there’s no question Uncle Doug is a great teacher. but his lesson is something that you’re interested in, and it applies to something you’re interested in, that makes the big difference in learning.
Thanks Doug, great video. Every evening i go to bed i look at least one of your videos. Thanks to your videos i have built great 5f1 with feedback switch and potentiometer. Now I am building bassman.
Same here If we had more teachers like you Doug , the world would be a better place , I was definitely guilty of beaver shot distractions ,well observed!!
the best use of electrical current as water metaphor I've ever seen...once again , beautifully done...Another opportunity for me , when asked an Amp question, to say " Go see Uncle Doug, and leave me the heck alone!"
...the only flaw with that particular metaphor, it that electricity requires a closed COMPLETE CIRCUIT- for electric current to flow, but water flow doesn't: I have never heard of ELECTRICITY leaking out, and puddling on the floor from a busted wire-!!
Yeah, beav shot were popular in 9th Grade. So at almost 70 I’m getting back to HS. This is one way to start feeling young again. Thanks Doug. Soon I’m gonna tackle the Vox V8 that no one want to touch.
Hi Uncle Doug, I love your dry delivery of humour. It worth is as much in gold as the value of your helping/teaching methods in these videos and all are deeply appreciated by me. I know I was taught this at school but was a complete waste on me at the time. All the very best to you and those you hold most dear.
You may have alienated Mrs. Haywire with one remark, but this tutorial is spot on. I may have been the wayfaring viewer who requested it. Thank you, and keep these theory tutorials comin'.
I cannot believe that I *finally understand Ohm's law! Thank you! Drop in River Pressure on the down side of the Dam equals Initial River pressure times the hole in the Dam. V = I x R - the stuff coming out of my 63 Fender Concert Output Hole needs to see speakers resisting at 2 ohms so I get my good sounding 40 watts. Proper resistance! - My amp circuit needs to be fed proper current in various places after the tubes... and RESISTORS dam the river for the proper flow. Wow. Thank you!! I took algebra twice in middle school, the first time I passed, but I wanted to get it (and enjoy it) the way I got math before that... so I took it again to get that A and to understand it. I love it... but I like Geometry and Trigonometry even better... because, in high school, I loved arguing and proving stuff. :-) Again... THANK YOU!
UNCLE DOUG! This is a great video! Thank you so much. I really wish I had been educated by teachers like yourself. I really struggled with math in high school. This video gave me a really comprehensive look into Ohm's Law and how you would use it in a real world scenario. I really appreciate the detail you go into with these videos and am excited to see the rest in the series. Wonderful! Thank you!
Mr. Doug, excellent videos. You are an excellent teacher. I am sure you are fully aware of this and don’t really need some random dude on the internet to tell you this. But I have to just say that I have unending respect for people such as yourself that can teach others in such a clear and interesting manner. I wish you were my algebra teacher when I was in Jr High School. I would have learned the subject much more throughly - beaver shots notwithstanding. Thank you for these videos.
Great video Doug it is a real help for a novice like me , and it looks like I`m about six years behind by the date on this one , but still glad to be watching. Thank you.
Uncle Doug; I can't get enough of your videos! I have been using tube amplifiers for 50 years, and have never found a reliable source of information on their operation until I found you. The internet is chock full of bad information on this subject, so its great to have someone I can trust. Premier Guitar had an article that gave a cursory explanation of the subject, but it lacked your detail and usefulness. Thank you SO much for these enlightening videos.
+Lawrence Genereux You're quite welcome, Lawrence. This multi-video format is like a loose-leaf notebook that allows me not only to present new topics but also to insert more detail within existing "chapters". I also try to provide practical applications for the theory, giving it immediate practical value rather than simply abstract "knowledge for knowledge's sake". Thanks for watching and voicing your appreciation.....it's the power source that keeps this channel on the air :)
Every time I watch one of your videos I have to go out a buy a bigger hat and my brain expands so much from the knowledge. Thank you so much for the time you've taken to put these videos online. You're a true treasure to the electronics community!
