TubeNexus

A lot has happened on the AmpGarage Trainwreck Discussion in the 1+ years since I originally built my Ceriatone. DrHulsey had a thread in which he shared his cleaned up schematic (last update: March, 2008)… finally a schematic that completely aligns with Francesca… here is the DrHulsey Schematic Thread. In this thread is also a layout that DrHulsey derived from Richie’s corrections to the original Ceriatone layout. Continue reading »

Peavey recently announced a new product offering… tube-amp modeling from a company that makes tube amps… Continue reading »

This series of postings will detail the construction and debug of a Ceriatone kit.  Along the way I hope to capture some of the key considerations & stumbling blocks and give you a good feel for the process. Continue reading »

This is a very entertaining, professional-looking video on making a vacuum tube from scratch.  Created by a French Ham Radio enthusiast… I’m in awe.  A friend asked for a link to this, so I thought I’d post it here as a pleasant diversion.

If you have decided to take the plunge and build your own guitar tube amp, please let me share my early mistakes projects with you to help get you going in the right direction.  But first, be sure you really want to build your own: Continue reading »

We’ve talked about three series of books, so far, that each provide a different approach to tube amplifier analysis, design and construction:

1. Nerdy 
2. Easy reading theory/practical mix and,
3. Comprehensive (encyclopedic) hands-on with a practical focus on guitar tube amp projects

Something for everybody in that list, but if you are hankering for more (or less, as in ‘free’), then there are lots of resources on the internet and this post tries to capture some of the more notable ones, specifically ones that are good for beginners. Continue reading »

This post is all about a series of books that is the most comprehensive and lucid explanation of guitar tube amp architecture, circuits, tone, components and construction technique for DIYers I have ever found. Continue reading »

When considering what to recommend for beginner’s interested in learning enough theory of operation to have a practical foundation in tube amp design I was torn between two excellent series, so I’ll write about both, in two separate posts. Continue reading »

This post should probably be sub-titled: “That you can’t buy at DigiKey or Mouser,” although some of the parts can be sourced from them. None of these tools are expensive, all are incredibly useful. Continue reading »

Now we come to the part of the show where Norm pauses to review shop safety. Or alternatively, Robbie starts screaming “Danger, Danger Will Robinson!”. Continue reading »