Amp Books

[John]

Okay, I'm getting ready to send off for both of Merlin's books now that I actually have some time to read them in the evenings. I'm also thinking of buying Dave Hunters "Guitar Amplifier Handbook" after sifting through reviews of many different books. Seems it does a good simple (I need me some simple) job of explaining the actual build process in addition to the tweaks. I know there's lots of e-books to be had, some for free but I really prefer relaxing with a book in my hands.

Anyway, is there a "beginners" book you would recommend over Dave's? Or will I be well served with these three choices? (I'm sure it's gonna be slow digesting Merlin's stuff as I'm a real novice on theory, but I figure all you guys can't be wrong) Any thoughts opinions and even insults are appreciated! 

[jojokeo]

Dave's book is good basic info and not overly technical for easy fun reading at not too high of a price. Merlin's are much more technical for learning about building, designing stages and aspects of operation.

[archaos]

I'm reading Merlin's preamp book whose I'm getting more & more fond of, & TUT vol. 3 that I like a lot. Yet that one is completely different (i.e schematic illustrations drawn by hand...) but remains very useful even for a newbie. My tube amp building addiction has already begun...

[The_Gaz]

1+ on TUT 3. And for the beginner-beginner, Jack Darr's classic book in pdf. format here http://www.diyguitarist.com/Misc/J_Darr.htm, and Tom Mitchell's How to Service Your Own Tube Amp.

[plexi50]

It's good to read up and learn all you can. You never stop learning

[Willabe]

IMHO, London Powers (KOC) TUT 1 should be added to the list. TUT 5 also.


                Brad           

[tubeswell]

+1 on Merlin's books and the Jack Darr book. RDHB4 is also informative (but highly technical)

Also somebody called C R Couch did one for DIY guitarists who want to build their own amps, which I think is here:

Designing-V-T-Amplifiers.pdf designing vacuum tube amplifiers and related topics

{EDIT: cleaned-up link --PRR}

[Fresh_Start]

TUT 1 & 3 for sure, plus Jack Darr's book.

I highly recommend the AX84 Theory Document also.  See the "References" sticky for links to AX84 files, plus other reference sources.

I'm working on Merlin's preamp book right now.  It's really good but wouldn't have done me much good a couple of years ago.  The others are more basic and helpful to start with IMHO.  You can download the first chapter from Merlin's website to get a feel for whether or not it's your cup of tea (pun intended).

Cheers,

Chip

[Frankenamp]

Don't look at Mr Couch's book. It describes the design and construction of a "Deluxe" type amp with different tubes. I selfishly want to keep the demand (and price) of 6JN6 tubes low, so that when I get around to making one- they are still reasonable NOS prices & availability. The pictures of his workbench & gear have me rather jealous as well. Nice looking work and an organized work area. I'm most envious. There is also an appendix on how to 'Princetonize' a Champ, and other subjects like care & adjusting of guitars... He has his opinions and is pretty forthright about his positions and rationale. And its free (except for the paper to print it out on)... but don't read it 

[shortfuse]

Thanks for this post I was getting ready to ask the same question as I would like to get deeper into the theory and operations of the internal components.

[Tone Junkie]

I have TUT 3, I was getting ready to sell it on Ebay Any body want to buy it a lot cheaper than anywere else you can find it. Great book but Ive moved on $50.00 I will pay the $5.00 for shipping.
I also have Tino Zittola, Building vacuum tube and guitar and bass amplifiers I would sell cheaper than you can buy it else where. thanks Bill
PS this is probably the wrong place for this so admin,s feel free to move

[nateflanigan]

I'm reading Merlin's power supply book right now.  It's very difficult reading by my standards, but for every page I space out on there's another one where I learn something new.

I've read "Guitar Amp Handbook" cover to cover a few times, I really like the detailed circuit description sections, it was really helpful with my ab763 build.

[sluckey]

This reference is not taylored toward guitar amps, but it provides solid basic electronics theory that will help in understanding the stuff you read in amp books.

