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Posts: 10777
Location: Keepin' It Weird in Portland, OR | Rainy Season just started!
So which guitar will survive out in the rain better...
Solid Body Electric? Or a Solid Top Acoustic/Electric?
I need to decide which guitars would be best for busking in the rain.
I am open to suggestions and your reason for your choice.
The guitars that are in the running are in my sig line.
(I don't have any more plywood Celebrity's, but I could buy one)
Please Help. Thank You. |
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September 2003
Posts: 9301
Location: south east Michigan | I don't understand... are you planing on playing out in the rain?
Why?
I've heard some straaaange questions over the years. This is right up there. |
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May 2008
Posts: 4996
Location: Phoenix AZ | Ok I'll bite ...
Why would you busk in the rain? |
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March 2005
Posts: 12761
Location: Boise, Idaho | Been to Portland, Brad? I was working on a roof there years ago and started to climb down when it started to rain. My brother-in-law, an Oregon native, asked where I was going and I told him I was getting out of the rain. He said, "In Portland, if you don't work in the rain, you don't work." |
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Posts: 9301
Location: south east Michigan | Oo... Oo... Oo...!!!
I have the answer...
buy a Rainsong.
. |
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September 2003
Posts: 9301
Location: south east Michigan | Wait... Wait... Wait...
Electric?
Electric is even an option?
In The RAIN!?!? |
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December 2006
Posts: 6268
Location: Florida Central Gulf Coast | Arthur, ignoring the raised 'eye-brows' of others, I'd say go with an electric. Any A/E will be vulnerable to 'excess' internal moisture via the sound hole(s).
I'd be more concerned 'bout the amp! :eek: |
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Posts: 7247
Location: The Great Pacific Northwest | One Word... Academy... The KA17 I believe is the one with the aluminum neck. No wood, a whole lot better sounding than it should be. :) |
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Posts: 10777
Location: Keepin' It Weird in Portland, OR | Originally posted by 2ifbyC:
Arthur, ignoring the raised 'eye-brows' of others, I'd say go with an electric. Any A/E will be vulnerable to 'excess' internal moisture via the sound hole(s).
I'd be more concerned 'bout the amp! :eek: I just remembered that I have the 1612 that I bought for parts...
Once I got it, I glued the headstock back on and it plays... Nicely, actually.
As to my amp, it is in a backpack which I sit on.
And if it is Really raining, I wouldn't be out there either.
But I was thinking of solid body electrics as a solution to the problem.
That is why I got the JT-12 to play-out in weather that I would not take the 2058T into.
Plus I have the Parker six-stringers.
And Brad... If you read online advice about busking, they will tell you not to go out in bad weather.
BUT! If you live in Portland, or Seattle, or Humboldt County CA, when it Rains you just deal with it.
(That is why it is GREEN here)
We are in the midst of some kinda Climate Change, but when I first came to Portland it rained everyday for Months. I think that we are having an extended drought. |
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Location: Boise, Idaho | Arthur might be figuring he needs a jump start. |
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Posts: 6268
Location: Florida Central Gulf Coast | Originally posted by Old Man Arthur:
... which I sit on. Well, I guess ya got it covered then! :D |
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November 2005
Posts: 4833
Location: Campbell River, British Columbia | Originally posted by Gallerinski:
Why would you busk in the rain? -Less competition.
-More sympathy from the pedestrians
-Your whole song catalog is Rain Songs
The Rain, The Park, and other things
Crying In The Rain
Raindrops Keep Falling On My Head
It Never Rains in California (Portland Ore)
Etc. |
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August 2002
Posts: 8307
Location: Tennessee | Uh ... playing an plugged in electric guitar in the rain is not for the faint of heart. Bob Weir and Jerry Garcia had a pretty tough go of it at Woodstock. BUT ... if you were planning on a light show to go along with the music, electric is the way to go. |
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Posts: 6268
Location: Florida Central Gulf Coast | Originally posted by stonebobbo:
electric is the way to go. Just think of the wild 'foot work'... |
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September 2006
Posts: 10777
Location: Keepin' It Weird in Portland, OR | Originally posted by Gallerinski:
Ok I'll bite ...
