I got my book! I got my book! I got my book!

[tubesornothing]

As soon as I saw "The Valve Wizard" (Merlin Blencowe) had published a book on designing preamps for guitar and bass, I scrambled to get a copy.  I waited impatiently by the mail  box each day - and now it is here!

This looks really good.  It looks like a great book that really delves into the practical and theoretical aspects of preamp design.  If you liked Richard Keunell's book - you will like this!

Yeah!

Thanks Merlin!

[bnwitt]

Navin R. Johnson: "The new phone book's here! The new phone book's here!"

Harry Hartounian: Boy, I wish I could get that excited about nothing.

Navin R. Johnson:  "Nothing? Are you kidding? Page 73 - Johnson, Navin R.! I'm somebody now! Millions of people look at this book everyday! This is the kind of spontaneous publicity - your name in print - that makes people. I'm in print! Things are going to start happening to me now.

Sniper: "Die Navin R. Johnson you random son of a bitch"

Navin R. Johnson: "He hates these cans. Stay away from the cans."
Sorry, I couldn't resist laughing at your thread title.  It brought back memories of one of my favorite movies  

Before I buy it though, read it front to back and tell me if you have any real revelations.

[snoof]

I've got good use out of that book so far!

[nastyoldtech]

I received my copy earlier this week too! Mr. Blencowe my hats off to you sir. I've read several chapters so far. It's written in a very clear and concise a to z manner. No stone left unturned.
Most of the books on the subject of tube amps that I've read leave a lot off, full of holes and I find that some of the info is out of date. Most leave you asking questions that you need to crack another book or go online to follow up on. The more concise stuff is written for other applications that can be applied to, but a lot of that could use an update as well.
I've already found parts in the book were I raised a question only to have Mr. Blencowe follow up with a "One thing which may strike attentive readers" and on to the answer.
294 pgs. hard cover with good binding and quality ink/paper. I can't remember when the last time I purchased a reference material of quality at a fair price like that (might have been my Radiotron 3rd Ed 1941, both are about the same size and quality).  
Looking forward to the next in the series. Can I pre-order today and have it next week?  

[tubesornothing]

Navin R. Johnson: "The new phone book's here! The new phone book's here!"

Harry Hartounian: Boy, I wish I could get that excited about nothing.

Navin R. Johnson:  "Nothing? Are you kidding? Page 73 - Johnson, Navin R.! I'm somebody now! Millions of people look at this book everyday! This is the kind of spontaneous publicity - your name in print - that makes people. I'm in print! Things are going to start happening to me now.

Sniper: "Die Navin R. Johnson you random son of a bitch"

Navin R. Johnson: "He hates these cans. Stay away from the cans."
Sorry, I couldn't resist laughing at your thread title.  It brought back memories of one of my favorite movies  

Are you calling me a Jerk?  Are you saying I can't keep time?  Have you seen me play?  There is a reason they call me "the metronome".


 

[69SG]

http://music-electronics-forum.com/t13962-2/

[tubesornothing]

This really is a fantastic book. I own the full TUT series, RK's books, a ton of weber's stuff, pitmann's book and a few audiophile books as well.  This is the best of them.

His book is well organized and easy to understand. It is not meant for beginners but is intended to bring intermediate builder to an advanced level. Each section discusses theory and practice, but also how to the practicalities of designing guitar amps based on the theory and practice.  He really understands that one amp or one circuit wont please all, and how to tweak for different tastes in tone and distortion.

I am really looking forward to other publications from him (effects, power sections and power supplies - I hope!).

When I posted the thread "how do you design your amps", this book is what I was looking for.

ToN  (yahoo)



Note: this book does have math and load lines.  This is fine by me, but I know it really scares some people off.

[bnwitt]

Wow! That is quite a glowing statement.  Maybe "this book is the best of them from my perspective” would be a more faithful statement.  The Tut series is phenomenal and how any one book could be better than that entire series is unimaginable to me.  Calm down, take a deep breath and restate your analysis.  

