#1 resource for Cigar Box Guitars, Free Plans, How-To, Parts & More!

How To Add An External Speaker Jack To (Almost) Any Guitar Combo

Have you ever wished you could turn your guitar combo amp into a head? You can! It's pretty easy actually. The secret is to use a shunted mono jack (Switchcraft part# 12A). I demonstrate on a battery powered amp, but this technique should work on most combo amps from 1 watt to 100 watts.

Intro @ 0:00
Project Overview @ 1:23
How It Works @ 2:24
How To Install The Jack @ 3:12
IMPORTANT SAFETY NOTE @ 4:37
Demonstration @ 5:50
Summary @ 6:53

You can see a video about the DIY amp I used here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IVaFYDriu8M

And one about the cabinet I used here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R1ykgmeqdgk

Also, check out more of my Musical DIY Projects here: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLwIixlr7C6KUbPfAgFP6Sn4D46L0i0CQD

3 members like this

Get Embed Code

Tags:

Comment

You need to be a member of Cigar Box Nation to add comments!

Join Cigar Box Nation

Comment by Poorness Studios on October 13, 2021 at 4:40am: Thank AD.

Comment by A.D.EKER on October 13, 2021 at 4:15am: Cool Trick Kale! your getting a Household name in these things !

Comment by Poorness Studios on October 12, 2021 at 9:34am: Thanks John. It's so simple but not a lot of folks think of these things.

Comment by Uncle John on October 12, 2021 at 8:22am: Pretty good trick, Tracy!

Comment by Poorness Studios on October 12, 2021 at 7:55am: Thanks. I always hope these videos help somebody.

Comment by smilingdog1 on October 12, 2021 at 7:54am: Good lesson on output jacks.

Comment by Poorness Studios on October 12, 2021 at 5:31am: Thanks for watching Doug. I figured some folks would get something out of it. We are all DIY'ers after all.

Comment by Doug Thorsvik on October 12, 2021 at 5:07am: I almost passed on this video Kale! But I’m glad I didn’t! I could hear a serious difference at the end in the volume and tone! Wow! That is a cool special purpose jack and I would never have known about it. Thanks for an amazingly useful video lesson.

Welcome to
Cigar Box Nation

Sign Up
or Sign In

Or sign in with:

The Essential Pages

Site Sponsor

Forum

Copper Hardware

Started by Bill Andy in Performances, How to Play, Lessons, Concerts. Last reply by Southern Ray on Tuesday. 11 Replies 0 Likes

Nut

Started by Bill Andy in Performances, How to Play, Lessons, Concerts. Last reply by Taffy Evans on Sunday. 6 Replies 0 Likes

You like Train songs on Handmade instruments as much as I do? Meet Eastwood station…

Started by BrianQ. in Performances, How to Play, Lessons, Concerts Apr 29. 0 Replies 2 Likes

Free PDF Download: Vintage Guitar Effects Plans - 1967 Fuzzbox and 1969 Treble Boost

Started by Cigar Box Nation in Feature Articles. Last reply by BrianQ. Mar 9. 4 Replies 3 Likes

Tune up songs

Started by Ghostbuttons in Building Secrets, Tips, Advice, Discussion. Last reply by Timothy Hunter Mar 9. 5 Replies 1 Like

Duel output jacks

Started by Justin Stanchfield in Building Secrets, Tips, Advice, Discussion. Last reply by Taffy Evans Mar 8. 6 Replies 0 Likes

No Harmonics

Started by Ken I in Building Secrets, Tips, Advice, Discussion. Last reply by Brian partington Mar 8. 8 Replies 0 Likes

Camera suggestions?

Started by Southern Ray in Cool gear discussion - that's not cigar box related. Last reply by Southern Ray Mar 6. 5 Replies 0 Likes

CBG site issues, continued.

Started by Taffy Evans in Other stuff - off topic, fun stuff, whatever. Last reply by Taffy Evans Mar 5. 4 Replies 2 Likes

Blog Posts

I'll be fashionable this summer =)

Posted by Vlad on March 31, 2024 at 11:48pm 0 Comments 1 Like

Everyone can make CBG. And I did it =)

Posted by Vlad on March 6, 2024 at 2:32am 5 Comments 2 Likes

.✨. Cover Me ..♪♫•¨•. ~ the Delta Blues Outlaws

Posted by billy jones bluez on February 28, 2024 at 2:09pm 0 Comments 0 Likes

Q&A with Arkansas-based talented blues musician Billy Jones, one of the very best authentic modern artists

Posted by billy jones bluez on February 17, 2024 at 11:00pm 0 Comments 0 Likes

Big Power Bank for Small CBG =)

Posted by Vlad on February 11, 2024 at 1:06am 1 Comment 1 Like

Latest Activity

BrianQ. commented on Cigar Box Nation's status

"Got my popcorn ready, waiting for the show! :)"

4 hours ago

BrianQ. commented on Rich's photo

RTL Drawing box 1

"Defending the nation, one cbg at a time!!!"