WOW! I was wondering how all of the dropping resistors for my various B+’s were derived. Your video CLEARLY explained it. On one of my amplifiers the output transformer shorted and destroyed a very hard to get resistor block (or what ever it’s called) that was made up with 4 resistors in series all on one piece. I used my schematic to replace all of the resistors with discrete ones. And I wondered how the engineers figured out what dropping resistors to use to drop the voltages. Ohms law!
Thanks again, Uncle Doug, your instructional style is impeccable, no doubt borne on many hours in the classroom! Your students, (myself being one) are very lucky to have you as the instructor. God bless you for sharing your knowledge and experience with the RU-vid community!
+achdee55 You're quite welcome, AC. I really appreciate your kind words and am glad to hear that the videos are both effective and helpful. Favorable comments like yours make maintaining this channel a very rewarding experience. Thanks :)
Doug, I'm going back all of your "basic" videos -- resistors, capacitors, etc. I am able to apply most of what you show in your videos to my ham radio hobby. I have worked in electronics, but most of my experience is in ham radio. No matter how long someone has been in electronics, I think it is good to go back once in a while and refresh oneself in the basics -- basic theory, Ohm's Law, basic components, inductive and capacitive reactance (remember "ELI the ICE man?"), etc. And even THE most basic of basics (at least according to my Electronics 101 instructor @$#&! years ago!), his quote -- "You can't have electronics without the electron!" I thoroughly enjoy your videos, Uncle Doug. And I absolutely love your cat, Jack... a very nice kitty! Keep your videos coming, I'll keep watching. :-)
Thanks so much for your wonderful comments, Erz. I couldn't agree more re the importance of the "basics". I sometimes have to go back through my notes and videos to refresh my own knowledge, and I'm glad to hear that the videos serve the same purpose for others.
This is the best breakdown of Ohm's law I have come across on the web. Awesome job. I would like to send you over some hand made wire wound resistors for you to use in future videos, on the house, if you would be interested. Just let me know what you need and I will get it shipped out to you. Thanks again for the awesome video, I look forward to seeing more.
I failed Algebra 1 three times in high school... But... I started taking radio engineering classes and I finally got it. I just needed something to help all those variables make sense. Great video. :)
I confess! Every time I come across the math equations in any of the tube amp journals I have read, my mind blanks them out. I swear my vision blurs at the same time. Thanks again for simple explanations for all things regarding tube amps. I remained awake during the whole video !!!
+Barefeet200 I agree, BF. Whenever the explanation of a concept turns to abstract math and opaque terminology, I tend to doze off too. There is no need for education to be a boring ordeal, but unfortunately, most educators spent too much time on their own education and virtually no time on developing the skills to convey that knowledge to others.
Your videos are helpful. I'm the proud owner of 4 tube guitar amps, 2 of which are hand wired, 3 with DC Rectifier tubes. I hope to carefully (safely) learn how to bias my own fixed biased amps (2), and perform amp circuit testing, and replace bad caps, etc. Thanks for helping me to move toward that goal.
Uncle Doug, I have learned so much from you. I have absolutely no training in electronics and thanks to your instruction i am fixing my own amps. Also I might mention that my son has a recording studio (professional) and a degree from Berkley music college in MA, I've built him compressors, pre amps, and I do maintenance for him just to mention a few things. All this has been possible because of what you do. I want to thank you sir, i really appreciate all the instruction and info. Lee
Uncle Doug, thank you for creating and posting this wonderful series on valve amps. I have found it to be a most comprehensive and detailed tutorial on the repair and servicing of valve amps. It is worthy of having a place in the most prestigious educational establishments and should be offered as a stand alone course there. I know it has answered all my questions on servicing this equipment and has allowed me the required skills to safely service and repair my own equipment and for this I would like to thank you.
