Books about guitar amplifier electronics usually focus on individual circuits: preamp stages, tone stacks, phase inverters, the power amp, and power supply. The design of a guitar amplifier as a complete system, however, is more than the natural consequence of putting these pieces together. Fundamentals of Guitar Amplifier System Design presents a structured, top-down approach to crafting a complete guitar amplifier, including

• formulating the concept for a new amp,
• evaluating possible features,
• setting audio interface signal levels,
• laying out a basic architecture,
• developing a system-level audio model,
• designing individual stages to match the model,
• shaping the system's frequency-response profile,
• facilitating the evolutionary development of future designs, and
• executing a post-design checklist to identify mistakes.

It has been said that the process of guitar amplifier design is like a cooking recipe, like flavors that you are mixing. This book is about mixing these flavors to achieve rewarding sonic results.

Richard Kuehnel is a member of the Circuits and Systems Society of the Institute of Electrical and Electronic Engineers.