Something (serious) for the kids

[garytelecastor]

I read an article in a recent Guitar Player that described how their tech team had recently done this very project.
I'll look it up and let you know how to get it.

[mgdesigns]

Preeb: I also see that it looks as though you're using IC Sockets to solder to instead of just soldering to the chips. I had a junk Phase/Wah pedal that I installed these into (per Radio Smack suggestions), and replace a few components, until I etermined the diode bridge at the front of the circuit had a fried diode. 5 cents worth of a part, but I had fun fixing the pedal. Wish I still had it. I think it did have the 386 Op/Amp chip in it. I might still have a few in the garage. 4 per package for $10, and that was 25 years ago. I just saw one of the TDA7052's in UK for $2.48 + $2.99 shipping. I'll check here in Music City 1st before buying anything. Great thread. Sound clips when you get a chance would be helpful. Shalom.

[preeb]

The TDA7052 doesn't have a gain control option like the 386...
So in other words, it's more of a Bassman or Plexy (-;
Just use the volume on the guitar, it's simple and works great.

I tried the 386 with the gain option and it doesn't sound as full compared to the TDA7052 above

Here's the 386 I did

[stingray_65]

just curios, Is your daughter left handed?. I ask because I see many similarities in the way the drawing was crafted. my daughter is left handed and is a very advanced artist. by the age of 8 I moved her to her second art tutor, the first I found out was taking tips from my daughter.

another clue is childrens memories (long tem) really begin at age 5 (most peoples non traumatic earliest memories are from age five) except for left handers. they commonly have earliest memories at age 4. if indeed she is remembering details of things she has seen before and incorprating them into her drawings she may be.

I was born left handed, but attended Catholic schooling where my sinister tendencies were beat out of me forcing me to become dexterous.

[udimet720]

Really cool project. A couple of thoughts for you:

Grizzly has a child sized guitar, which is on sale. Looks like they got rid of the kit version. Now it's just a finished red or green. But, it's on sale for $45 right now. Might make. Good mod platform for anyone interested.

http://www.grizzly.com/products/36-J...ar-Green/H7581

on the Ruby and Noisy Cricket. I've made several of these small amps. The sound they produce can vary a lot with the speaker you pick, including it's resistance. I got some decent results using a speaker from a PC subwoofer to take off some of the highs.

Also, there's a suggestion somewhere on the runoffgroove site about bridging the speaker terminals with a capacitor to take some of the tininess out with a small speaker.

For my NC build, I power it with a 12V wall wart and a gain pedal. Obviously, this doesn't apply to the kid guitar setup. But, having a preamplifier and power in the guitar will definitely yield more sound options.

Look in the amp section for some related threads.

[alpinewhite]

Gil, did you ever complete this for your daughter? If so, any pictures?

Thanks.

[preeb]

I'm ashamed to say... no.
I had to put this on the back burner... but I promise to complete this build in the future.
Promise!

[Superewza]

Wait a second, you don't let them use anything electronic? Whyever not?

If you're looking for a mini 9v amp then:

http://www.beavisaudio.com/projects/NoisyCricket/



Some 'Smokey' amp schematics at the bottom of the page too if think they're worth a look.

[preeb]

Thanks for the info.
Check the thread above... I built a couple of amps including the one you suggested but the 386 chip doesn't sound right to my ears. I'll use the TDA7052 instead.

[Superewza]

What's 'not right' about it? It could be some other problem, because most of the Ruby/Little Gem/Noisy Cricket or any other 386 amps i've heard sound great... for what they are.

[preeb]

try the TDA7052. although it doesn't have gain adjustment, the clean tone is way better than the 386. I don't know why but I tested both with the very same speaker and guitar and the difference was obvious.

[Jason Jillard]

based on that sketch.. it looks to me she wants an 8 string guitar.

DO ITT =]


and actually.. thats a pretty cool guitar design.. kinda has an iceman vibe to it.

[Superewza]

Originally Posted by preeb

try the TDA7052. although it doesn't have gain adjustment, the clean tone is way better than the 386. I don't know why but I tested both with the very same speaker and guitar and the difference was obvious.

Well the TDA is bridged is it not? And it's almost completely self contained. How complex a circuit are you putting them in? Because something with one or two resistors (not that this is at all a technical way of analyzing it) will perform better with a chip that has more in it, if you compared something like the Ruby to a tiny 7052 amp then there would be a lot more difference. Then there's the question of power consumption...

And indeed if they will care.

[middy]

Originally Posted by allen st. john

My daughter announced the other day she was going to be an author-illustrator when she grew up. I didn't have the heart to tell her that by that time there'll be no such thing.

Why on earth not?

[crazydave911]

Any news on this front? (he asks hopefully)