Lunchbox Guitar Amp from Old Tape Recorder Parts

In this vid, we'll finish building a tube guitar amplifier from the Telectro reel to reel tape recorder we disassembled in a previous video and a vintage 1958-1962 Thermos Products lunch box featuring futuristic, sci-fi, space age images of rockets, a lunar lander, a moon base, astronauts, and otherworldly landscapes. We'll also use a punch and die set to punch chassis holes and show how that is done. At the end of the vid, we'll test the tone of the final product with a Fender American Standard Telecaster with Seymour Duncan and TV Jones pickups, and we'll also see what's on the mysterious tape reel we got with the Telectro machine.
See first video of amp salvage: • $19 TRASHED Reel to Re...
Check out the Lunchbox Museum: www.cbsnews.co...
Tubes: 35W4, 50C5, 12AU7, 12AX7
3 Watts Output
Speaker: 1945 Victor AlNiCo Animatograph 12" Projector Speaker

[@TheGuitologist]

At approximately 3am, this video was flagged by the KZbin bot as "unsuitable for most advertisers". I removed it from public view until just now, when I noticed the icon had turned back to green. My future policy will be to remove all videos from public view the moment I notice the orange icon. As much as I love what I do, I have no interest in doing it for free or severely reduced price for a website that is actively seeking to destroy my channel. I'm leaving these comments to document the times. I can only assume the bot is searching comments as well as the title and description for offending words or phrases. Everyone do me a favor and be as vile as you like in the comments as an experiment. I have long held a policy of not censoring comments unless someone specific is being targeted with attacks (please do not do this). I plan on continuing the open, free discussions on all my future threads and REFUSE to change this approach. If the bot continues to flag me for content within the comments section of my videos, a new home for all my content is forthcoming. I now believe this is what KZbin wants.

[@billygoatgruff2554]

Brad, you are not just a national hero, you are a Worldwide hero man.... As Forrest would say..... 'you know what I think'..... You are the Lieutenant Dan of KZbin man...'crept you got legs..... Fuck 'em...

[@budandbean1]

What a bunch of a-holes...

[@utubehound69]

Dude you could make those out of luch boxes w/a simple tube amp kit? They would sell put a petalboard chip for FX… you might find a niche market for those too cool "bootek ampz" by Brad THG.M.D. haha

[@jeepmanxj]

Don't release the video to public until after its been greenlit. Its been covered by about 200 channels now.

[@steveworley2997]

Some fascist evangelical Whyte Christain Nazis probably got butthurt over you putting eastern psychedelic on top their beloved “I Seen The Light” cult mantra and reported you.

[@GruntUltra]

That fractal zoom with "I Saw the Light" was the coolest trip I'll take this holiday!

[@TheGuitologist]

+GruntUltra takin the ultimate ride in the back seat of a Cadillac.

[@Jah_Rastafari_ORIG]

The Guitologist Nah, it's outtake footage of Spock's spacesuit adventure through V'Ger in STTMP... BTW, I think I might have another tape from the same series as yours; check the end of the tape leader for a hit of blotter...

[@66THEOSU]

Wow, honestly I carried that very lunchbox through grade school, never had the thermos either. Not upset that you are bringing it back to life again. Great work as usual sir.

[@TheGuitologist]

+66THEOSU what year you reckon you carried it?

[@66THEOSU]

It was a hand me down like many things in my childhood, carried that lunchbox from 1st grade to 5th grade or roughly 1972 through 1977. Not really sure what ever became of it.

[@66THEOSU]

My original reply is gone now but I carried that very lunchbox from 1st grade through 5th, roughly '72 through '76. It was a bit rusty and beat up but I just loved anything space. Thanks again for all you do.

[@SuperHeliboy]

I had the lunchbox through the mid 60's. Love to have a amp in it.

[@timcarter7202]

@@TheGuitologist would you be interested in building another amp like that (with the Telectro amp) or helping me build one. I found a tube Telectro reel to reel. Different model. I had it shipped to me. Should arrive this friday.

[@phantom21629]

This is awesome. As a teen, our school was throwing away all of the old tape players and record players from the library. I took all of it home and was cranking out guitar amps just like this. Never did a lunchbox but I was stuffing amps into anything I could get my hands on. this brings back so many memories.

[@johnsawyer455]

Any schematics of what you built?

[@jimbeaux4988]

Ive said it before but this little amp has ATTITUDE! One of my favorites you built. What you got on that tape is a lost Residents recording.

[@tguay9]

Loved the build and the amp’s tone, and your playing. The tape with the psychedelic light show was icing on the cake. Great video.

