If you want their exact sound you need the same amps, the same guitar, the same pedals (if they use some) and the same pick. But you should use some sub and put your treble to about 8 and your bass to about 4 or 5 and your mid to about 5. Try the same settings on your pedal and get all the sounds the same volume level. For example, make your pedal the same volume as the amp when the amp is clean.

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Zoom G92tt Twin Tube Guitar MultiEffects Console G92TT BBE Boosta Grande NEW    US $309.99

BBE Boosta Grande Clean Boost Effect Pedal    US $79.99

BBE Boosta Grande Clean Boost Guitar Effects Pedal    US $37.01

BBE Boosta Grande Boost Pedal Near Mint    US $59.00

BBE BOOSTA GRANDE BOOST NEW DESIGN TRUE BYPASS FX PEDAL    US $99.99

BBE Boosta Grande TruBypass Boost Pedal New    US $79.99

BBE Boosta Grande Clean Boost Pedal    US $79.99

BBE Boosta Grande Power Supply 20 DB Boost Pedal    US $79.99

BBE Boosta Grande Boost Pedal with Gift BRAND NEW from Dealer    US $79.99

View Page:   1  2  3

oh for pete sake, all these young players wanting to sound

"just like ________"

Here's a great idea, instead of sounding like ________, create your own sound by learning to master the guitar that you have. Create music that is good for you and about you and sounds like you.

Then you can be an "artist" instead of a clone.

Boosta Grande is a post from: Fat Finger Music Electric Guitar Blog, click to read more.

The best pedal for very smooth sustain is the HM-2 Heavy Metal by Boss. Big difference compared to the DS-1. I have to admit that I changed my pickups for Seymour Duncan which made a big difference in the cleanness in the sound.

With your setup, this is weird because I often record with my old Roland Jazz Chorus vs. you having a Fender Chorus LOL.

You should get a helluva of a good sound with the HM-2 definitely. Why I know this is because I do lots of studio work with many different types of amps and pedals and what I hear through the recording determines if the pedal is quiet or noisy once recorded.

http://filters.muziq.be/model/boss/compact/hm2

	Jim Dunlop CSP202 Mxr Custom Comp List Price: $219.99 Sale Price: $101.92 Used From: $100.00
	The MXR Custom Comp is built from the finest components available and designed with a blend of modern and classic compressor technology. At the heart of the pedal resides the legendary and rare CA3080 "metal can" IC that delivers increased dynamic range, greater transparency, and quieter operation...

	MXR Dyna Comp Effects Pedal List Price: $136.23 Sale Price: $61.91 Used From: $60.00
	The Dyna Comp is a compressor that lets you set a maximum output level and the sensitivity at which it kicks in. This device can produce that percussive, clicky sound on a clean guitar that you've heard on so many pop hits.

	MXR M78 Custom Badass '78 Distortion Pedal w/4 Free Cables Sale Price: $74.98
	The MXR Custom Badass '78 Distortion roars with huge amp stack tones and old-school distortion. MXR took a classic distortion circuit and hot-rodded it to deliver over-the-top, soaring leads and rich, saturated rhythms...

	MXR M77 Custom Modified Badass Overdrive Guitar Effects Pedal List Price: $169.99 Sale Price: $99.95
	Dunlop MXR Custom Badass Modified Overdrive - Dunlop M77.

	MXR M77 Badass Overdrive Stomp Box w/4 Free Cables List Price: $225.00 Sale Price: $99.99
	Next up in the MXR Custom Badass line is the Modified Overdrive-a classic overdrive circuit with modern modifications for improved performance and versatility. For added flexibility, we've added a 100Hz cut and boost control that allows for a more focused EQ when cut, or a beefier tone when boosted...

	Jim Dunlop MC401 MXR Boost/ Line Driver List Price: $169.74 Sale Price: Too low to display
	MXR and Custom Audio Electronics founder Bob Bradshaw - two names that have shaped the tones of the world's greatest guitarists - join forces to bring you a dynamic new line of pedals. The Boost/Overdrive and Boost pedals are the first offerings in the series produced by MXR, featuring the unique sonic stamp of legendary designer Bob Bradshaw...

