LM386 tube amp [homage]

www.pricklysauc...
LM386 tube amp [homage]
/ pricklysauce
/ pricklysauce
/ pricklysauce
www.instructabl...
having built the Bike Tyre Speaker • Bike tyre speaker I wanted to build a little mono amp to boost the mono speaker, an amp that looked as good as it would sound.
I am still learning electronics and the LM386 op amp circuit is a great project for beginners, in fact it was the second bit of electronics that I made after lighting some LEDs with a battery.
My fascination with electronics was started from having dissected old electrical kit for a couple of years, just to see what was inside...beauty and intrigue...what are those bits...and so I started to learn how to put my own electronics together.
The vacuum tube is the embodiment of seeing the 'working' inside, the glorification of the humble into an aesthetic beauty.
This humble little amp build takes the aesthetic qualities of the vacuum amp to make an intriguing little object that is great to look at, glowing red when switched on like a vacuum tube, the power source displayed and easy to get to...
...and the on / volume knob using an old bike derailleur jockey wheel to tie the amp materially back to the bike tyre speaker.
Unfortunately the sound from an LM386 amp will never be the rich + warm tones of a vacuum tube amp, though if you ask me, I think that as it looks so good, it makes it sound good as well.
If you would like an in depth step by step on how to make one for yourself, please visit my Instructable page or my Make page.
www.instructabl...
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Music - BirdBrainz by Otis MacDonald available free use through KZbin
Why not subscribe to catch all of the videos as soon as they are uploaded : / @pricklysauce
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Thanks for watching and please come back to watch some more.

[@calisubs6509]

Probably, no scratch that, the best example of an LM386 amp build I've ever seen. Hats off. A+ for creativity.

[@Pricklysauce]

Thanks Cali

[@Pricklysauce]

Thank you to all that voted for this project at Instructables, just won a first prize. Fantastic!

[@Odin7T7]

Dude that's an awesome amp, I like that the 9 volt battery is inserted like a cartridge and of course the spice bottle tube is the icing on the cake :D

[@Pricklysauce]

Thanks Luis, my whole concept was based around the beuty inside electrical equipment, bringing it out so we can see it, definitely makes for an interesting object.

[@Odin7T7]

That it does, looking forward for the next Prickly sauce project.

[@josedourado3747]

Prickly sauce a real tube is much more pretty. we can literally see the electrons dancing in the vacuum. I give you thumbs up for the effort. congratulations

[@michaeloberb2120]

And the the Prickly sauce-Stamp on the envelope is the cherry on the icing on the cake :D

[@tannimkyraxx]

José Dourado I was thinking the same thing, but the are also a great deal more challenging. high voltage is scary stuff

[@garretteverett2613]

Cool project and excellent execution! I'll admit that I had no idea what it was supposed to be before I read the comment section though! Really makes me excited to try my own soldering projects soon, I love the warm analog look of this.

[@Pricklysauce]

Thanks Garrett, just a cool little thing that is actually better to look at than its audio output!

[@snaprollinpitts]

the whole time you're making it, I'm thinking."where is the tube". only to see the tube at the end, very ingenious, a thumbs up and a sub from me!!!

[@Pricklysauce]

Thanks Snaprollinpitts - I was trying to play with a story line of the 'pricklysauce' spice jar being used and then becoming the 'tube' ...fun to make though does mean the 'reveal' is near the end. Thanks for the sub, just finishing three projects that will be coming out over the next few weeks, I hope you enjoy them.

[@Michael_Michaels]

Besides the entertaining step-by-step build, I cannot stop feeling some disappointment because of that fake _tube_ ...

[@Pricklysauce]

Hi Mike - sorry that you feel disappointed...the aim of the project was to make the humble LM386 amp IC circuit into something that looks as cool as a vacuum tube...I am afraid I don't have a skills to make a vacuum tube.

