After my first cigar box guitar build, which was a lot of fun, I want to build a little cigar box amp. The problem is I am a newbie, and the schematics is pretty heavy stuff for me. So I wondered if you guys had some schematics to recommend, and maybe also explain the basics behind them. I just want to know how to build them by looking at the schematics :)

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  • If you are looking to scratch build an amp, the lm386 chip does quite well. Google noisy cricket for some plans.
  • I've done hacks too, like gutting a HOneytone and putting in a box. Sounds better that my other one but I'm not as proud of it.

  • info on  runoffgroove.com about building amps , I built the Ruby model from scratch, I enjoyed learning how to read the schematics and resistor codes etc on line. Worked the first time too! If you really want to build the whole thing.

  • Thanks for helpful tips! I feel bying kits like that is just too easy + im very interested in how they work, and I probably gonna do it like RTZGUITARS (pretty nice amps you got there). But I think i get the schematics now, after some research. Next up is probably figuring out how to add effects etc. to the amp !

  • I can't read a schematic, but the amp kits from C. B. Gitty come with a regular picture (enlarged) of the amp board and where to solder. Not too difficult and makes a great practice amp.
    • I forgot about that... some time ago, I bought a couple of these:

      http://www.ebay.com/itm/LM386-Super-Mini-Power-Amplifier-Board-3V-1...

      You don't need ALL the parts, as the power plug and the input jack are pointless for our needs., and it works!  You'll need a few additional items:  9V battery clip, and some 2-pin connectors with leads...  

  • I've built a few, and it's nice to say I've done it, but for $10, you can buy a board ready to go, just add a jack, battery clip and speaker...  hard to beat...

    Oh, that schematic above works great, but if you are using a Piezo pickup, you'll need to boost the gain:  Either Short Pins 1 to 8, or put a 1k pot on it for variable gain.  With a magnetic pickup, you can get some basic distortion that way, too...

  • You want a bread board they are only $8 at radio shack.

    Hobo Amps

    this is a very simple board here I find if you put the chip in bend the tabs over it much easier to solder the wire to the chip without the copper joint then I run the wire through the board and solder the top like this. Looks like a spider on the back .Good luck it take some time.

    Ha5 Board

    if  your using a TI. 386 all you need is the caps and ground going to the speaker. Voltage input and guitar input so only two caps.

    7iyCyIo.png

  • Thanks for answers, I dont get it all, but I think I'll just buy a breadboard and learn by doing !

  • Hobby store -> high impedance, battery powered amp kit -> build and install

    This will let you do some soldering with something that should work when done. Do a couple and get yourn soldering chops down. Then go looking at schematics. You will have some sort of clue of what you are into. Call it incremental learning.
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