Prototyping Rescources

[sniffyduke]

Hi guy's,

I have built may clones, both amps and pedals.

I always seem to be reading others schmematics.

I would like to learn how to design my own.

Does anyone know of any good books for learning this. Is there any software that would be a good tool as well.

I did not go to college foe electrical engineering my knowledge in fair when it comes to circuitry. I can follow others but have no idea how to design my own.

Thank you

[jaysg]

Start by downloading the schematic capture s/w from ExpressPCB. If you search here, you should find some additional components...not sure who posted them...maybe Allyn.

[David Root]

From my own experience I would recommend :

For preamps, Merlin Blencowe's new book Designing Tube Preamps for Guitar and Bass. Merlin is the internet's Valve Wizard from the UK.

For power amps, Guitar Amplifier Power Amps by Richard Kuehnel, Pentode Press.

[David Root]

TubeCad from GlassWare, John Broskie. www.tubecad.com. Click on TCJ Companion Software, then select Additional Software from Glassware. This is a preamp design tool that a lot of us use. It doesn't cover everything and it is not great on phase inverters but it is very worthwhile having. Ignore the software's recommendations for cathode bypass caps, they are based on a hi-fi 10 Hz rolloff.

He also has a push-pull software item I've not seen before. It covers only power triodes and triode connected beam tetrodes and pentodes, so it's not much use for our needs.

[collinsamps]

I'm not sure about your basic electronics background or tube theory knowledge but the Navy Neets modules(quick search will get them free) are the best source for getting up to speed fast(yes I'm biased after 21 years). After that if you go through London Powers TUT series(The Ultimate Tone....not cheap but one of the best "complete" amp design sources available anywhere) volume by volume you'll be 99% more knowledgeable than the average web guru who calls himself Lord this or wizard of that(these are grown men mind you).

[rawnster]

From my own experience I would recommend :

For preamps, Merlin Blencowe's new book Designing Tube Preamps for Guitar and Bass. Merlin is the internet's Valve Wizard from the UK.

For power amps, Guitar Amplifier Power Amps by Richard Kuehnel, Pentode Press.

I just finished reading Merlin's tube preamp book. Very cool. Advanced reading and replete with quality information. ...and it's doesn't threaten me at all that he's "the internet's Valve Wizard from the UK. "

[collinsamps]

Threatened? Hardly my point.

I'm pretty sure Albert Einstein called himself Albert, instead of Lord of physics or Wizard or quantum mechanics. If you can walk the walk & talk the talk you don't need self proclaimed(like someone else came up with it?) monikers for egocentric self gratification. Just as Freud had theories about everything being phalic and porsche 930 turbos are known to be compensation for other shortcomings, Giving your self a Lord, or Wizard title sort of speaks for itself. It's your money, give it to the Prince of Pentodes if it makes you happy.

[rawnster]

Threatened? Hardly my point.

I'm pretty sure Albert Einstein called himself Albert, instead of Lord of physics or Wizard or quantum mechanics. If you can walk the walk & talk the talk you don't need self proclaimed(like someone else came up with it?) monikers for egocentric self gratification. Just as Freud had theories about everything being phalic and porsche 930 turbos are known to be compensation for other shortcomings, Giving your self a Lord, or Wizard title sort of speaks for itself. It's your money, give it to the Prince of Pentodes if it makes you happy.

Dude you seriously have to lighten up. You posit a perpetual chip and angst in just about every post you submit. I'm just a beginner in this amp building world, and am trying to learn from as many people as I can. But it's difficult to read and learn from anything you post without ducking a bit and feeling sorry for the guy you just replied to.

and, yes, it is my money, and I can spend it how I choose.

[collinsamps]

Whatever works for you.............."Dude" is it? We all have opinions and if the rest of the worlds were like mine I would expect that cloning had been in full effect for sometime. When you get done ducking & feeling sorry for posters I think Jester........er......Lord Valve is taking applications for an apprentice but you have to wear green tights and do Ren fairs on the weekends which may or may not fit your lifestyle.

[10thTx]

For your consideration ..........

