It’s the 113th episode of the Truth About Vintage Amps, where legendary amp tech Skip Simmons fields your questions on guitar amps and their repair.
Want to be a part of the show? Keep the amp questions for Skip coming to podcast@fretboardjournal.com! Voice memos or emails are welcome.
Some of the topics discussed this week:
4:11 Announcement: The Truth About Vintage Amps at the 2023 Fretboard Summit (www.fretboardsummit.org); Chicago’s Kale My Name (link)
14:14 Should you use better or same-quality replacement parts when your amp needs a repair?
18:52 A real rustic kegger; Skip’s favorite amp
25:20 Beginner’s corner: How many speakers can my amp run? Cast-iron griddle grilled cheese
32:50 B+, redux; benefits of a separate filament transformer; UTC transformers; HAM radio transmissions
38:17 6X5 rectifier tubes
41:48 A HiWatt clone that keeps blowing fuses
47:17 Thank you for the coffee, Kevin!
48:26 Running an acoustic guitar through a tube amp (Bogen Challenger); El Pato’s neighbor; cleaning tube sockets
52:54 Mistakes made while swapping tube sockets on a Fender Bassman 50; frozen Arby’s french fries
59:53 The tornado and 1967 Fender Deluxe Reverb story, redux
1:05:12 Convincing a store to ship you a Gibson EH-150; Carter Cutlery (link)
1:11:23 Special thanks: Max in Spain; Bill from California
1:13:00 Need your reverb coil rewound? Check out Tom Brantley (@tombrantleyrewinds)
1:15:39 Help me pick out speakers for my tweed Twin; parallel vs. in-series speaker wiring, sleeper vintage 12″ speakers, Weber speaker’s grades of doping
and much more…
This week’s episode is sponsored by Stringjoy Strings, Amplified Parts (use the code TAVA10 to save 10% off of their Mod kits), Emerald City Guitars, and Grez Guitars. You can also use the discount code FRET10 to save 10% off your Izotope purchase.
Support us on Patreon.com for added content and the occasional surprise and don’t forget to get a subscription to the Fretboard Journal (link). Digital subscriptions start at just $30.
Want to register for our Fretboard Summit? Here’s a link.
Submit your amp questions, recipes, and life hacks to podcast@fretboardjournal.com and don’t forget to share the show with friends on social media.
The Truth About Vintage Amps is hosted by amp tech Skip Simmons. Co-hosted and produced by the Fretboard Journal’s Jason Verlinde.
Above: A Masco with a Dynamotor, as mentioned during Ep. 111. Pic courtesy of listener Rick D.
