The Truth About Vintage Amps with Skip Simmons

Fretboard Journal
Fretboard Journal
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Twice a month, guitar amp guru Skip Simmons fields your questions on vintage tube amp repair, restoration and collecting. Often hilarious and always insightful, it's like no other guitar podcast out there.

  1. 26. Juli

    "Mustard on Your Tie"

    It's the long-awaited episode 168 of the Truth About Vintage Amps, the call-in show where amp tech Skip Simmons fields all of your tube amp and life questions. This week, we kick things off by interviewing one of Skip's clients, Sebastian from Vintage Inspired Pickups! Also: possessed Ampegs, shipping forecasts, and Fender repairs and so much more.  Thank our sponsors: Grez Guitars; Emerald City Guitars; and Amplified Parts / Mod Electronics.  Some of the topics discussed this week: :00 Special Guest: Sebastian Gruenberg of Vintage Inspired Pickups (link); molecular biology; winding pickups, making potentiometers; cryo-tuning magnets; Emerald City Guitars; Gibsonette input jack ground issues; and more! 30:57 What's on Skip's bench: Magnatones; a Sears 40XL Danelectro; Traynors 34:07 Jonathan Richman, charming singer-songwriter and stone mason 36:17 An early National Dobro amp for sale; where's Larry Chung? 38:51 The Fretboard Summit, August 20-22 in Chicago (register here); this year @vintagetubeamplifiers is bringing out a bunch of old & rare amps along with various other contributors/listeners!  39:50 A kitchen cleaning tip, Dutch ovens, Skip's typewriter repair 44:07 Optocoupler repair in a classic Fender 45:57 The BBC's Shipping Forecast (link: https://www.bbc.com/weather/coast-and-sea/shipping-forecast)  48:54 Rattlesnake Milk's 'Midnight Train', quick Asian rice, and TAVA buzzwords 50:54 Output tubes for Skip's Mega Champ amp build (Champ with Soursound transformers) 54:38 A demonic Ampeg B-18N  59:04 A new caster for my 1966 Fender Pro Reverb, 'The Magnificent Charlie Parker' compilation; homemade gumbo; Mike Watt  1:06:12 What should I do with this Masco A-10 project? using a Hammond 166M12 as a Variac; do old black metal pre-amp tubes like the 6SJ7 have glass inside?  1:12:02 A tie story; how can I slow down the tremolo on my modded Silvertone 1484?   1:17:46 Gourmet dog treats    Want to be a part of the show? Join us by sending your voice memo or written questions to podcast@fretboardjournal.com! Include a photo, too. Hosted by amp tech Skip Simmons and co-hosted/produced by Jason Verlinde of the Fretboard Journal.

  2. 25. Juni

    "Little Baby Barbells"

    It's the 167th episode of the Truth About Vintage Amps, the call-in show where amp tech Skip Simmons fields all of your tube amp and life questions.  Thank our sponsors: Grez Guitars; Emerald City Guitars; and Amplified Parts / Mod Electronics.  Some of the topics discussed this week: :00 Skip's refrigerator dies (but lives!), taking the train to the Chicago Fretboard Summit, electronica band Chessie  10:09 The LA vintage guitar show 13:52 'The Angel's Share' movie 16:18 Our sponsors and a great 2026 Fretboard Summit amp giveaway (thanks, Andy!) 19:19 A non-tech tip: Silverface control panel amps with peeling film 21:59 What's on Skip's bench: Magnatone amps; an early Dickerson amp; using a Trace Elliot Velocette shell for a tube amp build 26:38 How long would it take Skip to build a tube amp (on a game show)? 28:31 Starting an amp repair business, redux (Ahuntsic Amplification https://amplificationahuntsic.ca/homepage-en) 32:45 Solder Smoke Absorber Remover (Amazon link: https://amzn.to/3QPSuv6) 36:16 Modding a Silvertone Powermaster PA for guitar, dogbone resistors, 6J7 tubes 45:21 Novak hybrid guitars; did I fry my transformer?; AI Skip; cooking with duck 53:51 What to do with my dad's 1959 Gretsch 6161 Electromatic Twin amp?; Uncle Doug on TAVA? 1:00:05 Serge Gainsbourg with a bunch of smoking kids (https://youtu.be/unYu22Ign1E?si=VkCNtOaDbloJqh63) 1:01:03 Warehouse speakers for a 1976 Silverface Vibro Champ (Instagram: @cwg_guitars)   Want to be a part of the show? Join us by sending your voice memo or written questions to podcast@fretboardjournal.com! Include a photo, too. Hosted by amp tech Skip Simmons and co-hosted/produced by Jason Verlinde of the Fretboard Journal.

