Inside a tube amp So, if you've got a pair of tubes in there pulling almost 2 Amps, you need thicker wire to handle the amperage. Sep 30, 2023 · In this comprehensive article, we will delve into the world of tube amp safety, helping you understand the common issues that can arise and providing practical tips on preventing them. Rectifier tubes convert AC electricity from an outlet to DC electricity, which is required to power the preamp and power amp tubes. The info on this page is meant as a warning to the many hazards inside a tube amplifier. In this article, you’ll get to know all about tube amps, what is a tube amp, how does a tube amp work, difference between tube amps and digital amps, why tube amp is better than digital amps, and more. What is going on i Oct 6, 2024 · While solid-state and digital amps have made great strides, vacuum tube amps remain a staple for musicians seeking the rich, classic tone that only tubes can deliver. Feb 17, 2023 · I’ve been studying the art of tube amplifier design for about ten years now, and actually repairing them for about five. When you cut the standby switch off, this interrupts the voltage applied to the output tubes, and they stop glowing. But people like you and me are always working on new approaches to Vacuum tube amplifiers. I've not had hardly any power tubes I can think of that went bad on me in the middle of playing, building, or testing? Jul 3, 2020 · The second part of our "Inside A Guitar Amplifier" series, we look at how innovations in music helped contribute to guitar amplifier designs over time. Apr 21, 2020 · This guide describes common tube amp malfunctions and their subtleties, including various types of hum and noise. See Tube Guitar Amplifier Overdrive for specific information on how overdrive distortion is created. The preamp receives. [6] Robben Ford himself would buy his first Dumble Overdrive Special (the amp he inspired) in 1983 and go on to become the guitarist most associated with the brand's amps. The glow interruption is merely a symptom of whatever is causing your amp to cut I recommend you take a look at my How Tube Amps Work and How Vacuum Tubes Work webpages for a detailed explanation how vacuum tubes work in the very simple Fender 5F1 Champ. 3 volts. Indirectly heated cathodes have a separate heater structure, often inside a cylindrical cathode, to heat the cathode. If your amp is working normally, it should seem like the noise floor disappears as soon as you start playing. The line fuse, also referred to as a mains fuse, is the fuse that stands between the main AC power and your power transformer. There is also a filament to act as a heater. Jul 19, 2017 · Tube Tremolo At the Preamp Cathode The Fender 5E9A Tremolux applies the tremolo signal to the phase inverter cathode so it can be used in pretty much any amp: fixed bias, cathode bias and small or large power tube amps. Jun 5, 2025 · Ever wonder why your favorite guitar solo sounds so warm and rich? Often, the secret lies inside your amplifier – in the tubes! These glowing glass bottles are the heart and soul of many classic amps. Why? Because they offer a sweetness and warmness that transistor amps cannot compete with. How Tubes Work By Rob Robinette Have comments or corrections? Email rob at: robinette at comcast dot net WARNING: A tube amplifier chassis contains lethal high voltage even when unplugged --sometimes over 700 volts AC and 500 volts DC. Inside the glass enclosure of a triode tube are three main components: the cathode, the anode (also called the “plate”), and the control grid. Dec 31, 1999 · A: Tubes will usually glow blue when the tube is in operation with voltage applied. That time finally came. The technology is both old and new. Should you consider one of these? The Kemper Profiling Amplifier Inside and Out Review Where do we start with this really groundbreaking product? Firstly here's a short introduction I wrote recently about the Kemper Profiling Amplifier for guitar. Tube amps can be filled with a low-pressure gas or a vacuum (the first tubes were vacuums, though). Guitar players, are you looking to learn more about tube amps and how to keep them in top condition? Look no further! This article is here to provide everything you need to know about tube amps and how to maintain them. “Inside Fender and Marshall Tube Amps” by JC Maillet ISBN 0-9684849-0-5 Modern Analysis of Vacuum Tube Amplifier Circuitry 2001 Revised Edition – TABLE OF CONTENTS – Mathematical Modeling of Vacuum Tube Triode Devices 1 Qualitative Description of Electronic Transconductance Devices 2 Quantitative Description of Electronic Jul 19, 2021 · Famous tube amps from companies like Fender, Marshall, Vox, and others have come to define the sound of virtually all