So I finally, finally, finished my first CBG and as mentioned earlier, I 'lectrified it with the speaker element from one of those musical "talking" cards. You know, the kind that sing happy birthday or some other sillyness when you open them.
Well, I found that 1) tho this works as a pickup, it has no volume. Basically an impedance match to my practice amp and 2) thus it needs a preamp. So I built one. I used the plans from runoffgroove.com and built the "Ruby". Guys, this is one cool little item. After about three tries and realizing I needed to fix two problems, It came alive. WOW.
Anyhow, the speaker acts like a real speaker -- that is it has a magnet and all. I know this as while I was soldering, it kept picking up my components and wires and other iron objects.
So if anyone wants, here is the schematic and wiring diagram as I cleaned up a few things I thought were lacking. Its not an easy build and may take a few tries to make but its worth it. pics won't help as I did a crappy solder job.
HINT: if you make this, take the wiring diagram and print it our reversed. Helps to get the wires right. Also RadioShack DOES NOT sell 47nF caps. You have to use them in their uF rating which I have on the schematic. Place the FET transistor in the right orientation!!! READ THE PACKAGE! Use an 8-socket IC socket and do not solder the IC to the board (I did and survived but ++heat will kill it). Oh and I will put a switch on it to keep from having to disconnect the battery and also added an LED between the -9V and ground to know if its on or not (also battery indication).
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