Build Your Own Clone Message Board

So along my journey of learning about tube amps, I've run across several resources that have helped me greatly, and even more that I haven't had time to dig into, but know exist. With the release of the Champlifier, I figured it'd be helpful to jot these down so people looking for tube specific information could have some places to start. Since tubes have been around much much much longer than I have , this is just a teeny tiny sampling of what's out there. If you find something cool, post it up.

Often one reads about the dangers of high voltage, but not many tell you what the real threats are and how to stay safe. This is Colorado State University's High Voltage Safety Manual. It presents the dangers of working with high voltage and what you can do to keep yourself safe.
http://euverc.colostate.edu/safetytests/High_Voltage_Safety_Manual.pdf

Once upon a time, in a land far far away, tubes were common everyday items. Tube testers were in drug stores, and a youth could make a killing fixing old TVs and radios by replacing the dead tubes and re-selling them. During that time, much work was done to improve tubes and understand their behavior. Many classic tube texts are out of copyright, and as such are now in the public domain and can be distributed freely.
There is a plethora of classic texts which are out of copyright scanned and available for download here for free:
http://www.tubebooks.org/technical_books_online.htm

The two books I see most recommended are the Radiotron Designers Handbook, 4th Edition (RDH4) and the RCA RC-30 Receiving Tube Manual.
RDH4: http://headfonz.rutgers.edu/RDH4/
RCA RC-30: http://www.tubebooks.org/tube_data.htm

Most of those books above were printed 40+ years ago, and while tube technology hasn't done much since then, many people have presented much of the same information in their own (often more understandable) way. Others have broken down the tried and true techniques to help the DIY guy or musician build or repair his equipment.
R.G. Keen's GEO FX has several tube geared pages.
Guitar Amp Page: http://www.geofex.com/gtramps.htm
Amp Debugging Page: http://www.geofex.com/ampdbug/ampdebug.htm
MOSFET Follies (snippets and ideas for using MOSFETs to replace tubes where it makes sense): http://www.geofex.com/Article_Folders/mosfet_folly/mosfetfolly.htm

Randall Aiken has some very good technical information on his page. These often look at individual elements of an amp and the details of why they are done a particular way. He also has a bibliography of "must have" tube texts.
Tech Page: http://www.aikenamps.com/TechInfo_2.htm

Merlin Blencowe has posted several "how to design" step-by-step pages on his site in addition to publishing a power supply and preamp design book. His presentation of the information is a nice addition to the classic tube texts.
Valve Wizard site: http://www.freewebs.com/valvewizard/

Richard Kuehnel has several calculators, part-by-part explanations of amps, and full on fundamental electronics tutorials available on his site in addition to his several tube related books.
Amp Books: http://www.ampbooks.com/

Kevin 'O Conner has published a series of books titled The Ultimate Tone which are often referenced online.
London Power: http://www.londonpower.com/catalog/index.php?cPath=3

Now you've seen some pages, but want to read more "in the field" sort of stuff, or perhaps get some repair guidance, or see what other DIY guys are building, there are several amp focused forums that can help you out. I haven't frequented many of these, but they are referenced often so I present them for completeness.
Music Electronics Forum (reportedly the first music electronics page on the net, great resource for debugging a broken build or fundamental theory): http://www.music-electronics-forum.com/
AX84 (Tube amp projects focused on the 12AX7 and EL84 tubes): http://www.ax84.com/
Metro Amp (Forum focused more on Marshall style designs): http://forum.metroamp.com/
18 Watt (Forum focused on Marshall style amps using the push-pull EL84 output stage): http://www.18watt.com/
The SE, PP, and 45 Watt family of forums: http://www.sewatt.com, http://www.ppwatt.com, http://www.45watt.com

You need tube amp parts? Ok, here we go: (I have used some of these retailers, and have only hear of others, I have no affiliation with any of them)
(Listed Alphabetically)
Antique Electronic Supply: http://www.tubesandmore.com/
Apex Jr: http://www.apexjr.com/
Hoffman Amps: http://www.hoffmanamps.com/
Mojo: http://www.mojotone.com/
Triode Electronics: http://www.triodeel.com/
Watts Tube Audio: http://www.turretboards.com/
Weber: http://www.tedweber.com/

And you need tubes for a tube amp right? (I have used some of these retailers, and have only hear of others, I have no affiliation with any of them)
(Listed Alphabetically)
Eurotubes: http://www.eurotubes.com/
Groove Tubes: http://www.groovetubes.com/main.html
Ruby Tubes: http://www.magicparts.com/main.htm
Tube Depot: http://www.tubedepot.com/
The Tube Store: http://thetubestore.com/

And last but not least, some sites are just handy:
Duncan's Tube Amp Page (Tube Data, Tone Stack Calculator, SPICE and Schematics): http://www.duncanamps.com/
Schematic Heaven (Schematics for many common amps): http://www.webphix.com/schematic%20heaven/www.schematicheaven.com/index_HTML.html
DIY Audio Forum (More Hi-Fi Related, but loads of good info):http://www.diyaudio.com/index.php

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-Mike

This is just cool. LOTS of information! Thanks a bunch, defaced, I know I will be making use of this...

Great post! Tons of useful info and resource links. Thanks!

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“My favorite programming language is SOLDER” - Bob Pease (RIP)

My Website * My Musical Gear * My DIY Pedals: Pg.1 - Pg.2

Thanks, defaced. Great stuff!

wow, killer post. well played, defaced. you rock.

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Thanks guys! I figured it'd be a nice start to a collaboration-o-links thread.

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-Mike

Excellent work defaced. Many hours of good reading and learning here.

The hoffman site also has some knowledgeable and friendly people on they're forums. Always answered my noob questions with good, practical advice.

Also London Powers "The Ultimate Tone" is on sale right now for 60$ (still expensive I know) I have TUT 1-2-3 and it gives a modern perspective on amp building.

I was just poking around at the Amp Books site, which Defaced listed above--just a ton of cool stuff there. The Champ 5E1 circuit is covered in some detail.

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“My favorite programming language is SOLDER” - Bob Pease (RIP)

My Website * My Musical Gear * My DIY Pedals: Pg.1 - Pg.2

Saw a link to this site on the Gear Page today- looks good:

The Valve Wizard

http://www.valvewizard.co.uk/index.html

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Twisting and tinning is for chumps.

Wow really fantastic info here !

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RockYourRepairedAmpShop @
https://theklonepedal.com/
https://www.facebook.com/RockYourRepairedAmp?ref=hl

Yo, Mike from 10 years ago, you just saved my ass, thank you. I don't remember where any of this stuff is anymore

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-Mike

This was a quality "first post on the forum in 5 years" post.

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Scott

My band, Austin Hollow

Especially considering that he posted it to himself!!!

_________________
“My favorite programming language is SOLDER” - Bob Pease (RIP)

My Website * My Musical Gear * My DIY Pedals: Pg.1 - Pg.2