Artec amps

[Bluesheart]

I want to build some more amps. I also like to support CG Gitty. One thing I do not like about the artec amp boards he sells is they do not have an easy to an easy to adjust gain control. Anyone have experience with removing the "on the board" gain pot and replacing it with a pot and knob? If so , what would be a good value of pot to use please?

Thanks!

[Bluesheart]

Or, can you just epoxy a shaft to the existing gain pot to make it accessible outside the case?

[The Phrygian Kid]

Get a multimeter and measure its resistance when it's closed ;)

Should work no worries

[The Phrygian Kid]

Sorry Bruce, to clarify.. I mean take a reading on the resistance of the trim pot you wanna replace when it's closed, then solder a couple wires in its place to a regular pot of corresponding value :)

[Bluesheart]

Cool, thanks for all the advice!

[Bluesheart]

I ordered one from guitar fuel with the gain pot already soldered on, the rest of the connections too. Seems like the best deal. Will be a real easy one to use .

[John Sawyer]

I am not familiar with that board, but I have built a couple of "ruby" amps... 

I assume these are LM386 chips.  as far as putting a new pot on, just like others said, as long as it is the same resistance, you should have no issue.

For a LM386, you can run a 2k linear pot to adjust the gain.  I've wired them 6+ inches off the board (for non-arctec amps on perfboard construction)  with no issues...  

John

[Bluesheart]

Thanks for all the input. I ordered one from Guitar Fuel with the gain pot and all other connections already soldered up. So while it feels like cheating, I'm sure everything will work like it should the first time!

[RTZGUITARS]

You can build  a LM386 like a smokey amp with just two caps. then add vol. and gain controls just as easy as tearing another amp apart. I use 10k pots w/switch for volume and 1k pots for the gain. The only thing to think about is the value of the caps, depending on the pickups and the tone you want. takes a little work to get the chip wired up but a small tip on the gun you'll get it. 

[Bluesheart]

Yep, I've built a" Ruby" from scratch and it was pretty satisfying to do that , but by the time I source and order all the parts and then risk blowing something with my meager solder skills, well you know. Also it picks up a lot of RF that I hope will be better with the pre-made one but we will see. They do suggest using shielding if you are using a wooden box. I'm sure I could reduce the RF I get on the Ruby by shortening/twisting the wires and adding shielding but once you start playing, it can not be heard  so I never get around to fixing it! Just waiting for my pot knobs to arrive from Gitty so I can lay out the design. I hope Ben will start carrying this model too cause I'd much rather send the business his way. I'll post photos and hopefully a sound sample when I get it done.

 Thank you everyone for the helpful input!!

[Bluesheart]

"I'm taking the lazy road this time!"

[John Sawyer]

Never a bad call... these amps are really cheap, and the ruby is just a bit pricey for a kit anyway . . .   I just wish they had the jfet buffer built in. . .   

[Michael Cuell]

These guys look attractive. One could power them with 3x1.5v cells - I would use C or D cells myself.

Thoughts?

PAM8403 Mini 5V Power Amp