  3. 11. Juni

    "Seattle, Loma Rica, Amsterdam"

    Before talking amps, we talk life! Longtime friend of the show John Vanderslice (Tiny Telephone) joins us to talk about moving to the Netherlands, the life of an expat, the equipment that he moved to Europe (and didn't), staying curious with your gear, and so much more. Around 50 minutes in, we get the answer to last episode's Baffler, field various questions and do the usual TAVA amp troubleshooting. Thank our sponsors: Grez Guitars; Emerald City Guitars; and Amplified Parts / Mod Electronics.  Some of the topics discussed this week: :00 Special guest: John Vanderslice! 50:28 Our sponsors! 51:47 What's on Skip's bench: A Supro Galaxy 1:01:19 The O.W. Appleton guitar (link)  1:02:33 The answer to episode 155's baffler: Two types of hum 1:07:03 The high and low power switch on a Music Man HD150 1:10:34 How can I swap the speaker on my 1949 Spiegel 79-C, pre-heating cast iron 1:14:35 Ranch Style beans, Herdez guacamole salsa, Electro-Harmonix 12AY7 mic-pre, Peavey Valverb, using an iso cabinet, using both jacks in a Princeton 1:24:37 Terry Foster at the 2026 Fretboard Summit  1:26:11 How many speakers can a Silverface Champ drive safely? Why did Fender keep changing the Princeton schematic? 1:31:13 Skip at the Fretboard Summit?  Want to be a part of the show? Join us by sending your voice memo or written questions to podcast@fretboardjournal.com! Include a photo, too. Hosted by amp tech Skip Simmons and co-hosted/produced by Jason Verlinde of the Fretboard Journal.

  4. 17. Mai

    "There's an Ethos?"

    Episode 165 of the Truth About Vintage Amps Podcast, where amp tech Skip Simmons tackles all of your questions about guitar tube amps!   Thank our sponsors: Grez Guitars; Emerald City Guitars; and Amplified Parts / Mod Electronics.  Some of the topics discussed this week: 00 Jason and Nigel 6:26 Our sponsors! 10:42  A letter, two beers, some washers, and a crossroads: Follow Joe here and on Instagram 17:10 1967 Fender Princeton Reverb project with a replaced power transformer; a shorted reverb transformer 31:36 A baffler: Two kinds of hum  36:16 What are "getter" and "wings"? The Barkely Marathon (Wikipedia) 40:31 Has anyone put the tweed Princeton tone circuit in a guitar? swaddled meat is tender meat, cast iron 44:15 A Fender Super Reverb that kept blowing fuses; the 1972 Sacramento Farrell's Ice Cream parlor plane disaster (Wikipedia) 53:33 Federico's pizza dough recipe on the TAVA Patreon; the Tone Quest Report; Tin Can Valley Letterpress 55:08 Replacing the foam gasket on my Traynor YGM-3 reverb's tank; Vacaville's Pacific Hardware 1:00:04 Rickenbacker M-11 thoughts; King Sunny Ade  1:04:51 What's on Skip's bench: Slim Dossey's Tweed Bassman and another Bassman 1:08:59 Skip's potential barn sale ponderings  1:12:29 Once an amp has replaced caps, do you still need a Variac? rice balls 1:15:28 Skip still needs a wooden Epiphone Electar Zephyr schematic (all-octal tube with vibrato) schematic! 1:17:01 1964 Fender Princeton 6G2 with non-working trem  1:20:16 Adding a stereo headphone jack to a Princeton clone  1:24:04 Jenson transformer website schematics (link) 1:27:38 What should I do with this untouched 1976 45-watt Fender Pro Reverb?; cornbread Want to be a part of the show? Join us by sending your voice memo or written questions to podcast@fretboardjournal.com! Include a photo, too. Hosted by amp tech Skip Simmons and co-hosted/produced by Jason Verlinde of the Fretboard Journal.

  5. 25. Apr.

