Little Gem Guitar Amp

Here's my take on the famous Little Gem mini guitar amp.
All details on the electronics can be found at runoffgroove.com.
http://www.runoffgroove.com/littlegem.html
The case came from Jameco p/n 11886.
The speaker bezel is the rim of a tin can that was epoxied to the case.
The disk in the rear serves as a cord reel.

Comments

[NunoMorna]

Hi. I've been studying the schematics and the pictures you posted and since I'm a beginner I'm frustrated because I don't understand a few things.

For instance, where do I put the speakers, dc-in, dc-out, the on-off switch, the 5K vol pot? That's not represented in the schematics, is it?

I apreciate the help you can give.

[garagemonkeysan]

Hi NunoMorna -
Sorry, the dc-in and dc-out are special to this build and not necessary.
Your other questions can be found at this great Instructable.
http://www.instructables.com/id/The-Process-of-Building-a-Cigar-Box-Guitar-Amp-L/
Good luck! : )

[myakka]

someone gave me a mini guitar amp that you can buy online for $20. they said it was broken but i took it apart and found that it was just a disconnected wire that runs to the male input/output jack. it runs on a 9 volt and it doesn't require a cable to connect to a guitar. so i stripped it down and went to LOWS and bought a slab of pine wood for $3. i cut the wood into 4"x3" pieces and made a box, added all the components and designed it to look like a Marshall half stack. so now i have a mini Marshall half stack for $3! thanks for the inspiration - myakka

[garagemonkeysan]

Great! You should post the build! : )

[onlinemastering]

Slick, I bet your band mates wonder what that is when you first pull it out lol. Looks very cool and love the retro panel lamp and switch. nice work.

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[garagemonkeysan]

Thank you! : )

[curator]

can u post the schematic for the circuit i like your instructables!

[garagemonkeysan]

There's a schematic on the link to the Runoffgroove site. Thanks for the comment!

[jm56]

What speaker are you using?

[garagemonkeysan]

Sorry, the speaker I had in my junk box and I forgot where I got it. There's no name or number on it either. Any 4 or 8 ohm speaker should work.

[jeffrey_om]

this is very cool   how much is the price to make this?

sorry for my bad enlish

[garagemonkeysan]

 Thanks! Sorry but I didn't keep track of the cost of this build. Most parts were spares or left overs. The most expensive part was the box itself. About $9.00 US at Jameco. : )

[darkria 45]

jameco iz da best!

[corey_caffeine]

sweet, how's the sound?

[garagemonkeysan]

Thanks. It sounds similar to the famous Smokey Amp. http://www.smokeyamps.com/

[nomuse]

Oh, my, that's purdy. I like the cord reel, too -- great idea.

[garagemonkeysan]

Thank you! : )

[Zaphod Beeblebrox]

oooooooooooooooooooooooooooohhhhhh.........................

[l3owzaaaah]

Hooorah a fellow hhgttg fan

[garagemonkeysan]

 Thhhaaaaaannnnks! : )

[junits15]

you sir, should should be employed n making computer cases.  I like the case more than whats inside.

very nice job!
*****

[garagemonkeysan]

Thank you! Stay tuned, I'm working on a case for some powered speakers. : )

[junits15]

I will!

[Junkyardmaster14]

(removed by author or community request)

[JamesRPatrick]

Can you post some pictures? Mine worked fine until I bent a tiny piece of solder over to touch a contact. Make sure there are no shorts.

[garagemonkeysan]

Hello gunsigma. Sorry, I'm not an amp expert. In fact, this is the first amp I've made. Maybe other readers can help. Here is a forum you can try www.ssguitar.com too. 

[mattthegamer463]

That thing is gorgeous, very nicely done.  How does it sound?

[garagemonkeysan]

 Thank you. Sound is okay for a practice amp. : )

[emedina94]

 does this work on a bass

[garagemonkeysan]

 If you go to the runoffgroove site there's a note on the drawing about playing with the value of the 220uF cap. However, I am not sure if that will turn it into a bass amp. As I mentioned below I've got almost zero experience with amps. : )

[JamesRPatrick]

I tried mine without modification with a bass, and it sounds like the beginning note of Tom Sawyer. Also managed to cram the thing into the original speaker box.

[JamesRPatrick]

Very nice!

[garagemonkeysan]

Thank you! : )

[220VAC]

VERY cool looking!  Q - what's with the two small square holes toward the back and bottom of the box?

[garagemonkeysan]

Thank you! Very observant! The holes are for a transformer in/out cords. The enclosure also houses the transformer. I didn't get in the photo though.

[lowercase]

 very nice, really well done.

[garagemonkeysan]

 Thank you! : )