The Truth About Vintage Amps with Skip Simmons
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.
"A Schematic of Life"
It's the 172nd episode of the Truth About Vintage Amps Podcast, the call-in show where amp tech Skip Simmons fields your questions about tube amplification...and life.
Thank you to our sponsors: Grez Guitars; Emerald City Guitars; and Amplified Parts.
Some of the topics discussed this week:
1:53 What's on Skip's Bench: A Silverface Vibro-Champ with all-new parts; the importance of capacitors, even for tremolo; a Gibson Falcon with no reverb
8:25 How many people fix amps thanks to this show?
11:33 Jason goes for a neighborhood stroll and spots some free t...
"Zombie Hoof"
Skip is back from a long-overdue road trip and has tales to tell and amps to fix. We also hear about the Fretboard Summit's vintage amp room (watch that baby Leslie video), Christopher Guest in the new Fretboard Journal and so much more. New Truth About Vintage Amps discount from Amplified Parts on all Apex matched-tube products: TAVAAPEX10 gets you a one-time discount of 10% off Apex products now through October 31, 2026. Stock up! https://www.apexmatching.com
Thank you to our sponsors: Grez Guitars; Emerald City Guitars; and Amplified Parts / Mod Electronics.
Some of the topics discussed this week...
"I Only Have a Minute"
New Truth About Vintage Amps discount from Amplified Parts on all Apex matched-tube products: TAVAAPEX10 gets you a one-time discount of 10% off Apex products now through October 31. So stock up! https://www.apexmatching.com
It's the 170th episode of the Truth About Vintage Amps, the call-in show where amp tech Skip Simmons fields all of your guitar amplification questions (or at least the ones involving tubes). Thank you to our sponsors: Grez Guitars; Emerald City Guitars; and Amplified Parts / Mod Electronics.
Some of the topics discussed this week:
:32 What's on Skip's Bench: A Voice of Musi...
"They Always Went to Carl's Jr."
It's the 169th 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. This week, returning guest Steve Soest joins us for a chat about the vintage days of vintage guitar buying; playing alongside Chuck Berry and Dick Dale; Leo Fender's dining habits; and more.
Thank you to our sponsors: Grez Guitars; Emerald City Guitars; and Amplified Parts / Mod Electronics.
Some of the topics discussed this week:
:55 What's on Skip's Bench: A messed-up Masco MA-17 4:06 Special guest: Guitar and amp lege..."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; Em...
"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...
"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 V...
"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 "gett...
"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 (YouTu...
"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 albu...
"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...
"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 S...
"Some People Can't Stand an Unused Triode"
Episode 160 of the Truth About Vintage Amps Podcast, where amp tech Skip Simmons fields all of your questions about tube amps.
Thank our sponsors: Grez Guitars; Emerald City Guitars and Amplified Parts.
Some of the topics discussed this week:
1:09 Fishing and weather report, Tule fog
4:43 Skip's amp backlog
5:19 A West guitar amp with a Dynaco 454216 transformer, a paper plate breakfast hack
10:45 Our sponsors!
12:56 What's on Skip's bench: A 1950 Princeton, a White amplifier, a Tweed Deluxe AND a Vibrolux; Electromuse amps
14:39 The Lonesome Captain's mu...
"TAVA, Again...Exclamation Point"
Episode 159 of the Truth About Vintage Amps: Beans, two-prong ASMR, peeling diodes (and faceplates) and more!
Thank our sponsors: Grez Guitars; Emerald City Guitars and Amplified Parts. And honarary mention to Rancho Gordo beans.
Some of the topics discussed this week:
1:32 Rancho Gordo beans in the WSJ, corn sticks
8:13 What's on Skip's bench: All the early Fender Princetons; a baffler!
11:20 Our sponsors: and (unofficially) Rancho Gordo beans
15:15: What should I do with this extra Bell Sound 2122-C hi-fi amp?; hear the TAVA All-Stars: Bob Armstong, Keith Cary, C...