electric-guitar music. Please be aware that most of these vacuum tube projects use potentially lethal voltages that can kill you so do not attempt them if you are not familiar with high voltage safety! Some of the projects use low voltage and if you are new to tubes and high voltage safety you should Jun 10, 2024 · Delve into the world of tube amplifiers and understand the key components that make them tick. If you have purchased your Trinity Amp as a kit, this guide will help you build a tube guitar amplifier. It removes tarnish and corrosion from all surfaces of your amplifier, most importantly all the wiring, solder joints, switches, tube socket pins, input jacks, and controls. Jul 9, 2022 · Yep, to quote the author of the excellent book Inside Tube Amps, Dan Torres: “Bias is one of the most mysterious and confusing subjects involved with tube amps. Everything is here from building your own Class A amp from scratch to sorting out power supplies, filter caps, and power transformers. When we talk about tube amplifiers for guitar and bass, we’re referring to big sounds and unparalleled tones. This phenomenon is due to electron bombardment of the Working inside a tube amplifier can be dangerous if you don't know the basic safety practices for this kind of work. 42 (13) In stock The Amazon Book Review Book recommendations, author interviews, editors' picks, and more. Includes making a complete Class A amplifier, modifications, repairs, service, how-to-do-it, bias, preamps, rectifiers, Oct 12, 2016 · Inside Tube Amps: The Design, Modification and Repair Manual for Vacuum Tube Guitar Amplifiers Dan Torres, Robert W. Electric guitars generate an alternating current (AC) audio signal. It is a complete manual on tube driven guitar amplifiers and covers design, modification, troubleshooting, and repairs. Depending on the type of tube, the degree of overdrive is the typical tube character which is so loved by guitarists. Nov 21, 2020 · An edition of Inside tube amps (1995) Inside tube amps the design, modification, and repair manual for vacuum tube guitar amplifiers 1st ed. He pulled all the tubes and was using windex to clean out the dust. Learning to visualize the flow of individual electrons was a breakthrough for me in understating tube amplifier electronics. Since I’ve always wanted to build a tube amp Jul 6, 2021 · Guitar Gear Guitar Amps Amp tubes: the different types and what they sound like Features By Rod Brakes published 6 July 2021 We plug into the expert knowledge of analog gear guru, valve expert and Raw State founder Neil Perry The power amplifier tubes act as a power source – but also have a considerable influence on the sound of the amp. Consult your local amp tech before attempting to service or replace any components. It cleans everywhere! Tarnish and corrosion are a big problem with vintage amps, and this really takes Let's Look Inside this Bogen DB130 tube amplifier! Click the SHOW MORE tab below for links. ” A few of the books and articles referenced when penning this piece. This circuit is also a standard building block for Jul 20, 2017 · Tube Amps 101 - Guide for Dummies Discussion in ' Headphone Amplifiers and Combo (DAC/Amp) Units ' started by EagleWings, Nov 22, 2022. by Dan Torres 16 Want to read Distortion is an important part of guitar amplifier design and this is the primary difference between guitar and audio amplifiers. The cathode, generally a nickel tube, is covered with several chemical substances like barium and strontium carbonate. Apr 30, 2020 · If your tube (or solid state) amplifier is not “turning on,” the cause of this problem could be a blown line fuse. If you have not been trained to work with high voltage then have an amp technician service your amp. Strong (Editor) 4. Apr 1, 1998 · Inside Tube Amps is clearly written in a musician friendly style. To varying degrees, we know that these amps sound different from each other—and we might even know some basic specs, like what kind of tubes different models use, and maybe some details about stock speakers. Sometimes you may notice a blue hazy glow inside your amp tube. Aug 15, 2013 · Understanding the background of that blue glow in your amp tube can be a good conversation starter at your next gig or musician’s party. Here's my AB763 Modification page. The guitar's pickups are small electric generators. Jul 12, 2025 · Tube amp works by using high positive charges in the cathode in the grid and the flow of electrons amplifies the signal many times over. 14_books-20220331-0. Both have their die-hard fans, but tube amps, with their warm glow and rich sound, bring a touch […] Ever wondered how does a tube amp work and why are they so popular? We get into the insides of the tubes that gave birth to