The only handson approach to building valve and tube amps classic and modernwith a minimum of theory. It is intended as a companion to design and construction of guitar and bass speaker systems. Below is a short list of some of the books we have and can recommend as good resource on the subject. For your own safety, never use any power source that connects to the mains outlet. There is a reason this book comes highly recommended and seems to be on everyones bench. It is relatively easy to find introductory information on how to design simple amplifier stages, and it is also fairly easy to find extremely advanced information on complex circuit design, and nearly all of it is. First, i like the sound of the 50l6 power tube in my vintage kay amp.
Part one starts off with my method of choosing a design. Tom mitchell how to service your own tube amp quantity. Power scaling for tube guitar amplifiers a technology by london power. Maintain your guitar and amp like a pro, with this concise manual of tips from a veteran guitar tech. This book describes the detailed construction of five vacuum tube amplifiers. They are new enough that the s are current, and jones really deserves the money from the sale of these fine books. I read many popular books about tube amplifier repair. The simple fact is that achieving fine audio does not require spending a fortune. The quickest way to get acquainted with the parts and standard layout techniques used in tube amp building is to build an amp kit. Of the dozen or so books i have read from cover to cover. And very costeffective you get a lot for your money when you supply the labor for assembly. Check this section for special deals on tube hifi amps, guitar amps, preamps, integrated amps, kits and more tube amp kits 5e3, st70, jtm45, more ampsandgear 5f1 tweed champ tube diy amp.
If you are interested in trying to build your own tube amp, this may help you out. Although weaker than many common types 6v6, 6l6, etc. With a few essential tools and proper procedures, youll find that building a vacuum tube guitar. Diy audio books and manuals speakers, vacuum tubes. How to service your own tube amp does exactly what is says it will do. I dont have current info, but i think that antique electronic supply sells tube amp kits. All the guitar effect devices presented in this book are intended to be powered by a regular 9 volt battery, which is safe to be used as a power source in almost any condition. Building your own vacuum tube guitar or bass amplifier from scratch is truly an exciting experience. A tube amplifier chassis contains lethal high voltage even when unpluggedsometimes over 700 volts ac and 500 volts dc. The tube amp book deluxe revised edition book and disk package hardcover. However, whether it is nostalgia, interest in the technical parameters, the appeal of a gleaming amplifier chassis with softly glowing valves.
It is because of the electric guitar amp that vacuum tubes are still being. I am still a newbie and have found these two to be easy entrance. The answer is that building a handwired tube amp is within the reach. Tube amp kits 5e3, st70, jtm45, more triode electronics. See all 2 formats and editions hide other formats and editions. While this article is intended primarily for the homebrew builder, it will also be useful background for the kit builder. The dynamics of power amp distortion create the heart and soul of an amplifier. Finding books on tube amps that arent wildly above your knowledge level is difficult when starting out. It is based on a classic american tube circuit design combined with a britishstyle class a output tube section.
Some of them are long out of print, and can only be obtained from used book sellers, although they are occasionally seen for sale on the internet. We try to maintain a comprehensive list of guitar amp kits and sources so please let us know of any needed additions or changes by emailing us at editor at guitarkitbuilder dot com. Guitar amps might seem complicated, but theyre really just a lot of simple. You can also have your own an amp fitted with power scaling by a recommended installer. The problem with getting new hams to join the builder ranks is that there are not a great number of books that address this specific area. This inexpensive tube amplifier kit has been available for a number of years now and makes for a nice little tube amp. Following is a list of must have books for the serious tube amplifier designer.
Everyday low prices and free delivery on eligible orders. If you have the video is it worth trying to track one down. Amp camp the diy tube audio workshop build your own tube amplifier. The slides are pretty heavy on engineering design terms, but give a good feel for what it takes to construct and tune an audio amplifier using vacuum tube. Celebrating musicians and the kit they use to get their sound. Design and construction of tube guitar amplifiers paperback 2009. How to design valve guitar amplifiers the valve wizard. Tom mitchell how to service your own tube amp kenny.