Navy Electricity and Electronics Training Series (the whole thang)
http://www.rarmy.com/coleman/neets/

 

[John]

Thanks everyone for the replies! I think I'll go ahead order both of Merlin's, but read Handbook and Jack Darr first before delving into the more complicated stuff. My first complete build is going to be a simple SE anyway, kinda like a Valve Jr. or similar. Crawl before walking.  There are so many out there, but these will get me started for sure!

[Fresh_Start]

John - the AX84 forum is dedicated (mostly) to single-ended designs.  The AX84 website has multiple preamps and poweramps intended for you to mix & match, plus the documentation looks really good.  You can even buy kits from Doberman if you want, and I highly recommend a kit for your first build no matter what it will be.

HTH

Chip

[John]

Chip, thanks! I keep waffling between a kit and build from Hoffmanparts, even had a thread going about. I had decided on parts. *sigh* Thing I like about the kit is, I know I've got the right trannys and the layout should be right.

[Frankenamp]

This reference is not taylored toward guitar amps, but it provides solid basic electronics theory that will help in understanding the stuff you read in amp books.

Navy Electricity and Electronics Training Series (the whole thang)
http://www.rarmy.com/coleman/neets/

+1
 If you want a print version, Rider published that as "Basic Electronics" in 6 volumes (V.V. Nooger & Neville) for the civilians.

Depending on what you are wanting to build, there are several amp types in the library and many "as built" threads I.E. Carolina Blues Special, Tweed Overdrive Special, & Little Wing. Those all have a pretty complete listing of parts & layouts (I know- I DL'ed and slobbered all over 'em) Doug has pretty complete documentation of the 18 watt Stout... 's like a candy store or Baskin Robbins (Friendly's fer the right coasters) What flavor do you want?  Hell, I want 'em all!

[bobmegantz]

If I may, I'd like to recommend my book "Design and Construction of Tube Guitar Amplifiers."

Details at www.translucidamps.com.  Reviews on Amazon...

Bob

[navdave]

Hello Antique Electronics wow. I second that you never stop learning.

It's good to read up and learn all you can. You never stop learning

[John]

If I may, I'd like to recommend my book "Design and Construction of Tube Guitar Amplifiers."

Details at www.translucidamps.com.  Reviews on Amazon...

Bob

That looks like it would be a good fit for me too!

[G._Hoffman]

Hello Antique Electronics wow. I second that you never stop learning.

It's good to read up and learn all you can. You never stop learning

Absolutely true, but what has been surprising me lately is just how far you can get when you actually bother to apply the things you learn early on.  Whenever I'm looking through a circuit and get confused about what's going on, I've been finding that applying Ohm's Law and the Inductor/Capacitor equations (2fπL and 1/2fπC) will typically get me pretty close to understanding what is going on.  Learn the basic stuff, and learn it well.  It makes the harder books so much easier to understand.  (I'm still struggling with all of it mind you, but when I stop to tell myself, "Ohm's Law," things usually become clearer.)


Gabriel

[PRR]

Just HIT(!) my mailbox:

Foundations of Electronics
Russell L. Meade
3rd edition 1999 (there are others, surely similar)

Apparently a once-COMMON textbook. I paid more for shipping than for the book. ABE.com lists many copies at clear-out prices.

> I've been finding that applying Ohm's Law and the Inductor/Capacitor equations (2fpL and 1/2fpC) will typically get me pretty close to understanding what is going on.  Learn the basic stuff, and learn it well.  It makes the harder books so much easier to understand.

FoE has 800+ pages, would be an intense 13-week course, longer if you read it on the potty. Looks to be Good Basics, and yet has NO devices (transistors, tubes, chips). This is the stuff you GOTTA know cold before you go further. Like learning poker-hands before you play for real money: skip this stuff and you lose.

[HotBluePlates]

Besides that does this link that somebody sent me with a few different books on it still work? I don't know.

[Link Now Gone]

My only issue is that there are 2 books there by Morgan Jones. I own a copy of Valve Amplifiers, and it is a well-written book with good info (but not for beginners interested in guitar-amp applications).

They are new enough that the copyrights are current, and Jones really deserves the money from the sale of these fine books. I assume the book on building amps is the same high quality as his other book.