Did you vote for Obama?  Did you ever buy a pet rock or Chia pet? Was there a time you believed a conspiracy was behind the JFK assassination

Mr. Metronome you are beating a loud drum beat for this current holy grail recommendation of yours.  Must everyone own this book regardless of their current understanding of tube function?  Could you better state the suitability of the treatise to a particular level of understanding?  There are many folks reading your posts with the intention of pulling a trigger on a $32 purchase and I would be concerned that some of them might be wasting their money if they are above or below the level of this aggregated knowledge compilation.  How about a real book review from your reading intended to identify those who will find the book most useful?  Something with details and highlights rather than just glorious praise?

[andrew_k]

I'm about 160 pages into it. It is inspiring unlike anything I've read on the topic of valves.

[Tinkerer]

Reading your reviews, I had no choice but to order it!
So now I sit back and wait, and wait and........

[tubesornothing]

Wow! That is quite a glowing statement.  Maybe "this book is the best of them from my perspective” would be a more faithful statement.  The Tut series is phenomenal and how any one book could be better than that entire series is unimaginable to me.  Calm down, take a deep breath and restate your analysis.  

Did you vote for Obama?  Did you ever buy a pet rock or Chia pet? Was there a time you believed a conspiracy was behind the JFK assassination

Mr. Metronome you are beating a loud drum beat for this current holy grail recommendation of yours.  Must everyone own this book regardless of their current understanding of tube function?  Could you better state the suitability of the treatise to a particular level of understanding?  There are many folks reading your posts with the intention of pulling a trigger on a $32 purchase and I would be concerned that some of them might be wasting their money if they are above or below the level of this aggregated knowledge compilation.  How about a real book review from your reading intended to identify those who will find the book most useful?  Something with details and highlights rather than just glorious praise?

Bah! If you ask nicely without the offhanded comments and critiques of my posting, I **might** give you a review.  But asking me to review the book with that kind of statement - forget it!   If you forked out the $400 for the TUT series, so you can easily afford $32 - so if you want a review for everyone out there - have at it!

BTW if you are all concerned about who the book is intended for - read his web page about it! sheesh.

[DummyLoad]

Wow! That is quite a glowing statement.  Maybe "this book is the best of them from my perspective” would be a more faithful statement.  The Tut series is phenomenal and how any one book could be better than that entire series is unimaginable to me.  Calm down, take a deep breath and restate your analysis.  

Did you vote for Obama?  Did you ever buy a pet rock or Chia pet? Was there a time you believed a conspiracy was behind the JFK assassination

Mr. Metronome you are beating a loud drum beat for this current holy grail recommendation of yours.  Must everyone own this book regardless of their current understanding of tube function?  Could you better state the suitability of the treatise to a particular level of understanding?  There are many folks reading your posts with the intention of pulling a trigger on a $32 purchase and I would be concerned that some of them might be wasting their money if they are above or below the level of this aggregated knowledge compilation.  How about a real book review from your reading intended to identify those who will find the book most useful?  Something with details and highlights rather than just glorious praise?

do you have any gentlemanly qualities?   

...and we all know how objective book reviews are, right? 

he likes the book. kindly allow one to express their enthusiasm without so much sarcasm. 

[Frankenamp]

OK, Is this something that a dummy like me would get a lot out of, (non-calculus mental OS, some algebra, stats, and lo-maths)  or will I be too freaqued out? There's a lot I semi-comprehend, but a lot more I still have to take on faith. The more I know, the more questions I have... and all that.

R/
Frank


Addendum-
<thinks Bnwtt has his tongue planted firmly in cheek, and is just 'stirring the pot'- sumpthin I've been guilty of abit myself>
Don' get too kerfluffled...

[tubesornothing]

Did you look at his web site and the first chapter?

http://www.freewebs.com/valvewizard/index.html

[PRR]

Yes, yes.... read the first chapter. Don't diss our Chia Pets.

[nastyoldtech]

Hey, it's a good read and heck well made for that matter. I've become a book cork sniffing snob when it comes to my reference material, this one will hold up for the long run. 

[Voxbox]

Pet rocks?
Pah! Stuff and Nonsense?

I'm off to play with my Sand Breeding Kit.
 

[navdave]

Couldn't help notice the horns you build high gain amps to Snoof?

I've got good use out of that book so far!