Design and Construction of Tube Guitar Amplifiers

by Robert C. Megantz, Ken Leyva (Illustrator)

Written for musicians, amp builders, and tube audio enthusiasts, Design and Construction of Tube Guitar Amplifiers provides a complete yet easy-to-understand explanation of how to design, modify, construct, and test tube amps. It is intended as a companion to Design and Construction of Guitar and Bass Speaker Systems. Profusely illustrated, the book uses graphic aides and basic algebra and scientific principles to teach you everything you need to know to fully understand tube guitar amp technology from both technical and musical perspectives. Chapter 1 introduces basic audio engineering concepts used in tube amps, which are used throughout the book. Chapter 2 teaches you how to design and interconnect all of the five stages in a basic amplifier. You also learn how changes in the design of a stage affect its performance. Chapter 3 discusses distortion, overdrive, tremolo, reverberation, and effect loop design. Chapter 4 shows you how to select the components you need to build an amp, how to mount and interconnect the components, and how to test, adjust, and troubleshoot an amplifier.

Genres: Music, Reference

149 pages, Paperback

First published September 1, 2009

Reviews

[Mercier_B]

This book is more of a memento than a real manual. Admittedly, it deals with the design of all the parts of tube guitar amplifiers, and touches on their construction, but all in such a synthetic and rather theoretical way that the technician or enlightened amateur will not deepen his existing knowledge.
As for beginners, they will be put off by the mathematical aspects, on a subject with which, in any case, we can't recommend starting.

[Kevin Browder]

This is THE design book by which I measure all others. Tube data is limited, but you can always look up the app note online. I dare say you could design with just this book and it wouldn't count disfavorably toward the end product.