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amp upgrade

Hi i have recently built an amp based on the lm 386 chip. I love the sound and I am super happy with the build. However I want to build another amp with a bit more punch and I would like to build in some effects too. like gain control or tremolo. etc. any ideas for chip choice and how to incorporate the effects. I would also prefer to build it from scratch as that is almost half the fun :) So I don't want to just buy a kit. Thanks for any ideas. :)

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Permalink Reply by Scott aka Farmer Ted on May 12, 2015 at 11:01am

Look at runoffgroove.com for info on circuits. There are a few amp circuits there that use the LM386 like the Ruby, Little Gem, along with pedals/effects.

Also look at beavisaudio.com and see the Noisy Cricket amp circuit.

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Permalink Reply by John Sawyer on May 15, 2015 at 11:35am

If you haven't already, you can install a gain pot (1k) between pin 1 and 8 on your lm386. If you put a preamp circuit in front of it, you can get a little more volume, and even decent distortion out of a piezo or coil pickup.

Tilden has a good get based preamp circuit. Let me know if you can't find it...

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Permalink Reply by John Sawyer on May 16, 2015 at 9:14am

This looks easy...

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Permalink Reply by Scott aka Farmer Ted on May 16, 2015 at 9:30am

Yep, I make those. Sounds awesome.

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Permalink Reply by Adrian Hilde on May 16, 2015 at 9:53am

Thanks a lot :) looks like it could work

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Permalink Reply by John Sawyer on May 16, 2015 at 11:15am

Get a three way toggle switch... On/Off with bypass

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amp upgrade

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