rock-n-roll! Books Inside Tube Amps: The Design, Modification, and Repair Manual for Vacuum Tube Guitar Amplifiers Dan Torres Sparpco, 1995 - Amplifiers, Vacuum-tube - 310 pages Jun 8, 2023 · Manufacturers such as Blackstar, MESA/Boogie, and Fender are designing a bright future for tube tone, using technologies old and new Jul 3, 2020 · During development of the Roland Blues Cube series of guitar amplifiers, our designers painstakingly identified the complex interactions between every single component inside the power amp section of a vintage, all-tube, tweed amplifier. Dec 14, 2023 · The amp tubes (hence the name) are made of glass and have electrodes inside. This article describes the behaviour of every guitar amplifier. You can see the amplifier's power and pre-amp tubes, the transformers (the big things that looks like a square. If you’re looking to get the most out of your guitar amp, understanding how vacuum tubes work and what they offer is essential. Mar 9, 2023 · Discover the best tube amps for home use and get great tone at low volume. There are so many different types, brands, and specifications! It Controlling Distortion by curbing Low End response 238 Canadian Made Garnet and Traynor Amps 239 Miscellaneous Layout 243 ** Inside Fender and Marshall Tube Amps ** ISBN 0-9684849-0-5 ** CURRENTLY AVAILABLE ** PDF of this book can be ordered here: By the 1980s, Dumble had become known as a tube electronics master, and his growing list of high end clientele and his "off-the-grid" lifestyle had gained him a reputation as a reclusive amplifier builder to the stars. Discover how to find the source of tube buzz and fix the problem with this guide. In the USA there is mains voltage The guide to Tube Amps! See below for what reveiwers say:Dan Torres has taken his many years of experience as a technician and designer and has condensed it all into one easy to read, musician friendly manual. Even smaller amps tend to use at least three, arrayed side-by-side in stages to filter the supply at points where the DC is passed along to the output transformer, the output tubes, and the preamp tubes, respectively. Unplug this amp right away and do not touch any of the circuitry. These voltages can be lethal even after the amp has been unplugged from a power source. A Jul 15, 2013 · The power transformer's other job is to supply low AC voltage to the filaments (the heaters) inside every tube in the amp—that's what gets the cathodes hot. Again, the oscillator itself is very similar to the ones used . There are a lot of different guitar amps with Feb 25, 2019 · Tube amplifiers consist of a few different types of tubes, including rectifier, preamp, and power tubes, which all function in a distinct way inside the amp. We’ll also discuss several popular tubes and their differences, so you’ll know why you should use certain tubes rather than others and which ones you can substitute. The above warning is a pretty standard warning for high voltage work. To learn more about electronics in a very different and effective Kemper Profiling Amp reaches the parts other amps cannot reach. Then we'll get right on after that with the full review of inside, outside - the Need a suggestion for an intro to tube amp circuitry book. I was going to stick the thicker pieces on the bottom of my headshell but not sure about tape. What Is a Power Tube? Power tubes are electrical components in […] Nov 10, 2019 · DIY Vacuum Tube Amplifier Projects Do-It-Yourself (DIY) vacuum tube (valve) amplifier and tube preamplifier projects. This glow is rarely a sign of a defect and is fairly common especially in modern power tubes. By the way: a high wattage shows which volume level the amp can reach without becoming distorted. Jul 26, 2023 · A bit of tube buzz can be desirable, but too much can overpower your tone. Tube vs transistor amps If you’re struggling with discovering a sweet tone, it’s time you get yourself a proper Fender tube amp. But why and how does the authentic tube sound actually come into being? We introduce the most important components of tube amps and also delve into the functioning of each component. Rare European Edition of Inside Tube Amps by Dan Torres. I learned more cool stuff about amps in 10 minutes with this book then I've learned in You can see the amplifier’s power and pre-amp tubes, the transformers (the big things that looks like a square magnets on top) and all the multitude of capacitors, resistors, cables and pots. It amplifies the signal from an electric guitar and uses the vacuum tubes, or valves as they’re often known, to boost the signal to a level that drives a speaker which then produces sound. Stick around to get all the answers you’re looking for. I'll make this simple, because I'm a simpleton when