Books

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.

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.

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 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.

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.

"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!"

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

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.

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.

A reprint of a 1959 publication of Mullard Ltd., detailing high-quality circuits for audio amplifiers, pre-amplifiers and other stereophonic reproduction equipment. These designs were originated by Mullard engineers at the Mullard Applications Research Laboratory, and originally appeared in various magazine articles with notes on construction and assembly. 136 pages, 1.0 lb, 8" x 10"

Outlines, in schematic form, many approaches that achieve the goal of power scaling, super scaling and power management. A complete history and discourse on the technology outlines how to implement multiple power scale controls, alternative circuit forms and system impacts. Further tutorials outline the methods for super scaling, with both fixed and variable boost ratios, using both solid-state and tube methods.

This is the book that jump-started the boutique tube guitar amp business. Learn the truth about tube preamp design and modification; see how tube power amps work and can be made more reliable; see how reverbs and effects loops work and better ways to configure them; learn why some amp brands are easier to service and to mod than others; see how simple switching circuits are but how capable they can be. Tube data for the common types used in guitar and bass amps is provided, along with a discussion of stage set-up and player ergonomics. Spiral bound, 395 figures. 368 pages, 2.5 lbs, 8.5" x 11"

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.

This book offers a simplified method for designing tube power amps for audio. Tube operation is explained, as are circuit principles. Class-A or B, cathode, fixed bias, and push-pull and single-ended designs are covered, as are many front-end circuits. Includes designs using off-the-shelf transformers and current production tubes. Power outputs of 15 to 400W are depicted using pentodes and true triodes. Also, covers power supplies, selected tube data, and information on Hammond and Plitron transformers. Guitar amp builders please refer to "The Ultimate Tone Vol. 2"

This book examines this famous amplifier by studying its circuit design in great detail. It starts by breaking the amplifier into its major components: the 12AY7 preamp, the 12AX7 voltage amp, the 12AX7 cathode follower, the tone stack, the long-tailed-pair phase splitter, the push-pull power amplifier, and the power supply. Each component is analyzed to determine how it works and to derive the design formulas needed to predict its performance. The results are then compared to bench tests of the actual circuit. Finally all of the components are put together to analyze total system behavior and to discover how and where the amp transitions into distortion.

Several years ago, Gerald Weber started a fine tradition in the pages of Vintage Guitar magazine - that of freely sharing with others his vast knowledge of "everything amplifier." Gerald was the first of many fine tech writers to offer their hard-earned tips and tricks on the pages of Vintage Guitar. In fact, he has so much to offer, he writes two columns each month. Gerald continued that tradition with his popular first book, A Desktop Reference of Hip Vintage Guitar Amps, and follows up with this book, Tube Amp Talk for the Guitarist and Tech. An added bonus of this edition is the inclusion of the "Tranwreck Pages" by noted amp expert Ken Fischer. Whether you want to maintain your amp to keep the tone you love, or modify it for an exciting new sound, Gerald Weber can help. Maybe you need that little bit extra to get what you want.

“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…

A high quality reprint of the 1973 RCA Receiving Tube Manual (Technical Series RC-30). Includes tubes not found in RC-19, for example: 6CA7/EL34, 5AR4/GZ34, 6DJ8, 6DN7, 6LF6, 6KG6A/EL509, 6550, 7189, 7591 and the 7868 to name a few. Also includes pictures and industrial receiving tubes. 760 pages, 2.0 lbs, 5.25" x 8.25"

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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