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Harmonica Amp - building advice needed...

Posted by Craig Mayhem on January 30, 2013 at 9:00am in Building Secrets, Tips, Advice, Discussion

Hello nation, 

My brother asked me to build a harp amp for him. 

I've got a cool vintage steel file folder case I think I'll use for the case. (I'm going to hit up the smoke shop too to see if they have anything cool).

For the circuit I was thinking I'd need at least 5W and will probably use:

http://guitarfuel.com/MAH5_Amplifier_Harness.php

Any advice otherwise? Or how to make that circuit as loud as possible?

Thanks!!!

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Replies

  • Craig Mayhem February 1, 2013 at 9:38am

    Wes is right! So is Scott!

    Official response from Guitar Fuel:

    Craig

     

    Thank you for the kind words!

    We are very proud of our line of NO SOLDER amp harnesses.

     

    The headphone jack turns off the speaker when in use.

    It is not meant to be another output with less power to drive headphones.

     

    There are several ways to increase the volume of the MAH5.

    A larger speaker will push more air and in turn, more volume.

    We suggest the Jensen MOD6-15  speaker (6"/8ohm/15W).

    The other option is a twin.

    We use 2-4.5"/4ohm/8W speakers in series for an 8n ohm load.

    Use a good size enclosure with a port if necessary.

    Finally, use a preamp on the front end.

    You need to be careful not to drive the MAH5 too hard and use a speaker that can handle 15W.

     

    Hope this helps.

     

    Regards,

     

    Ty

    www.guitarfuel.com

  • Scott aka Farmer Ted January 30, 2013 at 12:53pm

    Hi Craig,

    The 5 watt amp harness from Guitar Fuel is real nice. I have a couple of them, and are versatile. But you may want to check with GF first to see if the 5 watt circuit can handle pedals. I know their simpler 2 watt unit does not (stated on their page). I built a 2 watt amp for a customer, and it was returned a week later...they had used pedals through it and fried the circuit.

    I have used pedals through my 5 watt amp and seems to be okay.

     

     

    • Craig Mayhem > Scott aka Farmer Ted January 30, 2013 at 1:08pm

      Thanks for the reply, Scott!

      He'll just be using a green bullet mic I believe - I THINK it's instrument level, not mic level 'cause it has a 1/4" input.

      I just built a 2W amp, too. Added an mp3 input - added a resistor to the negative wire on that so it wouldn't fry the circuit. At least I HOPE that'll work, lol.

  • Craig Mayhem January 30, 2013 at 9:28am

    Also could something like any of these be used/modded for instruments (guitar/harp)?

    http://www.ebay.com/itm/350586610558?ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT&_...

    http://www.ebay.com/itm/290850800812?ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT&_...

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