LM386 power output and speaker ratings for guitar amplifier application

MrSalts

Joined Apr 2, 2020
2,767
50mA for a standard Alkaline 9v battery with 100mA surge. But, an Energizer Ultimate Lithium battery can have sustained output of 1A = 9W.
It also has almost no internal leakage current so, with a proper off-switch, the battery has a 10+ year shelf-life. The cylinder shaped Ultimate lithium batteries have a 20+ year shelf life.
 

LowQCab

Joined Nov 6, 2012
4,023
1)
This is a Guitar-Amp, Excellent-Frequency-response is not needed or, even wanted.

2)
~5-Watts into a minimum of a ~6"-Full-Range-Speaker, is the absolute bare minimum.
The Speaker-Cabinet needs to have a Resonant-Frequency of around ~500hz.

3)
The Amplifier needs to be a "Class-A" design, and preferably a Tube-Amp.
Class-A Distortion is required for an Electric-Guitar.
An Op-Amp with Symmetrical-Clipping sounds like pure oozing garbage on an Electric-Guitar.

4)
The minimum equipment is called a "Champ", and You can build your own easily.
It's extremely popular, it's a 5-Watt Tube-Amp, and all sorts of Kits are available.
The picture is the "up-graded" "Vibro-Champ" with Tremolo.
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1969 Fender Vibro-Champ .gif
 
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