Cigar Box Guitar Amp Project
by mckeephoto in Circuits > Electronics
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Cigar Box Guitar Amp Project
As part of my continuing challenge to give my kids things to do, I gave my youngest a cigar box amp solderless wiring harness for Christmas. This was going to be his first instructable. Alas, he had other projects to do...
Tools
- drill
- drill bits
- 4" hole saw
- sharpe
- screw driver
- needle nose pliers
- glue
- safety goggles
SD-MAH3 amp kit from http://guitarfuel.com/SD-MAH3_Amp_Harness.php
I got the cigar box from a local cigar shop. They usually have a bunch of empty cigar boxes by the door.
This kit came already soldered up, so no problem with that. Also, it works with a 9 volt battery, so no electrical issues. However, be smart about using your tools. Use safety goggles.
Follow safety procedures. Don't be careless or you may become fingerless... or worse.
Tools
- drill
- drill bits
- 4" hole saw
- sharpe
- screw driver
- needle nose pliers
- glue
- safety goggles
SD-MAH3 amp kit from http://guitarfuel.com/SD-MAH3_Amp_Harness.php
I got the cigar box from a local cigar shop. They usually have a bunch of empty cigar boxes by the door.
This kit came already soldered up, so no problem with that. Also, it works with a 9 volt battery, so no electrical issues. However, be smart about using your tools. Use safety goggles.
Follow safety procedures. Don't be careless or you may become fingerless... or worse.
Layout and Drill Holes
Always helps to start with a plan. I traced the front of the cigar box so that I could figure out where I wanted to put the speaker and knobs.
The directions from the company were very simple but clear and concise.
The directions from the company were very simple but clear and concise.
Drill Holes for Speaker
We used a 4" hole saw and ran it slowly to avoid spinning and ripping through.
A black sharpe colored the edges of the hole, after a light sanding.
After making the big hole, it is easy to rest the speaker on the hole and mark the smaller holes for the mounting screws.
A black sharpe colored the edges of the hole, after a light sanding.
After making the big hole, it is easy to rest the speaker on the hole and mark the smaller holes for the mounting screws.
Glue on Speaker Cloth
Because we put the speaker to one side, we were too close to the inside box corner. The speaker cloth was too big for the area we wanted to put it. It needed to be trimmed a bit.
Glue down the edges with some white or yellow glue to the inside of the box around the speaker hole. Then we poked the speaker mounting screws in from the outside, through the cloth.
When we snugged the nuts down, it sandwiched the cloth and held it tight.
Glue down the edges with some white or yellow glue to the inside of the box around the speaker hole. Then we poked the speaker mounting screws in from the outside, through the cloth.
When we snugged the nuts down, it sandwiched the cloth and held it tight.
Push Wires and Contols
We pushed the led into its little hole and secured it with a drop of glue.
And just followed the directions on the rest of the wires and knobs.
Our only variation was taking the battery holder and screwing it into place rather than gluing it. Knowing my boys (and me), the box would get dropped and the glue would just pull off the paper, otherwise.
And just followed the directions on the rest of the wires and knobs.
Our only variation was taking the battery holder and screwing it into place rather than gluing it. Knowing my boys (and me), the box would get dropped and the glue would just pull off the paper, otherwise.
Add Feet, Plug and Play