+deluxetone Wow, you're welcome, DT, and thanks for the very kind comments. Rusty and I are really glad that you enjoy our videos and find them helpful. Positive response from viewers like you makes our efforts worthwhile :)
I'm gonna echo what others have said already: I wish I'd had you as my algebra teacher back in HS. Mine was more interested in winning math team trophies than actually teaching those of us who didn't grasp everything right away.
I love your videos Uncle Doug. It has taught me heaps. I've always been in love with valve radios and now amplifiers have caught my imagination . You have a great sense of humor, love your pets and full of knowledge which you love sharing in great detail and lots of patience. You are simply amazing!. Keep up the noble work you have undertaken.
Hello Doug, I am French, but I have the chance to understand your language very well. I think you give the best explanations I have heard. Bravo for your precise and meticulous work. Best regards :)
Wow.....thanks so much for your very nice comments, Philippe. Rusty's girlfriend, Georgette, is French, so we have a warm spot in our hearts for you all :)
It's fun, in fact you're the one who does all the work, the doggie and the kitten are running. The name Georgette is typically French, it's clear. I am attracted by these electro-technical marvels that are tube amps. I've watched many of your videos, and I've come to think they could be shown in school. This knowledge must be transmitted for sure ! Salutations Françaises :)
Tube amps would be an interesting topic for science class. I was a classroom teacher for many years and taught electrical theory to my students, but never included a tube amp in the lesson. Now I wish I had :)
Hi Doug, It's done, because you're going back to the future on youtube. It's funny to see you chatting with your dog and cat buddies. And then let us have a masterly lecture on these old tube bridges! Your courses are useful to the nation, and to the whole world. I savor them as a good whiskey that does not drunk its consumer. Friendships :)
I would like nothing better than to go back in time and take some different paths, Philippe :) One I would not change, however, would be the creation of this YT channel and the opportunity to communicate with really nice people all over the world. Thanks so much for being one of them.
Aloha Uncle Doug and Rusty, from Honolulu! I have enjoyed all your videos so far, and this was a great review of the fundamentals. It's always important to keep in mind how and why to pay attention to the amps and milliamps with the proper decimal positions. I recently acquired a very dusty and scratchy sounding but playable 8 watt MUZAK P.A. amplifier, and after lifting the hood, i discovered 2 6V6's in push/pull,, 2 6SL7's, and a 5Y3 rectifier. Apparently, it was used to deliver the morning announcements at a local high school. A little research told me that this circuit was very similar to the early 50's Fender Deluxe series of circuits, such as 5A3, 5B3, 5C3, 5D3 and the most famous of all, the 5E3. So your videos have given me the knowledge to trace the circuit, and plan on a restoration. And I'm watching out for the "Death Capacitor" as well! So cheers to you!
+Alan Lunt Thanks so much, Alan. Your Fender Deluxe project sounds like a great one. You're always way ahead when you can buy a vintage amp cheaply and get the high-quality components to build a real classic, like the 5E3. Please be sure to let us know how it turns out.
Hello Doug. . My cat Molly was miffed that you didn't mention Jack the Cat in the first part :) Now to get more serious, I have always had a hard time with math,it was my worse subject in school. The way you explained Ohm's law in the video was the first time I really understood how it worked and how to best use it. Thank You ! I will be looking forward to your next video, It a shame most teachers aren't like you. The ones I had, didn't seem to have time for a poor country boy like me. Much respect Doug. Bobby
+Bobby Tectalabyss The respect is mutual, Bobby. You're welcome for the video. I'm glad it was interesting and informative. Please tell Molly that Jack was sleeping on the couch and I didn't want to disturb him for the video. I'm sure she'll understand :)
I found your videos while researching about building a speaker cabinet this summer and I can honestly say that your videos were the primary reason that I was able to do so well with my build. These videos always contain very in-depth descriptions and instructions on the video topics. Also these circuitry videos are helping to cement some of the concepts I'm learning in my Circuits 1 class right now. Thanks so much Uncle Doug & Rusty!
