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simple amp

Hi all Ive been trying to build an amp controlled via guitar knobs useing a 9volt battery 1 wire to the speaker 1 wire to a switch from the battery then from switch to jack and from jack to speaker should work fine get a crackel but nout else has anyone ever done this and had sucsess ?cos I cant see why it dont work please Hellllppppp p :(

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Permalink Reply by Chester Winowiecki on April 29, 2010 at 9:11am

Crissy,
Sorry but what you've made isn't an amp (you might be able to make some cool crunchy sounds by switching it on and off buy that's about it.)
Probably the simplest amp you could make is using an LM386 amplifier chip which also needs a pot (knob) a few capacitors and resistors and the parts you already have. There are several topics here on making this amp, try a quick search.
Another route is to make an amp from small battery powered portable tape player. All the parts are there, you just have to modify it. Try a google search for this too.

Best of luck.
Chester

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Permalink Reply by David L. on April 29, 2010 at 9:33am

Hi Crissy,

For the UK Maplins do some easy kits
http://info.maplin.co.uk/Module.aspx?ModuleNo=220054 (1W LM386 based)
http://info.maplin.co.uk/Module.aspx?ModuleNo=2904 (3W good clean sound)
or the easiest of all is one of these modules you just hook upto a speaker, battery and input source as per diagram printed on the module.
http://info.maplin.co.uk/Module.aspx?ModuleNo=37734 (have used these a couple of times to mount the amp/speakers within the guitar and they sound good)

If you want to build one from bits the smokey amp is very easy using a LM386 chip the schematic and instructions are here http://www.whatsamattyfo.com/index.php/building-a-portable-guitar-a...
For electronic bits and pieces I have found this site to be brilliant http://www.bitsbox.co.uk/

Regards,
David

PS Great looking dogs in your picture.

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Permalink Reply by Michael Gajeski on April 29, 2010 at 9:45am

the smokey amp is an incredibly simple design. you might also try a pair of amplified pc speakers. i found a set yesterday at big lots for $3 which worked great just by wireing them to a 1/4" jack. $3 is definitely cheaper than building a smokey amp (it was louder too, 4 watts vs. 1/2 watt)

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Permalink Reply by crissy b on April 30, 2010 at 3:17am

Thanks for the reply sounds good we dont have big lots over here in the uk but Ime shure i could find the speakers could you do me a drawing of the layout of how you put it together thanks