[@Michael_Michaels]

Don't worry, I gave a thumbs up anyways! ;)

[@Pricklysauce]

Thanks Mike, though i really appreciate any feedback as it makes me think and I hope will make my projects and filming better in the future

[@chriscunningham6362]

That is SO cute. I usa an underpowered vintage light bulb as a night light. This gives me another idea for a simple night light, plus, I have dozens of little class D amps laying around if I wanted to make it useful. Neat project! Thanks for sharing!

[@Metalwolf765]

That's the raddest DIY amp I've seen yet!

[@Maaar10Avali]

Cool project, but there is just 1 thing I dont understand. What does the feedback from the lm386's output to pin 8 do? (The bit you highlighted in your circuit) is it like a bass boost, or something similar?

[@Pricklysauce]

123maarten123 having to think back, made the project quite a long time ago and a beginner at electronics...seem to remember that there was a bass boast option to the circuit. Worth checking out Hack A Day video for the original amp build, mine was based on it. Link should be in the description

[@Maaar10Avali]

@@Pricklysauce thanks man! yeah, it functions as a bass boost.

[@zozonozon3384]

most creative amp I ever seen , massive respect to creator :)

[@mongothemaniac5848]

Great and cool looking project and well edited video!

[@stuffandjunkanduhh5049]

I clicked thinking it was going to be a 386+tube circuit this is actually a lot cooler haha. Pretty creative idea

[@Pricklysauce]

hey thanks

[@TheChadPad]

This is really cool. Looks like a little Christmas tree in a bottle! Amazing craftsmanship

[@Pricklysauce]

Thanks Chad...just a fun little project that is good to look at

[@iblesbosuok]

Excellent art. Impressive. Bravo. I love it. Cheers from Indonesia

[@ShayanQuanta]

You replied to everyone! That's another example of a good human being! I have amp only. No tube no multiplex board cabinet! not even a dremel!

[@t1d100]

I really like your DIY spirit, on this project! Very inspirational. Thank you, for your effort to share.

[@Pricklysauce]

Ah thank you so much...it was just a fun project to make a really cheap little amp for testing electronic circuits look good

[@robpetty8219]

Duuuuuuuuude😲 What in the hell just happened to me? My mind is absolutely boggled🤯 right now. This is one of the BEST put together videos in all regards that I have ever seen. Wow brother! You have got a pile of creativity about you! I dont know what else to say... Project: Super cool. Video experience: BADASS!! Revolutionary for the content "type" and "venue"....... ....I need a cigarette. Thanks, Man!

[@Pricklysauce]

Blimey!!...thank you! The only reason I made videos was as an outlet for ideas...wow...thanks

[@dazzlenconfused]

amazing work i'm starting out so coming across all these amazing videos is outstanding

[@RoaroftheTiger]

wow ! Your a very inventive Artist … Cheers from " the City that never sleeps". :)

[@michaelvickers89]

man you are 1 skilled MTF !!!! Man I wish I had your talent!

[@stargazer279]

Great idea to use an LM386. It is a general purpose power amplifier chip. It has a good range for music and even make a small guitar amp out of it. Your circuit is the downside of it. See you could have built it on a small board. You may eventually be looking at cold soldering. Should you amp act weird one day, simply redo your soldering. the second downside to your amp is the 3 LEDS, you can drive leds between 8 and 20 milliamps. I suggest you use the proper resistor to run your LEDS at 10 milliamps. You will avoid draining your battery too fast., unless you use a rechargeable battery. Other than those 2 points, i like your project. i give it a 7 out of 10.

[@neodiy]

Cool idea i should try this one

[@josemanuel2724]

És um grande artista parabéns pelo seu trabalho

[@Pricklysauce]

Você é muito gentil. obrigada

[@haf816r]

Way too awesome! My brain glitched out for a second!

[@Pricklysauce]

Hey thanks

[@irtazamehdi2856]

Brilliant project!

[@Pricklysauce]

Irtaza Mehdi big thanks

[@migueldoliveiracomposer]

Super job. Looks beautiful.

[@Pricklysauce]

Yeah I really like just looking at it, though it sounds pretty good as well, just not quite as tonally rich as a real tube amp!