+Riley McBride You're quite welcome, Riley. It's great to hear that the videos are helpful and informative.....the exact purposes we had in mind when creating them. Thanks for watching and best of luck with your electronics education.
+gaziltapig I'm glad you found it too, Gaz. Welcome to the Brotherhood of the Tube. When you're snowed in for the winter, there's no better way to spend time than harvesting parts from old chassis. Best of luck :)
Uncle Doug, I just wanted to say thank you. I just started my journey into the world of tube amps and your videos are a great help here. You explain things in a manner so that everyone can understand it and it makes sense. I have books and materials on the internet but having these videos helps me more than any book ever could. Thank you so much. The world needs more people like you :) Stay healthy and cheers!
Wow, thanks so much for your very nice comments, G69. I agree that the Internet has become the best source for technical information. Books, sadly, have become rather obsolete.
@@UncleDoug The 3 books I have are from the 1950s and they focus on vacuum tubes and the devices and the technology around them, in my case I do learn a lot from them (my amp tech recommended them) but your videos in conjuction with the books make me grasp things even faster and easier :) I'll be ordering a Fender Champ kit soon for my first build and can't wait to get to it :D Cheers!
I think this is one of the best videos I have seen for helping someone understand building an amp. Thanks. I would love to have, had someone of your teaching skills when I was in school. Maybe I would have wanted to learn more. It is not easy to learn when you are my age!!!!! I have to read it or watch it over and over and over.
Thanks so much, WN. As an old codger myself, I fully understand the challenges that old age presents when trying to learn new things; however, with age comes the discipline, maturity, and spare time that were lacking in our youth. It may require repetition, but it definitely can be done :)
Just finished watching your great Capacitor videos, loved them....now I'm going to plow through your resistor videos ....of course I'll be taken notes. Love learning from you....I wish I had teachers like you back in high school....mine were the worst ever!
Thanks for the refresher course on Ohm's law. Its been 40 years since had learned that, when I was in the navy. Since then I had no need to use it and had forgotten it. Now that I'm needing that information it sure is very handy. Thanks again
Thanks for helping us mere mortals that have a passion for tube tone understand the circuits in our amps. You are a very good and interesting teacher. I appreciate your efforts. Mike
+Mike Elmore You're welcome, Mike. I have suffered through so many lousy explanations of technical subjects that it's now my sworn duty to try to make this subject both interesting and understandable. Thanks for your kind words :)
Uncle Doug, you have managed to teach me in 20 minutes what I was supposed to have learned over a whole term in school but failed to grasp. Your explanations are so clear and concise. The electronics Tutors in our school appear to confuse their Students by going off on meaningless tangents. I'm now wondering about their abilities to teach students and questioning their knowledge. In this awsome video you mention ohms, current and volts. The one big question left in my mind is how do I deduce the correct wattage resistor to use in these example circuits; I guess this might be very important if you don't want to let out the magic smoke from the resistor?
Wow......thanks so much, IG. You use Ohm's Law to calculate the wattage of resistors. There are three different formulae: Power (in Watts) = Current Squared x Resistance or Current x Voltage or Voltage Squared divided by Resistance. For example, if you know the current, i.e. 5A, and the resistance, i.e. 10 Ohms, then the Power = 5 x 5 x 10 = 250W.
All of these videos explaining different parts of how these tube amps work are very interesting and informative! I am a complete beginner in all of this and it is very understandable. Thank you for well made simply explained lessons.
I spit up my drink all over when you said beaver shots I haven’t laughed that hard in a long time thank you for making my day I love your videos Doug you are a great teacher and many people agree
Your so good!!! being a teacher myself im so impressed by your skills for explaining, so methodical and i love how you use the language then translate it to formulas. I wish i had a math teacher like you when i was i school. Plus really helpful information explained. Thanks UD
+Jens Lindell You're quite welcome, Jens, and thanks so much for your very kind words. Praise from a fellow teacher means a lot. We're really glad you watched our video and that it was helpful....welcome to our YT family.