Ep. 158: "Not Just Living in Their Mom's Basement"
Episode 158: Chris Benson of Benson amps and Bryan Sours of Soursound transformers make their long-awaited returns to the Truth About Vintage Amps. Why? They want to tell us all about the logging truck of an amp they are currently building, a 700-watt(!) all-tube beast dubbed Babylon!
The Babylon will feature 14 KT88 tubes, 16 total speakers, three knobs, and two power cords. It's literally the most powerful tube amp they could make without requiring a dryer outlet.
Check our Instagram for a sneak peek at the creation.
https://www.bensonamps.com/
https://soursound.c...
"Coyote and Deer"
It's the 157th episode of the Truth About Vintage Amps, the call-in show where amp tech Skip Simmons fields your questions on all things tube amps.
Thank our sponsors: Grez Guitars; Emerald City Guitars and Amplified Parts
Some of the topics discussed this week:
:42 Atmospheric rivers
3:52 Skip's appearance at the Bay Area Guitar Show (Jan 10-11, link)
8:46 Fretboard Journal 58 (coming soon!)
9:57 Unsung electronics hero (and possible con man) Lee De Forest (read his memoir here); power conditioners
17:44 Skip's new trail cam
20:47 One man's tra...
"A Hoop and a Stick"
It's the 156th episode of the Truth About Vintage Amps, the call-in show where amp tech Skip Simmons fields your questions on all things tube amps. This week: Special guest Jack Weston joins us with a great Allman Brothers story.
Thank our sponsors: Grez Guitars; Emerald City Guitars and Amplified Parts
Some of the topics discussed this week:
:43 What's on Skip's Bench: a Fender Princeton with reversed input jacks
5:41 Special Guest: Jack Weston, author of 'The Allman Brothers Band: Classic Memorabilia, 1969-1976' (Amazon link)
46:17 The Magnatone Triplex; ultralinear out...
"Realistic Carnival"
It's the 155th episode of the Truth About Vintage Amps, the call-in show where amp tech Skip Simmons fields your questions on all things tube amps. This week: Barn finds, lost dogs, an extra-grounded Jason (amp pun intended) and more!
Some of the topics discussed this week:
1:05 Skip gets the new Fretboard Journal (link); do banjos belong in the Fretboard Journal?
5:16 Recommended music: Ned Boynton's 'The North Beach Sound;' The No-Mads (nomadsband.com)
7:54 Our sponsors: Grez Guitars; Emerald City Guitars and Amplified Parts (and Mr. Microphone)
18:12 What's on Ski...
"Compromise the Windings"
It's the 154th episode of the Truth About Vintage Amps, the call-in show where amp tech Skip Simmons fields your questions on all things tube amps.
Some of the topics discussed this week:
:42 Skip is back on the Ferguson TO-35 tractor; Roy Clark & Joe Pass
7:04 What's on Skip's bench: A Marshall Plexi Super Bass, Marshall bright caps, the Pet Shop Boys
11:43 Our sponsors Grez Guitars; Emerald City Guitars and Amplified Parts; more Fender Champ mods; a Champ gain input baffler; Soursound transformers
23:51 200 more power cords; IEC hijinks; Steve Soest
<..."A C in Chemistry"
It's the 153rd episode of the Truth About Vintage Amps and Skip is having a happy day fielding your amp questions. From cleaning tweed to Magnatone varistors and all points in between, it's 90 minutes of tube amp knowledge, laughs, and some serious California trivia.
Some of the topics discussed this week:
1:27: The 2025 Fretboard Summit; the importance of repair tags
6:55: Thanks for the mangos, John! And a food preservation tip
8:30: Our sponsors: Grez Guitars; Emerald City Guitars and Amplified Parts!
14:15 What's on Skip's bench? 60 amps in August; great Loma Rica deal...
Ep. 152: "Gridley Bias"
It's the much-delayed 152nd episode of the Truth About Vintage Amps!
Thanks, as always, for being a part of the world's finest call-in tube amp repair show.
Want amp tech Skip Simmons' advice on your DIY guitar amp projects? Join us by sending your voice memo or written questions to [email protected]! Include a photo, too.
