CBG amp? Looking to build or buy one under $100 if possible, need suggestions please

Ok so I’m stepping up my playing and want to move into an amp. 

currently have a 4 string fretless slide CBC, 3 string shovel, ukulele, banjo and banjolele (the last 2 aren’t amplified...yet)

so I originally wanted a Roland street cube since I’ve seen Justin Johnson using one to great success, but 1, I don’t want to pay that much and 2, I like hand built if possible (kinda seems to fit with the bluegrass/poor man theme eh?)

ive debates the Pignose amp but I’ve been seeing quality issues with the newer ones, and the other option I’ve given thought was the Boss katana mini. 

basically what I’m looking for is battery (with wall power option) operated for portability, and beyond that I’d like to sound decent. 

what can y’all say to this idea?

Views: 111

Reply to This

Replies to This Discussion

I like the little Rogue 5W amps, like this Rogue G5 battery powered amp

You can use them as-is OR take them apart and build them into a cigar box as an easy project. The last video I posted uses one of these.  Blues & Whiskey video

The Roland micro-cubes are nice too, with on-board effects.

I'm a novice builder compared to a lot of the cbg builders here. And I like you like making my own stuff, I've built a few amps using various boards, radios and older small ebay amps. On ebay I bought a pignose hog20 for $45 +-  It only needed batteries $12 for 2. And I got a micro cube for $79 free shipping. For $50 bucks I got a fender frontman, Yamaha ga10,and a axl thin line. So you can get small amps under $100 just takes time looking. The cube and the thinline are good, lots of audio languages to play with. The hog 20 sounds really good but all it has is tone and squeal.

I've used cb gittys amp boards stock and hacked with different size caps and tone pots 500s 250s and 10s. 3 or 4 of nightfires boards and the tone monster boards sd2w and mah5. The mah5 is the best one.

Have not tried the boss katana. Met a guy who delivered some firewood said it was great for metal.

That is about the extent of my amp knowledge. 

Look in Facebook marketplace. So far I've picked up 3 amps for less than $20 ea, one of them for $5. I also got one free from the trash, it needed a power transformer. Granted they aren't window breaking, earth shaking stage amps, they work just fine.

RSS

The Essential Pages

New to Cigar Box Nation? How to Play Cigar Box GuitarsFree Plans & How to Build Cigar Box GuitarsCigar Box Guitar Building Basics

Site Sponsor

Recommended Links & Resources


Forum

crossover guitar.

Started by Timothy Hunter in Other stuff - off topic, fun stuff, whatever. Last reply by Timothy Hunter Apr 10. 14 Replies

Tune up songs

Started by Ghostbuttons in Building Secrets, Tips, Advice, Discussion. Last reply by Timothy Hunter Mar 9. 5 Replies

Duel output jacks

Started by Justin Stanchfield in Building Secrets, Tips, Advice, Discussion. Last reply by Taffy Evans Mar 8. 6 Replies

Latest Activity

A.D.EKER commented on AGP #'s photo
Thumbnail

AGP #530 - ''Pink Floyd''

"Colorfull Build  AGP # the last colorfull song they will  ever build ,the feud is going…"
3 hours ago
A.D.EKER commented on Poorness Studios's video
Thumbnail

Jose Cuervo | Shelly West cover on 4-string CBG

"its good to hear you are part of the "Old Content" did not get any of this ,but you…"
3 hours ago
A.D.EKER commented on A.D.EKER's video
Thumbnail

There i was Standing at the ..... BCB - A. D. Eker 2024

"Good morning UJ ,How are you ? hope you are fine! i did say "CrossRoads",Blues Rock its a…"
3 hours ago
Uncle John commented on J. D. Woods's photo
9 hours ago
Uncle John commented on J. D. Woods's photo
Thumbnail

Current Instrument Line-Up

"Nice line up.  Unusual pick guard on the big git that looks like a Martin.  What is that…"
9 hours ago
Uncle John commented on Ghostbuttons's photo
Thumbnail

Four projects

"Nice, nice trio."
9 hours ago
Uncle John commented on Crazed Fandango's photo
Thumbnail

Frethound 4 String

"Looks great.  That looks like one I could really like playing.  Four strings too. …"
9 hours ago
Uncle John commented on David Hopkins's photo
Thumbnail

Anti-Body Guitars 18,19 and 20

"Great theme, workmanship and guitars!"
9 hours ago
Uncle John commented on David Hopkins's photo
Thumbnail

Angel 2x Anti-Body #17

"Very, very nice.  I hope it got to a good home and that it will be enjoyed.."
9 hours ago
Uncle John commented on Darryl Tuttle's photo
Thumbnail

Old portable heater

"Yup.  Good eye deer.  Maybe find a use for that fan too.  If not on this amp,…"
9 hours ago
Uncle John commented on Doug Thorsvik's video
9 hours ago
Uncle John commented on Dar Stellabotta's video
Thumbnail

Cigar Box Guitar 106 now for sale 🙌

"Looks and sounds good. Built under the solar eclipse!"
9 hours ago

Music

© 2024   Created by Ben "C. B. Gitty" Baker.   Powered by

Badges  |  Report an Issue  |  Terms of Service

\uastyle>\ud/** Scrollup **/\ud.scrollup {\ud background: url("https://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/963882636?profile=original") no-repeat scroll 0 0 transparent;\ud bottom: 25px;\ud display: inline !important;\ud height: 40px;\ud opacity: 0.3 !important;\ud position: fixed;\ud right: 30px;\ud text-indent: -9999px;\ud width: 40px;\ud z-index: 999;\ud}\ud.scrollup:hover {\ud opacity:0.99!important;\ud}\ud \uascript type="text/javascript">\ud x$(document).ready(function(){\ud x$(window).scroll(function(){\ud if (x$(this).scrollTop() > 100) {\ud x$('.scrollup').fadeIn();\ud } else {\ud x$('.scrollup').fadeOut();\ud }\ud });\ud x$('.scrollup').click(function(){\ud x$("html, body").animate({ scrollTop: 0 }, 600);\ud return false;\ud });\ud });\ud \ua!-- End Scroll Up -->