Case/housing for a miniature guitar amp. Looking for inspiration. - UK Vintage Radio Repair and Restoration Discussion Forum

SurreyNick · 16th Dec 2014, 9:42 pm

I’m looking for inspiration for a case/housing for a miniature guitar amp I am making for my 16 year-old son. Other than its miniaturisation it’s nothing clever. At its heart is a LM386N-1 amplifier, which delivers reasonable sound, married to an 8Ω ½ watt speaker (50mm in diameter) and the whole thing is powered by a 9v battery.

He has a decent Marshall amp and a smaller Roland too, which are fine for his chosen genre of play, that being heavy metal, but the idea behind this little baby is that he can keep it in the pocket of his guitar case and it’s then available for any impromptu occasions.

I could make a case/housing from wood but that’s hardly likely to excite the lad. It really needs to be funky and cool and fitting for his genre (his favourite band is Metallica!!) I thought about using a small Pringles tube, but as I want the case to hang from a belt loop with the speaker facing outwards a tube isn’t ideal.

Any ideas?

Nick

Ed_Dinning · 16th Dec 2014, 10:01 pm

Hi Nick, something in the steam punk line; with a stripped out bourdon tube pressure gauge for the speaker housing?

Ed

16th Dec 2014, 10:01 pm

What about a small 'Ferrero Rocher' box spray painted on the inside? In groovy colours of course. In fact you could brush paint it, the smooth plastic box will give the posh finish. This one http://designermagazine.tripod.com/F...yramidPIC1.jpg looks cool and you can eat the contents too.

Apologies for 'groovy' and 'cool', should be 'well snazzy' and 'hip'.

Cobaltblue · 16th Dec 2014, 10:02 pm

Hi Nick

I have built a valve amp into a Sobell case for my best friend.

The case was already damaged so could not be returned to its original state.

It's in Exeter so I cant take pic till the weekend but the case is this one

Cheers

Mike T

16th Dec 2014, 10:02 pm

More... A cheese grater.

davegsm82 · 17th Dec 2014, 2:35 pm

I know it's been done to death before, but why not a miniature perfect replica of his Roland or Marshal?

Rather than a LM386, why not use a little Class-D module from china? at least that way your PP3 will last a long time and will actually have some punch behind it. Make it out of some sturdy wood and you're onto a winner!

Dave.

Ti Pwun · 17th Dec 2014, 2:50 pm

I have a 17yo lad and the first thing that came to mind was a PS or XBOX controller case, but it won't appeal if he isn't also into gaming.

Maybe a mocked up stomp pedal with a cool design on water-slide decal...

paulsherwin · 17th Dec 2014, 2:56 pm

Have a look in your local charity shops. They usually have small wooden or plastic boxes which can be repurposed.

dave walsh · 17th Dec 2014, 4:33 pm

I get the idea-much smaller than the little busking/practise amps-even they would be incongruous hanging from the waist. Given that a redundant tranny or more modern portable radio/listening device might be already set up for a 2" spkr why not "shout out" [as these young people say] in "parts wanted" for something cool

or that can be silvered/blackened. Based on the pringle notion I presume we are in the 6x3" range or thereabouts. As an example my Roberts Radio R862 10 band job is 5x3x1" and black plastic [but in constant use]. I'm sure there'a chance someone here will have something knocking about

Dave W

jay_oldstuff · 17th Dec 2014, 7:02 pm

If he is into Heavy metal (I am and love Metalica) how about a small die-cast metal box sprayed black and alow him to decorate it himself with his choice of band stickers, it would look awesome with some Metalica decals down the sides. it would be very sturdy and would be very easy to attach a belt clip to the rear.

Jay

SurreyNick · 17th Dec 2014, 7:40 pm

Thank you for the suggestions. Some great ideas to consider. Jay has got me thinking that maybe a hinged 2oz tobacco tin might be the way to go. They are cheap to buy, numerous designs to choose from including custom design options too. The hinged lid can protect the speaker and fixing an eye-bolt to one corner of the tin will allow a carabiner clip to be affixed for a belt loop and the angle of dangle will ensure the lid hangs open.

