Aussiesucker
470 posts
Dec 14, 2009
7:32 PM
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After much procrastination & having finally run out of excuses, with licence in hand, and a bag of harps plus a tip bucket and water bottles, I went Busking.
My destination was Brisbane's Queen St Mall ie that was the only spot that the licence covered. The area I was allowed within was only a few hundred metres long. Strictly enforced rulings were that absolutely no form of amplification is allowed.
I started playing at around 10.30am & all was going great until about 25m away a large choir arrived with sanctioned heavy amplification gear, and a stage, and started singing Carols. I could no longer be heard. I couldn't hear myself!
So I moved away only to be sandwiched between a guy on a squeezebox and a guy on a saxaphone but was away from the choir. It was very iffy and my wife went by a couple of times and said that it was not possible to hear me. The Sax and the Squeezebox were easily heard and I would estimate that they had more volume than I could even get were I allowed to use my 10amp busking/practice amp.
As the day progressed it got busier and noisier, so after an hour I packed up.The takings would have in an hour or so of reasonable playing paid for the bus tickets, coffee and maybe some lunch. $10 an hour is not wide of the mark.
Will I do it again? Yes, it's a great experience. Good for practice? Yes somewhat, but more so for the practice of playing in public. It's a great insight into human nature ie those that put money in were the ones who looked as though they had nothing. I was not there for the money.
In all a great experience and one that I recommend all should try. It's really very easy and very forgiving.
What I need to explore is there on the market a tiny battery amp that can be concealed in eg harp case or tip bucket,and will work wirelessly from a concealed lapel mike? This for a harp player working the street in Brisbane, during a busy time, is I think essential.
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jonsparrow
1423 posts
Dec 14, 2009
7:44 PM
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good story.
iv tried lots of itty bitty amps an i found this one to sound the best for harp. it runs off 1 9volt battery, has volume, tone, an overdrive knobs. has a belt clip.
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nacoran
530 posts
Dec 14, 2009
8:35 PM
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I can't imagine being outside that long at X-mas, at least not until global warming really kicks in! I'll be laughing at you come July.
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Aussiesucker
472 posts
Dec 14, 2009
9:02 PM
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nacoran> July will be best for me ie daytime temps in 20c wheras now its mid 30sc with oppressive humidity.
jonsparrow> thanks for the info. The honeytone is available here according to my local retailer but the cost $66 wheras I note in the US they cost 1/3 of this price. They are getting one in for me to try.
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bdr
43 posts
Dec 15, 2009
12:06 AM
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Hi Aussie, also have a look at a smokey amp, I think they're around $20 on ebay. small enough to fit in your pocket
rgds
Bdr
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My granddad gave me some sound advice on his deathbed.
"It's worth spending money on good speakers," he told me.
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mickil
713 posts
Dec 15, 2009
5:14 AM
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Aussie,
I'd say that your experience of passers by is identical to mine on the hundreds of times when I've been busking. The wealthy-looking types were much less likely to throw a tip or even a look of acknowledgement. Of course, no one's obliged to throw either, but, a smile or a nod of approval often did a lot to lift my spirits when the tips were thin on the ground.
I hate all that licensing crap. When I used to busk - around the late 90s - you could just go down to one of the local subways and play; you hurt no one and maybe made a few quid. Now, you can't do anything without being monitored, charged, or otherwise given some kind of shit. Welcome to the brave new World.
You know, it's funny: last week I was watching Doc's video where he filmed the streets of New York and then played in that tunnel. In London, I could be arrested for doing either of those heinous activities.
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YouTube SlimHarpMick a.k.a. HarmonicaMick
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toddlgreene
237 posts
Dec 15, 2009
6:24 AM
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Hey Jon-have you tried the embarassingly-named HoDad by Danelectro? It has two speakers and more tone controls...I might have to go give it and the Honeytone a try. For 20 bucks, though, that Honeytone seems like a winner.
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~Todd L. Greene, Devout Pedestrian
"listen to what you like for inspiration, but find your own voice"
crescentcityharmonicaclub@gmail.com
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jonsparrow
1425 posts
Dec 15, 2009
9:37 AM
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nah i never tried the hodad. but i tried all those little marshell an fender mini amps. i like the honeytone the best out of them.
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toddlgreene
243 posts
Dec 15, 2009
10:06 AM
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for 20 bucks, I'll try one. Oh, and I found these links on modding them(yes, modding a 20$ amp!)interesting.
http://www.angelfire.com/music/harmonica/honeytone.html
http://bruzbluz.multiply.com/photos/album/16/Danelectro_Honeytone_5_Minute_Mod
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~Todd L. Greene, Devout Pedestrian
GO SAINTS 13 AND EAUX!
"listen to what you like for inspiration, but find your own voice"
crescentcityharmonicaclub@gmail.com
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SUNDOG
85 posts
Dec 15, 2009
6:30 PM
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I have 2 honeytone amps in the lid of my suitcase driven by a 4 channel radioshack mixer with wireless mic and all... the two amps spread the sound oput a little.......even with only about 12' between centers.
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