[@dougthetechguy5005]

Brad you are the man!!!..... I can't believe the stuff you pull off...... just amazing......

[@TheGuitologist]

Don't use the phrase "pull off"...the bots are listening! :P

[@raymari7658]

I mentioned this before but have to again. Your guitar playing. You cover so many different styles. Awesome !

[@TheGuitologist]

Thanks, Raymond. I try to mix it up a bit. I have my limitations too, just like anyone.

[@brianharris7243]

Great amp and a potential found sound album all at once! I saw the Light indeed.

[@budude2]

Perfectly good use of that old lunchbox for a tube amp - goes together great!

[@TheGuitologist]

Thanks, Brian.

[@bresettguitars2518]

Great video Brad! That amp sounds great to my ears. Thanks for your wonderful content, in this modern world it's great to know there are still real people doing great things.

[@TheGuitologist]

Nice of you to say. I appreciate that.

[@1961jscofield]

Wow, who knew that a lunchbox made the year I was born could wind up such a sweet sounding amplifier? Nice work!

[@pho2]

Yes, the guitar world likes your little lunch box very much. Now we all want one. Brilliant

[@TheGuitologist]

This one is for sale now if someone wants it.

[@vburke1]

Best use of a vintage lunchbox,ever :)

[@TheGuitologist]

And I still have my Dukes of Hazard lunch box from when I was a kid. ;)

[@FoulOwl2112]

Love the enclosure. Im working on my 2nd home built amp now. I never really planned on making a 2nd, but l came across an old wooden dynamite blasting cap box at a garage sale. When l got it l said to myself "Oh l gotta put an amp in this"!

[@tiltedtrucker]

Man!!!! That thing sounds KILLER!!!!! Great job!!!!

[@Wildman9]

Capt.Over ,Roger!Nice amp,good idea.Now you need a speaker cab,outta another lunch box!Cool ,Peace

[@joshuataft5541]

Such a great idia...totaly worth the sacrifice of the lunchbox. I'd love to have somthing that cool

[@steelfistIII]

I had that exact lunch box, i remember staring at all of the art on the box, that brought back some memories!

[@bronzesnake7004]

Sounds like some reverse recording to me...spooky! When I was a punk kid my dad was driving to the cottage after he spent the night getting shit faced t the legion, and it was [itch dark as we drove along desolate dirt road cutting through a huge section of ur famous Ontario Boreal forest. It started to rain, and the thunder and lightning were terrifying! As we drove to our certain death, the radio was coming in and out, and sounded very much like the beginning of that tape, and I could just barely hear the Door's new smash hit single, "Riders On The Storm" coming through very faint. The beginning rain and thunder seemed to be mocking me, then those damned terrifying lyrics "there's a killer on the road, his brain is squirming like a toad. If you give this man a ride sweet Pamalee will die, killer on the road...ya" Gee thanks Morison, thanks for scaring the snot out a punk kid!! Jack Canada

[@josephmitchell2793]

the reel to reel section sounds like when I used to have an old tascam 4 track cassette recorder. If you played it on a regular tape deck 2 of the 4 tracks would be played backward. Thanks for all your content and I’m glad this video is available again. Classy little boutique job.

[@Medicated1]

What a wickedly great sounding small tube amp! Great Job Brad!!!

[@scottbulmer7160]

Wow..... it's 9 am and I just had a 60's flashback while listening to gospel music!! lol I bet ya that the person(s) who did the graphics for that lunchbox would be honored to watch this video and see what you have done with it. Great video...thanks again

[@TheGuitologist]

+Dash Riprock I call it "the sublimation of junk".

[@jonsnothere84]

I love this, the tubes sticking out top actually fit the graphic really well! Using the tape amp though is brilliant, some of those old reel to reel amps were just absolutely stellar, would love to have something like this in every way too, excellent!

[@GasNBullets]

You turned a wall hanger into something useful! And those tubes with the background graphic make it look 3d with rockets coming out of it. Very cool!

[@TheGuitologist]

I thought so too...like 3D rockets ready to launch.

[@bronzesnake7004]

But how can we be surprised after reading the title? I'm so confused!! lol! Awesome job! Jack Canad

[@1980bwc]

That little dude sounds awesome Brad! I kept expecting you to break out into some "Paint It Black"! Lol. That tape recording reminds me of a recording I have, that was passed down to me from my grandfather. He had an old cassette recorder way back in the 60's and he recorded their family reunion from 1968. They were all out in the yard with his baby brother playing guitar and singing Ernest Tubb and Hank Williams. While my grandfather and his big brother played their harmonicas. Its over an hour of recording he did. I'm so thankful I have it and some other tapes he made around that time period. I finally converted it over to mp3 and burnt several copies onto cd a few years back. I bet you would even dig it. Lol. Nothing like listening to some Ol' Tennessee country boys gettin down on some old Hiram Hank Williams and Ernie Tubb! Lol

[@TheGuitologist]

I love real people playing real music in real situations. There's something magical about it.