Some of the topics discussed this week:
3:53 Real musicians ARE gearheads (redux)
5:47 Our sponsors: Grez Guitars; Emerald City Guitars and Amplified Parts!
6:40 Tom Gunterman gets two Grez's
8:21 Yellow Jack...
"It Starts Out Cool"
It's the 151st episode of the Truth About Vintage Amps!
Thanks, as always, for being a part of the world's finest call-in tube amp repair show.
Want amp tech Skip Simmons' advice on your DIY guitar amp projects? Join us by sending your voice memo or written questions to [email protected]! Include a photo, too.
Some of the topics discussed this week:
1:03:05 What's on Skip's bench: A pile of Standel amps; Vacaville's Pacific Hardware (redux); a baffler of sorts
8:28 Tom Gunterman (Instagram); Kevin from Ohio; Joe Walsh
1...
"Throw It In the River"
It's the 150th episode of the Truth About Vintage Amps! How did that happen?
Thanks, as always, for being a part of the world's finest call-in tube amp repair show.
Want amp tech Skip Simmons' advice on your DIY guitar amp projects? Join us by sending your voice memo or written questions to [email protected]! Include a photo, too.
Some of the topics discussed this week:
1:26 The Esparto fireworks storage facility explosion (link); salvaging organ pedals
6:22 Jason's life updates: Issue 57; Fretboard Summit (link); trail running; watching the 2025 Western Stat...
"Have Fun" (Special Guest: Jim Campilongo!)
Support our sponsors: Amplified Parts; Grez Guitars; Better Help, and Emerald City Guitars!
Acclaimed guitarist Jim Campilongo joins Skip and Jason to talk about his music and gear journey, vinyl treasures, George Barnes playing "Little Rock Getaway" (link), Vance Terry & Jimmy Rivers, Silverface Princeton Reverb love; Celestion G-10 speakers; Laika and the Cosmonauts; and so much more. Plus frozen meatballs!
Follow Jim Campilongo: https://www.jimcampilongo.com/
Jim's Lessons: https://www.jimcampilongo.com/lessons.html
Want amp tech Skip Simmons' advice on your DIY guitar amp projects? Join us by sending your...
Ep. 148: "Lining Up"
We're back with episode 148 of the Truth About Vintage Amps: Jason survives a month in Peru; the schematics of acupuncture; speaker break-in; and more!
Our sponsors: Amplified Parts; Grez Guitars; Better Help, and Emerald City Guitars
Topics discussed:
:00 Jason goes to Peru, Skip gets the new Fretboard Journal
11:20 What's on Skip's Bench: A roasted Tweed Harvard
13:18 Spotted on eBay: Packard Bell teaching tool / working schematic
16:13 A 1952 Champion 600 with a 1952 Telecaster
18:54 Skip doesn't hang out with Jack White
24:22: Our sponsors: Check out this groovy Showma...
"Kosher Sound"
Episode 147 of the Truth About Vintage Amps: Jason is headed to Peru, hemp speakers, resistors, modding PAs for harps, Lilly vs Lily at the Fender factory, kosher sound, and more!
Fluidics: https://acoustics.org/pressroom/httpdocs/132nd/2aaa8.html?fbclid=IwY2xjawJ5wZRleHRuA2FlbQIxMABicmlkETA4eUxOc0djNTJqWnJRVVBTAR7SSMwDpCna1oRbSpuMLYDJrD1VRKzf8vbj3V6WOi3icH6LldxBvnOYopsKzw_aem_I4XGzFLTK-gXim_txcL4ig
Our sponsors: Save $20 off Amplified Parts' new MOD vintage amp kits with the discount code TAVA20! (expires April 30, 2025); Grez Guitars; Better Help, and Emerald City Guitars
Recorded April 24, 2025.
Want amp tech Skip Simm...
"Where the Spot Is"
Episode 146 of the Truth About Vintage Amps: Troubled drummers, bulk Gatorade, more typewriter and Rockford Files talk, and a bunch of amp questions. Reminder: Amplified Parts now has amp kits!
