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How to Amplify a Guitar in a Car

An electric guitar needs an external amplification device to be heard easily. Normally, an electric guitar is plugged into an audio amplifier; however, an electric guitar can also be amplified by transmitting the output audio signal to a radio receiver, such as a car stereo. To allow a guitar to play through a car radio, you need to connect the guitar to an FM transmitter.

Things You'll Need

Electrical wire
Electrical pliers
Electronic solder
Soldering iron
1/4-inch audio plug
1/8-inch audio jack
Electric guitar
MP3 FM transmitter with installed batteries
Installed car radio with FM receiver

Instructions

- 1
  Cut two segments of electrical wire, each 6 inches long, with the electrical pliers. Strip 1/2 inch of insulation from the ends of each wire segment.
- 2
  Place one end of the first wire on the tip terminal on the 1/4-inch audio plug. Melt a small drop of solder to both the wire end and to the electrical terminal. Smooth out the soldered electrical joint with the tip of the soldering iron. The electrical joint must be shiny and free of lumps.
- 3
  Repeat Step 2 to solder one end of the second wire to the sleeve terminal on the 1/4-inch audio plug.
- 4
  Solder the loose end of the first wire to the tip terminal on the 1/8-inch audio jack. Solder the loose end of the second wire to the sleeve terminal on the 1/8-inch audio jack.
- 5
  Plug the 1/4-inch audio plug into the guitar output jack and turn the volume on the guitar up to the maximum setting. Plug the FM transmitter into the 1/8-inch audio jack. Turn the FM transmitter on, and set the output frequency on the FM transmitter so it does not match the frequency of any local radio stations.
- 6
  Turn on the car radio and tune it to the FM transmitter frequency. Place the FM transmitter as close to the car radio as possible, and strum the guitar strings. The guitar will be audible through the car radio speakers.

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