DIY Bass guitar amp from car/home audio parts

Thunderscreech · #1 02-06-2011, 08:54 PM

Yes, I know it will sound horrible, but fidelity is not the point. the point is to have a bass amp made from car and home audio parts and the sound it will make. I WANT MY BASS TO SOUND LIKE THAT.

I guess it's an odd request but I welcome any suggestions as to how I can get this done.

christw · #2 02-06-2011, 08:58 PM

There are several threads about this already and it's been done. One was pretty recent and was about using a car stereo amplifier. Just search.

T-Bird · #3 02-06-2011, 10:29 PM

Hi.

Yep, search will yield the "best" results

.

Asking about how it can be done sounds like attention seeking to me though. It isn't more complicated than wiring stuff together.

Regards
Sam

steelhead2 · #4 02-07-2011, 12:36 AM

add an EQ pedal between the bass and the power amp,,of course you'll have to figure out how to do the electrical aspect of it(120 volt versus 12),,,but all THOSE WATTS,and cheap tooooo

just bought a head with plenty of power so you're on your own bro,good luck and be sure and post the results so we know you didn't electrocute yourself

UncleFluffy · #5 02-07-2011, 12:45 AM

budget? target SPL?

**mikeddd** · #6 02-07-2011, 12:45 AM

You'll need a 12-volt power supply capable of 10+ amps, depending on how much wattage that amp put out. That will get expensive. I did this about 10 years ago when I built a home theater subwoofer. I bought a bench testing 12v power supply that put out 12-15v @ 10amps. I think I paid about $200 for it. It was a long time ago.

UncleFluffy · #7 02-07-2011, 12:47 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mikeddd

You'll need a 12-volt power supply capable of 10+ amps, depending on how much wattage that amp put out. That will get expensive. I did this about 10 years ago when I built a home theater subwoofer. I bought a bench testing 12v power supply that put out 12-15v @ 10amps. I think I paid about $200 for it. It was a long time ago.

If you hunt around surplus places you can pick up 10A 12V switchers for significantly cheaper than $200. Most PC power supplies are in that range, though I wouldn't want to use them for audio without a lot of added filtering.

edit: Here's an 8A supply from a surplus place just down the road from where I work: http://www.halted.com/commerce/ccp22...0-12-22208.htm, they have others in stock but not on the website.

**mikeddd** · #8 02-07-2011, 01:07 AM

Good find, UncleFluffy. I don't know how much additional filtering would be needed for audio use. I wouldn't even know where to start. That's why back then, I just went with a bench supply. All that filtering jazz is already done...of course you pay for it though. In the end, it worked out well. I only tripped the breaker on the supply a few times when I had the volume really cranked. For average listening it worked well. If you already own the amp and the woofer/enclosure, it can be a cost-effective method of getting a HT subwoofer...or a bass amp in the OP's case. I'd like to see/hear how all this works out.

UncleFluffy · #9 02-07-2011, 01:14 AM

I've done stuff like this for Burning Man projects. Might even have a couple of bits left over. I'll take a look in the junk pile tomorrow.

As for how to start, I'd go for one of those powered sub-in-a-pipe things and a cheap preamp of your choice.

**mikeddd** · #10 02-07-2011, 01:16 AM

Ah, Bazooka amps.

I remember those. They work surprisingly well for what they are.

UncleFluffy · #11 02-07-2011, 06:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by UncleFluffy

I'll take a look in the junk pile tomorrow.

Not as much there as I thought, just a single "Dual X INC 112" car sub still in its somewhat battered styrofoam packing. Can't find any specs, but it has blue LEDs and a shiny centre cap.

Yours for the cost of shipping...

edit: Woo!