Tonewood – Does it make a difference in Electric Guitars

This is an attempt to question the validity of ‘Tonewood’ in electric guitars. Many will tell you that it doesn’t make any difference what the body of an electric guitar is made from. Others, generally those who want to sell you guitars want you to believe otherwise. So I’ve taken a perfectly decent guitar and … Read more

Do semiconductors inherently digitize the sound?

Abstract What’s interesting to note is the random quantization of the pulse bursts (in a vacuum tube operated in ‘cold cathode’ mode). Does crystalline lattice semiconductor, operating a lower voltage due to direct surface contact and coupling, suffer similar quantization bursts of current flow?  Guitar amplifier legend Howard Dumble spoke of the “crystalline lattice” having … Read more

Celestion, on building guitar cabinets

Content   September 16, 2011 A 1×12 comboAs guitar speakers are different, so their cabinets are different. The box design is acoustically less critical than that for hi-fi or PA systems, but proper construction is essential. Primarily, the cabinet is a convenient way of housing the speaker, so it should be solidly built to ensure … Read more

Tubes vs Transistors – Perception of Loudness, Clarity, Distortion, Sound Quality

In general, with other variables held steady, as the power rating goes up dramatically (10x), the perception of loudness only doubles. 3,000 Watts sounds only “four-times louder” than 30 Watts. It seems unlikely, but measurements and anecdotal evidence have consistently shown it is generally true. People often ask, how does the Milbert BaM-235ab compare, in … Read more

The Power of the Aether as Related to Music and Electricity – Eric Dollard

Abstract   “Originally, mankind was on a path that is in alignment with the harmonic natural laws of the universe. This was from the time of Pythagoreas up to Johann Sebastian Bach. Then, the big shift came. This divergence basically turned everything inside out. All of this understanding has become denied and despised. There has … Read more

Contribution of active hair-bundle motility to nonlinear amplification in the mammalian cochlea

Abstract   The cochlea’s high sensitivity stems from the active process of outer hair cells, which possess two force-generating mechanisms: active hair-bundle motility elicited by Ca2+ influx and somatic motility mediated by the voltage-sensitive protein prestin. Although interference with prestin has demonstrated a role for somatic motility in the active process, it remains unclear whether … Read more

On the Fallacy of “Limited Bandwidth” in Guitar Amplification

Content Malcolm Moore explains why limitations are not preferable “For a guitar, the audio spectrum needs are wide. …The lower open E string has a fundamental of about 128 Hz, and significant harmonics are the second, fourth, sixth and eighth meaning the spectrum here extends to 1024 Hz. On the twelfth fret on the upper … Read more

The NuTube 6P1

Korg & Noritake introduce Vacuum Fluorescent Display As with previous vacuum tubes, this newly-developed Nutube is structured with an anode, grid, and filament, and operates as a complete triode tube, generating the same rich harmonics that are distinctive of conventional vacuum tubes. By applying technology from Noritake Co., Limited’s vacuum fluorescent displays, the structure of … Read more

Reactive loading and amplifier distortion

section 10 of article — Referring to the complex impedance of a loudspeaker, Vance Dickason states [2] that, “Phase angles in excess of 40° at low frequencies, and the same at frequencies about 1-2 kHz, can be considered as a somewhat difficult load for an amplifier to drive.” Also on p.129 of the same book … Read more

Economy of the Ether: Early Radio History and the Commodification of Music

The early history of radio is an absorbing and complex saga. Often told from the narrative perspective of its inventors, technical milestones, or regulatory developments, little has been written about the commercial history of early radio and its influence on the commodification of music. Using a theoretical framework of commodification based upon the concepts of … Read more

Tonewood and resonant frequency myths debunked

In this video I debunk that the nut and bridge lose their independent resonant frequency when attached to the guitar, and become part of the guitar bodies and neck. I also prove that a guitar’s body and neck have multiple resonant frequencies. tone wood can only exist if a body has a very narrow window … Read more

The Music Military Gov Complex

Speaking during a magazine interview in 1971 and not long after he and his band The Rolling Stones parted ways with ‘Decca,’ the music-label/company that had launched their hit recording career, Keith Richards said, “we found out, and it wasn’t years till we did, that all the bread we made for Decca was going into … Read more

GAGA and the Wet Dry Wet Rig, by Dave Garfinkle

Abstract Recently I wanted to join the ranks of those who play their effects signal separately from their main signal, the benefits include a better control of the volume of the two signals as well as a huge sound stage…   Content GAGA is an excellent front end for a Wet Dry Wet rig. Here … Read more

Forum response — Re: Do they even make good amps anymore?

We currently offer two models of mobile tube amp — the more expensive BaM235, and the less expensive Liquid. Both are class A input and driver stages, with push-pull, class AB1 output stage. — Milbert, the Most Musical Amplifiers “Continuing engineering” generally seems to try to get more (or at least the same) for less, … Read more

Automotive Audio: Tubed Tunes on the Go — Robb Report Collection

“If musical accuracy is what you are seeking, the Milbert is most certainly the Holy Grail of auto sound.”   Content Jeff Dorgay 06 / 01 / 2005 Milbert BaM-235 Car Amplifier Many of today’s mobile audio magazines feature rock stars and athletes who have invested the equivalent of a sizable down payment for a … Read more