Books

Have you ever wondered if there is a better way to build a Bassman, Champ, Plexi, an 800, AC-30, Bulldog or Portaflex? Or you wanted to build an SVT with off-the-shelf parts? How about a master-volume amp that doesn't change tone with the master setting? Everything you need to know is right here, including: proper grounding techniques, wiring methods, and mechanical considerations. Eighteen chapters cover the "iconic" amps everyone knows and loves, with schematics and layouts for each, along with the technical history of the product.

The evolution of guitar amp circuits becomes a revolution! The Ultimate Tone, Volume 6 takes you through advanced DC Power Scaling methods; reveals the secrets of Dumble amps; explores the truth about high-gain preamps; demonstrates how to build Z-B-X push-pull power amps with a single power tube; simplifies the design of 400W+ tube amps - methods that can be applied to any power level; presents class-G tube amps where 100W of output has the same waste heat as a 25W amp; explores modern mains control and sustain circuitry.

Every part of your system contributes to your Ultimate Tone, so every part is important. The Ultimate Tone, Volume 5 delineates, in clear language, the function of each electronic component in a circuit, and how alterations to the value of each part affect the final sound. Gain stage voicing, interstage attenuator optimization, sustain restoration for clean and distorted tones, power amp and preamp "tone generators", simple boost pedals, amp selectors and power conditioners are all covered, with designs using off-the-shelf parts. Like TUT3, this is a "project book" presenting design challenges and solutions, with a diversity of tube and solid-state circuits for bass, guitar and keyboards.

Books about guitar amplifier electronics usually focus on individual circuits: preamp stages, tone stacks, phase inverters, the power amp, and power supply. Fundamentals of Guitar Amplifier System Design presents a structured, top-down approach to crafting a complete guitar amplifier.

Many would say the Fender Deluxe design reaches its peak with the narrow-panel 5E3, becoming the ultimate tone machine for public performance and recording. The 5E3 is also the most cloned guitar amp of all time. It has an elegantly straightforward signal chain that maximizes tone and minimizes parts count, making it a favorite for kit makers and kit builders alike. In fact, there is perhaps only one other amp design that can compete with the 5E3 in terms of popularity, particularly among working musicians. Ironically, it also carries the name "Deluxe" - the blackface AB763 Deluxe Reverb.

This book presents vacuum tube amplifier theory using modern, web-based design tools and computer visualizations to eliminate the usual litany of mathematical formulas. The book begins with the fundamentals of electronics and vacuum tubes. It then proceeds through each stage of a modern guitar amplifier, including preamp voltage amplification stages, cathode followers, tone stacks, power amps, phase inverters, and power supplies. The final chapter is devoted to the craft of controlling overdrive dynamics and harmonic distortion.

This book is a step-by-step tutorial for simulating vacuum tube guitar amplifiers using LTspice, a free SPICE-based electronic circuit simulator for Windows and macOS. The book walks you through the basics of developing a schematic, setting up a simulation, integrating vacuum tube models, and interpreting the results. From there it gradually ramps up to advanced topics, like verifying the sonic performance of a guitar amplifier as a complete system, analyzing the dynamics of overdrive, and writing new SPICE models for triodes and power tubes.

Fender designed the Bassman in 1952 to be an amplifier for its new Precision Bass. The amp had a 15-inch speaker with a closed back and used a pair of 5881 beam power tetrodes for lots of volume. Throughout the decade it would be modified and improved until culminating in the model 5F6-A.

When Mike Soldano designed the SLO-100 in 1987 he had no idea that it would transform the guitar amplifier industry, becoming one of the most iconic amps of all time. As we all know now, the SLO became a big hit, particularly in the heavy metal community, backing bands like Dokken, Ratt, and Dio. At Wacken Open Air it is perhaps the ultimate rig-of-death. This book examines a circa 1996 version of the SLO-100 with an effects loop. The preamp's cascading-gain architecture requires several triodes to implement, but each is dedicated to a pivotal role in the signal chain. With only two channels and a simple switching mechanism, the SLO has a surprisingly compact architecture for creating such a rich palette of tones.

New reprint of the 4th edition of this book, originally published in 1973. Discusses signal amplification theory, how each part functions in an amplifier and contains many schematics and amps popular at the time. Softbound, 382 pages. One of today's most popular instruments is the electric guitar. Proper operation of the amplifier associated with the guitar is essential to the amplification and enhancement of the guitar sound. The ultimate test of a guitar amplifier is the quality of the musical sound that comes from the speaker. Many electronic service shops hesitate to service guitar amplifiers because the service litarature is sometimes difficult to acquire through standard channels. Electric Guitar Amplifier Handbook has been written to dispel any qualms the serviceman may have about servicing these amplifiers. While explaining in detail the functions of all parts of the guitar, the author relates them to familiar electronic circuitry.

The classic Ludwell Sibley book is now available in this wonderful second edition. Tube Lore II contains a wealth of knowledge and information on a wide variety of tube types. Any tube collector or radio aficionado will find the contents of this book to be an invaluable reference.

