I really have no excuse for going this long without having learned this...

I want to get an understanding of basic electronics (understanding the basic concepts, understanding wiring diagrams, soldering, etc.)  I'm primarily interested in being able to do electronics work on my electric guitars, and eventually perhaps on effects and amps. 

I'd also like to have my motorcycle electronics system make sense to me and be able to troubleshoot things.

I have spare time, but I have an unpredictable work schedule that would make it tough to do something like take a community college class. 

Any recommendations?  Thanks for your help.   

http://www.amazon.com/The-Complete-Idiots-Guide-Electronics/dp/1615640959

very good basic guide.

Being a qualified Electrical/Electronics type, I get asked this quite often by people I work with, the Instructables series is pretty good
http://www.instructables.com/id/Basic-Electronics/

I am also more than happy to answer any questions you might have. It has been a very rewarding career for me.

Quote from: brimo on June 09, 2012, 02:34:53 PM
I am also more than happy to answer any questions you might have. It has been a very rewarding career for me.

It's not shocking that you get such a charge out of it then..

Quote from: ducatiz on June 09, 2012, 04:48:12 PM
It's not shocking that you get such a charge out of it then..

Don't start me on electrical puns, you'll never win, I can do that 'til the cows come ohm. Resistance is futile.

Guys could we keep this thread grounded, please?

Quote from: brimo on June 09, 2012, 11:14:20 PM
Don't start me on electrical puns, you'll never win, I can do that 'til the cows come ohm. Resistance is futile.

Watt makes you say that?  Don't tell me it hertz to hear. 

Quote from: Dwead Piwate Woberts on June 09, 2012, 11:26:24 PM
Guys could we keep this thread grounded, please?

...and I was getting all amped up!   

Here is an excellent, even if it is dated, beginner book
http://www.scribd.com/doc/3137551/Radio-Shack-Basic-Electronics#

Hope you find the book to be positive and well grounded.

I'll give you a key concept.
All electrical/electronic components, big or small, simple or complex are full of Magic Smoke.
If the magic smoke ever leaks out, the device ceases to function.


back on topic, look for a good book on op-amps. I've built alot of electric guitar accessories using op-amps. (overdriving one gives great "fuzz")

^^^^ sno_duc is very right about the magic smoke


http://search.barnesandnoble.com/Art-of-Electronics-Paul-Horowitz/e/9780521370950?r=1&cm_mmc=Google%20Product%20Search-_-Q000000630-_-Art%20of%20Electronics-_-9780521370950

That is what i use as a reference book as a EE. It starts off very simply and starts building on that. Very good book. Covers almost everything you would ever need.