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Guitar Amplifier Handbook - Understanding Tube Amplifiers and Getting Great Sounds (Softcover) by Dave Hunter (2005) Paperback
Excellent Book
- GenresMusicReferenceNonfiction
Paperback Bunko
First published October 1, 2005
17 people are currently reading
155 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews
May 2, 2021
This book is a must have for seasoned amp lovers and newcomers in the field. In a nutshell, this book...
- Will save you tons of time and money in your trial and error wanderings.
- Will make you appreciate your amp's imperfections, because without them your tone wouldn't be special.
- Will make you free, because Dave's experience and humility are truly freeing.
- Will save you tons of time and money in your trial and error wanderings.
- Will make you appreciate your amp's imperfections, because without them your tone wouldn't be special.
- Will make you free, because Dave's experience and humility are truly freeing.
June 17, 2017
Excellent book.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 25, 2017
Amazing book to get a grip with how your tube amp is working and how they are made. Highly recommend to any tube amp user.
May 7, 2012
I've been playing electric guitars through effects into guitar amplifiers for twenty six years but it's only in the last five that I've become interested in the electronic circuits that have made this happen. As this interest developed, I did what I so often have done and began to read books on the subject. Guitar amplifiers are particularly complicated beasts and The Guitar Amp Handbook has been instrumental in my grasp of just how it is a guitar amplifier does what it does.
Dave Hunter has a friendly, easy going writing style that communicates several complex concepts quite well. He is able to be informative without going over anyone's head, speak to the layman without being condescending and be funny without being awkward or corny. So very few of the authors of books on music electronics are capable of adequate technical writing, including those who have Electrical Engineering degrees and have worked in the industry for decades. Hunter communicates the concepts and ideas guitarists need to know to be able to make informed decisions about what amp to buy in a way that is completely effective. I cannot stress this enough.
The book itself is fantastic. Hunter tells you what the amp does then proceeds to break this process down to its various parts. He discusses electrical components and what they do and addresses the issue of "mojo" in NOS (new old stock) tubes, capacitors, resistors, etc. Hunter also covers speakers, cabinets, wattage requirements and maintenance. There are tons of excellent photographs and diagrams to reinforce the subject matter and a thorough and handy glossary to refer to as you read. One chapter details building your own amplifier from a kit. There are also several interviews with various amplifier makers that are pretty interesting, considering many of the topics discussed in this book are echoed in these interviews.
The coolest chapter takes a look inside various amplifiers with detailed photos of the insides of the amps illustrating what each part is doing and what is happening in the circuit. This is a great tool to help understand how amplifiers work.
This is not a technical manual, so techs might find this book redundant. However, anyone who wants to know what makes and amp tick (and sing, roar, wail, etc.) will find much to learn.
Dave Hunter has a friendly, easy going writing style that communicates several complex concepts quite well. He is able to be informative without going over anyone's head, speak to the layman without being condescending and be funny without being awkward or corny. So very few of the authors of books on music electronics are capable of adequate technical writing, including those who have Electrical Engineering degrees and have worked in the industry for decades. Hunter communicates the concepts and ideas guitarists need to know to be able to make informed decisions about what amp to buy in a way that is completely effective. I cannot stress this enough.
The book itself is fantastic. Hunter tells you what the amp does then proceeds to break this process down to its various parts. He discusses electrical components and what they do and addresses the issue of "mojo" in NOS (new old stock) tubes, capacitors, resistors, etc. Hunter also covers speakers, cabinets, wattage requirements and maintenance. There are tons of excellent photographs and diagrams to reinforce the subject matter and a thorough and handy glossary to refer to as you read. One chapter details building your own amplifier from a kit. There are also several interviews with various amplifier makers that are pretty interesting, considering many of the topics discussed in this book are echoed in these interviews.
The coolest chapter takes a look inside various amplifiers with detailed photos of the insides of the amps illustrating what each part is doing and what is happening in the circuit. This is a great tool to help understand how amplifiers work.
This is not a technical manual, so techs might find this book redundant. However, anyone who wants to know what makes and amp tick (and sing, roar, wail, etc.) will find much to learn.
March 29, 2007
This book brushes the surface of just about every topic related to guitar amplification, tone, and all sorts of "voodoo" related to the topic. Although it is a lot to digest, the topics are well-divided, and I am being honest when I say that the book only hits the high-points of each topic. Within each chapter, I believe one could write an entire other book (at least), but the information is not so shallow to be useless. Also, Hunter's writing is easy to follow and he uses guitar-y phrases like "fat tone," "dig in," and "crack the plaster." Overall, it's a must for anyone who wants to improve and consider various aspects of guitar tone and doesn't know exactly where to start.
June 30, 2016
For anyone who plays electric guitar, bass, harmonica or other instrument through a tube amp this is a must read.
Dave Hunter breaks down the topic into simple digestible pieces taking you through the most basic circuit to fool amplifiers of increasing sophistication.
Cannot recommend enough for those seeking knowledge of tube amps and all their glory.
Dave Hunter breaks down the topic into simple digestible pieces taking you through the most basic circuit to fool amplifiers of increasing sophistication.
Cannot recommend enough for those seeking knowledge of tube amps and all their glory.
January 15, 2011
my amp is as much a part of my instrument as my guitar. time to actually figure out what is going on inside of the thing.
but clearly i need to take some classes in electrical engineering.
but clearly i need to take some classes in electrical engineering.
May 15, 2014
A great introduction to tube guitar amps.
The first chapter is pretty heavy on the electronics terminology, so it might be worth it to brush up on the basics before diving in.
The first chapter is pretty heavy on the electronics terminology, so it might be worth it to brush up on the basics before diving in.
Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews