This is a “street amp” I bought yesterday from my friend Thadd. He’s just upgraded to a Roland Cube.

(Click the pic to embigify it.)

You can plug in an instrument and a microphone. It runs on 8 D cell batteries or a wall wart. It’s just under 15″ square and a bit over 8″ deep. It weighs in, fully loaded with batteries, at 15 pounds. I tested it and it can get really loud even before you turn it all the way up.

My plan is to buy one of those cheap, folding luggage carts and bungee cording the amp, a mike and stand, and my “electric” ukulele to it.

On those days that I get a ride to Pike Place Market — as opposed to taking the bus — I’ll pack both my acoustic and amplified busking kits in the car. I could then play an early acoustic set at the Market and, while I’m waiting the 2 or 3 hours for my next set, I could wheel the amplified kit to one of the downtown busking spots and maybe make a bit more filthy lucre. I’d be doing something like that already except the downtown busking spots are stupid loud and I don’t feel terribly sanguine about pounding the shit out of either my uke or my voice.

I’m sure there will be other uses for it — as a “for instance” it could be used as a “powered monitor” for my new sound system… at least until I can afford actual monitors and their cords — but right now I’m just happy to have this option open up for me.