One of my early instructors, many decades ago, laid Ohm's Law out so. You can use either of the two, depending on what you know to be true. E P I R or I E Circle what you want. You want P (power)? What do you have left? I times E (or IE). You want I (current)? Whats left? Either E over R or P over E. You want E (voltage)? Either I times R or P over I. You want R (resistance)? E over I. Easy to remember. And, I never forgot it.
I like the simple explanations.You have the gift of make people of different kinds of age, understand everything no matter their scale of knowledge.This is how all teachers have to teach all children or students in high school or univercity.
Again, Thanks Uncle Doug!! Very Informative. I took 2 Years Mechanical Drawing in High School, we had an Area Vocational School, as part of the New High School Bectal built for us, for Building Arkansas Nuclear One, on Lake Dardanelle, in Russellville, Arkansas. The 3rd Year, I took a Basic Electronics Class. This is bringing some of that back for me. One Question, " How do you Drain, the Electrolytic Capacitors? I remember taking a test in class, and Forgetting and then Picking up a Capacitor, which Zapped me - DOH!! Haha!!! So, might be good for others to know too. "
I have demonstrated this in many of my earlier videos, Sterling, as well as showing how to make a simple device to enable it to be done quickly and safely. Please see one of my videos on biasing either single or double-ended amps.
I’m really enjoying how you explain electronic theory.You make it clear, precise, and easy to understand and learn. I enjoyed algebra in school so everything you’re teaching here is refreshing my memory. Thank you😊
Thanks for bringing up the fact that you were an algebra teacher. I was horrible at math all the way through 2 years of college. At age 30, I went back to school and started at the botom and worked up to Intermediate algebra. It was the hardest "B" I ever earned. I studied at least 8 hours/week. My last job was a paper buyer. I scheduled production and used algebra all day long. That's where I learned what all those equations were for. I had a great teacher who was an ex engineer. He said I am going to teach math and algebra the way I learned. Slow and steady and no shortcuts.
+Eric Reicher You're welcome, Eric. I too taught Algebra as I had been taught, progressively learning and practicing new skills until, like a snowball rolling downhill and steadily gaining mass, finally developing sufficient mastery to cope with virtually any problem, and to move on to more complex forms of mathematics. That's also the way I approach these videos. This one is near the top of the hill, but necessary to create a nucleus that will gain mass as we proceed.
Hello Uncle Doug, again a very nice video, even basic principles, explained by you, become a lot of fun. It is a gift Uncle Doug, don't forget that! I can't wait for the capacitor video. greetings Benny
12:09...we have all been through it!! I think the reason why we "tuned out" when we were in Algebra Class, was because we were thinking at the time: "WHAT IS THIS $#!] GOOD FOR?!!" ...well, now we KNOW "what it's good for"(!)
I have seen almost every video that you compiled. Your explanations got me curious on building my own amp. You make it sound understandable and applicable. Thank you for sharing and caring! All the best to Rusty, Jack and Doug
When I first started electronics all I could find at first was resistors from a local surplus store. With that pack of resistors, a breadboard, some LEDs and a multimeter, I spent a good 3 months or so learning stuff about them before I moved on to other things. Don't under estimate the complexity of electronics. If you think something's simple, you don't know enough about it.
Excellent tutorial Uncle Doug. It much easier to understand Ohm's Law and how it applies to tube amps when a algebra teacher goes through the theory in detail. I didn't have any problems with algebra in high school, but trigonometry was pretty boring until, I discovered in EE school much later on, that trig applies to pretty much all AC theory. All of a sudden, with a practical application for trig theory, sine, cosine, tangent, co-tangent s, phase angles and vectors. Then there was Kirchoff's circuit law where a single resistance value can be determined from parallel, series, series parallel etc resistor groups. I was forced to do it old school ( long hand )in my head without the use of a modern day calculator. .I realized that maybe I should have paid more attention in HS instead of 'chasing beavers". I had to hit the books pretty hard to catch up on years of " why do I need to learn that stuff anyway?" Now I know.
