The Truth About Vintage Amps with Skip Simmons

By The Fretboard Journal

What's The Truth About Vintage Amps with Skip Simmons about?

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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The Truth About Vintage Amps with Skip Simmons episodes:

04.02.2024
Ep. 132: "Start Dark"
No guests or special theme this week...just an all-new, old-school episode of the Truth About Vintage Amps, 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...
03.04.2024
Ep. 131: "Sandy Soil"
Illustrator/musician/underground comix legend Robert Armstrong (Mickey Rat, Couch Potato, the Cheap Suit Serenaders!) joins Skip and Jason this week for a very special installment of the Truth About Vintage Amps. Want to support our show? Join our Patreon! Some of...
02.16.2024
Ep. 130: "America's Hat"
It's a very special, all-Canadian episode of the Truth About Vintage Amps podcast, the call-in show where amp tech Skip Simmons fields your questions on all things tube amp repair! This week, we have special guests Calvin McCormick (Hiwatt) and...
02.04.2024
Ep. 129: "Summer of the Comet"
Welcome to ep. 129 of the Truth About Vintage Amps podcast, the call-in show where amp tech Skip Simmons fields your questions on all things tube amp repair. This week, it's an (almost) all-Fender episode! Reminder: You should join our...
01.20.2024
Ep. 128: "The Smells Were Overwhelming"
Welcome to episode 128 of the Truth About Vintage Amps podcast, the call-in show where amp tech Skip Simmons fields your questions on all things tube amp repair. The first hour of this show probably belongs on our Patreon, but...
12.29.2023
Ep. 127: "The Rogue Hoe"
We're closing out 2023 with special guest Bill Krinard of Two Rock! https://www.two-rock.com I won't even attempt to annotate this episode but Bill joins us at 5:36 and fields a bunch of listener-submitted questions on transformers with dissimilar primary windings;...
12.16.2023
Ep. 126: "They Do Eventually Die"
Transformer talk, spaghetti carbonara, goat horn jazz, and more transformer talk...it's the 126th episode of the Truth About Vintage Amps! Want to be a part of our show? Submit your question or voice memo to [email protected]. Some of the...
11.21.2023
Ep. 125: "Put Your Hands on the Hood"
It's the 125th installment of the Truth About Vintage Amps with Skip Simmons! 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: :51 Skip...
11.07.2023
Ep. 124: "Night Train"
It's the 124th installment of the Truth About Vintage Amps with Skip Simmons: Conductive paints, speaker impedance mismatches, pizza hacks and lots of dad jokes! Want to be a part of our show? Just email us a question or...
10.11.2023
Ep. 123: "Salt to Taste"
Today, we celebrate the millionth download of our podcast with one of our favorite conversations to date: Longtime TAVA contributor Larry Chung joins Skip and Jason to talk about the zen and art of early tube amp restoration and so...
10.10.2023
Ep. 122: "A Low Ceiling Situation"
** Note to the Amp Purists: There is virtually NO amp talk on this episode. If that's what you're seeking, stay tuned for TAVA episode 123, out tomorrow, where we'll have two hours of deep amp knowledge with special guest...
09.21.2023
Ep. 121: "Plaid Bell Bottoms"
It's the 121st episode of the Truth About Vintage Amps, the call-in show where amp tech Skip Simmons fields your questions on all things tube amp. This week: Special guest Jim Kelley joins us (around the 28-minute mark)! Want to...
09.01.2023
Ep. 120: "One Call"
It's the 120th episode of the Truth About Vintage Amps, the call-in show where amp tech Skip Simmons fields your questions on all things tube amp. This week in a nutshell: Is this the Fender Yale?; lots of Fretboard Summit...
08.07.2023
Ep. 119: "Painting Some Dots"
It's the 119th episode of the Truth About Vintage Amps, the call-in show where amp tech Skip Simmons fields your questions on all things tube amp. Want to be a part of the show? Keep the amp questions for Skip...
07.20.2023
Ep. 118: "Pirate Ale" (Special Guest: Ben Harper)
This week, we’re joined by the one-and-only Ben Harper, who has a couple of questions for Skip right before his Lyon, France concert. Ben regales us with tales of a rare Weissenborn spotted on a Disneyland ride, Dumbles, and pre-show...