it comes to this, but it comes down to resistance per foot of wire. 7M Access-restricted-item true Addeddate 2024-02-23 12:31:04 Autocrop_version 0. But finding the right tubes for your amp can feel like navigating a maze. I love analizing schematics, pouring over the inside of an amp chassis, and studying the layout choices made by the designer. Audio amps are usually designed for absolute minimum distortion. However, other defects can also prevent the expected tube sound from unfolding as intended. Dec 16, 2019 · I got some shielding for my amp. Has anyone ever stuck the tape to the inside of the chassis? Any benefits or pretty much the same as what an aluminum chassis would already do by itself? Thanks The design of the speaker cabinet shapes and distributes the sound waves. Aug 16, 2008 · I had a tech tell me once that using a small fan on a tube amp helps to prolong tube life. There isn’t a day when something new isn’t Feb 20, 2021 · What gauge wire do you recommend using for the internal wiring of a tube amp? Jul 28, 2022 · Electronic Noise, Tube Noise, and Noise Floor It’s important to note that most tube amps are made completely from analog components and each component, to varying degrees, contributes to the amp’s analog noise floor, or self-noise. Pickups have magnets (poles) that Dec 1, 2022 · Forest created the initial tube amp technology (it was not an amplifier by itself) by placing a zig-zag of wires inside a glass tube, with cathode and anode electrodes creating voltage gain and amplifying electrical signals. Amps work on different technologies like tubes, transistors, and digital circuits, which change the tonality of your guitar. Oct 12, 2016 · Inside Tube Amps: The Design, Modification and Repair Manual for Vacuum Tube Guitar Amplifiers Kindle Edition by Dan Torres (Author, Illustrator), Robert W. Nov 5, 2023 · Learn how tube amps work, starting with the heart of the tone: the tubes. Aug 12, 2021 · Several different types of tubes perform different duties within any all-tube amp—with more types and a greater variety of duties existing within the more complex and feature-lade amps available—so it’s worth isolating the job of each somewhat in order to better understand how they’re all working together to make the amp function. Mar 23, 2006 · This is why 20 or 18 guage is reccommended for heaters. A complete manual on vacuum tube guitar amplifiers covering the entire technology all written in a musician friendly style. Good reliable amp techs are becoming hardwr to find, so it’s way past due that I learn just how these things work. Another option for someone that has some electronic experience is the wonderful Fender 5E3 Deluxe amplifier. Tube Amp Basics Before delving into safety concerns, it’s crucial to understand the basic components and operation of a tube amplifier: a. Ask any amp tech about his adventures with high voltage and you'll get some interesting stories. In a high gain guitar amp the clean channel may be distorted and overdrive channels will be extremely distorted and unusable. Read more and upgrade your sound. Oct 19, 2024 · Tube amps offer guitarists a warm, rich tone with dynamic response, thanks to their vacuum tube technology. Feb 1, 2020 · Vacuum tubes used in amplifiers are also called “thermionic valves” referring to the way that temperature causes the release and flow of electrons. It doesn’t have to be a vintage amp, but is has to be a tube amp. Whether you’re a beginner or seasoned player, understanding tube amplifiers will enhance your guitar playing experience. Includes making a complete Class A amplifier, modifications, repairs, service, how-to-do-it, bias, preamps, rectifiers, transformers everything about amplifiers. This type of circuit is called a ‘ grounded cathode ‘ gain stage and is found in many classic Fender amps, including their Deluxe and Twin Reverb ‘Blackface’ and ‘Silverface’ amps manufactured in the 1960s and 70s. Get ready to dive deep into the world of tube amps and learn all the tips and tricks you have to keep them working perfectly. Jul 25, 2017 · Use Fewer Power Tubes Warning! All tube amplifiers contain lethal voltages. Real HiFi Tube Amplifier:The tube amplifier provides genuine HiFi sound, offering you an immersive auditory experience right within your home. In this exploration, we’ll dive into what makes tube amplifiers special, why vintage models continue to command high demand, and how they compare to modern alternatives. An electrified tube amplifier chassis has many hazards that will bite you if you work on them long enough. It is oriented towards someone who knows a little about electronics but is new to do-it-yourself amps. 0. Dec 19, 2018 · The preamp is the part of the guitar amp responsible for creating