Thanks, as always, for being a part of the world's finest call-in tube amp repair show.
Want amp tech Skip Simmons' advice on your DIY guitar amp projects? Join us by sending your voice memo or written questions to [email protected]! Include a photo, too.
Some of the topics discussed this week:
:43 The Ampeg book (Amazon link), George Barnes and...
"I Have a Swimming Pool"
Episode 145 of the Truth About Vintage Amps: Kahlua brie, replicating Nirvana's In Utero sound, hissy reverb units and more!
Thanks, as always, for being a part of the world's finest call-in tube amp repair show.
Want amp tech Skip Simmons' advice on your DIY guitar amp projects? Join us by sending your voice memo or written questions to [email protected]! Include a photo, too.
Some of the topics discussed this week:
1:17 Skip makes even more stuff for John Vanderslice & Tiny Telephone; Skip's take on the MTI Tubes pedal
8:18 Sk...
"You've Got to Feed Those Things"
Episode 144 of the Truth About Vintage Amps: Flashing Flukes, reflections on NAMM, variable plate capacitors, hot buttered rum (and popcorn!), and more!
Need some help with your tube amps? Be a part of our show by sending your voice memo or written questions to [email protected]!
Some of the topics discussed this week:
1:13 Jason goes to the NAMM Show, the Dumble relaunch (watch our Instagram video here); Grit Laskin's 'The Stradivari Formula' (link); Wood Wire & Volts (link)
11:49 What's on Skip's bench: A late 1940s Danelectro Vibrovox; Wandre Guitars
20:57 Our...
"The Girl Who Never Rained"
A throwback, lo-fi landline episode just for the purists! Caller waiting beeps, the state of the guitar show, an energized Skip, and more.
Want to be a part of our show? Just email us a question or voice memo to [email protected].
Recorded on January 13, 2025.
Some of the topics discussed this week:
1:31: The LA fires
3:34: A recap of the Bay Area Vintage Guitar Show; are guitar shows just for eating now? estuaries and prison proposals
34:00 Our sponsors: Grez Guitars; Emerald City Guitars and Amplified Parts!
...
"Paul Jerky"
It's the 142nd episode of the Truth About Vintage Amps! Join Skip and Jason as they field all of your pressing guitar amp questions. Plus...recipes, music and book recommendations and more!
Want to be a part of our show? Just email us a question or voice memo to [email protected].
Some of the topics discussed this week:
:00 Jingle Bell Rock and other Christmas classics
1:14 Our sponsors: Grez Guitars; Emerald City Guitars and Amplified Parts!
5:37 Supermarket Sweep; The Office
7:27 The Truth About Vintage Amps Patreon page; li...
"I've Got an Alamo That I Want to Forget"
Missing your rambling relatives this holiday season? You're in luck! Tune in to Jason and Skip as they ramble through weather reports, amp fixes, book recommendations, reflective impedance, reverb-driven line-out and more on our 141st episode!
Want to be a part of our show? Just email us a question or voice memo to [email protected].
Some of the topics discussed this week:
:48 Weather report: Rain in the West, bomb cyclones in the PNW
4:32 A 1968 Heathkit catalog with DIY Harmony Guitar kits
6:35 Thanksgiving at the Simmons house
7:09 A...
"Tiny Bits of Tingle"
It's the 140th episode of the Truth About Vintage Amps podcast, where amp tech Skip Simmons eventually fields your questions on all-things-tube amps!
As always, use all advice at your own risk.
Want to be a part of our show? Just email us a question or voice memo to [email protected].
Some of the topics discussed this week:
2:35 What's on Skip's Bench: A modified ES-150 Charlie Christian amp with a non-field coil speaker
4:22 Smilin' Skip's: Stuff for Sale
5:15 Loma Rica's Aztec Recording Studio; the Ralph Shine Bl...
"I'm Going Negative"
It's the 139th episode of the Truth About Vintage Amps podcast, where amp tech Skip Simmons fields your questions on all-things-tube amps!