07.04.2023
Ep. 117: "Tommy, Time for Dinner"
It's the 117th episode of the Truth About Vintage Amps podcast, 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...
06.16.2023
Ep. 116: "Or Something"
It's the 116th episode of the Truth About Vintage Amps podcast, 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...
05.23.2023
Ep. 115: "The Group W Bench"
It's the 115th episode of the Truth About Vintage Amps podcast, 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...
05.08.2023
Ep. 114: "Mothers, Fathers, Sisters, Brothers"
It's the 114th 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...
04.12.2023
Ep. 113: "Too Much of Something Somewhere"
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...
04.03.2023
Ep. 112: "Adjust for Minimum Smoke"
It's the 112th 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...
03.16.2023
Ep. 111: "A Tree, the Roof of a Trailer and a Deluxe Reverb"
We're back and episode 111 has it all: Deep thoughts, a tornado, fried eggs, and power tubes gone bad. Keep the questions coming to [email protected] and enjoy! Some of the topics discussed this week: 1:59 The TAVA Big Index page...
02.08.2023
Ep. 110: "Need a Ride?"
An episode that almost went off the rails (a missing special guest, talk of tragic balloon heroes, street tacos) but somehow gets back to amp basics. Some of the topics discussed this week: 3:56 Skip's decision to quit being a...
02.01.2023
Ep. 109: "The First Podcast Puddle"
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...
01.12.2023
Ep. 108: "Put a Pot Under It"
Episode 108: It's like a best-of episode, but totally new! Pre-amps, typewriters, too many kitchen hacks, transformer talk, Jason reads the tubes wrong, and we even get a little artsy! Some of the topics discussed this week: 2:53 Does Skip...
12.22.2022
Ep. 107: "Nip It In the Bud"
Episode 107: The genius of Garnet founder "Gar Gillies," Fender reverb controls, fixing Magnatones, and more. **Want to meet Skip? He'll be at the January 14-15, 2023 Amigo Bay Area Guitar Show with stuff to sell (and also picking up...
12.06.2022
Ep. 106: "That's When You Know You're Doomed"
Episode 106: No special guests, but plenty of amp questions answered and some recipes! Some of the topics discussed: 1:01 It's good to be anxious 3:59 Our Patreon page: https://www.patreon.com/vintageamps 4:18 Any interest in a Seattle amp swap meet /...
11.22.2022
Ep. 105: "You Started a Chainsaw" (Special guest: jdflyback)
** We are doing another run of Truth About Vintage Amps t-shirts. Pre-order your shirt now by clicking here: https://silkshopstores.com/tavamerch/shop/home ** Just in time for the holidays: A bonus Truth About Vintage Amps episode! This week, no listener-submitted questions. Instead,...
11.14.2022
Ep. 104: "I Bought a Headache"
Episode 104: No special guests, but plenty of amp questions answered, plus lots of schematic talk, A/B/Y boxes, a recipe or two, and a parenting tip! Some of the topics discussed: 1:03 A 1954 Fender extension cabinet (tweed, but...
10.27.2022
Ep. 103: "If You Want Something, You Have to Do Something"
The 103rd Truth About Vintage Amps Podcast. Special guest Mason Stoops (Jackson Browne, Marcus Mumford) walks us through his crazy Marcus Mumford live rig! Plus: Dutch potatoes, shorting jacks, vintage road cases, and more. **Get a glimpse of what...
10.11.2022
Ep. 102: "I Relapsed"
Special guest Bryan Sours (Soursound transformers) joins us for an epic talk all about transformers! Note: This is the longest episode of TAVA to date, and one of the most information-rich. I didn't attempt to make complete show notes for...
09.27.2022
Ep. 101: "One Piece at a Time"
Episode 101 of TAVA: Gain, flux, gochujang and more! This week's episode is sponsored by Calton Cases, Jupiter Condenser Co., Amplified Parts and Grez Guitars. You can also use the discount code FRET10 to save 10% off your Izotope purchase. Support us...
09.13.2022
The Truth About Vintage Amps, Ep. 100
Our 100th episode! To help us celebrate this milestone, Skip and Jason are joined this week by friends of the show Nels Cline (Wilco), Barry Grzebik (Grez Guitars), Jesse Quitslund (Acme), Steve Melkisethian (Angela Instruments), and Colleen Fazio (Fazio Electric)....
