Busking scam: electric violin

[MasonMinor]

Yeah, this kinda thing happens in Kentucky sometimes too. Was at Winchester's Kroger the other day and there was a guy doing this exact thing. Could hear the acoustics of the room it was actually recorded in and it gave it away. You might have reverb, echo or whatever, but you can not simulate room acoustics with an electric violin amp.

 

[Count Bassie]

Strange thing that, yesterday saw that in our media, here in Balkan that couldn't happen, our delivery companies don't do that, if you're not home, they'll leave it in post office or try to reach you next time !

That's how it used to be.

 

[pie_man_25]

Maybe I haven't watched local TV news for a while, but I almost laughed myself out of my chair at the ominous tone of the report, for something that's actually pretty comical and harmless. They made it sound like some dangerous band of criminals is fanning out across Texas -- coming to a parking lot near you.

I think someone in the TV studio was having a bit of fun on a slow news night.

They walk among us. You wait and see, these criminals are a walking epidemic. We don't even know it, because we're just walking past, but they guy you just have thirty five cents to as you were about to check the parking meter downtown? Nope, be wasn't even really playing guitar. That's right, he's not a homeless person, or a person otherwise in need... nope he's a lizard person in disguise gunning for a free big gulp

Seriously, for one thing how big of a deal is this really? For entirely another, how likely is it to be that this is just people trying to make this scam seem bigger than it actually is to distract you from even bigger scams that people actually shouldn't get away with?

 

[Count Bassie]

They walk among us. You wait and see, these criminals are a walking epidemic. We don't even know it, because we're just walking past, but they guy you just have thirty five cents to as you were about to check the parking meter downtown? Nope, be wasn't even really playing guitar. That's right, he's not a homeless person, or a person otherwise in need... nope he's a lizard person in disguise gunning for a free big gulp

Seriously, for one thing how big of a deal is this really? For entirely another, how likely is it to be that this is just people trying to make this scam seem bigger than it actually is to distract you from even bigger scams that people actually shouldn't get away with?

It's just another one. Not worth getting your blood pressure up about, but there is an ethic that you either take seriously, in it's own right, or you don't. For my money, etc, I think it's meaningful what you offer.
As far as the drama of the ratings-mongering broadcast news, go look up the film "Network" to get an entertaining angle on what gets offered to your living room every day. There is always the option of turning that crap off, lol.

 

[Gustopher]

perfect!

and then there's this: how many of us log into TB every day pretending to be musicians or bass players?

:raises hand: LOL!

 

[D Bopp]

I haven't read this whole thread but wanted to chime in to say that I see these people all the time in store parking lots all around my area. And yes they are definitely not actually playing the violin. Their technique is decent, which makes it seem that they know at least a little about the instrument. But the amplified violin sound is definitely a pre recorded track.

 

[Tommy V]

if you're being entertained, and feel like it was worth your pocket change, then by all means, go for it.
no one is forcing anyone to pay up.

 

[wncBass]

Reading this thread I learned that most homeless people are actually multi millionaires... talkbass is so informative.

 

[Tommy V]

Here in Spartanburg, SC, we got this guy..

 

[Mushroo]

I swear, if these people would put the money they spent on this gear into nice clothes, and time spent bumming on the corner into working a job, they wouldn’t be in the situation that they are in.

You can't tell whether or not someone has a disability just by looking at them. Their medical history is private between them and their doctor. They could put on nice clothes and still be disabled.

 

[Gustopher]

I saw a guy and girl doing this at our local Target a week again and didn't really look too closely. The music was nice and they weren't really bothering people, so ill intentioned or not... I appreciated the music and the mood it created. My daughter gave them a tip.

 

[dkelley]

Here in Spartanburg, SC, we got this guy..

exactly, a REAL musician doing REAL stuff! AWESOME!

 

[Root 5]

Here is the news story I watched about it:

The guy in the white shirt lol

 

[Root 5]

perfect!

and then there's this: how many of us log into TB every day pretending to be musicians or bass players?

Well I don’t know about you but I’m a 15 time Wimbledon champion and I’m best friends with Geddy Lee

 

[Count Bassie]

if you're being entertained, and feel like it was worth your pocket change, then by all means, go for it.
no

Been dealing with this at the local grocery store. There’s a huge homeless problem here, and there’s this couple that hangs out at the Safeway parking lot obnoxiously blaring an electric violin through a PA. Shmaltzy covers of sappy pop tunes on an electric violin, alternated with holding a sign with some sob story asking for money. Only thing is that anyone who’s ever played an instrument can tell this buster isn’t actually playing these songs by looking at him. I swear, if these people would put the money they spent on this gear into nice clothes, and time spent bumming on the corner into working a job, they wouldn’t be in the situation that they are in.

It's probable that the jobs they could get wouldn't change their situation very much.
When you're poor you tend to make bad decisions because they're not carefully considered, because that's what stress does to people. It's the ugly circle of poverty>desperation>trouble>poverty...

 

[LBS-bass]

They walk among us. You wait and see, these criminals are a walking epidemic. We don't even know it, because we're just walking past, but they guy you just have thirty five cents to as you were about to check the parking meter downtown? Nope, be wasn't even really playing guitar. That's right, he's not a homeless person, or a person otherwise in need... nope he's a lizard person in disguise gunning for a free big gulp

Seriously, for one thing how big of a deal is this really? For entirely another, how likely is it to be that this is just people trying to make this scam seem bigger than it actually is to distract you from even bigger scams that people actually shouldn't get away with?

This is the thing for me. It's deceptive, but "busking" in a Kroger's parking lot until the manager chases you away isn't really competing with real buskers who are licensed to set up in high-traffic areas of more major metropolitan areas. I don't know any real musicians who are setting up to busk at my local grocery store; they go downtown where the night life is. It's easy to spot a fake, no one's doing the fake violin thing downtown because they'd be laughed right out of there. These guys are fooling the Walmart crowd.

But I can see why people who spent a lot of money on their educations are upset about these guys taking opportunities away from them, I guess. I'm not trying to busk but I know people who are busking because it's the only work they can do. To me, this is just an obvious step above standing at a corner with your hand out, and if it fools someone, shame on them. Give or don't, but I just see a guy who doesn't even have a skill trying to figure out a way to make money.

 

[Bass Viking]

What do you bet those Stradivariuses they’re playing are fake too?!!

 

[Robert B]

 

[LBS-bass]

Also, if the real violinist with years of training is really worried about competing with that fake guy at Kroger's, doesn't he just need to get up earlier and get there first? It's not like they're selling busking licenses for Kroger's parking lot. If the fake guy is making money there, the real guy could beat him out at that game if he really wanted to.

 

[shortscalesrule]

What do you bet those Stradivariuses they’re playing are fake too?!!

Of course it's real! He bought it new! He even showed me the receipt!