intro to theory?

[cooldude666]

I read this forum religiously, but I feel like I completely lack the base of knowledge that makes these discussions meaningful. Can ya'll provide me some books, websites, and any other resources that will school me in circuit theory? I'm thinking of taking Ian at specimen's amp building class after I sell my motorcycle, which I think will be good for teaching me construction, but he's said himself it's not a circuit theory class. I want to understand why that value cap or resistor was chosen and how to chose it. danke all for help!

[jazbo8]

Funwithtubes has a good online textbook, it's a good place to start => http://www.angelfire.com/planet/funw..._Contents.html

Jaz

[Tom Phillips]

Hi Alex,

You will find lots of good references in the MEF threads at
http://music-electronics-forum.com/t30661/
and
http://music-electronics-forum.com/t29876/

As you study I suggest that you set a goal to learn how to read and generate schematic diagrams because they are the written language of electronics. With that skill you will have a much easier time communicating and documenting your ideas.

Cheers,
Tom

[kilphody]

Check out " Cireuit(sic) Analysis of a Legenda
ry Tube Amplif'ersic) The Fender Bassman 5F6-A
3rd Editon
Richard Kuehnel

[cooldude666]

The Fender Bassman 5F6-A 3rd Editon
Richard Kuehnel

this sounds like it will become my bible.

[Waster]

How to design valve guitar amplifiers

[Tom Phillips]

this sounds like it will become my bible.

The Richard Kuehnel Fender Bassman book is probably an interesting read. However, since you originally stated "I feel like I completely lack the base of knowledge that makes these discussions meaningful", I think you will do best by studying the other more basic references first. I think that you will need the basic information in order to understand the concepts discussed in the Richard Kuehnel book as well as the Forum discussions.
Cheers,
Tom

[Enzo]

Wherever you find it, you REALLY need to learn and understand Ohm's Law. There really is nothing else as fundamental and universal in electronics.

[loudthud]

Wherever you find it, you REALLY need to learn and understand Ohm's Law. There really is nothing else as fundamental and universal in electronics.

To expand on this thought, you look at circuits with a battery, a switch, one or more resistors and maybe a light bulb or capacitor. Ultra simple but you learn how Ohm's law works and how to apply it. The voltage divider is introduced and from there you move to more complex circuits.

[kilphody]

Sorry cooldude666. Kuehnel's book is more geared towards an undergrad EE student. If you lack a basic understanding of the concepts(ie. Ohms Law) this is NOT the book for you! And I just checked it out on Amazon- Fifty $$!!!
PC

[cooldude666]

I have a computer science degree which included a fair amount of EE. I guess I actually have a base knowledge in basic EE/physics, but not the details related to tube circuitry.

[J M Fahey]

Being outside USA can't recommend a *specific* book or author, but when *anybody* asks me "how should I start in Electronics?" I always suggest the same: go to your school/local library and get the Physics book used whan you are around 17/18 y.o. dedicated to "Electricity and Magnetism".
Hey, I want Electronics !!!!!!
Don't worry, this Book will teach you the concept, formulas and applications of:
Electron
Electricity
Current
Voltage
Conductor
Insulator
Switch
Resistance (including Ohm's Law)
Capacitor
Battery
Galvanometer (needle multimeter: volt/current/resistance meter)
Transformer
Magnet
Power
Dissipation
and a few other things I'm missing
How's that ???
Knowing this, you'll easily understand those funny "Active" parts, which are made out of elements explained above , or variations of them-
As in:
A TRAN-SISTOR is a "trans ference" "re-sistor", a special resistor whose value changes using a third leg
A tube, called VALVE by the Brits, which is a *current* "valve" (meaning it lets more or less current pass, controlled by a 3rd control leg) and so on.

I see this as the best (and in the long run the shortest) way to understand Electronics properly.
Ane even if you already went through all this long ago, a refresher reading will open your eyes a lot, because now you have a practical application for this.

PS; can somebody suggest a couple books teaching what I mention above?
Thanks.

[Wombaticus]

Every serious amateur looking for an extremely solid yet approachable introduction to general electronics should own a copy of "The Art of Electronics" (2nd Ed.) by Horowitz and Hill. The iconic second edition now dates to 1989, so certain sections (especially those pertaining to the digital domain) are out-of-date, and there isn't any material about tubes....nevertheless, there is still nothing quite like it in the literature.

[Tom Phillips]

I have a computer science degree which included a fair amount of EE. I guess I actually have a base knowledge in basic EE/physics, but not the details related to tube circuitry.

Based on that input I offer the following link to a download included in the references I gave above. http://www.tubebooks.org/Books/crowhurst_basic_2.pdf

I agree with the other recommendations too. There’s a lot of published information and there is no singular book that works best for everyone.

Have Fun,
Tom

[jazbo8]

One of the best and comprehensive training course is the United States Navy Electricity & Electronics Training Series - NEETS => Davidson College Instrumentation Specialist - NEETS

Another one from the Army: Basic Theory & Application of Electron Tubes => http://www.scribd.com/doc/22089605/A...um-tube-theory

Real basic tube amp info from AX84 => http://www.scribd.com/doc/76727519/Tube-Amp-Theory

Jaz