the amplified guitar signal's tone. May 15, 2012 · How does a small signal tube work in a tube preamp or power amp? Signal tubes such as 12AX7s, 12AU7s, 6DJ8s are typically used in the preamp section of an integrated amp to amplify the input source signal. Feb 22, 2022 · In this article, we’ll take a look at how a power amp tube works in your amplifier. Learn what to buy and when to replace. Aug 26, 2025 · Explore how guitar amp tubes affect tone, warmth, and dynamics. Apr 1, 1998 · A complete manual on vacuum tube guitar amplifiers covering the entire technology all written in a musician friendly style. I got shielding tape and these thicker rectangular pieces. I always drain them twice to be sure Also, bare tube sockets can get you too. Your tube amp is made up of a preamp and power amp section. Learn how tube amp schematics work and how to read and understand them. The amp is a factory stock Marshall Haze 40 1 x 12" combo made with the tubes mounted this way. This type of glow is called Fluorescence. Illustrated with layout drawings and schematics. The great difference in voltage between the cathode and the plate creates an electric field between the two electrodes. Enjoy the warm sound of a tube amp without disturbing others Inside amps, life-threatening voltages can occur – even after the amplifier has been disconnected from the power, dangers can lurk for the careless tinkerer. If you’ve ever had a home set-up, you’ve likely heard the debate between tube amplifiers and solid-state amps — it’s like choosing between a vintage classic car and a sleek sports car. Amplifier components in detail – the journey through the inside of a tube amplifier Let’s begin our journey through the tube amp and look at the individual amp components that the current encounters on its way. In good condition. It was only a matter of time before I took a crack at it myself. Apr 1, 1995 · Favorite Inside Tube Amps by Daniel Torres Publication date April 1, 1995 Publisher Torres Engineering Collection internetarchivebooks; inlibrary; printdisabled Contributor Internet Archive Language English Item Size 421. 25 16 ratings1 review Oct 9, 2005 · A lot of amps will hold the 400+ voltage on these caps and this will knock you on your ass. Find out how the different components and circuits interact to create the unique sound of tube amplifiers. If your amp has a problem and the sound cuts out, taking the glow with it, the problem is not caused by the glow. The tubes essentially perform the same function as transistors in modern solid state amps. A guy at the pawn shop was cleaning out the inside of a tube head. Most amps will have more than one tube gain stage. Learn about critical safety, replacing and biasing tubes, and other basic amplifier maintenance. 2 Boxid IA40910102 Jul 15, 2013 · From voltage conversion to capacitors, pentodes, and class A operation, we demystify the basics of tube-amp functionality. So, let’s get started! Tube Guitar Amp Troubleshooting Apr 10, 2016 · Often power loss that seems like the amp is performing at half power or less will be one or more bad power tubes, or even a dying phase inverter tube. In an otherwise functional amp, the main fuse can and will blow when there is a problem between the wall outlet and your power transformer (PT). In a normal configuration, the input of a tube is a small signal voltage between its grid and cathode; the output is a much larger current flowing between the anode (plate) and cathode. It is intended to help narrow down the source of seemingly vague and general problems, so that you can determine a solution faster. A lot of the things we will look at are old technology, dating back to the 1930’s. The filaments in the AC4's tubes all work off of 6. Mar 20, 2022 · We explain the inner workings of a tube amp, from tube types to the tones commonly associated with them. It is what the control knobs link to. Apr 23, 2015 · Ultrasonic Cleaning: What?! Yes! Ultrasonic cleaning! We found out that ultrasonic cleaning works wonders for your amp. Tube amps have potentially lethal high voltage and are very dangerous to work on even when not plugged in if you don’t know what you are doing. Read it now 5F1 Champ Chassis Control on top, Circuit Board inside, tubes on bottom: V1 Preamp Tube on right, V2 Power Tube in center, V3 Rectifier Tube on left. They have this sweet spot where you are just in between clean and distorted lands. Jul 28, 2023 · The plate of the output tubes in an amplifier are typically connected to the highest voltage present inside the amplifier, B+. Apr 27, 2007 · Check out the What things will damage my tube amp, what's safe and what's not? page at Sweetwater — the world's leading music technology and instrument retailer! After my daughter