The follow up to Volume 1 in the series, covering more advanced amplifier construction projects for the experienced builder. Includes detailed plans for the following five classic tube amplifiers:

• Deluxe (5E3) 15 watt amp with push-pull 6V6s
• Bassman (5F6A) 50 Watt amp with push-pull 6L6s
• AC30 Top Boost 30 watt amp with quad push-pull EL84s with Top Boost Mods - minus Vibrato circuit
• Plexi Super Lead (1959) 100 watt amp with quad push-pull EL34s with master volume mod
• Twin Reverb (AB763) with quad push-pull 6L6GCs wi

A handy reference for the novice electronic tinkerer and experienced craftsman alike. Informative and easy to read, the book

• explains how to read schematic symbols
• explains standard notation, S.I. symbols and tolerances
• reveals the resistor color code
• lists standard resistor values for 1%, 5%, 10% and 20% components
• lists standard capacitor values and explains the colour coding of vintage caps
• explains current, voltage, power, resistance, capacitance and inductance
• explains Ohm's Law and how to figure out series/parallel resistance
• transformers and impedance are clearly explained

Examples are worked out throughout the book to illustrate how truly simple basic electronics is!

Building your own vacuum tube guitar or bass amplifier from scratch is truly an exciting experience. This book describes the detailed construction of five vacuum tube amplifiers.

The follow up to Volume 1 and 2 in the series, covering advanced amplifier construction projects for the experienced builder. Includes detailed plans for replicas of five classic tube amplifiers.
120 pages, spiral bound

"Over 500 pages of all new material not found in my other books or anywhere else for that matter. Tons of empirical data that de-mystify the inner workings of tube amps to help you get the most from your amps!"

Gerald Weber answers questions about vintage guitar amplifiers on topics such as biasing for output tubes and easy modifications. He includes an analysis of Fender® classics such as the Tweed Champ, Tweed Deluxe, Deluxe Reverb, Super Reverb and others. Also included are schematics for Ampeg®, Fender®, Gibson®, Hiwatt, Magnatone, Marshall®, Rickenbacker, Silvertone and Vox® amps. 500 pages. 1.5 lbs, 6" x 9"

Gerald Weber, of Kendrick amplification fame, is the author of A Desktop Reference of Hip Vintage Guitar Amps and Tube Amp Talk for the Guitarists and tech. This is his third book, and works well as a companion to his previous books or on its own. 528 pages, softbound

Guitar Amplifier Overdrive: A Visual Tour is an analysis of how tube guitar amplifiers produce their overdrive tones. A visual tour of common tube circuit behaviors. Explanations and illustrations of nonlinear and time-varying circuit behaviors and their impacts on tone. Dr. Ulrich Neumann is a professor of Computer Science, with a joint appointment in Electrical Engineering, at the University of Southern California in Los Angeles. He completed a Bachelors and Masters degree in Electrical Engineering from the State University of New York at Buffalo and was granted a computer science Ph.D at the University of North Carolina at Chapel hill. His academic research relates to Computer Graphics and Computer Vision. He received an NSF CAREER award. He was an Associate Editor for the IEEE Transactions on Multimedia.

“Sound Advice from Gerald Weber” Everything you wanted to ask about Vacuum Tube Guitar Amplifiers. Foreword by Aspen Pittman. As an advice columnist for over 20 years in three major guitar magazines, Gerald Weber has probably answered more tube amp questions than anyone. In Gerald’s 5th book about Vacuum Tube Amplifiers, he answers over 300 useful questions…

Guitar Amplifier Design: Tubes and Semiconductors Play Together is a look over the shoulder during the process of designing a unique guitar amplifier. Insights and opinions on design principles and best-practices for getting great tone in any design. Novel approaches and solutions to common circuit-design problems. Performance and tone improvements for common tube circuits. Explanations of cause-effect relationships that lead to better designs and better tone. Dr. Ulrich Neumann is a professor of Computer Science, with a joint appointment in Electrical Engineering, at the University of Southern California in Los Angeles. He completed a Bachelors and Masters degree in Electrical Engineering from the State University of New York at Buffalo and was granted a computer science Ph.D at the University of North Carolina at Chapel hill. His academic research relates to Computer Graphics and Computer Vision. He received an NSF CAREER award.

This revised edition is a step-by-step manual to maintaining and repairing electric or acoustic guitars and basses. Players will master the basic maintenance and set up of a guitar. An advanced crafts-person will discover this to be a valuable reference source for complex procedures such as replacing nuts and frets. This third edition incorporates new techniques and tools, plus detailed repair information for specific models.

A comprehensive guide by Craig Anderton. Shows you how to build your own Preamp, Compressor/Limiter, Ring Modulator, Phase Shifter, Talk Box, plus 22 other inexpensive electronic accessories. Written in clear language, with hundreds of helpful diagrams and illustrations and simple ste-by-step instructions. Many effects builders have cited Electronic Projects for Musicians as the book that got them started. This book lays out the basics of effects building, detailing the tools, parts and techniques needed. This book contains 27 different projects including fuzz pedals, ring modulator, phase shifter and compressor, complete with diagrams, illustrations and simple step by step instructions. for those wanting to build their own effects, this is your starting point.

A well organized and easy-to-understand approach to guitar amplifier repair covering basic electronics, reading schematics, understanding tubes and transformers, tube biasing and use of test equipment. Also provides 10 troubleshooting flowcharts, voltage charts for typical amplifiers, and many modifications that you can do yourself. 250 pages, 2.3 lbs, 8.5" x 11"