Building an Amp for a Project

[Daniel Roza]

Hey people, I'm 17 in yr 12 at school and I spend a lot of my time just playin my guitar at lunch. I've got a project to do for one of my subjects that involves building a wood-body amp that's light enough to be carried around, and is powered by batteries. I have to make it small enough that it can be carried like a backpack (im gonna try and mold the body to fit a persons back and attach shoulder straps to it) and can be played basically anywhere.

If anyone can help me in findin the materials i need, how I can build it without spending too much. I gotta pay for every bit of it.

Anyway, I also want to make sure it isnt so small that itll affect the volume and clarity I'm after.

Talking LOUD. Loud enough that you'd hear it perfectly if i chose to play it in, say, a shopping centre. But I need help. Any suggestions would be great!
Peace.

[tubeswell]

The cost of a DIY amp varies depending on whether its a tube amp or SS, and whether you are in a global backwater or in the capital of the world's economy, (not to mention the cost of learning mistakes as you go).

If its a tube amp you want, I'd forget starting with battery power, and just build something like a mains-powered 5F2A, which is simple, easy to troubleshoot, and less likely to be too costly (but where you can still manage to get yourself electrocuted pretty easily).

[xtian]

No, tubes are out. But there are some good low-wattage, battery powered amp projects here: http://www.beavisaudio.com/projects/NoisyCricket/

The Electro Harmonix 22 Caliber is a powerful amp in a small package. About $100.

The Smokey amp is also a good idea, only $25, and can power external speakers.

[JamesHealey]

I assume this is an a-level project since you said year 12? If so look into making something that runs starved plate. About 12v!

[Daniel Roza]

I won't have enough time to build an extremely complicated one, which is a pain. If i run out of time I might even have to use an electronic speaker. Also, I'm gonna need some help with the terms and stuff. Its the first time I've made an amp so yea...

Whats starved plate mean? And does anyone have or know where I can get basic schematics of amps? I'll probably pull one of my ones apart to get an idea of how its made but if anyone has some step by step schematics that I can use as a reference?

I've only got 5 weeks to make my schematics and writeup before I have to make it, so if I could get some specifics on the topic, it'd be greatly appreciated.

It HAS to be battery powered, so if im understanding correctly, I won't be able to use a tube amp for this. Its one of the two main points of my design.

I had a look at the beavisaudio site, and thanks, that will help. I'm gonna use the list of materials it recommended in one of the schematics. Are there any other materials or ideas I can use?

[M Fowler]

I would go here and concentrate on how the project should develope from there with only 5 weeks.

http://www.electronickits.com/kit/complete/complete.htm

[tubeswell]

Or here:

http://angela.com/simple6v6guitaramplifierproject.aspx