Amp Builder new on the scene

[dwfender]

Hey guys...

I am INCREDIBELY interested in getting to know how to build amps as well as repair existing amps and mod and design effects pedals. The problem is although I have a good general understanding on soldering and electronic boards etc I have absolutely no experience on how it relates to sound and guitars specifically. Basically, I am looking for some reading material that can take me from green to somewhat knowing. I have a very fast learning curve and would like some material that isnt going to spend an hour teaching me something I can learn in 5 minutes so I dont get frustrated and bored. I ordered the book/dvd combo called Understanding Vacuum Tube Guitar Amplifiers from kendrick amplifers a few weeks ago and it never came in the mail so I'm getting frustrated and looking for other avenues to travel. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

Dan

[mooreamps]

Go to Tube Amp Kits, Tube Amp Books, Tube Amplifiers by London Power


Order books TUT1 through TUT6. Read each book ; cover to cover ; and then when you finish TUT6, go back to TUT1 ; and read them again.


-g

[Robert M. Martinelli]

Hi,
first of all, welcome to the place, and good luck with your future builds!

I'd also consider buying Merlin Blencowe's "Designing Tube Preamps For Guitar And Bass" - apart from having a "nice' n friendly" approach, it helps you understand the principles behind tone building by using practical examples and references to real-world amplifiers ( F,M,V and others ) and their topologies.

The book assumes an intermediate level of ( electronic ) knowledge, however, if you're familiar with the basics ( Ohm's law, Thevenin etc. ) reading it it's well worth the effort.

A word of caution - maybe you already know, maybe you don't, but you HAVE to understand that the voltages ( and currents ) inside ANY tube amp can ( and WILL ) kill you unless you learn to safely deal with them .

Hope this helps

Best regards

Bob

[dwfender]

thanks for the replies. TUT was the actual book I was looking for a few weeks ago and couldn't come across it to save my life and I had completely forgotten thename so I bought that weber one. Hopefully it wasn't a waste of money.

[Jag]

Welcome!

Gerald Weber's book? Which one? I started by reading Geralds first two. He's got his own opinions, for sure, but I think his first two books are a good primer. Not very long on theory or specifics but alot of, "do this to accomplish this". They give you a rough idea of what does what.

+1 on the TUT series for sure. I think Kevin has posted here once or twice. I think the TUT series strikes a very good balance between theory and real world observation.

There are lots of books out there, some better than others. Also, there is a TON of good information in these pages. Read a bit and then ask questions!

[Old Tele man]

...GOOGLE "ELECTRIC GUITAR AMPLIFIER+JACK DARR" and download the *.PDF copies of his older (1973) Howard W. Sams book. Should take care of your "fundamentals" information while providing excellent basic troubleshooting concepts.

...here's an example: http://www.diyguitarist.com/Misc/J_Darr.htm

[tyru007]

I'm still learning but here is some online literature that helped greatly with my understanding.

Read each of the sections at valve wizard site or better yet, buy his book.

How to design valve guitar amplifiers

Goto the AX84 site and read the " P1 Theory Document"

AX84.com - The Cooperative Tube Guitar Amp Project

Goto Aiken's site and read through teh techincal papers in the technical info section.

Aiken Amplification

Goto Duncan's site and download the free Power Supply Designer II and the Tone Stack Simulation freeware.

PSUD2
TSC

Goto Schematic Heaven and look through the schematics for some of the basic and popular amps.

Pick a simple and well documented amp design or kit and build one