#1 resource for Cigar Box Guitars, Free Plans, How-To, Parts & More!

Cigar Box Nation is sponsored by C. B. Gitty Crafter Supply, your one-stop-shop for Cigar Box Guitar parts and accessories!

Vintage Radio Guitar Amps ~Converted & Amp Kits~

Information

This is the group for Lo-Watt Rock & Blues.

Here is the place to post photos and information on how to convert vintage electronics into awesome sounding and really cool guitar amps.

I am not an expert at amps or electronics, I have dabbled off and on over the years and lately really finding my interest growing in the subject and have decided to put this group together for the more experienced people to join and teach us all...also a place to organize the info found on this site.

if you would like to study this topic more

visit the website

http://radio-guitar-amps.blogspot.com/

Here is an example of the great tone that can be found in a old radio.

there are several directions you can go in this area of amplification, you can hack and convert the existing electronics,(provided the radio still works) or you can convert new cigar box guitar amp kits that are for sale and just use the nifty 50's radio bodies for that awesome retro look and feel....They will match your cigar box guitar and really are a joy to play!

also Amp kits are a great way for the novice to join!

anyone can do it, give it a try, you'll never play name brand again!

Website: http://radio-guitar-amps.blogspot.com/
Location: 3-string-guitar.com
Members: 142
Latest Activity: May 15

6 members like this

Discussion Forum

View All

Comment Wall

Comment

You need to be a member of Vintage Radio Guitar Amps ~Converted & Amp Kits~ to add comments!

Comment by Darren Wolbold on April 17, 2013 at 4:36pm: I am aways get jealous when I look at American Radios they remind me of the best of American cars, futuristic and full of hope

Comment by Darren Wolbold on April 17, 2013 at 4:32pm: Yes Its got ear phone out too, also I can roll the tone down to take the tops off the piezo pick ups to get what sound to me a very sweet sound.

The radio is still fully functional too !

Comment by BeetleJuice! on April 17, 2013 at 4:15pm: That thing is killer! lots of recording possiblities!

Comment by Darren Wolbold on April 9, 2013 at 3:07am: Hear is the radio amp I made after watching reddogs videos on line.

I think this is a UK radio make, the conversion was quite easy tapping in behind the volume. I also get the tone knob too !

This is what it sounds like

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K_KmIWUr11Y

My Blog

http://darrenscigarboxguitars.blogspot.co.uk/

Comment by colin mcgrath on March 18, 2013 at 11:31am: yes, I did not see your comment about the type of radio you are messing with. Very bad advice on my part. Eric and Smojo are 100% right. Sorry for my half knowing information. I am working with 9v powered radios. Let us know how things go.

Comment by eric gittins on March 17, 2013 at 6:53pm: gregory, please bear in mind that in valve (tube) gear, anywhere along the high voltage line can still hold lethal voltages even with the unit unplugged and turned off. valve equipment should always have the filter caps discharged before any poking around inside happens. ALWAYS check for voltage on the filter caps with a DMM before going in with a soldering iron.

as smojo said a dc blocking cap in series with your lead might be a good idea - but it has to be rated at 600v - the HT line is generally in excess of 300vdc.

Comment by smojo on March 17, 2013 at 6:22am: Gregory, that should work OK - I don't recommend Colin's method when playing with mains powered tube equipment - there are some very high voltages in tube radios. Another precaution worth considering is to add a capacitor in series (in line) with your "hot" wire and the tip of the jack socket (something like .1mfd) That acts as a dc blocking device to stop any possible stray dc voltages reaching your guitar when you plug it in.