Ad Widget

Collapse

Announcement

Collapse
No announcement yet.

Smokey Amp Mod Question

Collapse
X
 
  • Filter
  • Time
  • Show
Clear All
new posts

  • Smokey Amp Mod Question

    Okey, well I've built myself the little "smokey" amp we've all heard about using the simplest design and the JRC 386D chip. I plan to re build it with a couple modifications including a gain control, tone control, that kind of thing. Now here comes my question: I was curious about what effect putting a small lightbulb in the circuit right before the speaker would have. The type of lightbulb im talking is like, the itty bitty christmas decoration type light. It measures about 15 ohms and lit fairly bright with the 3v my multi-meter was delivering it, so im sure the 9v the smokey amp uses would be plenty to light it. However lighting is not the main point. Im curious as to what effect the lightbulb would have on the tone. The smokey amp as it is now with the gain all the way up sounds very grainy and... well... pretty much like shit. The light takes about 200ms to be full bright or full dark on power on/off: Since it responds slowly/smoothly to voltage change, my thinking was that it might soften the grainyness of the smokey amp, perhaps making it sound "warmer" and not so shitty. Of course I would add a switch to turn this effect on or off. Ive done some research on the idea and some people say a light bulb before a speaker acts like a kind of compressor, but its not a very common thing so I didnt find anything conclusive. I obviously havent tried this yet (hence why I am asking here), so Im basically asking to see if anyone can give me an idea of what I could possibly expect to hear, or whether it would be worth it to even try at all. Thanks in advance

  • #2
    Not sure about the lightbulb trick, I've used it in PA horn drivers to protect them but dunno how it would sound with a guitar amp, probably like an attenuator? I suspect it would not improve the sound. Go ahead and try it, a 12v bulb would not be harmed by the smokey and visa versa.

    Check out runoffgroove.com for the lil gem and ruby amps, they are similar to the smokey and built with the 386. They have a few mods and variations for it.
    Stop by my web page!

    Comment


    • #3
      Well I tried it and the lightbulb doesnt do much besides make your speaker quieter and look cool (it lights up when you play ). Anyway I've got the amp with tone/gain controls build and im putting it in its case now so I'll throw up a new thread with pics/clips when im done. You might be pleasantly surprised and what im building it into Only thing I dont like about it right now is the tone switch that goes between a 220uf and 47uf capacitor. The 220uf is supposed to be the "treble" switch.... but all it really does is kill the bass and cut the total signal level in half. I'll probably end up replacing that cap with something else but I dont know what. Any suggestions?

      Comment

      Working...
      X