Mini Guitar Amp
This mini guitar amplifier is based on the Ruby Amp (runoffgroove.com). It can yield ½ Watt at 9V, being perfect as a home practice amp. It has gain and volume control, offering a very dynamic sound on any speaker.Steps
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Mini Guitar Amp Step 1 of 5

Effect type: amplifier
Pedal description
This mini guitar amplifier can yield ½ Watt at 9V, being perfect as a home practice amp. It has gain and volume control, offering a very dynamic sound on any speaker.
This amplifier is based on the circuit of the Ruby Amp (runoffgroove.com), a reference DIY project with a lot of documentation in multiple DIY forums. You can also modify the components and use the PCB to design your own amp circuit.
The PCB allows to install a led (with its resistor) and an interesting modification to add a gain switch. The potentiometers can be directly mounted on the PCB.
This project indicates the original components values, feel free to modify and find your own sound.
Controls
- Volume: controls the overall output
- Gain: controls the gain
Kit contents
Capacitors
2x 47NF 0.047UF 100V 5% POLYESTER FILM BOX TYPE CAPACITOR
1x 220UF 25V 105C RADIAL ELECTROLYTIC CAPACITOR 8X11MM
2x 100NF 0.1UF 100V 5% POLYESTER FILM BOX TYPE CAPACITOR
1x 100UF 50V 105C RADIAL ELECTROLYTIC CAPACITOR 8X11MM
IC / Transistor
1x 2N5457 JFET N-CHANNEL TRANSISTOR
1x LM386 LM386N AUDIO AMPLIFIER IC
Diode
1x LED 3MM RED
Resistors
1x 1M OHM 1/4W 1% METAL FILM RESISTOR
1x 10 OHM 1/4W 1% METAL FILM RESISTOR
1x 3.9K OHM 1/4W 1% METAL FILM RESISTOR
1x 2.2K OHM 1/4W 1% METAL FILM RESISTOR
Potentiometers
1x 10K OHM LINEAR TAPER POTENTIOMETER
1x 1K OHM LINEAR TAPER POTENTIOMETER
Hardware
1x MINI GUITAR AMP DIY PCB GUITAR EFFECT
1x 3MM BEZEL LED HOLDER CHROME METAL
1x 9V 9-VOLT BATTERY CLIP / CONNECTOR SNAP
1x DC POWER JACK 2.1MM ENCLOSED FRAME WITH SWITCH
1x 6.35MM 1/4" MONO CHASSIS SOCKET / JACK
1x 6.35MM 1/4" STEREO CHASSIS SOCKET / JACK 3 TERMINALS
2x DAVIES 1510 CLONE BLACK KNOB
1x 8 PIN DIP IC SOCKET ADAPTOR SOLDER TYPE
2x MINI TOGGLE SWITCH SPDT ON-ON
1x AWG 22 BLACK HOOK-UP WIRE 1FT (30CM) STRANDED
1x AWG 22 RED HOOK-UP WIRE 1FT (30CM) STRANDED
1x AWG 22 WHITE HOOK-UP WIRE 1FT (30CM) STRANDED