	Jim Dunlop CSP105 Mxr '75 Vintage Phase 45 List Price: $169.98 Sale Price: $82.44
	The '75 Vintage Phase 45 reissue from the MXR Custom Shop reproduces the rare little brother of the Phase 90 to exacting specifications. With two stages of phasing, the Phase 45 offers up it's subtle and musical voice via hand-matched FETs and hand-wired circuit board...

	MXR Super Comp Pedal List Price: $141.00 Sale Price: Too low to display
	The MXR Super Comp takes the original Dyna Comp (a legend with guitarists worldwide) even further. The MXR Super Comp provides an invisible boost to intricate licks, juicing up your sound, and helping you 'lock in' like never before...

	MXR CSP-101CL Custom Shop Script Phase 90 with LED Phaser Pedal List Price: $164.79 Sale Price: $96.99 Used From: $79.99
	The elusive vintage MXR Phase 90 guitar pedal is at the top of the list for pedal collectors world-wide. The original version—available from the company's inception to the late 70's—practically defined the classic phase shifter sound, and was heard on everything from hard rock to jazz-fusion and funk hits...

	Dunlop MXR Badass Distortion Electronic Effects - Dunlop M78 List Price: $136.23 Sale Price: $69.98 Used From: $74.00
	Dunlop M78 MXR Badass Distortion Electronic Effects.

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MXR Custom Audio Electronics Wah Pedal    US $93.00

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Custom Audio Electronics CAE MXR MC404 Dunlop Wah Pedal    US $126.66

NEW DUNLOP MXR M 78 CUSTOM BADASS 78 DISTORTION PEDAL    US $61.00

NEW DUNLOP MXR M 77 CUSTOM BADASS MODIFIED OVERDRIVE PEDAL WORLDWIDE SHIP $2800    US $99.99

MXR Custom Shop Script Phase 90 Phaser NR    US $41.00

DUNLOP M78 MXR CUSTOM BADASS M 78 DISTORTION FREE CABLE WORLDWIDE SHIPPING    US $68.99

MXR M78 Custom Badass 78 Distortion Guitar Pedal M 78    US $68.99

View Page:   1  2  3  4

The simple explanation is that the guts of the pedal are removed from the casing, the knobs are relocated to the outside of the guitar (obviously requiring new holes drilled into it), the input and outputs are wired appropriately, and a 9v battery is wired in as the power supply.

The main issues, from my perspective, is that there isn't much space inside most guitar cavities - you are limited as to what you can put inside. I think that the most practical way of doing this would be to re-build the circuitboard into the smallest possible space... this would actually take a degree of skill, as it would require pretty compact circuitry to fit two pedals like that into the space of most guitar's cavities.

Then again, I suppose it depends on how much space you can route out, right?

Usually the more complicated pedals aren't installed onboard - usually its more straightforward effects, like EQ, boosters, distortion, buffer preamps, that kind of thing. The more complicated the effect, ie the more it can do, the more circuitry is required, which means more things to cram into a smaller space, and that means you have to make a very tight layout in terms of your components - can't waste space in your PCB layout, that type of thing.

I've included links to things that *are* typically installed - ie relatively straightforward, and you don't have to build anything from scratch. Notice how none of them involve chorus or delay effects?

Anyways, all that said, I did actually find a page that talked about wiring pedals into a guitar. Link is below, along with a Phase 90 schematic if you need it for reference.

It isn't a straightforward process... I personally would prefer to keep it simple, and stick with things like buffers and EQ, since the component count is small and the power drain is relatively small.

Anyways, I'm surprised I managed to find a page about it - it took a while, and I found it more or less by accident.

Hope it helps!

Saul

Mxr Custom is a post from: Fat Finger Music Electric Guitar Blog, click to read more.

A pre-amp input allows you to send sound INTO the unit so it can be played through the built-in amplifier. A pre-amp output allows you to get sound OUT of the unit to send to a different amplifier.

If you're connecting an amp, you need to connect to an output. If you're trying to hear an MP-3 player through the car speakers, you'd hook up to an input.

	Piezo Pickup / Pre-Amp Unit for Acoustic Guitars EQ-7545R Sale Price: $17.99
	These great little powered pre-amp units include all of the parts you need to add a pickup to your acoustic or cigar box guitar. The rod piezo offers great tone and pickup range, and is made to be mounted beneath the saddle of a standard acoustic guitar, but it can be easily built into a cigar box guitar bridge as well, or mounted inside the instrument...