    "Kern County Wool Growers"

    Episode 164 of the Truth About Vintage Amps Podcast, where amp tech Skip Simmons tackles all of your questions about guitar tube amps!   Thank our sponsors: Grez Guitars; Emerald City Guitars; and Amplified Parts / Mod Electronics.  Some of the topics discussed this week: :37 The Garnet book and Garnet ponderings (order the book: http://www.garnetamps.com/order_b.htm), bias supply voltage in optocoupler tremolo    6:13 Our sponsors!  8:21 Two Fretboard Journal videos to check out: Ryan Richter on playing Coachella with Dijon (YouTube link); Gabe Noel playing a Rickenbacker bakelite tenor guitar with matching amp (YouTube link) 14:12 Beginner's corner: Amp switching, comparing different cabinets; reheating white rice; Basque soup 23:25 Can I use my Champ as a bass amp? Bass amp hacks  28:02 Does anyone have spare silverface Fender pilot lot washers, or a toggle switch washer for a Fender?  30:23 Having built a tweed Princeton, Harvard and Deluxe, what should I build next? Spam and Dr. Pepper 32:48 Can you convert the XLR speaker jack on an Ampeg B-15N to a quarter-inch jack?    35:29 The week of three curveballs: A Princeton Reverb drawing too much current; codependent electrolytic capacitors; a reverb unit that eats power transformers; Dave Segal needs an amp on the Oregon coast    44:26 A black panel Fender reverb unit with a two-prong cord    47:17 A two-prong plug needed in Norway (postscript: Jason already sent him one); reading It to your kids, redux; science fiction recommendations?    52:40 The TAVA bookshelf: An '90s Guitar World article on Cesar Diaz; Loomis, California's High Hand nursery    57:06 Plate current on a Suhr Bella 44; Tucana (https://tucana.bandcamp.com/); homemade apple cider    1:05:27 What's with the deal with the little rubber donuts for tubes? Jason is running through the night   1:10:36 Why are the plate voltages so different on my tweed Fender Deluxe clone?    1:16:35 Skip's pre-barn sale barn sale (just call Skip) Want amp tech Skip Simmons' advice on your DIY guitar amp projects? Want to share your top secret family recipe? Need relationship advice? Join us by sending your voice memo or written questions to podcast@fretboardjournal.com! Include a photo, too. Want to support the show? Join our Patreon page to get to the front of the advice line, see exclusive pics, the occasional video and more.  Hosted by amp tech Skip Simmons and co-hosted/produced by Jason Verlinde of the Fretboard Journal.

  6. 11. Apr.

    "Thoughts Go to Cornbread" (Special Guest: Roy Rogers!)

    Acclaimed guitarist Roy Rogers joins us this week to talk about his unique gear choices, working with John Lee Hooker, vintage amps and so much more!  Thank our sponsors: Grez Guitars; Emerald City Guitars; and Amplified Parts / Mod Electronics.  Some of the topics discussed this week: :56 Eric Barbour's the Tube Dumpster in Vacuum Tube Valley: 6K6, 6F6, 6Y6 tubes 2:39 A flea market Tweed Bassman 8:51 A Garnet book giveaway!  13:42 What's on Skip's bench: A distribution pre-amp 17:12 Special guest: Roy Rogers: 'The Sky's the Limit' (his new album, out now!); Mesa Boogie Mark IIB and Epiphone Electar Zephyr amps; DeArmonds in flattop acoustics; Martin New Yorkers; his custom Chappell Guitars double-neck; Johnny Shines; working with John Lee Hooker; the Hot Spot soundtrack (with Roy Rogers, Miles Davis, John Lee Hooker, and Taj Mahal!!) Get Roy's new album here: https://royrogers.hearnow.com/ Order 'Gaynell's Kitchen - Down Home Cooking from A Wayward Southern Belle': https://amzn.to/41mcZBn 1:27:45 How can a Traynor Bassmaster Mk. II be rated at 90 watts, while the same power-tubed YBA-1 is only 40? 1:32:14 Is Skip related to Chris Shiflett? 1:33:01 Never trust, always double-check; output transformers  1:34:29 An October meetup at Skip's, maybe Want amp tech Skip Simmons' advice on your DIY guitar amp projects? Want to share your top secret family recipe? Need relationship advice? Join us by sending your voice memo or written questions to podcast@fretboardjournal.com! Include a photo, too. Want to support the show? Join our Patreon page to get to the front of the advice line, see exclusive pics, the occasional video and more.  Hosted by amp tech Skip Simmons and co-hosted/produced by Jason Verlinde of the Fretboard Journal.