[@yeeboi5545]

it would be a lot more tonally rich if you weren't filtering all the bass away with your circuit lol

[@dedey_15]

Damn ! Its awesome man,make your trademark company

[@blackiousilay5641]

I'm a cook and seeing how he is stirring sauce with a metal fork just sends shivers down my spine... IT'S TIME TO STOP!

[@Pricklysauce]

best tool is the one in your hand!

[@콩사탕싫어요]

That's Awesome Idea!!

[@Pricklysauce]

Big thanks

[@DaunTalasChanel]

Nice Art

[@rodrigodiazdevivar5289]

lo siento, no hablo inglés. es una idea muy buena y me ha gustado mucho ¡gracias!-greetings from spain

[@Pricklysauce]

Muchas gracias, me alegra que lo hayas disfrutado [Sorry Google translate!]

[@elynocente]

Te intendi. Si, bien padre!

[@joeyscott4299]

Very nice work !!!

[@Pricklysauce]

Hey thank you

[@davidcurtis7547]

Super cool . I love your tube and I bet the sauce was good too .

[@Pricklysauce]

Thanks David, one of the great things about the amp is that it looks cool even when not being used...and yes we enjoyed supper as well.

[@frankjesko8165]

Just plain cool!😁

[@gokhanozdemir9314]

Dame son, lots of art.

[@hesspet]

Just finished a steampunk lamp based on your spice tube idea. Thanks for the inspiration

[@Pricklysauce]

wow...excellent

[@waseemlodhi.]

Very nice

[@existential_fred]

Nice build

[@Pricklysauce]

Thanks Fred

[@ThePhilStudio]

Nice workout.

[@phonosample]

I love it. Simple and awesome. RetroFeelingWhatElse! I had the same idea last year (more or less). I built a very cheap soundgenerator (just for fun) a few months ago ... with glastubes and LED's in it .... but this THING ... with the 386'amp! .... looks great. I have to copy that ;-) no, i'm joking. Thx for your impression. thumps up!

[@restupamungkas]

Good work

[@Aydin-z]

yOU ArE A big ARTIST

[@teadrinkingilluminati9173]

Thats awesome. Very unique

[@raymondheath7668]

Very cool and creative

[@chriscunningham6362]

Way too clever! Good job!

[@Pricklysauce]

Thanks Chris

[@CarlinComm]

That looks awesome! Nice build :)

[@Pricklysauce]

Thanks Carlin, it was a lot of fun to build, seriously considering building a real tube amp into a funky old metal laboratory case that I have.

[@CarlinComm]

That would be cool, I'll be looking for it!

[@sreesanthsasidharan3841]

Put a preamplifier buffer to match the high impedance of a guitar's output infront of this circuit and it will make a cool little practice amp for guitarists.

[@Pricklysauce]

cool...that sounds excellent

[@Solder_king]

When I saw you dead bug the amp I cringed but the outcome was so awesome!

[@Pricklysauce]

Thanks Taylor...I like your term 'dead bug'...you have to be really careful when 'dead bugging' the chip, I broke off a pin with my first attempt, though it needed to be flattened to fit within the glass jar.

[@Solder_king]

Prickly sauce It turned out great! If you dead bug just right it will look like a piece of art. I've seen some bad ones lol.

[@NicholasColeman-DeadlyClowns]

Where would be a good place to learn how to understand this circuit? I'm interested in electronics, but really am stumped on learning how each component modifys the signal and how amplification works. Awesome project, I'll be making one soon!

[@Strange19665]

nice work, love it... Very creative

[@Pricklysauce]

Thank you so much, great fun to make.

[@walterkersting9922]

That is a peachy little amp.

[@Pricklysauce]

Thanks Walter

[@sdaniels160]

Great projest. Is it really a tube amp or did you put solid state components in a glass jar?

[@Pricklysauce]

Components in a spice jar...It was a homage to the aesthetic beauty of a tube amp, unfortunately not the real thing...maybe one day I will learn enough electronics to play with the big boys...Big thanks

[@dietmarzabel8220]

Thats a cool idea! I love it

[@airthrow]

creative as hell

[@Pricklysauce]

Thank you Airthrow...that is what I love about KZbin it allows me to be as creative as possible and to share the ideas.