and I made a custom kit guitar we needed an amp for her to use and my little battery powered practice amp wasn’t gonna cut it. Use the isolation techniques mentioned earlier to find the bad tube. Stay tuned! Oct 8, 2024 · Tube amplifiers for all budgets. It's quite colorful and complicated in there. It uses two triodes (whole tube) and consists of a standard oscillator plus an oscillator amplifier or booster. May 16, 2017 · Warning! All tube amplifiers contain lethal voltages. You may have heard In most cases, an outdated tube inside the amp is behind such symptoms. Nov 25, 2024 · Here are a few tips to get you started on your way to becoming an old-school Fender amp tech. Tubes: amplify a signal (typically from a small voltage swing, to a large current swing). In Inside a Guitar Amplifier Part 2, we’ll take an even more in-depth look at various amp features such as multi-channel amps, master volume controls, effects loops and more. Perfect for guitarists and gearheads wanting to understand analog sound Sep 16, 2020 · We all know that there are tubes with directly heated cathodes, and those with indirectly heated cathodes. [4 Oct 12, 2016 · THE BASICS OF VACUUM TUBE AMPLIFIERS We all love the sound of Vacuum tubes for guitars, bass, electric piano, vocals, stereo, etc. A tube-based amp makes your guitar louder, sure, but tubes amplify your electric guitar so beautifully mainly because of the way they distort. Typically reverb and effects sound better following any sort of distortion. What Does a Guitar Amp Really Do? A guitar amplifier takes your electric guitar’s signal and multiplies it to become louder. Jun 11, 2021 · Guitar amps use several large filter capacitors to get this power-conditioning job done properly. The Power Transformer and Output Transformer are attached to the other side of the chassis. If you aren't prepared to take the time to learn and apply the right precautions to keep yourself safe, don't work on your own amp. Figure 1 on the right shows a typical tube preamp stage. Oct 26, 2025 · A detailed guide on how vacuum tube technology works, components and schematic of the tube amps, and useful tips on how to replace a bad tube. It outputs this sound through a speaker cabinet, so you can easily hear what you’re playing. A tube amp is a type of amplifier that uses vacuum tubes or valves to amplify the signals created by your electric guitar. How Amps Work The next few paragraphs will help you visualize the flow of electrons through simple circuits. I won't be going over tube theory and other introductory material here so check it out if you have trouble understanding this webpage. Learn how tube amps work, explore different types like combo amps and amp heads, and discover how to control your sound with EQ, gain, and volume settings. They are responsible for the amazing tones we love. Warning: extremely high voltages occur inside tube amps. Explore various tube amplifier schematic designs and learn how to build your own audio amplifier using vacuum tubes for a classic warm sound. To summarize, almost any blue glow you see inside a tube is perfectly fine and will not cause any problems in your amplifier. Valve amplifiers are still the most desirable sound in guitar music despite the vacuum tube being made obsolete by transistors in the 60s. Jan 1, 1995 · There is a newer edition of this item: Inside Tube Amps: The Book on Tube Amps Technology $123. The tube amplifier is a complex organism, but don’t worry: the basic operation is easily Mar 21, 2019 · For amps with effects and reverb options, those will be placed between the pre-amp tubes and the power amp tubes. Before you touch anything inside the amp chassis, it’s required that all capacitors are discharged. KT88 Tube Amplifier:Utilising high-quality KT88 power-amp tubes,MOSFET Tube amplifier power out is up to 180W and delivers a dynamic and full-bodied sound output, bringing life to your audio experience. The basic type we will start with is a triode tube. Strong (Editor) Format: Kindle Edition Aug 4, 2023 · A tube amp, short for “vacuum tube amplifier,” is an electronic amplifier. I’m an industrial electrician that’s been playing and buying vintage amps for over 20 years now. Dec 16, 2008 · To get quickly to the heart of tube magic, stop thinking of them as amplification devices and start thinking of them as tone-generating devices. However, if you see bluish/violet glow around a single element such as a wire for example, it could indicate an air leak into the tube. Any thoughts or input? I figure even with a small fan, the tubes are still gonna get cookin'. The power tube's heaters pull much more amperage than signals. ejwi omst qmikszkov tcxhn bfyv tsx lpj nnf cfljpz bbgrxx gxxq penrjmcq yztvozo mhde gvemsc