Is there a good book on Tube amp design out there?

[chikov]

I know that there is a lot of info online, but I can comprehend things easier when is in in a book form. I read a couple of book already by Gerald Weber and the one by Dave Hunter (The Guitar Amp Handbook) but the most of the info is fragmented and at intro level. I want to understand not only what every section and every part does but why it is there... I know that schools do not teach tubes anymore, plus I do not have time to go to school, but I want to learn and UNDERSTAND it in depth. What books helped you, guys?
Thanks.

[xtian]

Let me refer you to our sticky: http://ampgarage.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=9023

I think the next book you want to attack is Merlin's: http://www.valvewizard.co.uk/Book1.html

He does the maths, in a pretty accessible way. LOTS of great stuff in that book.

[chikov]

Let me refer you to our sticky: http://ampgarage.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=9023

I think the next book you want to attack is Merlin's: http://www.valvewizard.co.uk/Book1.html

He does the maths, in a pretty accessible way. LOTS of great stuff in that book.

Thank you. I am aware of his sticky . I just wanted a book made out of paper. Your suggestion is right on the money. I will reed more on it tonight.

[mhartman]

Check out Kevin O'Conner's books The Ultimate Tone. They're really good at what you're looking for.

[mrn1ngstr]

The first book I read was "Design and Construction of Tube Guitar Amplifiers" by Robert Megantz. I found it helpful for starting out learning the math and fundamentals. I basically carried it with me everywhere- Id read it while fishing. It wasn't until Id gone through it a few times that I started on Merlin's and Morgan Jones' stuff. There are other more in-depth books you can find though.

If you're looking for deep understanding, better pick up a Radiotron Designers Handbook and also Essentials of Radio by Slurzberg and Osterheld. Old, but good stuff.

I find that no matter how much I read, I still feel like Im mostly just wandering through the dark, asking dumb questions. Hopefully, once Ive had more experience, it'll all just... click.

[mhartman]

Here is one of the best articles that I've come across. It focuses on tweaking preamps stages:

http://ratcliffe.co.za/sundry/Modify_Pr ... cuitry.pdf

That being said, most of my education came from building each of the "genres" of amps and asking "why" at all times.

[Turbojunkie]

I'm the same way, there's just something about having a physical book in my hands that works better for understanding and retaining information, as opposed to reading a computer screen...I have no idea why that is.

I agree with mrn1ngstr and xtian, the Robert Megantz and Merlin Blencowe books are excellent, and the Radiotron Designer's Handbook is practically 4 years of college in a single book....1500 pages of serious stuff in great detail. Another author to check out is Richard Kuehnel at https://www.ampbooks.com/

"The Ultimate Tone" series of books from Kevin O'Connor have been worth buying to me in addition to the books and authors listed above, but they do have one aspect to them that bothers me...the chicken scratch hand-drawn schematic and layout illustrations are terrible.

[davent]

"The Ultimate Tone" series of books from Kevin O'Connor have been worth buying to me in addition to the books and authors listed above, but they do have one aspect to them that bothers me...the chicken scratch hand-drawn schematic and layout illustrations are terrible.

A frequent complaint, I'm okay with them, adds a certain charm but that's me. Index's would be a godsend.

dave