[@haf816r]

Prickly sauce thank You, good sauce!

[@raphaelcardoso7927]

great art project

[@Pricklysauce]

Hey thanks...you are right, it is more a piece of art most of the time with the occasional use in building some electronic projects...

[@raphaelcardoso7927]

@@Pricklysauce I mean. It's functional, but I value its artistic side as well

[@Pricklysauce]

Raphael Cardoso totally...that is what I thought you meant...I wanted it to be as good to look at when not in use, which unfortunately is most of the time

[@raphaelcardoso7927]

@@Pricklysauce as an electronics engineer, I feel that most of my projects suck in the "presentation" aspect, you know? Maybe I should try to design something pretty for a change

[@pepeppepeoeoepe7494]

Hey man, i just want to ask you about the voltage range of the electrolytics capacitors, i dont know if capacitors voltage i have is the appropriate in order to not overcharge the circuit (just 16 volt for the 220uf capacitor) is that ok? I clicked in all the links you left in the descriptions, especially in the instructable one but i cant find them.

[@Pricklysauce]

Hi Pepeppe, I have to admit I am still learning electronics and I am a bit of a plug and play on circuits. the amp I built was based on Hack A Week LM386 amp hackaweek.com/hacks/?p=131 . I have just checked the capacitors on the amp I built and they are 16v so you should be okay. I buy mine from Bitsbox www.bitsbox.co.uk/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=65_66_68&products_id=264&zenid=q17n4r0kc8icga1mqnoi8ph6u5 .I would advise that you bread board the circuit to test it prior to soldering, gives you a chance to try other voltage type capacitors. All the best for your build.

[@GarethFlatlands]

Very nice, although soldering directly to the IC pins... I understand why you did it but the very small part of me familiar with electronics was crying. Still, impressed with your DIY skills, subscribed.

[@Pricklysauce]

Hey thanks for subscribing Gareth...sure soldering directly to an IC can easily burn it out and I would usually use a carrier for more straight forward electronics projects...though if you are careful you can get away with it.

[@GarethFlatlands]

I guess the low component count means if you burn the IC out it's not a big deal. Would this circuit work as a headphone amp with decent bass response?

[@Pricklysauce]

It should work well for some headphones...in fact it is a project that I have planned as a follow on to the headphone ear defenders that I made...check out Hack a week page that this schematic was based on and Dino has a bass boost option that may help you hackaweek.com/hacks/?p=131

[@GarethFlatlands]

Great, thanks! I'll bust out the breadboard and see what I can put together.

[@Pricklysauce]

Let me know how you get on...

[@user-robin71]

👏 INCREDIBLE 👌 WHICH TYPE OF LED IS USED ❓

[@Pricklysauce]

I think they were these ones www.bitsbox.co.uk/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=252&products_id=1894&zenid=qm7cml2l9e40clnle9bq3eogp2 - Thanks for your support

[@user-robin71]

Ok fine, i already have this type of LEDs

[@MarkTillotson]

Cool idea - is a homage to the LM386 or to tube amps or both though? Extra idea - silver the top of the jar somehow to represent the getter.

[@Pricklysauce]

Needed a LM386 amp for electronics stuff and just wanted something funky to look at when not in use, definitely a homage to the mighty tube amp!

[@markbusch1252]

That's creative.

[@octour]

frstly didnt understand why your didnt use perfboard to solder all components... it looks awesome

[@michaelraycampos9246]

thats a cool lamp

[@avijay70s]

what an awesome thing that is ...

[@Pricklysauce]

Hey Arun thank you, much appreciated.

[@markschmitt5550]

Bravo! Were there any mind altering substances attributed to the creativity?

[@Pricklysauce]

it's just how my mind works

[@markschmitt5550]

I can identify... a very unique outcome...

[@Pricklysauce]

thanks for your support, why not sub as more creative projects are on their way...

[@timschutte8310]

Mark Rakemaker , Cali weed !!!!!!!