[HotBluePlates]

... what has been surprising me lately is just how far you can get when you actually bother to apply the things you learn early on. 

+1

I've been reading a book PRR sent me, Transistor Circuits and Applications. It's amazing that I finally had some clarity on how the output transformer really works and what it looks like to a tube output stage, and especially that it came by reading about transistors.

The reason it came from a transistor book is that, under certain conditions you can ignore the characteristics of the transistor; only the external circuit matters. That enabled me to get an understanding of transformers by focusing just on the OT's action, and ignoring what might be happening with the tube.

[jojokeo]

I finally had some clarity on how the output transformer really works and what it looks like to a tube output stage - That enabled me to get an understanding of transformers by focusing just on the OT's action, and ignoring what might be happening with the tube.

Is it possible to share a quick shortened version of your epiphany?

[John]

PRR, thanks for the link. I ordered that book.

I've downloaded and am working my way through the AX84 document that was suggested. I find I have to read each page a couple times, and then work my way through each paragraph; but at last I'm on my way to truly understanding how a tube works, and the equations used for setting the bias in the preamp section of the circuit. I do not have an engineer's brain. 

IOW, I've made it through the first 2 pages.  Baby steps, baby steps!  It's so tempting to just start building and sticking in the resistors, caps, etc. without really understanding what I'm doing. But I remember how much extra work I caused myself by firing up the soldering iron on my Harmony without researching first.

[tubeswell]

Besides that does this link that somebody sent me with a few different books on it still work? I don't know.

link removed (- oops!)

My only issue is that there are 2 books there by Morgan Jones. I own a copy of Valve Amplifiers, and it is a well-written book with good info (but not for beginners interested in guitar-amp applications).

They are new enough that the copyrights are current, and Jones really deserves the money from the sale of these fine books. I assume the book on building amps is the same high quality as his other book.

Oops I see. Yes you are right. Offending link removed. (Sorry -it was a link somebody sent me, and I didn't set it up so I couldn't edit out those two Morgan Jones links, so the whole link is gone now from my earlier posting). Cheers

[HotBluePlates]

No biggie. I just want Mr Jones to get the money he deserves for his efforts, just as I would for Merlin, Kevin O'Connor and others. Old books with expired copyrights are, however, fair game for merciless sharing!

[Travst]

If I may, I'd like to recommend my book "Design and Construction of Tube Guitar Amplifiers."

Details at www.translucidamps.com.  Reviews on Amazon...

Bob

Hey Bob, I'm reading your book now, it's a great reference.  A great deal of it is advanced for me, but I'll come back to it again and again as I learn more.  You include very concise descriptions of the math and I've been able to use some of it already.

[John]

Started reading TUT3 (thanks to Tonejunkie) and then received the Foundation of Electronics recommended by PRR. It does a GREAT job explaining the building blocks. Even I can understand it.

No pop quizzes just yet though. 

[samato]

I was able to build an amp from scratch and pretty much understand the whole process by reading the Dave Hunter handbook and the Tino Zottola theory book.  The rest came from this site and a couple other online resources.  I had basically no knowledge before that except I knew how to solder.  The amp works great.

Oh, I also read the AX84 theory paper but that was a tough read for me at the beginning.  I might go back to it one of these days.  The other 2 I mentioned were much easier for me to follow.

[jjasilli]

Ditto to Freshstart.  There's a lot of great stuff on the net:  Doug's Library has great references; also checkout http://www.audiophool.cjb.net/Techno.html
http://www.tubebooks.org/technical_books_online.htm
http://www.antiqueradios.com/forums/index.php?sid=ae05d49659816aaddda356954452b725

The new guitar amp reference books are great.  But I'm loving the perspective from 1951!

[bobmegantz]

Hey Bob, I'm reading your book now, it's a great reference.  A great deal of it is advanced for me, but I'll come back to it again and again as I learn more.  You include very concise descriptions of the math and I've been able to use some of it already.

John - glad you're enjoying it.  Pls. let me know if there's anything you don't understand...

Bob