Tube Amp Talk for the Guitarist and Tech [Paperback]

Gerald Weber (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: December 1, 1997

For this follow-up to his popular A Desktop Reference of Hip Vintage Guitar Amps, Gerald Weber has compiled his articles and "Ask Gerald" columns that have appeared in Vintage Guitar from 1993 to 1996. As a special bonus, Ken Fischer's "Trainwreck Pages" from Vintage Guitar are also included. This book assumes that the reader has at least a working knowledge of tube guitar amplifiers, and it will be helpful and interesting whether or not guitarists intend to perform their own servicing.

Product Details

• Paperback: 545 pages
• Publisher: Kendrick Books (December 1, 1997)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0964106019
• ISBN-13: 978-0964106017
• Product Dimensions: 9 x 6.1 x 1.3 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 3.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (10 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #784,863 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

45 of 49 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Required reading for all guitarists !, June 7, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Tube Amp Talk for the Guitarist and Tech (Paperback)

This book should be required reading for anyone who owns or has considered purchasing a tube amplifier. A clever combination of humor and factual analysis make this book an indespensible resource. The experienced bench tech to the complete novice will all gain something from this tome. Of particular value is the Q and A section, that alone is worth the price of admission. Other books I recommend are; The Tube Amp Book 4.1 ed by Aspen Pittman, A Desktop Reference of Hip Vintage Guitar Amps by Gerald Weber and Vacuum Tube and Bass Amplifier Theory by Tino Zottola.

18 of 19 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars The tube amp according to Weber, November 10, 2001

By 

Frankie Fame (Redmond, WA United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Tube Amp Talk for the Guitarist and Tech (Paperback)

This is an ok book as far as tech reading about tube amps is concerned. There are not a lot of books available on this specific subject. It is not a beginner book and some technical knowledge is a plus. I learned some things from the book, but I also realized that Gerald Weber's way is not always the correct way, or best way. He gives a couple of mods that I tried on my Fender Bassman. Some of the mods are good, but I spent several days trying to undo one of his. I quote "that 470K ohm interstage feedback resistor should be removed." Well not according to my ears, I ended up changing to a 220K and this worked well. It was as if he gives you a bit of information, and lets you figure out the rest, good for learning I suppose. Quote: "I would recommend changing the wiring of a Bassman AB165 to match the schematic of the AA864." He says remove this, add that, but there is often more to it than he tells you. I realized if he says do this, or that, it might not be in your best interest. My problem, I did all of his bassman mods and then tried to figure out why my amp now sounded bad. He get's into specifics about certain amps and the question area at the end of the book has good information, although some of the things he says are redundant. I do like the book as a reference, but you must realize it is Gerald Weber's opinion, there are others out there. A knowledgeable vacuum tube electrical engineer would probably be chuckling after reading this book. For people like me, interested in learning more about tube amps it was good material.

13 of 14 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Advanced Amp Talk, May 21, 2001

By 

David C Allen (Waltham, MA United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Tube Amp Talk for the Guitarist and Tech (Paperback)

In "Tube Amp Talk...", Gerald Weber presumes the reader has more than just a basic understanding of the workings of tube amplifiers. This book is more for those interested in tweaking and modifying, although it does have a great deal of information that might be of interest to a reader with little or no knowledge of tube amplifiers. It leaves out basic maintenance issues and general information with an emphasis on restoration of vintage amplifiers, troubleshooting and upgrading. The Q&A section is full of helpful tips for both the accomplished technician as well as the curious guitarist wanting to keep his amp in top condition. And, not surprisingly, it also serves as a propaganda piece for Weber's own company, Kendrick, with a section fully devoted to explaining the virtues of their hand built, made to order amplifiers. If you're a beginner needing the basics in tube amplification, "Tube Talk..." probably will not have what you're looking for; but if you're seeking out well explained, intermediate to advanced type tube amplifier topics, this book belongs on your shelf. While this is probably not the first book one should buy about tube amplifiers, it is a must have for the serious tube amp fanatic.