Customer Reviews

Amps!: The Other Half of Rock 'N' Roll

5 star:		(1)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

As the title of this book implies, it is about the role of guitar amplifiers in creating the unique signature sounds that many people instantly associate with various bands and guitarists they've heard over the years. While many musicians and the public tend to focus on the guitar itself in providing a unique sound, amps easily account for half or more of the sound quality and tonality of a performance. This book includes a good technical description of how guitar amps work, what makes them different from other types of amplifiers, and a worthwhile discussion of vintage tube amp tone versus the reissue models now being marketed by various manufacturers. It also has a useful troubleshooting section for dealing with various symptoms of an ailing amp. Perhaps the most interesting part of the book is on the human nature side, providing excellent thumbnail sketches of the various companies and personalities that were involved in pioneering amplifier innovations, such as Jim Marshall and the legendary Leo Fender. The book also deals with the histories and/or products of other companies (including Vox, Ampeg, MESA/Boogie, Roland, Gibson and others), and has lots of photographs and reproductions of old advertising fliers. My only complaint about the book is that it misses the opportunity to give at least a little bit of technical specifications for the amps that are discussed and pictured. As just one example, on page 21 there is a photograph of a Fender Tweed Deluxe that was taken in Tuscon with the caption: "This cinder-block wall art surrounding Tucson's biggest meat packing plant seemed like the logical place to shoot this amp. Musta been the heat." The effort at humor aside, a more useful caption might have been, "This model Tweed Deluxe was manufactured by Fender between 1954 and 1961 and boasted a single 12" Jensen and 15 watts of power." It would have been a mistake for Fliegler to try to provide extensive technical specs on the numerous amps that are pictured throughout the book, but a little more detail in the captions would have been appreciated. I wouldn't want this one narrow criticism to overshadow the value of this entertaining and useful book, which will be of interest to players and collectors alike. The best thing you can say about a book is that it will change the way you think -- and that is exactly what this book will do for the performing guitarist who has underestimated the impact of guitar amplification in providing a unique and personalized sound. As a well known working guitarist and someone who also worked for Marshall, Fliegler has the credentials and experience needed to speak on this subject with a lot of authority.

Ritchie Fliegler cuts right to the heart of Rock & Rock. That "sound." He describes the efforts of many to capture that sound. In this digital crazy world, it is refreshing to read about those who spend a life's effort trying to create a totally subjective, analog product that cannot be graphed, charted, or placed into another database. When that "sound" is heard---the amplifier's designer knows he's onto something very good. It's that simple. Yet, not an easy task. Fliegler's writing is unpretentious. He has a pure love of the amplifier's role in Rock & Roll. This helps to emphasize the luck and persistence needed by these amplifier designers. It's nice to read about people dedicated to their jobs. Not for money or power, but for the passionate pursuit of an elusive goal. I highly recommend this book. You do not need to be a musician nut to enjoy it. It reveals just how important that "sound" was to the history of Rock, as the Rock groups, themselves.

Seemed to be more of a book for the author to get out his obsession with amplifiers and a photography hobby. Had some historical significance but missed great opportunities to explain basic electronic significance of different types of amplifiers, including diagrams from involved schematics to simple textbook layouts. Difficult to refer back to as the book lacks both an index and a glossary so the reader is forced to search all over for information. The book lacks a "how-to" guide for selecting an amplifier based on the reader's level of performance/learning, even using 1993 date of publication examples. I could care less about vinyl coverings and the glue to hold them or how different companies in the 1950s started as much as I would like to see explanations about reverb units, parallel and series signals, splitting signals, and how different effects, both pedal and rack type interact with different types of amplifiers. It would also be nice to see the plusses and minuses of different manufacturers' offerings. The book didn't explain a lot of the basics well, including bias.

This book is well written and has a lot of information about the various types of amps and their history. I was in a band with Randall Smith as the drummer. Smith went on to create the Mesa Boogie. It would have been nice to have read about Dumble amps also, since I owned the third one made by Howard (Alexander) Dumble. I know,however,that Mr. Dumble is a sometimes difficult person to locate and to interview. His amps are considered to be some of the finest of their type made. I recommend this book to anyone who has an interest in amps, their history and construction

Very interesting book, but I've heard that there's a little company in Mississippi that has made a few amps. How can a book about guitar amplifiers leave out one of the largest producers in the industry?

Not much point in buying this book unless you enjoy living in the past. Far too many musicians like to do that, in fact. There have been so many advances in amplifier technology in the past 13 years that this book can only interest those who collect vintage amps or are just looking for old sound. And there are better resources than this for that.

Besides, any amplification book that neglects brands like Peavey (!!!!), Carvin, Trace Elliot, Hughes&Kettner and Traynor (!!) among others is incomplete. Would you buy a book about the Japanes auto industry if it didn't discuss Honda and Subaru?

I say, keep looking dudes.