	ART DJ Pre II Phono Preamp List Price: $60.00 Sale Price: Too low to display Used From: $30.00
	The DJ PRE II is a high quality Phono preamp designed for your home and studio. It acts as an interface between your turntable and your audio recording system. The analog input capacitance can be switched between 100pf and 200pf to optimize your phono cartridge response...

Pyle P3001AT 3000W Hybrid Pre Amplifier with AM/FM Tuner List Price: $384.99 Sale Price: Too low to display

Pyle-pro p3001at hybrid amplifier & am/fm tuner (3000w)inputs: 2 rca ; outputs: banana binding post to speakers; 1 dedicate rca record line & 1 rca preamp output; 2 mono dedicated rca subwoofer outputs; digital fluorescent output display meter; ipod/mp3 input with cable; am/fm quartz synthesized tuner; auto station seek & separate gain control for preamp & subwoofer; 110v220v switchable; dim: 3...

	Behringer PP400 Ultra-Compact Phono Preamp List Price: $43.99 Sale Price: $19.00 Used From: $16.99
	In the age of the MP3, it can be easy to forget that a turntable signal needs a little help before it reaches a mixer or home stereo if it's going to be heard. Thanks to the PP400 phono preamp, your turntable will get the boost it needs to bring your vinyl to life...

	Technical Pro PRE5050 Professional 2-Channel Pre-Amplifier Rack Mount Equalizer, Black List Price: $229.00 Sale Price: $118.65
	If you are in the market for long lasting multiple use pre-amp that can be easily added to your audio system, to your mobile set up, recording studio or club venue the PreB5050 from Technical Pro is the go-to choice for a professional 2 channel pre-amplifier...

	Behringer HA400 4-Channel Stereo Headphone Amp List Price: $43.99 Sale Price: $21.00 Used From: $16.99
	If you're tracking more than one musician at once, or if everyone in a group wants to listen to a playback, you need a monitor distribution system. The compact, flexible HA400 can power up to four pairs of headphones and up to four independent volumes...

	Focusrite ISA One Classic Single-channel Mic Pre-Amplifier with Independent D.I. List Price: $799.99 Sale Price: $489.00 Used From: $435.00
	Focusrite is dedicated to bringing you the tools you need to enhance the way you work. Our products are made with pride and principle by engineers who themselves are musicians and understand the part our products play in your process...

	ART Pro MPAII Microphone Preamplifier List Price: $379.00 Sale Price: $269.00
	The ART Pro MPA II two channel microphone preamp is the next generation in affordable high performance microphone preamp technology. Each microphone input circuit, with selectable 48v phantom power, features variable input impedance which can radically vary the overall performance of any high quality dynamic or ribbon microphone...

	SM Pro Audio Q-Pre 4-Channel Microphone Preamp (Standard) List Price: $119.99 Sale Price: $99.00
	Audio Inputs:. Connectors: 1/4" jack. Type: balanced. Impedance: 2KOhms. Min Sensitivity: -40dB. Peak input level: +5dB. Gain control range: 50dB. Peak amplification: 74dB. Phantom power: +48V, switchable...

	Behringer Xenyx 802 Premium 8-Input 2-Bus Mixer with Xenyx Mic Preamps and British EQs List Price: $129.99 Sale Price: $42.41 Used From: $59.00
	Need to accommodate a vocal duo in a hurry? Got a small choir in need of a little projection? The BEHRINGER 802 mixer has everything you need to give a small multi-vocal performance a robust sound, offering plenty of versatility at a price you can afford...

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Behringer PB100 PreAmp Booster TC elec Meshuggah Ex Condition    US $5.00

DIY Ref Music Man Stingray Bass Guitar Preamp Component    US $9.79

Freakshow Effects 20XX 9 Boost Booster Preamp Guitar Effects Pedal Fat Tone NR    US $119.99

DMB Cosmic Crunch Distortion Overdrive Preamp Boost Booster Guitar Effects Pedal    US $89.99

DOD G7 Guitar FX Processor Preamp    US $33.00

Yamaha AG Stomp Acoustic Guitar Pre Amp    US $125.00

Seymour Duncan SFX 04 Twin Tube Mayhem Distortion Preamp Effect PedalFREE SHIP    US $149.99

Fractal Audio Axe FX Ultra Guitar Preamp Processor Firmware Version 11    US $1,600.00

Behringer V amp Pro Modeling Guitar Effects Preamp Processor Rack Mount    US $100.00

View Page:   1  2  3  4

How Do Guitar Amplifiers Work?

