Hi! 

I bought an old cassette player/radio at an estate sale (really cheap!) and I'm wondering where/how I start in converting it into a guit amp. 

I've seen a few vids of some Australian (?) cat doing it, and he took out the magnetic head that reads the tapes.  I've also read one can simply solder the positive to the head.

I'm open to any advice on how I start this undertaking.

Thanks!

Views: 221

Replies to This Discussion

Several ways to do it Andy. THE deal (from my own experience) if IF it has a record button on the cassette function. If not, there are others who can help you. If it DOES have a record option, you literally just blow up (cuz it will never work as a cassette player again) that by opening it up, pushing RECORD, and when the record head pops out, carefully snipping the 2 wires going to that record head. Solder them to the pos. and neg. posts on a 1/4 inch input and plug it in being sure to leave the record button ON. When you do this you get instant amplifier. In fact the louder you turn up the volume the more grit and distortion. Works killer for old little Walkman cassette-recorders or boom boxes w. record function. Depending on the guitar or mic you plug into your female input jack, you got coolness and depending on the wattage, can be really hip. Plug headphones in and blow your brains out. That's my 2 cents, and it all takes about 20 mins. to convert 'em like this. Have fun. If it plugs into AC be careful!! -Glenn

It's not in front of me right now, but I think it does record.  So, how do I know which is positive and which is negative?  Are they different colors?  Or do I determine that from where they're attached?

Crappy lo-fi can sound good too? The old later 8-track recorder combos are great sounding too, they’ve got the added mojo of germanium transistors 

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


Discussion Forum

Tribute amps I've built

Started by Tom Hoglund Nov 7, 2022. 0 Replies

LM386 Amp w/ Switchable Clean Channel

Started by BrianQ.. Last reply by BrianQ. May 28, 2021. 1 Reply

Simple 1st Timer CBG Amp

Started by BrianQ.. Last reply by BrianQ. Sep 27, 2020. 25 Replies

Matching Speakers to LM386

Started by Southern Ray. Last reply by Southern Ray Aug 6, 2020. 11 Replies

Suggestions wanted for easy amp build

Started by Southern Ray. Last reply by Southern Ray Jun 15, 2020. 11 Replies

Ruby Amp

Started by BrianQ.. Last reply by Southern Ray May 16, 2020. 27 Replies

Low-Z pickup and components values

Started by Southern Ray. Last reply by Southern Ray May 13, 2020. 6 Replies

Oops

Started by Southern Ray. Last reply by Southern Ray May 2, 2020. 12 Replies

DIY Spring Reverb

Started by Kevin Keating. Last reply by Paul Craig Oct 17, 2019. 4 Replies

TDA2030A Amp

Started by Bama Hound. Last reply by Gary Stenzel Jul 23, 2017. 14 Replies

Home Brew Champ Tube Amp

Started by Scott aka Farmer Ted. Last reply by Paul Craig Feb 6, 2017. 3 Replies

Dual IM386 Chip amp

Started by Paul Craig. Last reply by Paul Craig Jan 26, 2017. 29 Replies

5 Watt Amp Kit (DIY Case)

Started by Walter Haapapuro. Last reply by Gene Jones Dec 7, 2016. 46 Replies

DIY reverb behold - I found this online

Started by Danny B.. Last reply by Paul Craig Nov 2, 2016. 3 Replies

Bass Cabinet project

Started by Murdoc_420. Last reply by Murdoc_420 Jul 15, 2016. 34 Replies

Kalamazoo Model 1 Deluxe

Started by Scott aka Farmer Ted. Last reply by Rick Alexander Jun 20, 2016. 12 Replies

LM386 amp and other stuff

Started by Denis U. Last reply by Denis U May 29, 2016. 19 Replies

Latest Activity

Moritz Voegeli and Matthias Bichsel are now friends
1 hour ago
David L. replied to Rich Butters's discussion UK - Best Place to Buy Cigar Box's
"I have found these are…"
1 hour ago
J. D. Woods replied to J. D. Woods's discussion Are metal frets necessary?
1 hour ago
Doug Thorsvik posted a video

Don't Worry Be Happy: 3D Printed Cigar Box Guitar

Cigar Box Guitar Slingers - Spokane, 198th Zoom Mtg 04/15/24. Only 1-finger chords, free songbooks here: https://www.cbgslinger.com/download CBG Songbook.pdf...
2 hours ago
Southern Ray commented on Crazed Fandango's photo
Thumbnail

Frethound 4 String

" I was gonna say, "Sweeeeeeeeeet" as well, but that was taken. Very nice. I too love…"
8 hours ago
Southern Ray replied to J. D. Woods's discussion Are metal frets necessary?
" Any other questions, just ask. "
9 hours ago
Southern Ray replied to J. D. Woods's discussion Are metal frets necessary?
" Hello JD, welcome. I'm a fifty year failed six-string player that got into building and…"
9 hours ago
BrianQ. replied to J. D. Woods's discussion Are metal frets necessary?
12 hours ago
Doug Thorsvik commented on Crazed Fandango's photo
Thumbnail

Frethound 4 String

"Burn baby burn! Top looks hot Crazed; sporty headstock too. Excellent build."
12 hours ago
Doug Thorsvik commented on Ghostbuttons's photo
Thumbnail

Four projects

"You are a busy guy Warren! Outstanding builds and each one unique; well done."
12 hours ago
AGP # commented on Crazed Fandango's photo
Thumbnail

Frethound 4 String

""Sweeeeeeeeet", love the burning on the Body, have a Build on the Bench at the moment,…"
13 hours ago
AGP # liked Crazed Fandango's photo
13 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 -->