  7. 20. März

    "The Temple of Music"

    Episode 162 of the Truth About Vintage Amps Podcast, where amp tech Skip Simmons tackles all of your questions about guitar tube amps! This week, we go deep on Canadian amps, tremolo tweaks, and tech tips. Plus: Rumors of a possible TAVA meetup at Skip's and a poetry slam! Thank our sponsors: Grez Guitars; Emerald City Guitars; and Amplified Parts / Mod Electronics. Use the discount code TAVA10MOD for a one-time, 10% discount on Mod Electronics orders at https://www.modelectronics.com. Usable on speakers, amp kits, pedal kits, reverb tanks, etc. Offer ends April 11, 2026.  Some of the topics discussed this week: :00 Skip has a cold  2:04 SF's The Fab Mab (Wikipedia), 1971 Guitar Player magazine advice; changing the vibrato speed on a Fender Super Reverb 8:42 The answer to last episode's baffler: The Canadian Standards Association; TAVA merch 11:30 Caveat emptor: A UTC output transformer; why is my reverb not working? 26:12 Lead dress 101 31:40 An amp sale/TAVA gathering at Skip's? 40:01 Harmony H410 and speaker impedance 44:10 Why is the tremolo on my 1969 Traynor YSR-1 Custom Reverb head not working and how can I slow it down? 50:38 Can you put variable capacitors in a guitar circuit? 53:11 Series filaments and a Berlant Concertone MCM-2; the Epiphone Rivoli EA-65 schematic 1:00:27 Gibson Falcon mods; whatever happened to the reissue Falcon? 1:07:24 Tech tip: Hammond 154M chokes (Amplified Parts link) 1:12:10 Guitarist Chuck Wayne 1:14:05 Spaghetti sauce with meat; getting Skip an iPhone; tremolo using bias modulation on the power tubes; the Ampeg Supereverb 1:22:21 Garnet amps and Kale; the Garnet Herzog 1:24:43 A listening room for Dynaco amps and Acoustic Research turntables Want amp tech Skip Simmons' advice on your DIY guitar amp projects? Want to share your top secret family recipe? Need relationship advice? Join us by sending your voice memo or written questions to podcast@fretboardjournal.com! Include a photo, too. Want to support the show? Join our Patreon page to get to the front of the advice line, see exclusive pics, the occasional video and more.  Hosted by amp tech Skip Simmons and co-hosted/produced by Jason Verlinde of the Fretboard Journal.

  8. 2. März

    "Tremolo Thursday"

    Episode 161 of the Truth About Vintage Amps Podcast, where amp tech Skip Simmons tackles all of your questions about guitar tube amps.  Thank our sponsors: Grez Guitars; Emerald City Guitars; and Amplified Parts / Mod Electronics. Use the discount code TAVA10MOD for a one-time, 10% discount on Mod Electronics orders at https://www.modelectronics.com. Usable on speakers, amp kits, pedal kits, reverb tanks, etc. Offer ends April 11, 2026.  Some of the topics discussed this week: :42 Phil Upchurch and 'What It's Like to Be a Musician' 3:25 On the Bench: A non-working outboard tremolo by Skip, a unique Massie trem circuit, putting trem in a Bassman 100, bias modulating tremolo 9:57 A TAVA giveaway (Thank you, Union Tube & Transistor and Exile!)  14:44 An Electro-Music Baffler, answered; a vintage Roberts electric mandolin; Tiny Moore; Bob Wills in Sacramento 25:12 Follow our Instagram page and help us get to 10,000 followers, the Garnet amp book (link), the Garnet Herzog 28:16 An amp tech for Guam 36:12 Working on a Johnson Celestion, why were some volume pots in front of the first tube? the best spare 6V6s to seek out 42:02 Talking Micro-Frets guitars on the Fretboard Journal Podcast (link) 43:13 Why is my Fender Super 60 so noisy? 49:30 A 1968 Fender Super Reverb with replaced transformers, using the extra secondaries? bias talk 56:03 Homemade salsa 59:19 Recommended reading: Proper Records' 'Hillbilly Boogie' box set (Amazon link) 1:00:33 Recommended watching: 'The Life We Have' (YouTube link, warning: it's a tear jerker) 1:01:46 The Webster-Chicago 166-1 vs. the Voice of Music 160 amp schematics; homemade chicken wings Want amp tech Skip Simmons' advice on your DIY guitar amp projects? Want to share your top secret family recipe? Need relationship advice? Join us by sending your voice memo or written questions to podcast@fretboardjournal.com! Include a photo, too. Want to support the show? Join our Patreon page to get to the front of the advice line, see exclusive pics, the occasional video and more.  Hosted by amp tech Skip Simmons and co-hosted/produced by Jason Verlinde of the Fretboard Journal.

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Twice a month, guitar amp guru Skip Simmons fields your questions on vintage tube amp repair, restoration and collecting. Often hilarious and always insightful, it's like no other guitar podcast out there.

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