Guitar amplifiers amplify the sound fed into it from the guitar and drive the guitar loudspeaker. The sound waves generated by the guitar strings are converted into minute electrical signal with the help of the guitar pick up and then fed into the guitar amplifier (or simply guitar amp). Depending on whether or not the input of the guitar amp can work with the minute signal coming from the guitar, the guitarist may need to feed the guitar signal first into a pre-amplifier and then take the output from the pre-amplifier to feed the guitar amp.

The working of a guitar amp typically has four stages – input, signal modulation, signal amplification and then finally the output stage.

Input Stage

The input stage of the guitar amp accepts the input signal either from the guitar pre-amp or directly from the guitar itself. Normally, there are input female jacks installed onto the amplifier where you attach the input signal cable. If the guitar signal is too weak to be fed into the guitar amp, the signal should first pass through a guitar pre-amp. It is very important that there is proper impedance matching between the available input signal impedance and specified guitar amplifier’s input signal impedance. More often than not, signal impedance mismatch is the cause of deterioration of the final guitar sound on the loudspeaker.

Nowadays, there are many guitar amps, which have a pre-amplification stage incorporated into them. For such amps, you do not need to pass the guitar signal into a separate pre-amp. You can directly feed the signal into the amp itself.

Signal Modulation Stage

Plain in and plain out is not exactly the way normal electric guitarist likes it. He wants the guitar sound to be jazzed up, twangy, funky, heavily distorted etc. etc. For such sounds, the input signal has to under go modulation before they can be amplified. Say suppose the guitarist wants a heavy distortion akin to heavy metal rock sound. To get this type of sound, the input signal is fed into the signal modulation stage where the signal undergoes the required (but controlled) distortion. The same applies to other sound effects like wah-wah sound, reverb etc. Many guitar amps have equalizers and other tone control knobs, which also come under the signal modulation stage.

Signal Amplification Stage

The signal amplification stage is the ‘business’ stage of any guitar amp. It is here where the guitar sound is actually amplified. Good guitar amps will faithfully magnify the signal coming from the Signal Modulation Stage, i.e. the incoming signal will be the exact replica of this stage’s outgoing signal, only that it will be of much greater amplitude. It is the ‘business’ of any amplifier (be it voice or guitar amp) to faithfully amplify the incoming signal.

Output Stage

This is the final stage of all guitar amps. Some guitar amps have the output driver stage as a part of the output stage, while some of them do not. In some cheap guitar amps, the outgoing signal from the signal amplification stage is directly fed into the loudspeaker. However, good guitar amps have proper signal conditioning output stage where it is ensured that output signal is properly matched to the input specifications of the loudspeaker.

Every good guitarist should have good knowledge about guitar amps. Getting a good guitar amp is very important if you wish to have a reliable and predictable output musical sound whilst playing your guitar.

About the Author

For more information and reviews on guitars, guitar amplifiers and equipment visit GuitarHeadz.com, the complete guide for anything you want to know about guitars and related gear.

Pre Amp is a post from: Fat Finger Music Electric Guitar Blog, click to read more.

Compression and "boost" are two different things, although they are easy to confuse. Compressors change the dynamic range of a signal by compressing the signal. If the signal has a normal dynamic range of 60 dB, the compressor can be set to a ratio of 2:1 which will lower the dynamic range to 30 dB. Compressors do not necessarily lower the overall output. Depending on what compressor you use and how you adjust it, it can actually increase the volume of your signal. That''s why some people confuse the two devices and their functions.

A boost, does exactly as it's name implies; it boosts the signal. The idea behind most boosting devices is to simply turn your sound up for solos. With very few exceptions, most boost devices are cheap and noisy. Thats one reason professionals prefer to use the volume controls on their guitars to turn up for solos. Unless you have a complicated set-up for a particular tone that is just perfect, try playing the old-fashioned way, use your volume control. You might like it!

If you are concerned about changing your tone, a good tone control and the right ohmage volume pot will help. Instead of the 250k pot your probably have, try the 500k or 1 meg ohm linear pots. They are what a lot of pros prefer.