[@C4mpi59]

isn't there some shortcuts beacause of a screw and components without a perfboard?

[@Pricklysauce]

only the insulated wires touch the bolt and spring scaffolding. sure care needs to be taken that none of the bare wires or components touch the metal. The glass jar then protects the circuit from being touched and shorting against the metal.

[@GnuReligion]

Ok, I like it, I get it ... trolling the audio snobs with a 45-year-old, 6 cent IC ... I am fine with this. But who, aside from a dozen people, will ever appreciate what you are doing here?

[@NoMoreRadioMyths]

Interesting novelty amp.

[@floorganik]

Very nice project ! And such a great tribu te to the vacuum tube amplifiers ;) I saw it on the "amps & speakers contest" on instructables. How do you manage to made the "play it loud" plate ? It´s aluminium or iron ? It's an oxydation or an electrolysis process ?

[@Pricklysauce]

Thanks Floorganik, I'm really please how it turned out and glad you like it too. The metal is 1mm thick steel sheet. The etching process literally burns 'etches' into the metal, the salt solution helps to make this happen. I had to learn this technique for this project from watching some KZbin tutorials. Take a look at the Instructables step by step for this project as I give more details there, or wait for my next video that is dedicated to the etching of this plate...why not subscribe and then you won't miss it!

[@floorganik]

+Prickly sauce hi, Thanks for your answer. I read the step about etching process and it's more clear for me know. I following you on instructables and I suscribe to your youtube channel. So I look foward to your next video about etching ;)

[@valshaev1145]

Cool. creative mind!

[@wahyudikarya9724]

nice idea

[@michaeloberb2120]

Reminds me in fact of the german-made Leowe NF3 Tube.

[@Pricklysauce]

I don't know that one, I will look it up.

[@GodOfMedia]

This is super dumb but I can't help but appreciate it. Nice work dude. Peace

[@LesTutosdUneMinute]

Great!

[@Pricklysauce]

Hey thanks!

[@Edmorbus]

Awesome thanks for sharing :)

[@Pricklysauce]

Hey Edmorbus, I so enjoy creating + making and getting the videos up on KZbin, its really great to know that you enjoyed it.

[@AtomicusPrime]

Okay, so now i've built it, but the volume knob doesn't seem to act as a volume knob. The sound just goes bad at a certain resistance. Should I expect it to work like a typical volume knob? Trying to troubleshoot my issue with no luck so far.

[@Pricklysauce]

Hi Atomicus, well done for building one. Yes the potentionemeter should work as a volume knob, the sound may become distorted at the top end, the LM386 chip is only a 0.25 watt amp IC. I guess try to make sure that all of the solder joints are good. I am afraid I am new to electronics so I don't have a great deal of experience. Maybe there are others out there with more electronics experience who may be able to make some suggestions...any one?

[@AtomicusPrime]

I'm also new to electronics. Thanks for the video and helping get me into electronics. I made a short video. You can see that the device plays loud when the source is increased, but the pot just... well, you'll see. kzbin.info/www/bejne/g5Wcf2x3achsftU

[@andress_herm.7996]

sencillo y elegante. single and elegant. man fantastic video. you are crack bro!!!!.

[@zeber127]

:-) такую лампу еще не видел, красивая

[@Pricklysauce]

Большое спасибо

[@adryanyork3581]

...wtf, excuse me... is that thing for real! Looks Insane-good!

[@Pricklysauce]

Hey Yorky...sure it is real...it is only a little quarter watt amp so it won't give a massive sound, though sounds good and looks good as well

[@channelcircuitzilla7339]

wonderful

[@robertpendergast2620]

Quite interesting!

[@rcolborne4123]

very sweet

[@diregremo]

Nice!

[@user-nzxyejs]

Are you going to sell it?

[@Pricklysauce]

no...just a fun little project to make a tiny little amp look cool...

[@Fernando-lb4eh]

muy bueno!

[@beck3740]

this is so gooood

[@Pricklysauce]

Big thanks

[@joeysarmiento1925]

Very nice, cool and nifty. Mahusay as we say it where l come from.