There is a free download of many editable SCH schematics and layouts right here:

http://www.el34world.com/Forum/index.php?topic=6977.0

And a free SCH program you can download here:

http://www.expresspcb.com/ExpressPCBHtm ... ftware.htm

Nice thing about the SCH download is that there are so many schematics available that you can grab one that is similar to what you're looking for and modify it rather quickly. PLUS, there are quite a few "innovative" designs in that download.

With respect, 10thtx

[mhuss]

I think the "Valve Wizard" thing is a play on words (his name *is* Merlin ) rather than anything pretentious. He seems a nice guy, the web site is very useful, and many people like his new book (which I have not seen yet).

--mark

[spiralstairs]

If my name was Merlin, I would certainly use it in some fun iconic manners

Too bad my name is Dick...

(haha, its not really, but anyways...)

[j-po]

If you can walk the walk & talk the talk you don't need self proclaimed(like someone else came up with it?) monikers for egocentric self gratification.

Good point. I vote Valve Wizard is cool anyway. If he was egocentric it would serve his purpose better to use his own name and picture rather than a cute little valve wearing a miniature wizard hat! Good info on his site for free. Respect!

[benoit]

Threatened? Hardly my point.

I'm pretty sure Albert Einstein called himself Albert, instead of Lord of physics or Wizard or quantum mechanics. If you can walk the walk & talk the talk you don't need self proclaimed(like someone else came up with it?) monikers for egocentric self gratification. Just as Freud had theories about everything being phalic and porsche 930 turbos are known to be compensation for other shortcomings, Giving your self a Lord, or Wizard title sort of speaks for itself. It's your money, give it to the Prince of Pentodes if it makes you happy.

Ok, I'm going to have to call bull****.

Based solely on a name, you've implied that Merlin doesn't know what he's talking about, has a massive ego, and that he goes around calling himself Valve Wizard in day to day life, as in "Hi, I'm Lord Valve."

To me the name Valve Wizard (esp given his real name is Merlin) just says "this guy has a sense of humor and a little creativity in naming his business". Apparently to you it says "even though I've apparently never met or done business with this guy, I'd better slander him publicly in case someone thought they should read his book."

All the talk about his latest book that I've seen, here and elsewhere, has been very positive, and some of these comments have come from very knowledgeable people. I've also never heard anything but good things about people who have done business with him.

How would you like it if some person you'd never met (a business owner in your industry, no less) was talking crap about how boring your business's name is and how no company with such a boring name could ever produce an interesting amp.

You have a problem with "Lord Valve" or "Valve Wizard" but you let "The Ultimate Tone" slide? If we're going to judge everything ultra-literally, that's the most pretentious book title I've ever heard. According to your logic, it must be horrendously short on solid facts. I don't actually have a problem with it at all, because it's not meant to be taken literally any more than "Valve Wizard" should be taken to mean the guy thinks he's an actual wizard or is compensating for a lack of skill.

So maybe let's get back to amps and be done with the totally unfounded attacks on people's character. It's not right.

[Tonegeek]

Whatever works for you.............."Dude" is it? We all have opinions and if the rest of the worlds were like mine I would expect that cloning had been in full effect for sometime. When you get done ducking & feeling sorry for posters I think Jester........er......Lord Valve is taking applications for an apprentice but you have to wear green tights and do Ren fairs on the weekends which may or may not fit your lifestyle.

Merlin AKA "Valve Wizard" gets my highest respect. My understanding of tube technology was advanced ten-fold after reading his tutorial on designing pre-amps. For some reason his explanations just clicked for me when others did not.

Mr. Collins, no offense but some of your posts come across as arrogant, angry and opinionated. I see it here and have seen it in other posts from you. You seem to get offended really easily and are quick to unleash venom at the slightest provocation. I suspect you have made some positive contributions to this forum but unfortunately I can only remember the negative posts.

For that matter what's the difference between calling yourself a "Valve Wizard" and naming an amp company after yourself? Who really cares?

Excuse me for coming across as arrogant, angry and opinionated...