Why would you busk in the rain? Cuz I live in Portland, Oregon.
You will notice that neither Miles, nor Mark, nor anybody else from the Great Northwest has to ask that question. |
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Location: closely held secret | I lived in Portland 55 years and I'd still ask it. |
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September 2006
Posts: 10777
Location: Keepin' It Weird in Portland, OR | And you've never played in the Rain?
Surely you have seen others play in the Rain.
[this is the "How Long Jug Band"]
I took the 1612 and hid under a tree at a MAX station in the drizzle.
But only for an hour. |
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Posts: 2491
Location: Copenhagen Denmark | Arthur .. try t` use an Umbrella .. and an Acoustic ..Avoid the " Pro-thing "... or go indoors .. Shopping-mall .. etc.,..
Look Sexy ..Y´ know .. Chest out .. Wild hair .. b`wildered look .. raspy-voice ..
Vic |
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Posts: 8307
Location: Tennessee | Singing in the Rain - Gene Kelly |
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Posts: 12761
Location: Boise, Idaho | Maybe the more logical question is why would anyone listen to someone who busks in the rain? |
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Posts: 10777
Location: Keepin' It Weird in Portland, OR | If you are at a MAX station, people are waiting for the train.
Captive Audience! :D
Today, most of the people who dropped-in money did it just as the train was coming in,
just before they boarded.
After about an hour it started to really rain, which was my cue to go home.
Last winter I was playing in the Cold and the Wet! |
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Posts: 602
Location: Hanau, Hessen, Germany | You could gear up like my friend Conrad. He's a busker for life.
He also has a homepage. I'm sure he'll be happy to give you some advice if you contact him. I'm not sure how often he checks his mails though.
www.ramblinconrad.com |
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Posts: 10777
Location: Keepin' It Weird in Portland, OR | My best effort would be to play better.
The advantage of busking is I get paid to practice. |
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December 2001
Posts: 10583
Location: NJ | I have played both acoustic and electric gigs where it has rained.
both guitars help up equally well.
went to the philly folk festival many years ago took an old epiphone made in japan bolt neck. it rained for 2 of the 5 days.
sold the guitar after the neck started to warp but the necks on those guitars did not help up well at all. |
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Posts: 5881
Location: Colorado Rocky Mountains | I would guess a carbon top might be best, but I don't think there is one in your sig line. Maybe you strap an umbrella to your back? |
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Posts: 5567
Location: Blue Ridge Mountains | OMA, all the best to you...now that's determination...and ya gotta love it to do it...
If you're plugging in, an A/E with a soundhole cover would work just fine...and take some towels along to wipe down the guitar (and self) from time to time...more power to you... |
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October 2008
Posts: 39
| I don't think I would plug in at all in the rain. I don't think it is safe. That leaves out the electrics.
Besides if it is only acoustic, they might be tempted to get close enough to throw money too. |
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December 2001
Posts: 7247
Location: The Great Pacific Northwest | I think it's worth repeating..
Academy... Sounds great, no wood. Seems like a no brainer. |
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September 2006
Posts: 10777
Location: Keepin' It Weird in Portland, OR | Yeah Miles... I had one and I sold it.
Today it wasn't raining, I took out the Uber-Deacon!
The guitar got a lot of compliments.
As to the Safety of playing electric in the rain... It is only a 9v amp.
My concern would be damaging the guitars.
That is why I have cheap guitars for crappy weather. :p |
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Joined:
September 2010
Posts: 36
Location: Denver, CO | I don't usually play in the rain but, if I had to I would use my smaller gigging DC amp: Crate TX50DB. No AC to worry about and perfect for gigging. He did say his amp is in his backpack so I guess it's DC also. |
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November 2004
Posts: 382
Location: USA | Depends on whether or not its lightening...lol |
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Joined:
November 2004
Posts: 382
Location: USA | or maybe the question should be what would you survive better using? |
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Which will survive better in the Rain? Acoustic or Electric?