Good book on solid-state troubleshooting and repair

[Euthymia]

Last weekend at the ASVARO Electronics Flea Market, I picked up a book on troubleshooting solid-state circuits that is so far the best I have found for someone doing audio amplifier repair.

He even mentions guitar amplifiers and uses a couple of old Kay solid-state amp schematics to illustrate troubleshooting problems.

The book was published in the early '90's, and seems to be a tech school level textbook. Looks like it's out of print, but there are several copies available used on Amazon for peanuts. Seriously, there are 12 copies on there ranging in price from 81 cents to $12.00 and it's worth at least $24.00.

The author's name is "Oleksy," but Amazon calls him "Olesky."

Here's a direct link to purchase the book:

Electronic Troubleshooting by Walter Oleksy.

For those who are waiting for Enzo's book, this is probably the best thing to tide you over.

Several flowcharts, and I like flowcharts when I am studying troubleshooting.

Nothing about tube amps, but there are other good books about troubleshooting tube amps.

[ahamay79]

Erik,

Thanks for the info!!!! I just placed my order.

Dave

[Fragger]

Thanks for the heads up; ordered mine.

[Euthymia]

I'm interested to hear what you guys think about the text.

Hard to go wrong at under five bucks!

[bnwitt]

The actual author of that book is Jerome E Oleksy, not Walter G. Olesky. Amazon definitely has that wrong. Mr. Olesky is a new age topic writer and Mr. Oleksy is an electronics writer. Here is a link to some of J E Oleksy's other books:

http://www.abebooks.com/servlet/Sear...ts=t&x=62&y=15

[Euthymia]

The actual author of that book is Jerome E Oleksy, not Walter G. Olesky. Amazon definitely has that wrong. Mr. Olesky is a new age topic writer....

Whoops, right you are! I didn't have my copy next to me when I typed my original post.

Anyway, I think everyone who is interested will be able to find a copy based on what we have told them.

Looks like we benefit from the Amazon miscategorization, because ABEBooks' copies are much pricier! Practical Solid-State Circuit Design sounds interesting.

[bnwitt]

Looks like we benefit from the Amazon miscategorization, because ABEBooks' copies are much pricier! Practical Solid-State Circuit Design sounds interesting.

Just so you know, Abe Books ususally shows the same used books sellers as Amazon. Anything you find on Amazon usually shows up on Abe books too though not always. As purchases of the cheaper ones are made, however, the higher priced ones are what's left. I usually search both Amazon and Abe Books for old used text books.

Two other great authors for old electronics texts are John D Lenk, and Joseph J. Carr. Both of these gentlemen were very prolific writers.

[Euthymia]

I usually search both Amazon and Abe Books for old used text books.

Ever check out Thriftbooks.com? It can be kind of a chore to wade through their huge stock list using their search engine, but I've found some great old electronics textbooks from them. They seem to have a magic source of retired college and tech school books.

Two other great authors for old electronics texts are John D Lenk, and Joseph J. Carr. Both of these gentlemen were very prolific writers.

I have books by both authors. I especially like Lenk. His book on test equipment is great. I also dig Robert G. Middleton, who wrote a bunch of Know Your (insert name of test instrument here) books for Sams, and some for Radio Shack as well.

We know about Jack Darr because of his classic Electric Guitar Amplifier Handbook, and he has another great text called How to Test Almost Everything Electronic from Tab, and a much revised version is still in print (credited solely to Delton Horn).

Do you have Robert Pease's book on analog troubleshooting? He's so great.

Vintage tech books are an addiction of mine. Especially the "101 practical bench techniques" types.

[gbono]

Teemu Kyttälä published a very good reference here

http://www.thatraymond.com/downloads...ttala_v1.0.pdf

Doug Self's "Audio Power Amplifier Design Handbook" is also excellent.

Also I would suggest/include a copy of the Art of Electronics.

These are not trouble shooting guides per se but very good reference books

[Jam]

book

Does the book say Second Edition on it?

[tboy]

Does the book say Second Edition on it?

Mine does.

[Euthymia]

Does the book say Second Edition on it?

In the Amazon link I posted, you'll see a cover scan of my own copy. Yes, it does say Second Edition.

Curious: those of you who bought up the half a dozen copies in the couple of days after I posted about it, did you find the book as useful as I did?

It helped me get a formerly-silent Kustom Kasino Klub out of here this week sounding really fine.

edit: Ah, just noticed the "thanks" from tboy. t, if I'd known you'd like it, I'd have bought you a copy myself! This forum has benefited me and my clients so many times over the years.

[martin manning]

Erik,

I agree it's a very well written text, and thanks for the tip! I like the author's integration of appropriate math content and numerous practical experiments.

MPM

[pontiacpete]

thanks for the tip. placed an order yesterday. there were 6 left.

regards
pete

[T9c]

Missed it!

Dang! There's only 3 left from $35.13... I missed it. I'll keep looking, though. Anyone seen a better deal?
I've had Lenk's Handbook of Practical Solid-State Trouble-Shooting for years. Very well written.
Rick