Please keep the ideas coming though. A steam punk idea is very attractive too.

Nick

Lloyd 1985 · 17th Dec 2014, 8:02 pm

Hi,
My brother has a mini guitar amp, tiny little thing, but looks just like a bigger one! I'll have to see if he'll let me take pics of it.

Regards,
Lloyd.

SurreyNick · 17th Dec 2014, 8:11 pm

Thanks Lloyd. Marshall do one, a model called the MS2, which can be hung from the belt. Would be interesting to see others.
Nick

Lloyd 1985 · 17th Dec 2014, 8:33 pm

Sounds similar to this one, it even looks like a Marshall!

I've used 1mm aluminium to make the case for a 8" LCD monitor for use with my camera before now, I covered it with some carbon fibre effect vinyl that is self adhesive. That feels quite solid, as I doubled it up where the frond and back cases meet.

A wooden box covered with carpet like material, with some rubber corner things would be quite sturdy too, you used to be able to buy the carpet material for car bass box speakers from Maplins.

Regards,
Lloyd.

Biggles · 17th Dec 2014, 9:58 pm

If the amp is going to be carried about in a case it will be worth making the on-off switch of some design which can't be knocked on inadvertently. I used to have lots of problems with portable test gear batteries going flat due to this. How about an amp case design based on a square Jack Daniels bottle? Turn the cap to switch it on and off!
Alan.

SurreyNick · 17th Dec 2014, 11:29 pm

Clever Alan!
Good advice about the switch too. Thanks.
Nick

Ti Pwun · 20th Dec 2014, 11:44 am

Love the JD bottle idea.

Radio Wrangler · 20th Dec 2014, 2:42 pm

Lego? With a bit of added glue it is VERY tough stuff

or build it into an effect pedal "I play so hard I don't need no amp!"

David

20th Dec 2014, 3:38 pm

Yet another thought, get the lad a pair of good old SG Brown (or the like) high resistance headphones and plug the guitar in directly. No batteries, no annoying sound!

G6Tanuki · 20th Dec 2014, 6:23 pm

I've seen a MW radio built into a Carlsberg[1] lager can; I'm thinking that you could easily fit a small circular speaker into the end then fill the rest of the can with the amp and a 4xAA Li-Ion rechargeable pack with some foam offcuts to stop it rattling.

My amp-of-preference for overall ruggedness and low battery consumption is based on the SGA-ATES TBA820 chip. Though nearly 40-years-old it's still one of the best!

[1] Other lagers are available.

16th Dec 2014, 9:42 pm	#1
SurreyNick Heptode Join Date: Apr 2014 Location: Wigton, Cumbria, UK. Posts: 728	Case/housing for a miniature guitar amp. Looking for inspiration. I’m looking for inspiration for a case/housing for a miniature guitar amp I am making for my 16 year-old son. Other than its miniaturisation it’s nothing clever. At its heart is a LM386N-1 amplifier, which delivers reasonable sound, married to an 8Ω ½ watt speaker (50mm in diameter) and the whole thing is powered by a 9v battery. He has a decent Marshall amp and a smaller Roland too, which are fine for his chosen genre of play, that being heavy metal, but the idea behind this little baby is that he can keep it in the pocket of his guitar case and it’s then available for any impromptu occasions. I could make a case/housing from wood but that’s hardly likely to excite the lad. It really needs to be funky and cool and fitting for his genre (his favourite band is Metallica!!) I thought about using a small Pringles tube, but as I want the case to hang from a belt loop with the speaker facing outwards a tube isn’t ideal. Any ideas? Nick

16th Dec 2014, 10:01 pm	#2
Ed_Dinning Dekatron Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Newcastle upon Tyne, Tyne & Wear, UK. Posts: 8,194	Re: Looking for inspiration Hi Nick, something in the steam punk line; with a stripped out bourdon tube pressure gauge for the speaker housing? Ed

16th Dec 2014, 10:01 pm	#3
Guest Guest Posts: n/a	Re: Looking for inspiration What about a small 'Ferrero Rocher' box spray painted on the inside? In groovy colours of course. In fact you could brush paint it, the smooth plastic box will give the posh finish. This one http://designermagazine.tripod.com/F...yramidPIC1.jpg looks cool and you can eat the contents too. Apologies for 'groovy' and 'cool', should be 'well snazzy' and 'hip'.

