ampage archive

Vintage threads from the first ten years

Amps that run on 12 volts.

 

11/22/2005 9:06 PM

Boy Howdy

Amps that run on 12 volts. Looks like I'm gonna be living in a truck (18 wheeler) soon.     I love my acoustic, but I'd really miss playing electric. Anybody have any suggestions for a decent sounding amp that will run off the ciggy lighter?     I know about the zvex, but I'm thinking I would probably want something with a good clean sound too. Tone is a must though, no Pignose, etc.     Hmm, does the zvex do good clean?

 

11/23/2005 4:58 AM

Steve Dallman

My favorite "12v" amp has been a Peavy Decade. I still see them used at pawn shops for cheap.     This amp has clean and distortion inputs, but plug into one of the two inputs, and take a push on/push off footswitch with a 1/4" plug, put it into the other input to the first click only, and the footswitch will control clean to distortion.     Used, these things go for less than $50. They have 3 band EQ, gain and volume, and the originals have a beefy 8" speaker...much better than the practice amps of today.

 
 

Thursday

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11/23/2005 6:54 AM
Wild Bill	Dunno about where you guys live but here in Canada the hardware/box/whatever stores all seem to be offering 12 volt inverters.     Different wattage ranges, topping out at something like 600 watts continuous for maybe $100. I've seen 'em cheaper in discount stores.     Should be more than enough for a Champ, at least!     ---Wild Bill

 

11/23/2005 11:08 AM
coledavis	I second the inverter recommendation. A buddy of mine uses one with an LCD projector and cheapo home theater for portable movie projecting. Works but you have to leave the car running, otherwise it kills the batteries real quick.

 

11/23/2005 9:32 AM
Dutch	Boy Howdy--   Just a thought.... You *could* build a tube amp if you can find some old '50s car radio schematics and see what they did to get a tube radio working.     HTH!     C ya,   Dutch

 

11/23/2005 10:34 AM
Todd Hepler	All you need is a vibrator No! not that kind of vibrator - shame on you for even considering that.     http://www.gbronline.com/radioguy/vpwrsup.htm     -Todd

 

11/23/2005 11:47 AM
Boy Howdy	Hmm, I think my girlfriend is the one who's gonna be needin' the vibrator.     Can anyone recommend any good rubber women? Sigh...

 

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