Books & DVDs

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"

The most comprehensive history of the thermionic vacuum tube. Contains hundreds of photos and essential facts to assist in identifying tubes made prior to 1930, and traces the evolution of tube development with histories of the manufacturers. Truly a classic!
494 pages, 1.4 lbs., 5.5" x 8.5"

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.

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.

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.