Need help finding books

[IronPlant]

I was about to order a guitar book from amazon and needed another one to get free shipping. If anyone could recommend books that amazon has on these subjects it would be great:

soldering
tubeamps
basic guitar playing
how play guitar in a 70s rock or 80s metal style

Soldering is the big one I want now as I have nothing on that yet.

Thanks in advance for anyones input.

[ab3640au]

Ironplant .. I'm not sure about what Amazon carries in books on amp/guitar, however a "must" from a tube amp point of view is "The Ultimate Tone" by Kevin O'Connor. There are several volumes (I've only got volume 1 at this stage) and they're written in an "easy to follow" kinda way (you don't have to be an EE to understand what's going on). Don't know how you'll go with soldering .. it's the sort of thing that can only get better at by practice. I was fairly "ordinary" before I started my first 18watter, but I've improved heaps! It's all in the methodology and iron that you use. A few tips:

1. I find a 40w iron good to use - being a bit hotter than your standard 25w, it melts the solder faster (meaning you don't have to apply it to the particular component for too long).
2. Always keep the tip of the iron clean - after each individual use.
3. Apply the iron to the component/wire terminals to heat them and allow the solder to "flow" on (don't apply the iron to the solder to heat it). This isn't difficult, but takes a little practice.
4. Ensure that no wires/terminals move while the solder is hardening.
5. Take note of the "color" of the solder termination - it should look "shiny" if it is a good joint. If it looks dull, it could be "dry" and will cause you problems.
6. Avoid big blobby solder joints - use only enough to make the joint.

Best thing is to practice on a few wires/turrets/components etc to get the hang of it .. you'll get good in no time.

REGARDS

Barry M

[IronPlant]

Yeah The Ultimate Tone books look good. When I get a little bit more cash to burn I was going to send off for a few of those.

[Foster]

Tom Mitchell's book (or rather the video that comes with it) has a good primer on soldering technique -- you might check that out. One thing I've found key: properly "tinning" your connections. It makes good solder joints much easier.

[IronPlant]

I just got the Tom Mitchell book and tape pack on ebay for 50. I also got the The Tube Amp Book 4.1th Edition By Aspen Pittman for 20. I've heard there are things wrong with the book, but for about half less what the book cost new, I thought I could give it a try.

Does anyone know where one can get a full list of the typo's and screw up's in that book?