Understanding amplifier circuits

Re: Understanding amplifier circuits

Stratman, I am looking for something like this book, but I think that i'm going to need something more basic to start with.

I have one of Kevin O'Connor's books (The Ultimate Tone #3) and it has a very practical approach to building tube amps (which is what I wanted) and he recommended that book when I called to order it, after I told him that my main objective was to build a Champ clone.

Any "more basic" tube amp books that you would recommend. I'd like to try and avoid the math. focus, if possible, but I would like to get past the "paint by numbers" level that I'm at now.

Thanks

Dave
 
Re: Understanding amplifier circuits

The Guitar Amp Handbook: Understanding Tube Amplifiers and Getting Great Sounds by Dave Hunter is a good one.
 
Re: Understanding amplifier circuits

Thanks Rich S

I'll have a look.

I'm also going to look at Kevin O'Conner's other books in his series. Have you read any of his books?...just curious.

Dave
 
Re: Understanding amplifier circuits

wanna learn amps? go buy a kit and build one. then when you're on your 10th one, you'll start to realy get it.
 
Re: Understanding amplifier circuits

joelap said:
^ he's totally right. All the books and reading in the world didn't help me once it came time to flip the switch to "power". I have probably over 12 different books on tube amps as well as tons of internet pages printed, and I've read 'em all and none of them really meant anything when it came to the actual building of the amp.

But I do recommend that Guitar Preamp book in the link stratman posted. That one has been my favorite read so far out of all the books I've owned. Kevin O'Connors books are good too, I've got three or four of his.
Click to expand...

joelap and Scott_F: I have done a fair amount of reading (O'Connor, general electronics texts, and downloads) I am doing my first build with the help of friend (he helped me get many of the parts...but I don't see him very often for ongoing help due to distance, busy lives, etc).

I'm just looking for something that will simplify and consolidate the electronics theory of what is happening in the various parts of the tube amp circuit. O'connor's book does a good job (IMHO...maybe other books are better) of the covering the practical "building" stuff and that is what I have enjoyed most. I just feel that I should understand more tube and electronics theory. I'm also concerned that Dave Hunter's book might be too advanced for me to comprehend...the comments in the website advertising his book state "for the advanced student"

I'm not intending to delay the building of my amp (Champ clone) until I fully understand the theory...just hoping to find some good comprehensive reading along the way.

My biggest problem is devoting the time needed to the build, on a regular basis.

Thanks for the comments.

Dave
 
Re: Understanding amplifier circuits

I would personally love to get in the building amps game, but only for myself (I'm such an amp ho it's a joke). Problem is I have very little experience...I have soldered my own guitars, but that's it. If I was wanting to learn this stuff, should I really start with a kit? I was thinking about taking an entry level electronics class just to learn good soldering skills...
 
Re: Understanding amplifier circuits

Scott:

I build my first amp (Heathkit) back in 1967. Came out nice.

However, I am just too lazy to build one that could possible come up to your level of build quality.


Yep, too lazy and spending just too much time playing guitar, drinking beer, and surfing the web.
 
Re: Understanding amplifier circuits

Farkus...learn from my error...start with a kit for sure.

Have a look at

http://www.missionamps.com

I think that there is enough information in this forum and on the internet to help with soldering. IMHO, once you know how to approach soldering (i.e., prep and techniques), and have some decent equipment, then it just seems to come down to perfecting your soldering through practice. See what the other readers say.

Dave
 
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