powerpopper Posted December 7, 2008 Share Posted December 7, 2008 I've been hankering to do some street performance and I'm considering buying the Fishman Solo Amp for this purpose with a Baggs Para DI box or maybe one of the Fishmans. Before we start comparing the Fishman Solo Amp to Bose, I ain't going there, so if the Fishman sucks, then it sucks. I gotta draw the line somewhere so I can still stay married...:-) But any idea how to power this bad boy for a day when you're out playing on the street? Apparently, the Fishman only weighs about 35 pounds and I can get a little cart for that and my guitar. But what do you do for power? A generator of some kind, I'm sure...but any suggestions? Thanks for helping the absolutely clueless... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rmngretsch14 Posted December 7, 2008 Share Posted December 7, 2008 Get a Vox DA5 amp. It's only 5 watts but you can battery power it and it has models and effects for whatever you want to play Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
onewilyfool Posted December 7, 2008 Share Posted December 7, 2008 The AER compact 60 "Mobile"......battery power up to 6 hours of play....60 watts....on board effects....two lines one for mic one for guitar.....can't beat it....little pricey but the beste sounding acoustic amp you can get....have fun Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
powerpopper Posted December 7, 2008 Author Share Posted December 7, 2008 I kinda need more power than those for the street. I have owned the DA5. It's way too small for my purposes. The AER might be close, but my "competition" all has bigger, louder rigs. I need to figure out how to power the Fishman for a day of playing out. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ballcorner Posted December 7, 2008 Share Posted December 7, 2008 I don't know where you live, but in all my years of busking I never saw or needed a 35 watt amp. In fact, with that kind of volume, I can promise I would have been ousted from any public space, possibly arrested, and if I were playing a Yamaha, possibly charged with indecent exposure. I can tell you this for sure -- if you are out on any street with a Fishman set up, a Gibson and I suspect a glamorous gold strap, you won't be taking many pennies from the common folk. Further, if your competition is close enough that your 35 watt amp starts bleeding into their show, allow me to recommend the busker's special (a double edged Gerber knife) so you don't come home with holes in you. What is the world coming to? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
powerpopper Posted December 7, 2008 Author Share Posted December 7, 2008 I don't know where you live' date=' but in all my years of busking I never saw or needed a 35 watt amp. In fact, with that kind of volume, I can promise I would have been ousted from any public space, possibly arrested, and if I were playing a Yamaha, possibly charged with indecent exposure. I can tell you this for sure -- if you are out on any street with a Fishman set up, a Gibson and I suspect a glamorous gold strap, you won't be taking many pennies from the common folk. Further, if your competition is close enough that your 35 watt amp starts bleeding into their show, allow me to recommend the busker's special (a double edged Gerber knife) so you don't come home with holes in you. What is the world coming to?[/quote'] Perhaps I should be more specific. I live in Santa Monica, CA and the local government issues Street Performance licenses. There are two designated places you can play in the city with these licenses--3rd Street Promenade and the Santa Monica Pier. I'm not really interested in playing at the Pier because it is just a mass of people, but 3rd Street Promenade is a pedestrian mall with wide walkways spanning about 4 city blocks. The buskers there (such as they are) tend not to be homeless, down on their luck or without pretty hefty PA's. In fact, I've seen what they have and the Fishman may well be underpowered in that environment. Needless to say, most of them are in no hurry to tell me how best to amplify myself there. There is enough competition as it is... Not that it matters, but I'm not interested in doing it for the $$, just for the experience. Nevertheless, I've seen some great players as well as marginally talented ones making money there. I don't know if one can chalk this up to this being LA and every local artist willing to play any venue available, including the street, but that is the environment I find myself wanting to busk in...:-) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Honky Dog Posted December 8, 2008 Share Posted December 8, 2008 I'm planning on doing some street playing when the weather permits in April or May. I've thought about it for awhile, and in my case, I've decided on just playing a halfway decent beater with decent volume, and that's it. I'll probably only be noticed by people that walk some what close by. But, like you, I'm not in for the money, only the experience and hopefully some confidence building, and of course the practice. But hey if anybody wants to drop some money, I won't turn it down. lol Anyway, I don't want to be encumbered. I'd like to just up and move, go to the bathroom, take a break and go have a couple cold ones, or whatever. If I did need a small amp, I'd look at a Pignose or the Traynor http://guitars.musiciansfriend.com/product/Traynor-International-TVM10-15W-1x6-Battery-Powered-Guitar-Combo-Amp?sku=481167 Oh, and Roland has a little battery powered amp. Just my $0.02, and not based on experience, but thought I'd through it out there in case there's anything of value that might help. Good luck whatever you come up with. As long as you do it! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
powerpopper Posted December 8, 2008 Author Share Posted December 8, 2008 Thanks for the tip and the encouragement, Honky Dog! I have the Roland and it's very cool, but these dudes out there come loaded for bear! I'm thinking of using the Roland for my vocals and my Crate Taxi for my guitar, then I won't have any power worries. But that Fishman sure does look nice...man...I think I have some GAS... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Slipz14 Posted December 9, 2008 Share Posted December 9, 2008 From one street player to another best of luck I'll second the AER compact 60 "Mobile" for quality ... but that is a pricey beast For price it's hard to beat the Crate portable amps - The older versions are called the Taxi & the Limo and are under $75 on the used market Here's a link to the new models on their home page - Last two models on the bottom of the page http://www.crateamps.com/products/findex.php?catID=1 Good luck and remember to stand in the shade Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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