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Permalink Reply by BenBob on May 19, 2010 at 11:40am

I'm not a lawyer, but I think they misrepresented the law. I see no prohibition of amps per se in Wichita municipal code:

(g) No performer shall use any generator, wet cell battery with removable fill caps, or any other power source that poses a fire or public safety hazard. No performer shall connect or maintain an electrical cord to an adjacent building or to a City power source.
...
(p) No performer shall perform so that any aspect of the performance creates a sound louder than 80-db measured 50 feet from the sound source.

Municipal Code: http://tinyurl.com/wichitabusking

IMO you're fine with a portable amp or PA. There are lots of other restrictions though, I'd study them and bring a copy with me before going out. Cops don't always know the law either.

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Permalink Reply by Wichita Sam on May 19, 2010 at 12:18pm

thanks,, that will make things simpler.... are you in the area or just a good researcher?

Benjamin Jordan said:

I'm not a lawyer, but I think they misrepresented the law. I see no prohibition of amps per se in Wichita municipal code:

(g) No performer shall use any generator, wet cell battery with removable fill caps, or any other power source that poses a fire or public safety hazard. No performer shall connect or maintain an electrical cord to an adjacent building or to a City power source.
...
(p) No performer shall perform so that any aspect of the performance creates a sound louder than 80-db measured 50 feet from the sound source.

Municipal Code: http://tinyurl.com/wichitabusking

IMO you're fine with a portable amp or PA. There are lots of other restrictions though, I'd study them and bring a copy with me before going out. Cops don't always know the law either.

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Permalink Reply by BenBob on May 19, 2010 at 12:35pm

Nah, your post made me curious and it was easy to find the answer :-) You could be the next viral video: "Street performer tears up a cigar box guitar!"

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Permalink Reply by Wichita Sam on May 19, 2010 at 2:24pm

Benj,

Thanks, I probably would have taken the clerks word for it....

the best,

Sam

Benjamin Jordan said:

Nah, your post made me curious and it was easy to find the answer :-) You could be the next viral video: "Street performer tears up a cigar box guitar!"

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Permalink Reply by Train train on May 19, 2010 at 2:48pm

PR and interpretation of the law can either be friends or mortal enemies. I just want to see you succeed and prosper at busking with your CBG. I would try to get it clarified before a cop with a closed mind causes you a bad day.

I had a gathering at a campground that my wife manages. This event had clearly set that quite time would be extended to midnight rather than the normal 10:00 PM. The use of amplifiers was discussed and approved. I thought it was a God send when a wonderful guitar player showed up and led the rest of us with his guitar. He play electric through a small amp because it was easier on his fingers. The amp was only noticeable from ten feet away.

Somehow, my wife and the parks and rec head decided that the event was too far from what they thought non-interested campers would tolerate. So my wife the park manager ask that the amp not be used and that was it. The guitar player complied and the whole campfire music thing ended.

I was furious, but what could I do. They had possession of the ball.

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Permalink Reply by Andy Estabrooks on May 19, 2010 at 3:20pm

Keni Lee Burgess busks with a big reso CBG . I've heard him play it, its plenty loud for performing. Hey, I just noticed he is playing it on the video in the "featured performer" section on the front page!

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Permalink Reply by Keni Lee Burgess on May 20, 2010 at 1:40am

Hello Sam,

I busk acoustically and found you can't go wrong with a reso played with picks. The guitar is definitely eye candy and attracts a lot of attention itself.
As for the Police, it has been my experience that many are ignorant of the law. If they tell you to move, good luck pulling out papers to prove your point. If you resist they will write you a ticket or arrest you for refusing a lawful order by a Police officer. These cases routinely get thrown out of court, but the damage is already done. I understand why people become civil activists. Many people believe they have civil rights, but when they try to exercise them, they realize they don't.
I usually talk to the Police before setting up. Many cops might pass you by, but one will stop, and say move on.
It is a lot of fun and well worth the effort. Enjoy, Keni Lee

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Permalink Reply by BenBob on May 20, 2010 at 8:06am

Sounds like good advice Keni, and you're right. Pulling out a copy of the law will probably not help anything lol.

I'd at least make the officer stick his neck out though. Write down their name/badge ID and respectfully tell them that you will comply with his orders, but you know your rights and will file a complaint that they were violated.

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Permalink Reply by Outhouse Instruments on May 20, 2010 at 8:14am

Keni Lee Burgess said:

Many people believe they have civil rights, but when they try to exercise them, they realize they don't.

You got dat chit right, man!

Matt

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