by The Fretboard Journal
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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Publishing Since
11/12/2018
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April 7, 2025
Amp tech Skip Simmons and Jason Verlinde of the Fretboard Journal discuss vintage amp repair and answer listener questions in this interview episode
March 15, 2025
<p>Episode 145 of the Truth About Vintage Amps: Kahlua brie, replicating Nirvana's In Utero sound, hissy reverb units and more!</p> <p>Thanks, as always, for being a part of the world's finest call-in tube amp repair show.</p> <p>Want amp tech Skip Simmons' advice on your DIY guitar amp projects? Join us by sending your voice memo or written questions to <a href= "mailto:[email protected]">[email protected]</a>! Include a photo, too. </p> <p><strong>Some of the topics discussed this week: </strong></p> <p>1:17 Skip makes even more stuff for John Vanderslice & Tiny Telephone; Skip's take on the MTI Tubes pedal</p> <p>8:18 Skip's Premier 90-inspired reverb unit</p> <p>15:20 Our sponsors: <a href= "https://www.grezguitars.com">Grez Guitars</a>; <a href= "https://emeraldcityguitars.com/?srsltid=AfmBOoqh3Fv2wHOTAAqWufHnQloROQ6nkYFxDCiHi6OyMzzK_yu6ND2U"> Emerald City Guitars</a> and <a href= "https://www.amplifiedparts.com">Amplified Parts</a>! Get the Amplified Parts' Spring Reverb Kit <a href= "https://www.amplifiedparts.com/products/effects-kit-mod-electronics-wave-spring-reverb"> here</a>.</p> <p>19:06 What's on your bench: A Fender Deluxe and Pro; how to work on old Tweeds; orange drop caps</p> <p>26:20 The Joyo American Sound pedal, redux; SansAmp pedals; Kurt Cobain's 'In Utero' sound (hear <a href= "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SfNP_MpP6FI&feature=youtu.be">listener Brian play the Joyo on YouTube</a>)</p> <p>27:27 Vintage amps and PAs at the 2025 Fretboard Summit (<a href="https://fretboardsummit.org">register here</a>)</p> <p>28:32 Adding a resistor to bump up the values when measuring on a Fluke multimeter?</p> <p>31:49 Using a carb cleaning kit for octal sockets (<a href= "https://amzn.to/41V3pVM">Amazon link</a>); working on Filmosound 385s</p> <p>34:19 Skip's car restoration; the Swamp book (<a href= "https://amzn.to/4iviV1u">Amazon link</a>); Benny Hill</p> <p>40:20 No delete on typewriters; Mitch Hedberg and steamboats (<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JJoQPeN4DNk">YouTube link</a>)</p> <p>41:37 A 1965 Ampeg Reverberocket with a hiss</p> <p>45:21 Skip made the ticking go away; a 5F2A build inspired me to buy a 1961 Fender 6G4-A Super; Kahlua brie with pecans</p> <p>54:02 A noisy 1970s tube Fender Reverb unit, the magic of NOS pre-amp tubes in single-ended amps</p> <p>59:02 To be continued: What's the deal with this amp cabinet on Reverb? (<a href= "https://reverb.com/item/86817983-vulture-amplification-sympathetic-guitar-cabinet-2000-ish-cream-tolex">Reverb link</a>)</p> <p>1:01:00 The Garnet amp book (<a href= "http://www.garnetamps.com/order_b.htm">link</a>), the Gibson Amp book on <a href= "https://bluebookofguitarvalues.com/shop/gibson-amplifiers-1933-2008-75-years-of-the-gold-tone"> Blue Book's site</a> (cheaper than Amazon!), Gibson Falcon talk, the doldrums of being a flight service specialist (or drawbridge operator)</p> <p>1:10:21 Recommended reading (at least for the Canucks): Robert Dayton's 'Cold Glitter: The Untold Story of Canadian Glam' (<a href="https://amzn.to/43Q43qa">Amazon link</a>)</p> <p>1:13:15 A Rockford Files baffler</p> <p>1:14:12 Why do the English have all the better TV shows? 'Stath Lets Flats'</p> <p>1:17:33 Sacramento's Delta Breeze Records; Skip has SF Fender Champs for sale</p> <p>Hosted by amp tech Skip Simmons and co-hosted/produced by Jason Verlinde of the Fretboard Journal. </p> <p class="MsoNormal">Don't forget, we have a <a href= "https://www.patreon.com/vintageamps">Patreon page</a>. Support the show, get behind-the-scenes updates and get to the front of the line with your questions. </p>
