So as some of you know I am currently building my first CBG. What actually motivated me to ACTUALLY finally do it? I am making my first one for my father for christmas- he's going to FREAK out- IF I succeed of course LOL
Anyways- he no longer has an amp around, so I thought I would get/make him one to go with the CBG since it has a pick up. This will just be for personal use- he won't be on stage or anything like that... so not too worried about it being super loud or fancy.
Now, of COURSE I want to MAKE the amp... (great excuse to start another project ASAP ;) lol) -but most the amp kits I see are only battery powered. I would LIKE for him to be able to plug it in, as I know he'll use it a lot and I don't want him to have to constantly be buying batteries.
My first grand idea was to buy an amp, tear it open, gut it, and stick it all in a cigar box pretty much... or into SOMETHING unique/cool (lunch box, gas can, ammo box, suitcase, so on and so forth) has anyone done something like this successfully?
I have a couple friends who have suggested that I just buy him a little mini fender amp or a pig nose or something... but I don't know. I kind of really want to make one if at all possible!
Thoughts anyone? :)
Tags:
If you want to build one from scratch, there are lots of plans online to make something like what you describe (personal use, not on stage). I'm gathering parts to build one currently...working off the design in the book "Snip, Burn, Solder, Shred." And several here have moved the guts of an amp into another enclosure.
As far as just buying a small amp, I played several selections at a Guitar Center recently, and the Blackstar Fly 3 (about $45) sounded the best to my ears. You can get a wall adapter for it.
The owner of this site, CB Gitty, has all the parts you need to make one. You just need to drill the holes and plug the wires in.
https://www.cbgitty.com/amplifier-kits-parts/great-2-5-watt-parts-o...
I missed the fact that the Gitty kit I linked to does not have an AC adapter for it, so that would make it battery only.
Have a look at something like Tone Monster on eBay, for example - they do amp kits with mains adaptor options (other kits are available). If you don't build one, something like the Roland Micro Cube is relatively inexpensive, versatile and seems to be popular.
Also, check out the photos of the stuff that Wes Carl has done here on CBN - he has made lots of superb examples. Good luck with your CBG and amp builds - your father will be delighted !
Parts Express, on the interwebs, sells a Footnote amp kit, $30.00. 5 watt, includes a 9 volt adapter to plug it into the wall. Includes everything but the box...speaker, grill, and the amp electronics are all mounted on a metal face plate. I had to cut two holes - one for the speaker, one for the faceplate. Several folks here at CBN have made these, all seem satisfied. I certainly am, and I'm starting my second one this weekend. However you go, have fun. You won't make just one!
got a link ? sounds like an interesting kit if shipping isnt too much...
I currently have 3 amp projects on the go. been meaning to take a photo or 2 and post them.
first is a little 3W board i got off ebay for less than $1 AUD.... runs off 5v so i bought a ALDI battery bank to power it. I bought some old computer speakers off a guy on ebay as well so i have the speakers for this build looking for a box now.
that leads me to the second amp idea.. one of the speaker sets has 3 speakers L,R and a Bass speaker..... idea was to put the left and right speaker inthe box with the bass as well as the small amp that drives it...
there a many ways to make an amp and lots of kits around of various complexity... a repackage of a cheap pawnbroker amp would be an easy start...
Took a look, and the site is back up. Seems the Express is having a "buyout sale" with limited quantity available.
The Footnote module without the adapter or speaker is now $15 ( or $13 each for 10 or more).
http://www.parts-express.com/footnote-electric-guitar-5-watt-amp-as...
I did notice something about the amp in its description...it is a "clean" amp, presumable without any distortion/gain.
But for $15, seems like a good deal.
lots of great ideas, one less great: pawn shops have lots of cheap practice amps you could gut.
I'm going to weigh in again. I, too, have built Guitar Fuel Tone Monster amps. So far I've put together two MAH-5 amps and two MAH-3 amps. The build time has been the same for each one. The difference between the kits is output (3 vs. 5 watts) and the price. I like them all, especially the twin speaker rig I built into an old suitcase.....but the basic difference between them is the finished appearance. They all sound good. These two "kits" also have inputs for headphones, 9 volt adapter jacks, and some have MP3 jacks. Be apprised, the input jacks are very small and required me to use a fair bit of time to make cover plates that were thin enough to install the jacks, then mount on the box. Cigar boxes are too thick to just drill a hole and poke them through. Not a knock on the product, just a reality that some time and garage engineering is required to build. I enjoyed the challenge and the accomplishment. Alternatively, the small jacks can be left inside the box, available for use but not installed through the box. By comparison, the Footnote required less time and ingenuity to build, but also require a larger box or cabinet. The Footnote component plate, while quite convenient and good looking, is also @ 12" long X 3" wide. I like them both, and will use all of them again. You always end up with something different......and wonderful.