4 hours ago

BrianQ. liked Rich's photo

RTL Drawing box 1

4 hours ago

Doug Thorsvik commented on Doug Thorsvik's photo

Six Chugger CBG Build

"Just stealing a page from your playbook Rich! Since all the boxes are vintage, I decided to place…"

6 hours ago

Rich commented on Doug Thorsvik's photo

Six Chugger CBG Build

"Interesting, the juxtaposition of the 3D printed handmade items and the Singer sewing machine…"

8 hours ago

Rich liked Doug Thorsvik's photo

Six Chugger CBG Build

8 hours ago

Rich commented on Cigar Box Nation's status

"Looking forward to it."

8 hours ago

Rich posted a photo

RTL Drawing box 1

Coming soon to a CBG near you.- Marching right out of the frame.

9 hours ago

1 Comment 1 Like

Cigar Box Nation posted a status

"Working on updates to the updated Cigar Box Nation! Lots to do. Coming soon -shane"

13 hours ago

2 Comments 0 Likes

BrianQ. left a comment for Darren Rooke

14 hours ago

Doug Thorsvik commented on Doug Thorsvik's photo

Six Chugger CBG Build

"You got it BrianQ! I just need to recruit a player for each. I certainly would Alan! I used to have…"

16 hours ago

Darren Rooke is now a member of Cigar Box Nation

18 hours ago

Welcome Them!

CigarBoxGuitar.com Knowledgebase Articles

Add a Panel-Mount Gain to a C. B. Gitty Amp Board

Cigar Box Guitar Building Tip: Neck Reinforcement with Humbuckers

A Step-by-Step Guide On How To Make a Straight Headstock

Cigar Box Ukulele Kit Assembly Guide

Advanced Cigar Box Guitar Building guide by Joshua Gayou

“Open A” AEA Tuning on your Cigar Box Guitar: 4 Methods, with String Sizes & Sound Clips

“Open E” EBE Tuning on your Cigar Box Guitar: 4 Methods, with String Sizes & Sound Clips

“Open D” DAD Tuning on your Cigar Box Guitar: 4 Methods, with String Sizes & Sound Clips

“Open G” GDG Tuning on your Cigar Box Guitar: 4 Methods, with String Sizes & Sound Clips

Diatonic (Dulcimer-Style) Fretting – What it is, How and Why to Use It

More…

Events

Republic of Texas CBG Festival (8th Annual)

May 11, 2024 from 11am to 8pm – Speakeasy Grill
0 Comments 0 Likes
Cigar Box Nation: York PA - A CBG Builder's Meet-Up

May 11, 2024 from 1pm to 4pm – York Town Craft Guild
1 Comment 0 Likes

20th Annual Cigar Box Guitar Festival (Day 1)

May 30, 2024 from 6:30pm to 10pm – The Casual Pint of Huntsville
0 Comments 0 Likes

20th Annual Cigar Box Guitar Festival (Day 2)

May 31, 2024 from 6:30pm to 10pm – Wicks Family Field at Joe Davis Stadium
0 Comments 0 Likes

20th Annual Cigar Box Guitar Festival (Day 3, Daytime)

June 1, 2024 from 11am to 3pm – Lowe Mill ARTS & Entertainment
0 Comments 0 Likes

Music

Badges | Report an Issue | Terms of Service

Cigar Box Nation is presented by C. B. Gitty Crafter Supply, your one-stop-shop for Cigar Box Guitar parts and accessories!

#xg { position:relative;top:120px; } #xn_bar { top:120px; }

Hello, you need to enable JavaScript to use Cigar Box Nation.

Please check your browser settings or contact your system administrator.

Scroll \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 -->

How To Add An External Speaker Jack To (Almost) Any Guitar Combo

You need to be a member of Cigar Box Nation to add comments!

The Essential Pages

Site Sponsor

Recommended Links & Resources

Forum

Blog Posts

Latest Activity

CigarBoxGuitar.com Knowledgebase Articles

Events

Music