Anybody know how to build guitar amplifiers?

[12 String]

I've got some schematics published in this month's Make magazine. What a
hoot! Build an amp using a cereal box as the case.
So here's one of my first questions I hope somebody can discuss.

Does the type and capacity of a battery affect an amplifier's ability to
output volume? Some of the teeny little practice amps run on a 9v battery
but can't be heard well outside. Given the other concerns being met is it
possible to get more volume using a different power source such as a battery
from a laptop computer typically 10.8v or some other battery type with
greater voltage?

 

[Eeyore]

12 String wrote:

Does the type and capacity of a battery affect an amplifier's ability to
output volume?

Very much so. Larger capacity batteries have lower internal resistance and that
equates to the voltage sagging less when some power is demanded, so it sounds
louder.

Internal resistance will vary with battery 'chemisty' too.

Graham

 

[John McMillan]

In article <4654cdec$0$3222$4c368faf@roadrunner.com>,
"12 String" <12@string.com> wrote:

I've got some schematics published in this month's Make magazine. What a
hoot! Build an amp using a cereal box as the case.
So here's one of my first questions I hope somebody can discuss.

Does the type and capacity of a battery affect an amplifier's ability to
output volume? Some of the teeny little practice amps run on a 9v battery
but can't be heard well outside. Given the other concerns being met is it
possible to get more volume using a different power source such as a battery
from a laptop computer typically 10.8v or some other battery type with
greater voltage?

Yes of course. You'll do much better if you use a lead-acid truck
battery. And if you can lay your hands on an old submarine battery
you'll be able to play really loud.

 

[Marra]

On 24 May, 00:27, "12 String" <1...@string.com> wrote:

I've got some schematics published in this month's Make magazine. What a
hoot! Build an amp using a cereal box as the case.
So here's one of my first questions I hope somebody can discuss.

Does the type and capacity of a battery affect an amplifier's ability to
output volume? Some of the teeny little practice amps run on a 9v battery
but can't be heard well outside. Given the other concerns being met is it
possible to get more volume using a different power source such as a battery
from a laptop computer typically 10.8v or some other battery type with
greater voltage?

I design and build my own amplifiers.
My current one is used for a disco and a guitar.
I play along to CD's in pubs and clubs.
My latest amp is 600 watts RMS.
It would need a pretty big battery LOL

It uses a differential amplifier driving some 20 amp MOSFETS

 

[Eeyore]

Marra wrote:

On 24 May, 00:27, "12 String" <1...@string.com> wrote:
I've got some schematics published in this month's Make magazine. What a
hoot! Build an amp using a cereal box as the case.
So here's one of my first questions I hope somebody can discuss.

Does the type and capacity of a battery affect an amplifier's ability to
output volume? Some of the teeny little practice amps run on a 9v battery
but can't be heard well outside. Given the other concerns being met is it
possible to get more volume using a different power source such as a battery
from a laptop computer typically 10.8v or some other battery type with
greater voltage?

I design and build my own amplifiers.
My current one is used for a disco and a guitar.
I play along to CD's in pubs and clubs.
My latest amp is 600 watts RMS.
It would need a pretty big battery LOL

It uses a differential amplifier driving some 20 amp MOSFETS

The last MOSFET amp I designed has *24* mosfets and was rated at 1200W at the
nominal load impedance and 1600W into 2 ohm loads.

I've designed bigger bipolar amps since (up to 2kW)

Graham

 

[Homer J Simpson]

"12 String" <12@string.com> wrote in message
news:4654cdec$0$3222$4c368faf@roadrunner.com...

Does the type and capacity of a battery affect an amplifier's ability to
output volume?

Yes. Either use D cells or a small 12 V sealed lead acid battery for more
power, and design an amp around that.

Try (build your own portable guitar amplifier) or look at
http://www.smokeyamps.com/