+SuperCarver2011 Thanks so much, SC. Yes, I think we all share similar memories of our early education. It's a shame that so many critical concepts are presented at a time when our minds were on everything BUT education. I have spent the better part of my life making up for the mistakes and frivolities of youth :)
Very good explanation of the basics . Maybe it's good to mention that measuring ohms in a circuit ,for instance an amplifier, when there's a suspect that a resistor is worn, doesn't give you the right value. I see a lot of people measuring resistors in a circuit . Love your videos!
Thank you for a really wonderful and helpful video. I wish I'd had you as a teacher when I was at school all those years ago, I would have had a very different life.
Ah, a fellow math teacher. I knew there was a reason I liked you. I was just going to comment that you were a naturally gifted teacher when you said that.
Welcome back! As usual, everything traces back to Ohm's Law. It is greater than Ape Law! Violating Ohm's Law is like going into the Forbidden Zone. You won't like what you find (I bet a divide by zero would be about the equivalent hell).
Han Solo, since haven't activated Google+, your comments came without any Reply capability, so I'll have to answer up here. You're welcome....glad you enjoyed the video. The resistance value is calculated based on the current to which the resistor is exposed. Once the resistor is installed, both the voltage and current are dropped when they exit. In my example, I merely wanted to demonstrate a use of Ohm's Law, but in reality, anything you do to alter the flow of current in a circuit will alter the effect of the other resistors in the line, and may necessitate their recalibration. I ran out of time for power/wattage calculation. In the case of Example 3, you could use the formula: Power in Watts is equal to the Voltage Drop times the Current in Amps. So P = (150V)(.1A) = 15Watts. I will discuss this and respond to some questions (such as yours) in the next video. With respect to Carbon Comp resistors vs Metal Film, I think there is a lot of hype and self-fulfilling subjective "listening" tests being offered as proof of difference, but I tend to agree with your theory.....the inherent imprecision and fluctuating performance of Carbon Comp resistors makes them more random and unstable, providing a "livelier" tone than the much more consistent, almost robotic Metal Film resistors. Going 100 mph in a jalopy always seems a lot faster and exciting than 100 mph in a Cadillac limousine. I personally split the difference and use Carbon Film resistors in most applications, with Metal Film in the power supply.
+Mathieu Coletta Thanks, Mathieu. Yes, I think an occasional review is quite helpful, especially since I intend to build upon this review and move on to some more complex concepts.
Hi Uncle Doug, thank you for such an informative video, you make it easy to understand how the circuits work. I now have a better understanding how to calculate the resistive changes I want to make in a circuit, thanks, Bob
I’m not trying to bug ya again uncle Doug ;-) but these videos are GREAT! I just ordered a converted AO-44 (should come tomorrow & I have the cab built!)to start learning about circuit design,modding,etc. So as a beginner to this I’m really digging these tutorials!
Uncle Doug Oh yeah. Well aware of what NOT to do already and how to drain current. The converted AO 44 that I got sounds like a damn deluxe reverb thru the 12” alnico speaker and cab I built for it and some pedals as it is! I’m actually pretty blown away by the sound quality. And you can’t get hand wired quality components like this for less than a grand anymore.
Hi Uncle Doug, I continue to watch your videos exactly where I left off around november of 2015. Wow time flies like crazy. But at least I have almost 30 "new" videos to watch :D And as always I'm learning a lot. Keep up the good work :)
Excellent explanation ! I think this video works because it mixes theory and a practical example. I'll be directing friends to this video to learn the basics. Thank You. Well done.