February 24, 2025
<p>Episode 144 of the Truth About Vintage Amps: Flashing Flukes, reflections on NAMM, variable plate capacitors, hot buttered rum (and popcorn!), and more! </p> <p>Need some help with your tube amps? Be a part of our show by sending your voice memo or written questions to <a href= "mailto:[email protected]">[email protected]</a>!</p> <p><strong>Some of the topics discussed this week: </strong></p> <p>1:13 Jason goes to the NAMM Show, the Dumble relaunch (watch our Instagram video <a href= "https://www.instagram.com/p/DFOpxMSyXzV/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link&igsh=MzRlODBiNWFlZA=="> here</a>); Grit Laskin's 'The Stradivari Formula' (<a href= "https://amzn.to/4ie6E13">link</a>); Wood Wire & Volts (<a href="https://www.woodwirevolts.com">link</a>)</p> <p>11:49 What's on Skip's bench: A late 1940s Danelectro Vibrovox; Wandre Guitars</p> <p>20:57 Our sponsors: <a href= "https://www.grezguitars.com">Grez Guitars</a>; <a href= "https://emeraldcityguitars.com/?srsltid=AfmBOoqh3Fv2wHOTAAqWufHnQloROQ6nkYFxDCiHi6OyMzzK_yu6ND2U"> Emerald City Guitars</a> and <a href= "https://www.amplifiedparts.com">Amplified Parts</a>!</p> <p>25:14 A confused Fluke 26 Series III meter trying to measure coils and output transformer windings</p> <p>33:07 The parallel between an acoustic guitar's soundboard and an amp's speaker; recommended reading: And the Roots of Rhythm Remain by Joe Boyd (<a href="https://amzn.to/3D6RpIu">link</a>)</p> <p>39:17 A custom-made, single-ended 10-watt 800 JCM-style amp; variable voltage regulators vs. a variac</p> <p>44:30 Keggers Got Talent: Walnut-maple cabinets from listener Niel F. (check our <a href= "https://www.instagram.com/vintageampspodcast/">Instagram</a> for pics)</p> <p>47:42 Should I use the variable plate capacitors I pulled from a HAM radio?</p> <p>51:25 Skip on the phone versus Skip on the mic</p> <p>52:41 Breaking food news: Cuisinart Microwave Popcorn Maker (<a href="https://amzn.to/4hQeaiO">Amazon link</a>)</p> <p>57:19 Neko Case's new memoir, 'The Harder I Fight the More I Love You' (<a href="https://amzn.to/43aAL5q">Amazon link</a>)</p> <p>59:18 A Garnet Lifco "stencil" amp, the Garnet amp book (<a href="http://www.garnetamps.com/order_b.htm">order link</a>)</p> <p>1:03:07 Taming a reissue Princeton Reverb, redux; the Joyo American Sound pedal (<a href= "https://amzn.to/3CUBhd8">link</a>)</p> <p>1:07:31 An idea for the "pedal" room at the 2025 Fretboard Summit: <a href= "https://fretboardsummit.org">https://fretboardsummit.org</a></p> <p>1:11:15 Want to attend a Bay Area amp workshop with Skip this Spring? Email us!</p> <p>1:11:47 Accidentally creating an arc with the probe when checking plate voltages on power tubes, hot buttered rum</p> <p>1:17:17 Recommended reading: Conquering the Electron (<a href= "https://amzn.to/3QwC07m">link</a>); making a pre-amp out of a Silvertone Twin 12; Greenlee knockout punches</p> <p>1:28:45 Who sent Skip a Skylark?; a Ampeg flip-top with a remote reverb speaker; Bustelo instant coffee; David Barrett's harmonica courses (<a href="https://www.bluesharmonica.com/home">link</a>); John Vanderslice</p> <p>Hosted by amp tech Skip Simmons and co-hosted/produced by Jason Verlinde of the Fretboard Journal. </p> <p class="MsoNormal">Don't forget, we have a <a href= "https://www.patreon.com/vintageamps">Patreon page</a>. Join us to get show updates and get to the front of the question line. </p>
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