If you have your heart set on using a pedal, either of those mentioned will work. The BBE uses a different method of boosting the signal and it emphasizes certain frequencies and phase relationships. Some people believe this helps them "cut" through a mix better. The Dyna Comp won't do that. In fact, it may have just the opposite of your desired effect. Compressors have a tendency to make instruments "sit" in the mix. That might be great if you want to mix a record. It might not be your cup of tea if you want to devastate and rule.

Suggestion; try the pedals out in a noisy store. Crank 'em up. If you can't do that, buy both of them from Musicians Friend. ( Bigger orders mean free shipping) Then either return or sell the pedal you don't like.
Have Fun!

	BBE Boosta Grande 20db Clean Boost Pedal List Price: $129.00 Sale Price: Too low to display Used From: $65.83
	The Boosta Grande is a Clean Boost pedal that produces up to 20dB of clean gain and designed for the player that would like to add more gain to their signal without changing the original sound. Robust build quality and rugged engineering ensure that the Boosta Grande will stand up to the abuse of life on the road...

	Boosta Grande Pedal Sale Price: $64.99
	he Boosta Grande is a transparent clean boost that is designed to produce up to 20dB of clean gain and benefit the player needing more volume or gain without changing their tone.

	HQRP AC Adapter / Power Supply compatible with BBE Sound BENCH PRESS / BOOSTA GRANDE / CRUSHER Guitar Effects pedals Replacement plus HQRP Coaster Sale Price: $9.91
	Compatible with BBE Sound BENCH PRESS / BOOSTA GRANDE / CRUSHER Guitar Effects pedals.

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BBE Boosta Grande Clean Boost Effect Pedal    US $79.99

BBE Boosta Grande Clean Boost Guitar Effects Pedal    US $37.01

BBE Boosta Grande Boost Pedal Near Mint    US $59.00

BBE BOOSTA GRANDE BOOST NEW DESIGN TRUE BYPASS FX PEDAL    US $99.99

BBE Boosta Grande TruBypass Boost Pedal New    US $79.99

BBE Boosta Grande Clean Boost Pedal    US $79.99

BBE Boosta Grande Power Supply 20 DB Boost Pedal    US $79.99

BBE Boosta Grande Boost Pedal with Gift BRAND NEW from Dealer    US $79.99

View Page:   1  2  3

Bbe Boosta is a post from: Fat Finger Music Electric Guitar Blog, click to read more.

You can only run an in "in" stereo (not through) if the amp is designed to do so. That would mean two power amps and at least 2 speakers.

Your Fender amp is not stereo, so you can't run a stereo rig with it alone.

Now, if you had a second amp you could possibly have a stereo rig. The one additional component you would need is some type of delay, chorus, or other time-based effect that has a mono-input/stereo-out arrangement.

The advantages of playing a stereo guitar rig are:
- The sound is spread out more
- With the right effect(s), it can mimic 2 guitars playing together
- Gives the option of panning effects

The disadvantages:
- The sound is more spread out (this isn't always a good thing, especially in very heavy music)
- More gear to haul around
- Increased complexity in the setup

There are guitar rigs that are one-box stereo solutions. Most digital modeling amps (once you get past the toy ones) offer stereo. The Line 6 Vetta II I used is stereo. On small stages, I'll run it into a 2x12 cabinet in stereo. On big stages, I'll bring out two separate 2x12 or 4x12 cabinets and put them on each side of the stage. With that setup, I can give the audience whiplash if I put a ping-pong delay on!

Greetings from Austin, Tx

Ken

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EDEN WTDI Direct Box Preamp pedal NEW and Cool for Bass Ships FREE    US $139.00

Freakshow Effects 20XX 9 Boost Booster Preamp Guitar Effects Pedal Fat Tone NR    US $119.99

DMB Cosmic Crunch Distortion Overdrive Preamp Boost Booster Guitar Effects Pedal    US $89.99

Seymour Duncan SFX 04 Twin Tube Mayhem Distortion Preamp Effect PedalFREE SHIP    US $149.99

Seymour Duncan TWIN TUBE MAYHEM Pedal Preamp    US $105.00

DOD 250 Overdrive Preamp Guitar Effect Pedal Vintage    US $20.49

DOD FX 50 OVERDRIVE PREAMP PEDALWORKS FINE    US $30.00

New LR Baggs Venue DI Acoustic Guitar Preamp Pedal LR    US $299.00

Aguilar Tone Hammer Preamp Direct Box Bass Effects Pedal    US $214.87

View Page:   1  2  3  4  5  6  7  8

Learn To Play Guitar Online

The review deals with each book separately and recommends purchasing them in a specific order to grow your knowledge in step with your building experience.