[@Pricklysauce]

Salamat Joey, you are very kind.

[@essentialedm937]

I am trying to build my own 12au7 headphone amp but am not having much luck as it doesn't function correctly. I followed a schematic, would you be able to help me?

[@Pricklysauce]

Hi Essential...I have to admit that I am a novice at electronics only working on the 'plug and play' level. From my experience of following schematics is to test the circuit on a bread board to check that it is working prior to soldering. I have found that sometimes I get confused in the right order of components when soldering and that I often have to go back to double and triple check that everything is wired as the schematic shows. Maybe others may be able to comment on the best way for you to test your circuit to identify where your problem is. All the best and I hope that you succeed in making it work.

[@nicojohnmagallanes4667]

Awesome! Sir, I was womdering if you can have 2 input jack with LM 386? thanks

[@Pricklysauce]

As in a 1/4inch guitar input and 3.5mm jack? Sure, it will work, I have done similar on other little amps with the LM386, though never have had two inputs working at the same time into the amp, guess that should work as well.

[@nicojohnmagallanes4667]

Yes sir 2 input, for example from a mic and a guitar. I have made me a DIY I-rig for my phone. And I would like to record Vocals and guitar at the same time. You think it would work? I was thinking of putting 2 input jack both with a potentiometer on the input pin. hehe. Im a nurse by the way but this has been a hobby, and was thinking to get crash courses on electronics. thanks sir.

[@Pricklysauce]

Yes I guess it should work, though be aware that the LM386 is only a little 0.25watt amp and you may need a better quality amp set up if you are going to try recording , though beyond my scope of experience. Probably best to breadboard up to test first to see if it works for you.

[@nicojohnmagallanes4667]

Prickly sauce Thanks thanks. godbless.

[@jojofixer]

With adding a 5V crystal oscillator that could transmit to near by radios....loud.

[@westelaudio943]

Yeah... The classic AM pocket transmitter curcuit

[@AlleyBeachElectric]

Are you from Exeter CA? I was born there :)

[@Pricklysauce]

AlleyBeachElectric Exeter UK, the beautiful south west, surfing and unusually a load of snow this week

[@bewimotos]

the video was confusing at first.. nice set up..

[@Pricklysauce]

Thanks for sticking with it...I'm learning and trying to add a story to my videos beyond just being a tutorial. Just like the amp, I wanted the video to go to unexpected places.

[@excxflyr]

clever!

[@flikenpl6081]

wow

[@Telboy-fv8ke]

Love it

[@hardcore7298]

Woooow!

[@vikitheviki]

Wow!!

[@Pricklysauce]

thanks...

[@antoniopadilla1286]

is there any chance this would be usable with an instrument?

[@Pricklysauce]

Sure it works with an electric guitar though it is a small 0.25watt amp and so wont produce a great deal of noise, though would be good for practice. Adapt it with a guitar jack instead of the headphone jacks for electric guitars.

[@antoniopadilla1286]

do you think that the tune could handle more power, like 8 to 15 watts?

[@Pricklysauce]

The LM386 ic op amp chip is only 0.25 watts, one-piece there is a 1.0 watt version available. I guess if you want more power there must be amp schematics available online. then build it into a jar that will fit, may need a jam jar if there are more components. let me know how you get on.

[@antoniopadilla1286]

Prickly sauce ok thanks man, how did you decide to do this build? Im saving some cash so i can try it out. Is there a place online with what i will need and instuctions?

[@Pricklysauce]

Cool that you are going to make one - check out my Instructables on a step by step on how to build www.instructables.com/id/LM386-Tube-Amp-homage/ and also check out the Hack a Week project page for the circuit which is where I learnt to build the LM386 amp hackaweek.com/hacks/?p=131

[@cia9315]

You should've tan the wooden base. Or even better age it. You know, darken it.

[@rcfreak7772000]

what song is this?

[@Pricklysauce]

Hi Alex, the music is BirdBrainz by Otis MacDonald available free to use through KZbin creative suite