OldToneZone.com » Understanding Tube Amps

Understanding Tube Amps: Effects Loops

Anthony Stauffer — Sat, 17 Apr 2010 17:45:14 +0000

In the 7th video of this series, I explain the difference between putting your pedals before the amp in the signal chain, and inserting them in an effects loop.

Understanding Tube Amps: Attenuators

Anthony Stauffer — Sat, 27 Mar 2010 02:02:56 +0000

The 6th video in a series of lessons teaching the basics of tube amp. Played through a Fender ’64 Vibroverb Custom with a THD Hotplate attenuator.

Understanding Tube Amps: Volume

Anthony Stauffer — Tue, 09 Feb 2010 03:20:57 +0000

In this installment, I address the relationship between volume and the different kinds of distortion you can get from your amp.

Understanding Tube Amps: The Distortion Chain

Anthony Stauffer — Tue, 12 Jan 2010 19:31:31 +0000

In the 4th video of this series, I spend some time illustrating with sound and graphics, what happens when you vary the different volume levels in your signal chain. It’s a very simple look at a 3 part signal chain: guitar -> preamp tube -> power tube, and you should understand after watching this video how those 3 things work together to create different kinds of distortion.

Understanding Tube Amps: Preamp and Power Tubes

Anthony Stauffer — Thu, 31 Dec 2009 01:08:09 +0000

The third video in this series describes the difference between preamp and power tube distortion. I give an example of the differences in sound, although every amp has it’s own voice, so this video is only one example. What you should take away from it however is that there is a very distinct difference in sound, and the characteristics of each.

Understanding Tube Amps: Structure

Anthony Stauffer — Sun, 27 Dec 2009 11:21:34 +0000

Part 2 of this video series explains the basic building blocks of tube amps and how they work together.

Understanding Tube Amps: Why Tube Amps?

Anthony Stauffer — Wed, 23 Dec 2009 00:21:32 +0000

The first video in a series of gear lessons I’ll be doing called “Understanding Tube Amps.” In this first installment, I do my best to explain why tube amps are considered by most to be better than solid state (transistor) amps.