Learn To Play Guitar Online

Kevin O'Connor of London Power has created a series of books under the main title of "The Ultimate Tone." These books are truly unique and carefully tailored for the Do-It-Yourself (DIY) guitar tube amp hobbyist and boutique amplifier builder. The books have a home-made 'feel' as well... all the illustrations are done by hand and the books are photocopy-printed on 8.5?x11? paper and bound with plastic spines and clear plastic covers. There are six books in the series now with the most recent being released in the late spring of 2008. You may want to buy the entire series all at once and get a modest savings, but I think you should consider buying them one at a time and digest as you go, building projects along the way. A key point though... you don't necessarily want to buy them in numerical order. I recommend the following sequence:

1. The Ultimate Tone Volume 3 - Generations of Tone
2. The Ultimate Tone Volume 5 - Tone Capture
3. The Ultimate Tone Volume 2 - Systems Approach to Stage Sound Nirvana
4. The Ultimate Tone Volume 4 - Advanced Techniques for Modern Guitar Amp Design
5. The Ultimate Tone - Modifying and Custom Building Tube Guitar Amps
6. The Ultimate Tone Volume 6 - Timeless Tone Built for the Future Today

Play EXISTING riffs and patterns with speed and accuracy click here

The Ultimate Tone Volume 3 - Generations of Tone

This is the most important book in the series for the beginning tube amp builder.

Chapters 2 through 4 lay down the foundation of good DIY tube amp construction, filling you in on good electrical connections, grounding technique, lead dress and other wiring techniques, and mechanical layout including assembly methods like terminal strips, turret and eyelet boards.

The subsequent chapters each pick a particular 'iconic' amplifier, each iconic amplifier being a prototypical example of amplifiers of its class, and they are examined in detail as to the circuit topology, peculiar tonal characteristics that result and fatal flaws that the product is notorious for. Kevin provides the original schematics and then shows how you can apply the techniques detailed in the earlier chapters to improve the performance and reliability of the icon without harming the tone. The schematics are redrawn, layouts are provided and mechanical solutions are worked out to make each chapter a complete, self-contained, build-it-yourself amp project.

This process is repeated for several variations of the Champ in chapter 5 (this chapter greatly influenced my own single-ended amp project), then in quick succession: the Bassman, Plexi, 800, Bull Dog, AC-30, Portaflex, SVT, Bass Master, Custom Special, Guitar Mate, Herzog and Laney amplifiers are dealt with.

If you can only buy one book for your DIY guitar amp hobby I'd heartily recommend this one.

The Ultimate Tone Volume 5 - Tone Capture

Volume 5 picks up where Volume 3 left off, with a project-oriented approach and some sophisticated DIY tube amp solutions for guitar and bass.

The book starts off with a chapter overviewing vacuum tube operation called 'tube tone,' followed up by a chapter on guitar electronics and pickup characteristics.

The next two chapters are small projects: Sigma for effects switching and Triple-X for amplifier switching.

Chapters 5 & 6 are on transformers... important components but it made me yawn, sorry.

Starting with chapter 7, all the stops are pulled out and you are in project heaven... Major (200W), Soma 84 (EL84 amp), Standard (the London Power Standard Preamp from 1995 coupled to a 50W amp using four power tubes), Doppelsonde (mixing power tube types), AX84 (discussion on the original goal of a very low output power amp), Kelly (50W from 4 6V6s), and several other projects of lesser scope.

One favorite project I did was based on Kevin's reworking of the HotBox tube preamp pedal from Matchless in chapter 16. I built this pedal in a truly "true point-to-point style" (meaning terminal strips) in a tube pedal enclosure from Doug Hoffman, substituting a Baxandall tone stack and reworking the preamp values to be more Dumble-esqe (non-HRM type).

What would you do to match an amplifier to Yngwie Malmsteen's style? See chapter 18, 'Swede.'

