Customer Reviews

Tube Amp Talk for the Guitarist and Tech

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

 

 

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.

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.

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.

This is a great book if you are looking for a
"this component goes here and is suposed to do that" type of
book, also there are many good tips for servicing and repairing
vintage amps but I was disappointed with the lack of any
real info on how tube amps work. If you are looking for a
book to learn how a tube amp operates....it's just not in there.

Gerald's book is actually a compilation of many articles he's written over time. Don't expect long chapters, this is an easy book to pick and read an article when you've got little time on your hands.

There's alot of info. on Ampeg, Fender, Marshall, and (of course) Kendricks amplifiers. If you own one of these amps you won't be sorry you bought this book.

love the book. ya everyone says he's totally biased and one sided. which is true. But, the knowledge in this book is awesome and a very good resource to learn from!

This is another great book for the person who wants to tweak
their amp & get it running at its best.

While his books do have some repetition across the series, that is a good thing! I have all of his books and do not feel that I have wasted my money at all! Repeated reading of certain phrases and bits of knowledge will help you to remember them and learn better. It also gives you insight on the way tube amps work. You see how one solution for one amp relates to another solution for another amp and how they are similar. Good reading. Easy reading. Good sense of humor and a no bull attitude make Gerald a good writer. There is a ton of knowledge here. Definitely a must buy if you want to work on your amp yourself.

This writing by amp tech Gerald Weber,touches upon most of the favorite
guitar tube amps in use by musicians. There are many procedures mentioned
for amp modifications and tips on fine tuning various circuits. In many
cases, schematics illustrate the changes in circuits, for easy reference.
The Desk Top Reference of Hip Vintage Guitar Amps offers much more usable material. This book does offer ideas for player and tech, but does not go
into the detail,nor cover the ground of the first book. It's nice to have for ideas, but not my "go to" reference.

Gerald Weber is apparently an ex-meat distributor who ,without any formal electronics training or background, decided to go into the guitar amplifier business one fine afternoon. His flagship product seems to be a warts-and-all clone of the old "Liz Taylor" (4-10sky...a better joke in 1988 when he started this endeavor)Fender Bassman tweed amplifier. This is one of two volumes of his opinions and "tricks" regarding his ideas of what a guitar amplifier ought to sound like.

The plus side is that he knows what he wants, he has a rudimentary knowledge of electronics, and by dogged experimentation he has arrived at what he, and some other people, like.

The minus is that he realy isn't sure how he got there-he thinks he is, which is slightly dangerous-and little he says will help you if you want to go somewhere else. And, having learned the tricks of the trade but not really the trade,there's a lot of stuff here that's either questionable or outright wrong (such as his famous objection to DC filament supplies, which would make any broadcast engineer familiar with high power tubes chuckle in total disbelief).

But if you are either reading just for entertainment, or already have a reasonable grasp of electronics and want "Texas Tone Del Maximo" ( a guitar sound some people love and others, myself included, would pay not to have to listen to), here you go.