Yep, not quite a pig's ear. I've noted my Pig Nose amplifier that I used to play my electric taishōgoto failed, gave up the ghost a while back.
Since then I've been playing with building myself a pig tail amp (Don't want to cross Pig Nose's copyright line.). This mixed pack amp is my latest attempt. I'm getting close to what I want but it needs more cow bell. I'm a bit beyond using parts I've laying around and am buying new stuff. By the time I get done I'll have probably spent more money than the cost of a new Pig Nose, but hey, I'm having great fun doing it!
parenthetical aside note to self; (Remember to dust under the keys and strings before I take a picture of the taishōgoto next time!)