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How to make a guitar amp from a hacked radio ~Build a vintage transistor radio guitar amp

Posted by 3 String Blues on November 30, 2011 at 10:11am
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you never stop growing!...I have found a new passion and direction in my tone, I want to explore this area of homemade amps and have started a website about the subject, check it outhttp://radio-guitar-amps.blogspot.com/its new but I hope to add lots more info over time.

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  • 3 String Blues December 6, 2011 at 9:16pm

    awesome!...all of mine sounds terrible too...now stick a microphone right in front of it and record something snarly and scratchy!

  • SlowHound December 6, 2011 at 8:49pm

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  • SlowHound December 6, 2011 at 8:46pm

    Success and I didn't even zap myself. Can't say it sounds that great but it works.

  • 3 String Blues December 5, 2011 at 11:19pm

    try only in this area.... cut an old guitar cable in half and just randomly touch the leads in this green area near the volume, it will work, this is an easy hack, dont take anything apart...it will be only on that green board...try this

     

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  • PapaSimone December 5, 2011 at 10:14pm

    Here are the insides if anyone has a suggestion for starting!

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  • PapaSimone December 5, 2011 at 10:04pm

    I've been reading the website closely and this is the part I'd love clarification on "you simply tap into the volume power, first ground the guitar, then touch the positive ( hot ) on the back of the volume potentiometer till you find the correct lead with either a volt meter or a guitar cable spliced and strumming it while in your lap."  Once you find where the hot lead going into the potentiometer then do I attach the positive wire to the jack?  How exactly to you ground the wire coming from the jack?  This is too cool!  Please share more!

  • PapaSimone December 5, 2011 at 9:47pm

    I love this idea!  I just pick this radio up on ebay for under $5 and hope to turn it into an amp.  What i'd really like to learn how to do is convert old tube radios into amps but I'm afraid I'd spend too much money and time trying to find tubes.  Is that true?  Please give a tutorial on building amps out of tube radios!

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  • SlowHound December 5, 2011 at 9:43pm

    I just took my first one apart (cassette radio) and noticed the leads were the same as the piezos. 

    Anyway, before I go and possibly zap myself, should I just follow the leads from the tape head to the board and make my connection there?  Could it be that easy?

    I'm guessing I can just remove the wire to motor with no harm? Just take the motor out? I've already removed the belts.

    Thanks.

     

     

  • Chuck Dubman December 5, 2011 at 8:43pm

    Save the leads to cassette player tapeheads, they're great for wiring piezos. 

    You could do something *truly* evil with a 1980s vintage boom box -- some of

    them were bigger than semi trailers.

  • 3 String Blues December 4, 2011 at 9:27pm

    I have been learning alot! i did three more radios this week...i also tore up a pocket tube radio from the 50s...i have learned alot..expect more videos soon

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