Anyone here done this and have any pointers? I figure there is a lot of unclaimed space under the neck of the guitar where an amp could be installed.
The only question I have on this is whether I should put the speakers on the inside of the case or on the outside.
On the inside, they are protected from the elements, and you can use the amp with the case open, perfect for busking. And no-one needs to know it's in there.
With the speakers on the outside, there is more room inside the case.
Not sure yet which way this will happen, just thought I'd ask and see what has worked for others.
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The most difficult thing about it was finding an old wall-wart with 1 amp max rating. I suppose you could simply stack up D-cell batteries (can you stack two 9V's? - never seen it?!?)
I used an 80W car speaker from flea-bay, plus an LED VU meter to help me know how loud to go - it clips out if I crank it too high.
That is exactly what I did with my 6-string CB guitar. I used the "Little Gem" schematic for my amp. A 9-volt battery does everything I need. I used a rod piezo under the bridge and wired mine so that I can dump output to an external amp through a standard 1/4" jack (bypassing the internal Little Gem). The 1/4" jack is the type that disconnects the circuit to the Little Gem when I plug into it. Otherwise, the piezo feeds through the Little Gem and either out a 1/8" jack to ear buds or out a 2" speaker mounted inside the CB - I use a switch to send output to whichever of these I want. My main reason for these options is so I can use it as a practice guitar and not bug the wife.
I don't have any pictures worth posting. If I get a chance to make some I'll add at that time.
The 1/4" jack I used has 3 solder lugs - one is to the base ring/ground, the second goes to the tip of the phono plug, and the third/extra goes to a contact about 2/3 the way up the second one. This contact is normally closed until the plug is inserted. I used this contact to send the signal from the piezo on to the Little Gem amp. When I plug in the cable to the external amp this circuit is broken and the signal is sent on to the external amp, bypassing the internal amp. Hope this isn't too wordy...
I'll take a picture of the wiring diagram I made - it's ragged but maybe it'll help. IF I can figure out how to add pictures. I'm not seeing how to do that. Somebody? Ah, I see "Upload Files", so I assume that's the way. Now I'll just have to take those pics.
Looks like I still can't figure out how to add a direct image. Anyway, disregard all the hot melt glue drool inside - I was trying to deaden the box so there would be no acoustic response (didn't work). I also stuffed it with foam but that didn't help either.
The speaker is only 2". All I wanted was an option to not use earbuds if the wife wasn't within earshot. Output is pretty dismal through this little thing.
The yellow and green wires terminating under the masking tape will go to a 5K pot when I get one. It's referred to as "gain" and really boosts the output as well as distorts it. Dunno...
And a couple more. I printed this off during a search for the Little Gem amp and then added all the scribbling as I worked out how I wanted to wire my git.
Replies
try this one! http://store.qkits.com/moreinfo.cfm/FA617
it's what I'm playing thru here http://youtu.be/S7ul4G48E18
The most difficult thing about it was finding an old wall-wart with 1 amp max rating. I suppose you could simply stack up D-cell batteries (can you stack two 9V's? - never seen it?!?)
I used an 80W car speaker from flea-bay, plus an LED VU meter to help me know how loud to go - it clips out if I crank it too high.
That is exactly what I did with my 6-string CB guitar. I used the "Little Gem" schematic for my amp. A 9-volt battery does everything I need. I used a rod piezo under the bridge and wired mine so that I can dump output to an external amp through a standard 1/4" jack (bypassing the internal Little Gem). The 1/4" jack is the type that disconnects the circuit to the Little Gem when I plug into it. Otherwise, the piezo feeds through the Little Gem and either out a 1/8" jack to ear buds or out a 2" speaker mounted inside the CB - I use a switch to send output to whichever of these I want. My main reason for these options is so I can use it as a practice guitar and not bug the wife.
I don't have any pictures worth posting. If I get a chance to make some I'll add at that time.
Ron,
could you elaborate on your setup? What kind of jack do I need to interrupt the circuit? How is it wired?
thanks
nick
The 1/4" jack I used has 3 solder lugs - one is to the base ring/ground, the second goes to the tip of the phono plug, and the third/extra goes to a contact about 2/3 the way up the second one. This contact is normally closed until the plug is inserted. I used this contact to send the signal from the piezo on to the Little Gem amp. When I plug in the cable to the external amp this circuit is broken and the signal is sent on to the external amp, bypassing the internal amp. Hope this isn't too wordy...
I'll take a picture of the wiring diagram I made - it's ragged but maybe it'll help. IF I can figure out how to add pictures. I'm not seeing how to do that. Somebody? Ah, I see "Upload Files", so I assume that's the way. Now I'll just have to take those pics.
appreciate the reply. looking forward to the photo.
nick
Ok, that worked but I'll see if something else works better.
Thanks for taking the time to post your pics. I'm gonna try this in my next CBG.
Maybe this..
Looks like I still can't figure out how to add a direct image. Anyway, disregard all the hot melt glue drool inside - I was trying to deaden the box so there would be no acoustic response (didn't work). I also stuffed it with foam but that didn't help either.
The speaker is only 2". All I wanted was an option to not use earbuds if the wife wasn't within earshot. Output is pretty dismal through this little thing.
The yellow and green wires terminating under the masking tape will go to a 5K pot when I get one. It's referred to as "gain" and really boosts the output as well as distorts it. Dunno...
DSC03312a.jpg
DSC03317a.jpg
DSC03313a.jpg
Here are more pics.
You can see the 1/4" jack I used.
The crutch tips are let me prop the thing up against something easier.
The switch beside the green LED is the on/off. The switch on the right end selects the speaker or earbud jack.
DSC03318a.jpg
DSC03328a.jpg
DSC03326a.jpg
And a couple more. I printed this off during a search for the Little Gem amp and then added all the scribbling as I worked out how I wanted to wire my git.
Hope some of this helps someone.
DSC03331a.jpg
DSC03330a.jpg
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