I made four CBGs with different pickups that sound fine on my Fender 10g. I want a smaller amp for the patio and tried a lm386 module that amps my phone but not my guitars. I gave in and bought a Lekato mini-amp. No sound on clean mode. A replacement was the same even on single coil, flatpup and piezo. Opted for a nice wired module kit that seemed plug and play but no dice. My bro suggested I simply play thru my Anker BT speaker's jack. Barely audible. I'm wondering if a 12v preamp module could be added tto an amp to save my sanity.
Thanks for any help.
Replies
So what was the defect of the input jacks? Have you thought about a digital interface, turns your phone into a headphone amp that won't damage your ears? I've been using iRig for years, it's super simple, has its own amps\speaker simulations & you can even make multitrack recordings?
The 1/8 mono jack innards weren't making contact so I soldered to the board. I like making my own gear, but the iRig would be slick.
I generally build most everything I use too, including tube amps, but it's a shame to let all that technology go to waste. Especially when it's so easy to use!
I used to use an amp I made from an old World War II Signal Corps box. I got the wiring/speaker setup from somewhere, and bought some knobs, drilled holes, and made a very rudimentary grill to go over it. It's fun to find or make your own amp box because you can get really creative. Mostly now I use a pre-amp that's at the end of my pedal chain for my Strat.
Looks like an old sci-fi movie prop. Love it!
This could be a horrid idea for you Stan, but years ago a friend came to visit for a few days, a guitarist bro.. He brought his electric w. him. When I popped into his room the first time I realized hed had a simple set of computer speakers, not battery (you can still find those at yard sales, etc.) but plug-in. He had headphones to plug in and when in the mood simply used those or via the speakers by using his standard 1/4 inch guitar cable with a 1/4 inch female-to-1/8th inch mono male converter plug into an 1/8inch female-to-female and plugged the computer monitor speakers wire directly in to that. I was frankly amazed how good it sounded so began doing the same from time to time. Other than that I personally LOVE Honeytone mini-amps. As in anything your mileage may vary of course. 25 bucks for Honeytones. -Glenn
That sounds like a fine solution. some of those computer speakers were pretty sweet. That Honeytone looks interesting especially the price.
After fixing my 4 dollar amp board, I'm so impressed by the sound I'll make another, adding a 9v wall wart/battery switch, gain pot and cap.
Birdhouse MKI
I got one of these new for about $45. Super portable. Runs off 9 volt battery, or a not included wall wart. Prices on 9 volt batteries is crazy. Stores must think they are eggs or somehing.
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B000LPSNRQ?ref_=ppx_hzod_image_mob_b_fed_...
You might consider a headphone amp. They can make great sound through your headphone. I got the simplest one I've ever seen from Temu. It's made by Flatson, and was about $15. Gain, tone, and volume knob. I use it every day with my cbg's. You can also run it through a regular guitar amp if you like the sound, and if your amp has s 3.5mm aux input. Do that and only the volume control on your larger amp will work. You will be using the eq on the headphone amp. Be careful with a headphone amp, as, if you start turning the volume up high, it can do hearing damage.
If I'm selling a guitar and have to go meet up with the buyer, I take the little Fender with so I can demo that the electrics work. An acoustic electric guitar sounds good through it.
I could see a piezo having that effect, but not a magnetic pickup, verify pickup & jack wiring, then try another cable.
Frank Olsen Twins hipped me to a common defect in the module's input jacks. I soldered leads to the board and all is peachy. It sounds wunnerful with any pup.I suspect the commercial mini amps of bad juju.
Jon, I had a headphone amp until its untimely demise. I may make one,