Started by BrianQ. in Performances, How to Play, Lessons, Concerts on Tuesday. 0 Replies 2 Likes
Started by J. D. Woods in Performances, How to Play, Lessons, Concerts. Last reply by Southern Ray Apr 26. 8 Replies 1 Like
Started by Southern Ray in Other stuff - off topic, fun stuff, whatever. Last reply by Southern Ray Apr 26. 6 Replies 0 Likes
Started by J. D. Woods in Performances, How to Play, Lessons, Concerts. Last reply by BrianQ. Apr 25. 4 Replies 0 Likes
Started by Rich Butters in Building Secrets, Tips, Advice, Discussion. Last reply by Crazed Fandango Apr 22. 4 Replies 0 Likes
Started by Nomad Jack in Performances, How to Play, Lessons, Concerts. Last reply by J. D. Woods Apr 17. 7 Replies 2 Likes
Started by Moritz Voegeli in Building Secrets, Tips, Advice, Discussion. Last reply by Southern Ray Apr 14. 6 Replies 2 Likes
Started by Timothy Hunter in Other stuff - off topic, fun stuff, whatever. Last reply by Timothy Hunter Apr 10. 14 Replies 3 Likes
Started by Tom T in Building Secrets, Tips, Advice, Discussion. Last reply by Southern Ray Apr 9. 9 Replies 0 Likes
Started by Southern Ray in Building Secrets, Tips, Advice, Discussion. Last reply by Southern Ray Apr 4. 7 Replies 1 Like
Started by Timothy Hunter in Building Secrets, Tips, Advice, Discussion. Last reply by Southern Ray Mar 27. 1 Reply 2 Likes
Started by Taffy Evans in Building Secrets, Tips, Advice, Discussion. Last reply by Southern Ray Mar 10. 1 Reply 3 Likes
Started by Cigar Box Nation in Feature Articles. Last reply by BrianQ. Mar 9. 4 Replies 3 Likes
Started by Ghostbuttons in Building Secrets, Tips, Advice, Discussion. Last reply by Timothy Hunter Mar 9. 5 Replies 1 Like
Started by Justin Stanchfield in Building Secrets, Tips, Advice, Discussion. Last reply by Taffy Evans Mar 8. 6 Replies 0 Likes
Started by Ken I in Building Secrets, Tips, Advice, Discussion. Last reply by Brian partington Mar 8. 8 Replies 0 Likes
Started by Southern Ray in Cool gear discussion - that's not cigar box related. Last reply by Southern Ray Mar 6. 5 Replies 0 Likes
Started by Taffy Evans in Other stuff - off topic, fun stuff, whatever. Last reply by Taffy Evans Mar 5. 4 Replies 2 Likes
Started by Justin Stanchfield in Building Secrets, Tips, Advice, Discussion. Last reply by Carl Floyd Mar 1. 15 Replies 0 Likes
Started by Joe in Performances, How to Play, Lessons, Concerts. Last reply by Carl Floyd Feb 29. 13 Replies 0 Likes
Posted by Vlad on March 31, 2024 at 11:48pm 0 Comments 1 Like
Posted by Vlad on March 6, 2024 at 2:32am 5 Comments 2 Likes
Posted by billy jones bluez on February 28, 2024 at 2:09pm 0 Comments 0 Likes
Posted by billy jones bluez on February 17, 2024 at 11:00pm 0 Comments 0 Likes
Posted by Vlad on February 11, 2024 at 1:06am 1 Comment 1 Like
May 11, 2024 from 11am to 8pm – Speakeasy Grill
0 Comments 0 LikesMay 30, 2024 from 6:30pm to 10pm – The Casual Pint of Huntsville
0 Comments 0 Likes© 2024 Created by Ben "C. B. Gitty" Baker. Powered by
Cigar Box Nation is presented by C. B. Gitty Crafter Supply, your one-stop-shop for Cigar Box Guitar parts and accessories!