The Ultimate Tone Volume 2 - Systems Approach to Stage Sound Nirvana

Volume 2 is not project oriented. The bulk of the book, chapters 2 through 5, deals with power supply tricks and a comprehensive overview of power amplifiers, including tube, solid-state and hybrid power amps. Chapter 3, on tube power amplifiers, has some very practical information on mods and fixes to Marshall and Fender bias circuits.

I like the 1st and last chapters of Volume 2 the best. The first chapter is a short discussion of sound stages and how you might setup your gear on stage for the best audience/band experience. The last, chapter 6, is called "Pillars of Tone" and in this chapter the major contributors tone at the block-level of a guitar tube amplifier system design are discussed one by one and Kevin provides some very valuable insight into tone shaping throughout the preamp/amplifier.

The Ultimate Tone Volume 4 - Advanced Techniques for Modern Guitar Amp Design

This is the book you'll want to buy if you feel the need to get deeply involved with the power scaling technology that Kevin has developed. Power Scaling, coined and trademarked by Kevin, is the way you can get aspects of power amp distortion (as opposed to preamp distortion) into your tone at bedroom volume levels. Volume 4 is not DIY project oriented but explores the issues, including attenuation, power scaling (both down and up), sag, and power management, tackled by modern guitar tube amp designers.

That said, the second-to-last chapter in Volume 4 might be important for a broader group of enthusiast builders... design philosophy. In this chapter Kevin provides a hierarchical design process that could be used to make key decisions on how you approach your next project.

The Ultimate Tone - Modifying and Custom Building Tube Guitar Amps

There is no volume number in the title of this book, it was the 1st. Personally, I bought it for completeness. I specifically wanted to have the 'perfect effects loop' information, although the loop itself is incorporated into a project in Volume 5. TUT also has some excellent material on reverbs and signal switching methods that is not explained in the other volumes. The first half of TUT introduces/overviews tube amp systems, power supplies & grounds then focuses on preamp and power amp modifications to commercial amplifiers (e.g. Marshall / Fender)... if you are totally new to tube electronics you may want to buy this 1st volume at the same time as Volume 3.

The Ultimate Tone Volume 6 - Timeless Tone Built for the Future Today

In many ways, Volume 6 is a continuation and extension of the material in Volume 4, where Power Scaling is introduced.  In Volume 6 a new 'direct control' version of Powerscaling is featured which was introduced in Vol 4 but flushed out with comprehensive circuits and applied to 'sag' and sustain control as well in Vol 6.  The new scaling circuits have many advantages for a DIY builder like greater noise immunity and less sensitivity to layout, etc.

I applied the new DC Power Scaling to a Trainwreck clone project and was really impressed with the improvement in 'playability' at lower volumes... the unmodified Trainwreck Express circuit is just too loud for domestic use, needing to be cranked to get the sweet tones it is renowned for.

One of the chapters in Volume 6 is dedicated to the Dumble amplifiers... something I was really looking forward to since many of my hobby projects focus on those circuits.  I found this short chapter to be a good introduction to the overall architecture of the Dumble amps, written from the point of view of the evolution from the early modified standard amps that Alexander Dumble started out doing, but I felt the chapter fell short in discussing some of the more important subtleties of the later Dumble models.

Volume 6 also has lots of other material in it, including a great tutorial on designing really high output power amplifiers and a great chapter on high gain amplifier designs with real-world circuits referenced and detailed.

In Summary...

Kevin's books have a very empirical approach. He encourages you to set aside convention in some instances or not be afraid to try combinations of tubes or even pulling tubes and in all cases clearly explains why it is o.k. and points out any reasons why it wouldn't be o.k. All the examples in the books are very practical and he certainly has the DIYer in mind as he is writing.

Kevin's body of work is truly encyclopedic in nature, and considering that, one feature sorely lacking from his books is any kind of indexing... this is aggravated by the fact that Kevin constantly refers to previous writings rather than repeat himself in a new volume, and it is very difficult to put your finger on the reference even with the other book in hand. Perhaps search engine technology, like Google's ability to search protected content, could be put to good use in this case and provide a kind of 'auto-index' on the web of all of Kevin's books without actually giving away the book itself. Or better yet, how about an e-book format of Kevin's entire collection of TUT books... I think all of the e-book readers include searching capabilities... and Kevin's hand-drawn schematics would probably scale adequately and be very readable on the e-paper displays these devices feature.

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