Episode 109: A long build-up to the amp troubleshooting, but plenty to discuss, including a new puppy, the realities of vintage guitar shows, grandmothers getting run over by reindeer, and ferrite beads.
Some of the topics discussed this week:
:34 Meet Junior
5:59 Skip’s report from the 2023 Bay Area Amigos Guitar Show; Dr. Elmo buys a Grez (Wikipedia link); the dangers of parking at a produce stand
23:26 This week’s sponsors: Grez Guitars; Amplified Parts (Hammond products are currently on sale!); Iztotope (use Fret10 as your discount code); and our Patreon patrons.
24:38 Listener Nate sends Skip an autographed copy of the Jack Darr book
26:01 Why do we twist lead wires?, a 5U4 rectifier in a 1965 Deluxe Reverb, ‘Heartworn Highways’
35:02 Fixing a broken, grounded plug
37:49 Seamless Joe from Italy, “Nature Boy” (Wikipedia link)
44:39 A Super Reverb with dying tremolo
48:20 5G cell tower interference and ferrite beads
52:14 Getting the sticker back on a vintage Fender footswitch
53:51 Improving the tone stack on a Harmony 420
59:42 Transformers for a 5C1 Champ build; to choke or not to choke
1:06:53 An EL84 Filmosound with a buzzing transformer
1:09:08 Junior has an accident
1:09:45 Why doesn’t my Knight 93-320 PA head have a fuse?
1:11:32 Actual logging truck tales on ‘Odd Lots’ (Apple Podcasts link)
1:12:06 A Teisco/Checkmate/Northland Baffin III
1:15:35 Why is there an angry crackle on my Magnasync Moviola 1800 whenever I touch my guitar?
1:18:29 Toots & the Maytals cover “Country Roads Take Me Home” (YouTube link)
1:20:06 Why is my Bassman’s plate voltage so high with this GZ34 tube?
1:22:33 Dolly Sinatra’s pasta sauce (Edit: Duquesne is a town in PA, not a PA…stupid autocorrect!)
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The Truth About Vintage Amps is hosted by amp tech Skip Simmons. Co-hosted and produced by the Fretboard Journal’s Jason Verlinde.
Above and below: Listener David’s Northland Baffin III.
