout to a minimum. But, again, four hours is long time on your own. You might want to do a practice run of just half that time to see how well you go.
I CAN play for that long, and I plan on switching up from harp to guitar to both. A lot of singing, but there may be breaks for musicians to collaborate. They have encouraged us to play together too if we like, since we are not just making money for ourselves.
I have been looking at the cube street, but it is out of my price range for now (I mostly pay cash and off the books for matrimonial bliss) and don't have much in the current fund to buy something that expensive.
Oldwailer, I agree I might start wanting to get louder and just wreck myself in 4 hours without amplification...
I'm not sure if I will have access to power or not...
HawkeyeKane, what is your setup?
BTW my guitar is accoustic/electric and I already have an SM58 and boom stand. I would prefer to play the harp through that too...
Chickenthief - PLEASE, PLEASE thank your friend for me!!! I had certainly not intended on that happening, but I am so grateful your friend contributed. Thank you! ---------- Danny
When doing something small, I borrow my buddy's Peavey Messenger. 100 watt briefcase size PA with a 5 channel mixer. Here's the specs. I love it for busking.
Hey Kingo! If you are looking for a cheap battery powered solution, I use a Jay Turser Classic-10, which can be had for as low as $80 new. I got mine used for about $50. It's got an onboard rechargeable battery that'll probably last you four hours (though I've never pushed it that far). It's 10 watts, so it'll give you enough volume to be heard without blowing away your neighbors. Works well with Low-Z mics (better, actually, than with High-Z), but only has one input, however, so if you set it to sound crunchy for harp, your vocals will sound crunchy too. You'll also need a little mixer if you want to use it for both guitar and harp at the same time. I also use it for playing amped cigar box guitar, and it sounds really good for that. It also looks really cool with wood front and tweed sides.
Here's the manufacturer's website (not a lot of info):
@Hawkeye--is that Peavy Messenger thing battery powered? I couldn't find any specs on its power source.
If it is battery, it might be my new best friend--I have a Duracell power supply that provides portable power--but one less heavy thing to carry around would be really cool! ----------
No, it's AC powered. You'd still need your Duracell supply, something which I need to look into myself for my little Marshall amp. But you might also be able to get a power inverter rigged up to run it on a stiff battery, or even off a car lighter socket. ---------- Hawkeye Kane
Last Edited by on Sep 01, 2011 1:06 PM
i think your first plan is the best. carry as little as possible. back pack with snacks and water ... as few harps as possible ...a light fold up chair or stool or just sit on the stoop.
i remember from years ago that equipment is a pain in the butt when you are done and half tired.
if you have a gig bag for your guitar hopefully you will have room for harps and snacks in it. anything you can throw over your shoulder and go is a good thing.
Last Edited by on Sep 01, 2011 5:37 PM