16th Dec 2014, 10:02 pm	#4
Cobaltblue Moderator Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: Exeter, Devon and Poole, Dorset UK. Posts: 6,865	Re: Looking for inspiration Hi Nick I have built a valve amp into a Sobell case for my best friend. The case was already damaged so could not be returned to its original state. It's in Exeter so I cant take pic till the weekend but the case is this one Cheers Mike T __________________ Invisible airwaves crackle with life or at least they used to Mike T BVWS member. www.cossor.co.uk

16th Dec 2014, 10:02 pm	#5
Guest Guest Posts: n/a	Re: Looking for inspiration More... A cheese grater.

17th Dec 2014, 2:35 pm	#6
davegsm82 Heptode Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Blyth, Northumberland, UK. Posts: 858	Re: Looking for inspiration I know it's been done to death before, but why not a miniature perfect replica of his Roland or Marshal? Rather than a LM386, why not use a little Class-D module from china? at least that way your PP3 will last a long time and will actually have some punch behind it. Make it out of some sturdy wood and you're onto a winner! Dave.

17th Dec 2014, 2:50 pm	#7
Ti Pwun Heptode Join Date: Aug 2013 Location: Bradford, West Yorkshire, UK. Posts: 888	Re: Looking for inspiration I have a 17yo lad and the first thing that came to mind was a PS or XBOX controller case, but it won't appeal if he isn't also into gaming. Maybe a mocked up stomp pedal with a cool design on water-slide decal...

17th Dec 2014, 2:56 pm	#8
paulsherwin Moderator Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: Oxford, UK Posts: 27,947	Re: Looking for inspiration Have a look in your local charity shops. They usually have small wooden or plastic boxes which can be repurposed.

17th Dec 2014, 4:33 pm	#9
dave walsh Dekatron Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Ramsbottom (Nr Bury) Lancs or Bexhill (Nr Hastings) Sussex. Posts: 5,817	Re: Looking for inspiration I get the idea-much smaller than the little busking/practise amps-even they would be incongruous hanging from the waist. Given that a redundant tranny or more modern portable radio/listening device might be already set up for a 2" spkr why not "shout out" [as these young people say] in "parts wanted" for something cool or that can be silvered/blackened. Based on the pringle notion I presume we are in the 6x3" range or thereabouts. As an example my Roberts Radio R862 10 band job is 5x3x1" and black plastic [but in constant use]. I'm sure there'a chance someone here will have something knocking about Dave W

17th Dec 2014, 7:02 pm	#10
jay_oldstuff Octode Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Hyde, Greater Manchester, UK. Posts: 1,074	Re: Case/housing for a miniature guitar amp. Looking for inspiration. If he is into Heavy metal (I am and love Metalica) how about a small die-cast metal box sprayed black and alow him to decorate it himself with his choice of band stickers, it would look awesome with some Metalica decals down the sides. it would be very sturdy and would be very easy to attach a belt clip to the rear. Jay __________________ The light at the end of the tunnel is probably the headlight of an oncoming train

17th Dec 2014, 7:40 pm	#11
SurreyNick Heptode Join Date: Apr 2014 Location: Wigton, Cumbria, UK. Posts: 728	Re: Case/housing for a miniature guitar amp. Looking for inspiration. Thank you for the suggestions. Some great ideas to consider. Jay has got me thinking that maybe a hinged 2oz tobacco tin might be the way to go. They are cheap to buy, numerous designs to choose from including custom design options too. The hinged lid can protect the speaker and fixing an eye-bolt to one corner of the tin will allow a carabiner clip to be affixed for a belt loop and the angle of dangle will ensure the lid hangs open. Please keep the ideas coming though. A steam punk idea is very attractive too. Nick

17th Dec 2014, 8:02 pm	#12
Lloyd 1985 Nonode Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Coningsby, Lincolnshire, UK. Posts: 2,819	Re: Case/housing for a miniature guitar amp. Looking for inspiration. Hi, My brother has a mini guitar amp, tiny little thing, but looks just like a bigger one! I'll have to see if he'll let me take pics of it. Regards, Lloyd.