[@Hungry_Hunter]

Functional art is the best kind of art. A great fun project.

[@coyotefurtrumpet]

Nice to see you completely out of your mind. Great vid. Dig the real to real flashback footage. Nice to see the amp and lunch box repurposed.

[@TheGuitologist]

+Coyote Fur Trumpet my madness is televised.

[@crazyuncleduke8012]

Thanks for the LSD flashback at the end of the vid. :-)

[@TheGuitologist]

+Crazy Uncle Duke you're very welcome, Duke. Here's a coin for the boatman...or strippers, whichever you prefer. All leads to the same place in the end.

[@crazyuncleduke8012]

I found Jesus at the end of the vid during my flashback too. I'll put it in the collection plate the next time I go to church..HeeHee

[@stevenmiller5366]

Wow who would have believed that sound could come from that Lunch box !!

[@brittisaacrossman]

Holy crap, dude! What a damn gnarley piece you've made! The little space fuzz blaster... sick work, Brad!

[@Foxonian]

Makes me want to have a guitar painted with the same artwork as the lunchbox. Nice job with that!

[@TheGuitologist]

+Foxonian now that would be killer.

[@JesusIsLordofMybeing]

Trippy tape Brad. Lol. Funny psychedelic add-ins dude!!! You rock Brad!! \m/

[@chrishamm60]

Very cool to use the lunchbox as an enclosure for the chassis.

[@pcallas66]

Very cool. The lunchbox should also have the advantage of shielding it so there isn't buzz. Great idea!!!

[@JacobH93]

That is an awesome way to house That amp! Brings new meaning to my the term lunch box head!

[@NitroModelsAndComics]

Absolutely the most creative thing I have seen you do yet. You made everything about the individual pieces more than the sum of them apart and with such clever design. I enjoy your vids and that is why I subscribe but this is the best reason yet to see you in action. I am suitably impressed Brad. And the tones were epic as well, you really tamed what must have been quite a little rage monster. I think humbuckers would be a nice follow up.

[@TheGuitologist]

Thanks for the comment, Robert. Very nice of you to say. Yeah, a humbucker demo would be nice. Maybe I'll toss one in on this Friday's shitpost.

[@jcmcclain57]

Very cool Brad!!! Thanks for sharing and making my day bright with such a cool project coming to culmination!

[@TheGuitologist]

Thanks for the comment. Glad you enjoyed it.

[@greeneterror7989]

THAT!!!is just about the most mad cool build I have ever seen I was born in 67 on the tail end of those awesome lunch boxes if I had a ton of disposable income and you were selling that it would be mine or I would pay to have you build one. I would choose a old Hot Wheels lunch box. Excellent build sir!!!

[@richreid7098]

That is a great lunchbox.There were a lot of different configurations on those reel to reel recorders. Most commonly: If the tape is mono and was recorded on both sides you should get on the stereo machine, one channel playing forward and one backward. I really enjoy your videos.

[@MartyV666]

Great box, great project. Fortunate you did not have to drill through most of the cool rockets. Thanks for sharing!

[@nonameyet7162]

A little tip, get yourself a snake for that dremel. You'll never look back. I made a stand to hold mine up, a 15" rod welded to a steel plate with a nail that I bent into a hook welded to the top of the rod. Make sure the plate is heavier than the dremel. A snake is small and not bulky and you have so much control. You can do a lot of precise work. You can even hold a vacuum hose in one hand to suck up all the debris. Gzzzz that's an awesome little amp! So friggin cool. Nice job. at the 25 min mark, sounds to me like it's the song "I saw the light"

[@100milnic]

Watched this and cigar box amp video - both are great projects. One workplace suggestion - for cutting and drilling on these small projects a simple bench hook would aid you a lot. Really quick and easy to make from some scrap timber and plywood. It hooks to front of work desk and with raised strip across rear creates a stable platform to push against - so using energy more efficiently and less stress on hands. It would also assist in avoiding drilling into your finger!

