DIY Guitar Practice Amps
Guitar practice amps are all about convenience and value. You don't use a practice amp to play live. They need to be portable, not too loud and reasonably priced. Tone and extra features aren't particularly relevant to practice amps, so making your own is a good way of saving cash and learning about amp construction. You can build your practice from salvaged parts to make further savings or you can buy cheap parts from an amplifier kit specialist.
Other People Are Reading
Things You'll Need
- Amp cabinet chassis
- Speaker
- Pre-amp
- Power amp
- Wires
- Soldering iron
- Screws
- Screwdriver
Instructions
-
-
1
Acquire your parts. You can typically salvage all the parts you need if you have the time to look around. Consider harvesting any old or broken amps that you have for spares. You can get anything you can't salvage online. Since this is a practice amp, don't waste money on expensive parts such as tubes--go for transistor circuits. Get a small speaker; anything over 10 inches will be unnecessary.
-
2
Inspect your parts for damage. Although you want to save money, don't risk using damaged parts. Discard and replace anything that has rusted, corroded or become warped.
-
-
3
Set up a suitable workshop. It will need to be well lit, well ventilated and have sufficient power sources.
-
4
Measure up your parts. Your cabinet will need to be large enough to house the speaker; it must be wider than the pre-amp and have interior space for the power amp.
-
5
Construct the cabinet. You can either buy a cabinet or assemble it from scrap wood. You can even reclaim an old stereo to use as your cabinet. You'll need to install a shelf near to the top for the pre-amp to sit on.
-
6
Install the pre-amp but don't wire it in yet. This should be located at the top of the amplifier with the dials and input sockets exposed at the front.
-
7
Insert the power amp. The power amp should be located close to the pre-amp to reduce excess wiring. It will need to be fixed firmly in place. Consider rigging up a separate compartment for it using bits of scrap wood.
-
8
Fix the speaker into place. The speaker will have a series of small holes running around the edge. These are the holes through which you screw the speaker into the amp chassis.
-
9
Complete the amplifier circuit by soldering the speaker to the power amp and the power amp to the pre-amp. You should consult a schematic to ensure that this is done in the correct order.
-
10
Test the amp to make sure it is working by plugging in your guitar. Then enclose the back by screwing on the rear panel. This protects the speaker from dust.
-
1
Tips & Warnings
Practice soldering on some scrap metal before you attempt to complete the amplifier circuit.
Always consult the schematic when wiring.
Consider taking a course in electronics or electrical installation. Working with electric parts can be dangerous if you don't know what you are doing.
References
Resources
- Photo Credit speaker image by CraterValley Photo from Fotolia.com