The tube amp book by aspen pittman if you read this whole article, you. Guitar amplifier power amps helps you get the most out of it. For best performance, the fixtures are made of thin metals. If you have not been trained to work with high voltage then have an amp technician service your amp. Im thinking about ordering a copy, but apparently the video is no available. Building your own guitar amp is a rewarding pastime, but learning how to do it can be time consuming and frustrating sometimes. To read our articles about building these guitar amp kits please click on the category of interest in the orange menu bar above. As for what kind of amp you want to build, id say let your own imagination be your guide. Though slightly higher priced than the marshall kit, it does offer some premium features. In this article we cover how to lay out and build the chassis for a vacuum tube guitar amplifier. Well, radio building master greg charvat has you covered with his latest presentation, design your own vacuum tube audio amplifier. Power, tube or solidstate preamps, and accurate tonal shaping make this a very flexible bass amp head.
Books, calculators, and tutorials for guitar amplifier circuit design. Scratch build a stereo tube amplifier part 1 youtube. How guitar amps work and what you can do to start tweaking. The mod 102 is a great place to start for those interested in building their own tube amp.
Design, construction, faultfinding, and testing are all illustrated by stepbystep examples, enabling readers to clearly understand the content and succeed in their own projects. How to service your own tube amp, a complete guide. A complete guide for the curious musician mitchell, tom on. Anyone own and recommend the book and video how to service your own tube amp. We get a lot of people asking us for diy audio and loudspeaker book recommendations to get them started in the hobby. I think there is also a company or more than one that sells an updated version of the classic dynaco st70 tube amp kit.
How to service your own tube amp 1991 edition open library. The construction of these amplifiers is described in full detail with chassis drilling templates, component installation, wirebywire hookups and schematics. This is my favorite tube amp book, merlin blencowes, designing tube preamps for guitar and bass, 2nd edition. How to service your own tube amp book and video the. This is guitar kit builders directory of amplifier kits. Build your own audio valve amplifiers linde, rainer zur on. At low volume it produces a clean, chimey tone that moves into smooth overdrive at higher volumes. There are a lot of books on the topic and naturally we cannot go over all of them all.
With its very modest price tag, this kit is an affordable step into the wonderful world of vacuum tube audio. The documentation that ampmaker supplies for its builds is comprehensive and easy to follow and available to view online, so its not worth duplicating here. How to service your own tube amp by tom mitchell a well organized and easytounderstand approach to guitar amplifier repair covering basic electronics, reading schematics, understanding tubes and transformers, tube biasing and use of test equipment. How to service your own tube amp by tom mitchell, 1991, media concepts edition, in english rev. By matt erickson kk5dr i have read in many articles, the lamentation over the lack of new hams that are building their own gear, and older hams who dont build anymore.
The mod 101 diy guitar amplifier kit comes with the stamp of mod kits excellence. Diy vacuum tube valve amplifier projects hifi audio. How to service your own tube amp 1991 edition open library donate. If not, then play this just before bed time, it should. How to service your own tube amp by tom mitchell, guitar.
I own a copy of valve amplifiers, and it is a wellwritten book with good info but not for beginners interested in guitar amp applications. Get your amplifiers ultimate tone, as quietly as you like. Amp camp the diy tube audio workshop tube sound audio. Written for musicians, amp builders, and tube audio enthusiasts, design and construction of tube guitar amplifiers provides a complete yet easytounderstand explanation of how to design, modify, construct, and test tube amps. The tube amp book by aspen pittman if you read this whole article, you probably already own this book. If youre like me and want to know how tube amps work and their circuits function before trying to build your own, this is the best book ive found. A complete guide for the curious musician spiralbound dec 1 1991. How to service your own tube amp, 9780962817007, available at book depository with free delivery worldwide. Concise manual of basic tips for keeping your guitar and amp in top condition. How to layout and build a guitar amplifier chassis. Dixie chicks, b52s, paul simon, black crowes and peter gabriel, among others. Discover stepbystep how to design phase inverters and power amps to achieve your specific design goals. This huge volume is arguably the best book ever published on tube amplifier circuits and other electronic circuitry, from filters to. A bibliography of must have tube electronics books.
The science of electric guitars and guitar electronics. Add only the numerical characters of the item number. If your interest in this book is amp mods, be aware that the author is a marshall kind of guy and although basic. A complete guide for the curious musician lab manual by tom mitchell isbn.
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