[@scott729]

Very cool Brad. Nothing more interesting than combining cold war memorabilia with the same era modified electronics that are capable of producing anti-establishment and counter culture music, lol... or close at least....... or even just some good old relaxing jazz/ R&B. However you want to express yourself, I love the creativity and PROPER repurposing of such components. Oh, and yeah, KZbin can fuck off.... saw your rant vid too and I am 100% with ya...Happy ThanksGiving and please stick around. Your videos help me maintain a healthy balance right now. Thanks

[@TheGuitologist]

Apparently you can buy the punch set and step bits in a bundle. amzn.to/2hVfU1x Also, here's the link to the previous video showing the teardown of the reel to reel: kzbin.info/www/bejne/pYbJemedq9l_Y7s

[@HollisCKoon]

The Guitologist Wiish my Dad would help me complete my Amps before my health deteriorates, looks nice

[@TheGuitologist]

Did you ask him?

[@witeshade]

How thick is "thick" with regards to the chassis? I've just been using the stepped bits for everything but punches would be handy.

[@pavkamd]

That's art, that is. Brilliant repurposing!

[@TheGuitologist]

+Paul Flowers thanks Paul. Somewhere a Thermos lunchbox collector is crying in a puddle of his own pee.

[@leesanders6490]

That is one badass lunchbox!

[@hardball107]

Great idea. I've been following this build from the reel to reel and IMHO the old lunch box is very cool. I was thinking about doing the same thing with a ammo can. The top locks on and is weather tight, you could put all the controls and jacks in a plate inside the can and the electronics can go underneath. The covers come right off and you could even keep the power cord under the cover. When you close it up you wouldn't know it was an amp.

[@TheGuitologist]

I think you’d want some air vents, but ammo can would be cool!

[@DavidMFChapman]

“I wish I was an apple, sittin’ on a tree, Then every time that Cindy passed She’d take a bite of me, Get along home Cindy, Cindy...” We sing this one up here in Canada, but we learned it from an Appalachian fiddler.

[@TheGuitologist]

Cool. Cindy is my mother's name.

[@SyntagmaStation]

Sounds awesome!!! Love the Mandelbrot visual!

[@roscoefoofoo]

Ground Control to Major Brad: Keep being you. And thanks for it. Ignore the potty heads and petty souls. What a great idea here. Well and clearly done.

[@peterbrandt7911]

Loved the movie reference and that thing came out great.

[@markbornais2589]

Really needs a jewel light.

[@TheGuitologist]

+Mark Bornais I could have included a series 6v light and changed the series string or done a neon off the mains. I didn't was to risk more noise. I could also drop in a power supply for LEDs. But in this small case, that could also add noise.

[@markbornais2589]

The Guitologist a flashing LED on the tip of the rocket was a missed opportunity for geekiness :)

[@davidwernsing8795]

Love the amp! Love everything about it. My only suggestion would be a jewel light by the power switch. Great videos, keep them coming. Thanks.

[@TheGuitologist]

Thanks, David. Glad you like it.

[@danadrian2752]

That feedback around 22:00 was godly. Holy crap nice lunchbox amp

[@strangersound]

Yeah, that's what I said. He hit the g-spot on that one. ;)

[@sa230e]

That's pretty rad, Brad.

[@74dartman13]

I think the tubes kinda go with the picture on the lunch box. Looks really cool!👍😎

[@lroy730]

Another great vid !!! Nice tone in that little thing..That is a Lunar Base looking at the Earth. On Ebay they ask $100.00 for that lunch box . But your correct its better for an Amp !!!!\m/!!!!

[@guitfidle]

Very cool! I literally have a tube powered reel to reel on my bench that I'm in the midst of disassembly to turn into a guitar amp. This one has the mechanical parts all busted up, so I didn't even consider trying to fix it up. :)

[@MrJam1001]

Horn's up!!! Andy, Barney and his son Opium used to sing that song on the tape back in Mayberry.

[@genekloszewski5484]

brad, I had the same lunchbox, smelled like peanut butter& jelly ! love your amp builds, fellow guitar player,,,,

[@sam127001]

great series - fantastic ending !

[@TheGuitologist]

+sam127001 thanks, Sam.

[@davekimball3610]

This was a freaking awesome series of videos. I love that jet age lunchbox as well. Sorry to heard the video was demonetized for a short time there.

[@billygoatgruff2554]

Because I'm English, your voice is a real part of the charm of your videos. Sometimes I forget to watch and just sit there soaking up your accent..... Ok, before anyone complains, I do understand that you don't have an accent... I'm the one with an accent. An English accent. But whatever... Lol. I hope nobody stomps all over me for this, but on your next video, can you slip in these words..... I cut that grass for free..... And..... Why don't you love me Jenny.... I'd make a good husband... It would make my day, it really would. Cheers Brad...

[@TheGuitologist]

+Steaming Weasel I can nail a Gump accent, but Bubba's my real forte...shrimp stew, shrimp creole, BBQ shrimp, shrimp burger...