17th Dec 2014, 8:11 pm	#13
SurreyNick Heptode Join Date: Apr 2014 Location: Wigton, Cumbria, UK. Posts: 728	Re: Case/housing for a miniature guitar amp. Looking for inspiration. Thanks Lloyd. Marshall do one, a model called the MS2, which can be hung from the belt. Would be interesting to see others. Nick

17th Dec 2014, 8:33 pm	#14
Lloyd 1985 Nonode Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Coningsby, Lincolnshire, UK. Posts: 2,819	Re: Case/housing for a miniature guitar amp. Looking for inspiration. Sounds similar to this one, it even looks like a Marshall! I've used 1mm aluminium to make the case for a 8" LCD monitor for use with my camera before now, I covered it with some carbon fibre effect vinyl that is self adhesive. That feels quite solid, as I doubled it up where the frond and back cases meet. A wooden box covered with carpet like material, with some rubber corner things would be quite sturdy too, you used to be able to buy the carpet material for car bass box speakers from Maplins. Regards, Lloyd. Attached Thumbnails

17th Dec 2014, 9:58 pm	#15
Biggles Rest in Peace Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Hexham, Northumberland, UK. Posts: 2,234	Re: Case/housing for a miniature guitar amp. Looking for inspiration. If the amp is going to be carried about in a case it will be worth making the on-off switch of some design which can't be knocked on inadvertently. I used to have lots of problems with portable test gear batteries going flat due to this. How about an amp case design based on a square Jack Daniels bottle? Turn the cap to switch it on and off! Alan.

17th Dec 2014, 11:29 pm	#16
SurreyNick Heptode Join Date: Apr 2014 Location: Wigton, Cumbria, UK. Posts: 728	Re: Case/housing for a miniature guitar amp. Looking for inspiration. Clever Alan! Good advice about the switch too. Thanks. Nick

20th Dec 2014, 11:44 am	#17
Ti Pwun Heptode Join Date: Aug 2013 Location: Bradford, West Yorkshire, UK. Posts: 888	Re: Case/housing for a miniature guitar amp. Looking for inspiration. Love the JD bottle idea.

20th Dec 2014, 2:42 pm	#18
Radio Wrangler Moderator Join Date: Mar 2012 Location: Fife, Scotland, UK. Posts: 22,876	Re: Case/housing for a miniature guitar amp. Looking for inspiration. Lego? With a bit of added glue it is VERY tough stuff or build it into an effect pedal "I play so hard I don't need no amp!" David __________________ Can't afford the volcanic island yet, but the plans for my monorail and the goons' uniforms are done

20th Dec 2014, 3:38 pm	#19
Guest Guest Posts: n/a	Re: Case/housing for a miniature guitar amp. Looking for inspiration. Yet another thought, get the lad a pair of good old SG Brown (or the like) high resistance headphones and plug the guitar in directly. No batteries, no annoying sound!

20th Dec 2014, 6:23 pm	#20
G6Tanuki Dekatron Join Date: Apr 2012 Location: Wiltshire, UK. Posts: 13,998	Re: Case/housing for a miniature guitar amp. Looking for inspiration. I've seen a MW radio built into a Carlsberg[1] lager can; I'm thinking that you could easily fit a small circular speaker into the end then fill the rest of the can with the amp and a 4xAA Li-Ion rechargeable pack with some foam offcuts to stop it rattling. My amp-of-preference for overall ruggedness and low battery consumption is based on the SGA-ATES TBA820 chip. Though nearly 40-years-old it's still one of the best! [1] Other lagers are available.