nikki-k
Experienced
Hi!
With all the deep underpinnings available for us to tweak with the Axe-Fx, and especially with the Axe-Fx II (and seemingly more with each new major firmware version), I figured it might be cool to start building a library, and stock it with some books that could/should help provide a bit of insight. First up, a basic set of books for amp knowledge.
First up, something that I feel anyone can benefit from having.. well, except maybe the most well cooked of us
(BTW- linking to Amazon out of habit; please check to see if the author has them for sale, as they may benefit from a direct sale more). The Guitar Amp Handbook - Understanding Tube Amplifiers And Getting Great Sounds, by Dave Hunter. This book delves into the basics of tube amps, some basic electronics, and a bit of theory. However, it is done through example, and by utilizing some well known and venerable amp designs. Pictures! Yes, lots of pictures If you do not understand Pentode and Triode.. Sag and B+... transformers (more than meets the eye).. caps and resistors.. and how they all contribute to produce this incredible piece of art, this is a must-have (IMO). There are more comprehensive books out there, but I really feel that this one is easy to understand, and builds from the most basic designs, right up through a Soldano Decatone and more. I own this, and still go back through it after having read through it... many, many times. Ditto on the next two books...
Next up, Gerald Weber. These are definitely more "in depth," and a bit more complex. Tube Amp Talk For The Guitarist And Tech is one, and A Desktop Reference Of Hip Guitar Amps is the second one I would recommend. These include the (infamous?) "Trainwreck Pages" by Ken Fischer, plus tons of schematics and other goodies. All of this comes with a bit of forewarning: opinions abound. Strong opinions at times. However, the educational value FAR outweighs any of that IMO. Gerald Weber has other books available, but I feel these two are the most essential as "primer" books. Once again though, if you have not made it through Dave Hunter's book, find that technical tomes are quite boring, or find that material a bit difficult to digest, these two books might be a bit of a chore, and may be best left on the shelf.
These days, with "paperless publishing," forums (such as this one!!!), and blogs galore, a physical library is but one resource. In that spirit, and in keeping with the "understanding amplifiers" theme, I offer:
The Amp Garage (predominantly Dumble and Trainwreck discussion)
Metro Amp (seller of amp kits; this forum has a goldmine of amp info)
Vintage Amps (Tons of vintage amp info, with a good selection of brand specific areas)
And, finally, for those interested in expanding beyond guitar amplifiers..
DIY Audio (wealth of info, very broad in scope)
Those forums are frequented by many types; please be aware that when you delve into areas such as those, etiquette becomes a huge priority.
Of course, Wikipedia is a great place to find information. The amount of information available online is truly staggering, but please take care, as there is a lot of misinformation out there as well. The three physical books I suggested are.. best enjoyed as physical books IMO. Rather than Amazon, also please feel free to check out Powells Books; this is a local bookseller AND buyer, so they have TONS of books, including out-of-print and rare.
I hope someone finds this useful!
With all the deep underpinnings available for us to tweak with the Axe-Fx, and especially with the Axe-Fx II (and seemingly more with each new major firmware version), I figured it might be cool to start building a library, and stock it with some books that could/should help provide a bit of insight. First up, a basic set of books for amp knowledge.
First up, something that I feel anyone can benefit from having.. well, except maybe the most well cooked of us
(BTW- linking to Amazon out of habit; please check to see if the author has them for sale, as they may benefit from a direct sale more). The Guitar Amp Handbook - Understanding Tube Amplifiers And Getting Great Sounds, by Dave Hunter. This book delves into the basics of tube amps, some basic electronics, and a bit of theory. However, it is done through example, and by utilizing some well known and venerable amp designs. Pictures! Yes, lots of pictures If you do not understand Pentode and Triode.. Sag and B+... transformers (more than meets the eye).. caps and resistors.. and how they all contribute to produce this incredible piece of art, this is a must-have (IMO). There are more comprehensive books out there, but I really feel that this one is easy to understand, and builds from the most basic designs, right up through a Soldano Decatone and more. I own this, and still go back through it after having read through it... many, many times. Ditto on the next two books...Next up, Gerald Weber. These are definitely more "in depth," and a bit more complex. Tube Amp Talk For The Guitarist And Tech is one, and A Desktop Reference Of Hip Guitar Amps is the second one I would recommend. These include the (infamous?) "Trainwreck Pages" by Ken Fischer, plus tons of schematics and other goodies. All of this comes with a bit of forewarning: opinions abound. Strong opinions at times. However, the educational value FAR outweighs any of that IMO. Gerald Weber has other books available, but I feel these two are the most essential as "primer" books. Once again though, if you have not made it through Dave Hunter's book, find that technical tomes are quite boring, or find that material a bit difficult to digest, these two books might be a bit of a chore, and may be best left on the shelf.
These days, with "paperless publishing," forums (such as this one!!!), and blogs galore, a physical library is but one resource. In that spirit, and in keeping with the "understanding amplifiers" theme, I offer:
The Amp Garage (predominantly Dumble and Trainwreck discussion)
Metro Amp (seller of amp kits; this forum has a goldmine of amp info)
Vintage Amps (Tons of vintage amp info, with a good selection of brand specific areas)
And, finally, for those interested in expanding beyond guitar amplifiers..
DIY Audio (wealth of info, very broad in scope)
Those forums are frequented by many types; please be aware that when you delve into areas such as those, etiquette becomes a huge priority.
Of course, Wikipedia is a great place to find information. The amount of information available online is truly staggering, but please take care, as there is a lot of misinformation out there as well. The three physical books I suggested are.. best enjoyed as physical books IMO. Rather than Amazon, also please feel free to check out Powells Books; this is a local bookseller AND buyer, so they have TONS of books, including out-of-print and rare.
I hope someone finds this useful!