Want to be a part of our show? Just email us a question or voice memo to [email protected].
Some of the topics discussed this week:
:48 On the bench: A 1974 Alembic pre-amp, a Showman head in disguise
3:58 Webb's Music and a hang gliding pioneer
6:08 Our sponsors: Grez Guitars; Emerald City Guitars and Amplified Parts; the Wood Wire & Volts Show in Anaheim (link); Bruce Harvie of Orcas Isl...
"Check for Ticks"
It's the 138th episode of the Truth About Vintage Amps podcast, where amp tech Skip Simmons fields your questions on all-things-tube amps!
This week, we pay tribute to Angela Instruments founder and former guest Steve Melkisethian (1950-2024); talk resistors and transformers; catch up on the 2024 Fretboard Summit; and much more.
Want to be a part of our show? Just email us a question or voice memo to [email protected].
Don't forget, we have a Patreon page. Join us to get show updates and get to the front of the question line.
<..."Walk Around the Yard"
It's the 137th episode of the Truth About Vintage Amps podcast, where amp tech Skip Simmons fields your questions on all-things-tube amps! This week, we talk to special guest, Steve Carr of Carr Amplifiers!
Want to be a part of our show? Just email us a question or voice memo to [email protected].
Our sponsors: Emerald City Guitars, Amplified Parts, StewMac, and Grez Guitars.
Don't forget, we have a Patreon page. And come to the 2024 Fretboard Summit.
Some of the topics discussed this time around:
2:22 Steve Carr (Carr Amplifi...
"Release the Curd"
It's the 136th episode of the Truth About Vintage Amps podcast, where amp tech Skip Simmons fields your questions on all-things-tube amps!
Want to be a part of our show? Just email us a question or voice memo to [email protected].
Our sponsors: Emerald City Guitars, Amplified Parts, StewMac, and Grez Guitars.
Don't forget, we have a Patreon page.
Some of the topics discussed this time around:
1:11 A Big Boy locomotive chugs through CA
3:42 What's on Skip's Bench: A Valco/National/Airline amp-in-case; a single-ended Soundmaster PA; a Pr...
"Liquor, Candy, Model Airplane Magazines..."
It's the 135th episode of the Truth About Vintage Amps podcast, where amp tech Skip Simmons fields your questions on all-things-tube amps.
Want to be a part of our show? Just email us a question or voice memo to [email protected].
Some of the topics discussed this time around:
1:24 Another hopeful story; Winters, California
7:44 The fifth-ever Fretboard Summit: Blake Mills, Adam Levy, vintage amps, new amps, 80 luthiers, JHS and so much more. www.fretboardsummit.org
13:25 One of the greatest boxes of all time: thanks, Ben from Chattanooga!
1...
"A Little Debbie Swiss Roll"
It's the 134th episode of the Truth About Vintage Amps podcast, where amp tech Skip Simmons fields your questions on all-things-tube amp.
This week, we're joined by jazz guitarist Jonathan Stout where we talk EH-150s, field coil speakers and more!
Want to be a part of our show? Just email us a question or voice memo to [email protected].
Some of the topics discussed this time around:
1:23 Triple E jerky and freeze-dried ice cream (link)2:36 Our sponsors: Emerald City Guitars, Amplified Parts, StewMac, and Grez Guitars. 6:06 What's on Skip's...
"A Spicy Tomato Sauce"
It's the 133rd episode of the Truth About Vintage Amps podcast, where amp tech Skip Simmons fields your questions on all-things-tube amp!
Want to be a part of our show? Just email us a question or voice memo to [email protected].
Some of the topics discussed:
1:14 Skip's 1950 Ferguson tractor, the Truth About Lawn Mowers
7:28 A zebra on the loose in Washington State
9:30: This week's sponsors: Emerald City Guitars, Amplified Parts, StewMac, and Grez Guitars.12:28 Grez Guitars sends Skip Quique Gomez & Little Charles Baty's Cookin' At Greaseland 16:51 What's on Skip's...