[@billygoatgruff2554]

The Guitologist Best film ever made. Best film that could ever BE made. How could anyone top that. Best ever vocal performance... Joe Cocker singing 'With a Little Help from my Friends'. live at Woodstock.

[@Teleterry]

Awesome project and thanks for the laughs.

[@spotmfd9431]

Your other stuff is good too, but the builds especially amps are the best.

[@TheGuitologist]

So what you're saying is you wanna see more rants about KZbin? :P

[@danielsauls8176]

I've watched a few of you're videos, but this is the one that got me to hit the subscribe button. Awesome!

[@HC_GUITAR]

Master you spoil us with these nuggets of genius!!

[@TheGuitologist]

Thank you, Renfield. Now bring me crickets! Lots and lots of crickets! :P

[@thomasbaker4657]

and spiders and flies .

[@CesarAllGuitar]

I did enjoy this video. Thanks so much.

[@TheGuitologist]

+Cesar Blues Guitar thanks for watching, Cesar.

[@TheGorillafoot]

That's sweet man. I wanna build something like this one day. Just built my first pedal. It's addicting. Already on another build.

[@donisys]

Worth it for "I Saw The Light".

[@LüttgePresents-MoreCowbell]

Man, this may have been your best video yet! I wish I was about 6 beers in towards the end, but alas I enjoyed it stone sober.

[@EdDanaGuitar]

This is just too cool Brad! Nice!

[@TheGuitologist]

Thanks, Ed.

[@biogeniclife]

Whoa! I ordered a Fender lunchbox that has a lot of Fender guitar accessories in it, but wow I stumbled on this randomly and wouldn’t you know it my dad has a reel to reel he’s said he didn’t know what he wanted to do with it. He also has a background in electronics. I can’t wait to show him this and see if we can make an amp from a Fender lunchbox which is so cool if we make it happen. Your lunchbox is pretty awesome though, I mean the retro aspects are definitely rad. This is so cool, SUBSCRIBED AND LIKED! Thanks.

[@stu-nix]

Ahh ye ole reel tape, we had one of these in the seventies and early eighties. funnily enough, I think that is exactly what I heard from it too.

[@irishwanderer4206]

that recording was awesome

[@whatevermia2260]

I dig it man! Killer build.Keep up the good work,

[@budandbean1]

I adore this crazy amplifier, it’s just so great! Thank you for such a great idea... I’m still trying to understand the intricacies of these little amps and just how to build them. Thanks Brad. Ps.. Sorry about getting hassled by the YT Police Bone heads...

[@TheProsessor]

Sounds nice!

[@pyniolek]

I love you for the Airplane! reference!

[@TheGuitologist]

Thank you, Over!

[@leesbassment6393]

That thing sounds freaking great!!

[@TheGuitologist]

+Lee Jacobson thanks, Lee.

[@yamacrate]

The ending made my day.

[@davypeleman3672]

Very nice fuzzy tone, really like the sound. Keep up the good work. ;)

[@peetena1481]

+ 100 for the "Airport" reference lol :) Ouch, that poor finger.

[@PXR5-PXR5]

Sounds awesome Brad.

[@kevkeelan5106]

Looks and sounds great!!!

[@kenmoore4374]

Brilliant! Very Cool!

[@TheGuitologist]

Thanks for watching Ken.

[@vmat1000]

holy smokes,,,this looks like the lunch box i had in the first or second grade, circa '64. Breaking the thermos twice did it in,,,first time replaced, second time box was gone.

[@ctcards2636]

That was slick how you did those socket holes in the lunch box :-)

[@1983sfc]

Best video yet in my opinion.

[@mikemartin6554]

Brad,that is one cool amp! Great job.....

[@marksadventures3889]

I love it - very retro. Good will store - = UK Charity Shop. That's the sort of thing that's good fro home practice and recording in the studio, I like a tiny amp to record with. Love the tape - you should make it available for samplers - there are websites out there that have tons of people use them, worth 99c a pop to a lot of them.

[@sunnyray7819]

Sweet build.... I think it was worth using the old lunch box it looks much better as a little amp.

[@paulwunder]

I love watching your videos because I'm HORRIBLE with tools!

[@STRATOHOLICRichman]

That "stripper pole" at the end made me die laughing!!! Pure genius...

[@dava4444]

WOW.. amazing. what a screaming tone! :) RAWK

[@peterbustin8604]

Its beautiful! Very original. That could be a profitable sideline maybe!

[@martinlundberg5413]

Haha! now I know what to do with the covers from my Hammond AO 29. Great vid!

[@42pyroboy]

The rig sounds fucking beautiful

[@TheGuitologist]

Thanks dood