08.24.2022
Ep. 99: "EQ and You"
Episode 99 of our podcast and Skip has one more surprise in store... yet another giveaway prize for our 100th episode! This week's episode is sponsored by Calton Cases, Jupiter Condenser Co., Amplified Parts and Grez Guitars. You can also use the...
08.11.2022
Ep. 98: "Reserve Champion"
With Skip's internet down, we recorded our 98th episode the old-fashioned way. Once you get past the distorted land line telephone, you'll hear about how you can win some truly amazing gear on our 100th episode (including a new Grez...
07.17.2022
Ep. 97: "Do I Want the Red or the Gold?"
Are we really running out of vacuum tubes? This week, special guest Thomas Cravener of Amplified Parts joins us to talk about the 2022 new tube shortage, plus a lot more. Reserve a new TAVA t-shirt here. This week's episode...
06.21.2022
Ep. 96 "The Problem Is the Problem"
It's the summer solstice and seemingly everyone is in the kitchen, dishing out amp problems and recipes. This week's episode is sponsored by Calton Cases, Jupiter Condenser Co., Amplified Parts and Grez Guitars. You can also use the discount code FRET10 to...
06.04.2022
Ep. 95: "What's the Implication?"
It's the 95th episode of the Truth About Vintage Amps! Despite some technical / Zoom difficulties, Skip and Jason talk about replacement transformers, smoking Earthsound amps, bias, and more. This week's episode is sponsored by Calton Cases, Jupiter Condenser Co., Amplified Parts...
05.27.2022
Ep. 94: Tex Amps
This week, we welcome special guest Tony Teixeira from Tex Amps onto the show! http://texamps.com We frequently get questions about Filmosound conversions. During this episode, Tony talks to us about his process when using Filmosounds, the magic of Bernie-built amps,...
05.09.2022
Ep. 93: "Permissive Parents"
It's the 93rd episode of the Truth About Vintage Amps! Strain relief, stubborn Champs (and Randalls!), blanched kale with sunflower seeds, and plenty more. This week's episode is sponsored by Calton Cases, Jupiter Condenser Co., Amplified Parts and Grez Guitars. You can...
04.19.2022
Ep. 92: "I'll Be There Briefly"
It's the 92nd episode of the Truth About Vintage Amps! Harvesting capacitors, recommended reading, Fred Astaire and more. This week's episode is sponsored by Calton Cases, Jupiter Condenser Co., Amplified Parts and Grez Guitars. You can also use the discount code FRET10...
03.29.2022
Ep. 91: "I'm Still Frying Garlic"
It's the 91st episode of the Truth About Vintage Amps! We talk about the great tube shortage of 2022, blue molded caps, boutique amps, parenting tips, kale chips and more. This week's episode is sponsored by Calton Cases, Jupiter Condenser Co., Amplified...
03.10.2022
Ep. 90: "Seeing Foxes In the Daytime"
It's the 90th episode of the Truth About Vintage Amps! John Smith serves us a chorizo lasagna dish; we hear the demented sounds your tubes are making on their own; the answer to last week's baffler and much more. This...
02.24.2022
Ep. 89: "Champions Adjust"
Special guest Max Hart joins Skip and Jason to talk about working with Melissa Etheridge (and Katy Perry), using vintage tube amps on the road, his pedal board and more. Plus, all the usual listener submitted questions, recipes and more. ...
02.08.2022
Ep. 88: "Wake Up"
Chokes, scalloped potatoes, Monoprice amps, phase inverters, and more! It's the 88th episode of the Truth About Vintage Amps. This week's episode is sponsored by Jupiter Condenser Co., Amplified Parts and Grez Guitars. You can also use the discount code FRET10...
01.24.2022
Ep. 87: "Waxy... and Leaking"
It's the 87th episode of the Truth About Vintage Amps! Plenty of amp tips for newbies, some deep Ampeg talk, music recommendations, amp tips for steel guitar players, and more. This week's episode is sponsored by Jupiter Condenser Co., Amplified Parts...
01.11.2022
Ep. 86: "You Run Hot"
It's the 86th episode of the Truth About Vintage Amps featuring special guest, Joe Halliday of Hello Sailor Effects (@hellosailoreffectsofficial)! This week's episode is sponsored by Jupiter Condenser Co., Amplified Parts and Grez Guitars. Support us on Patreon.com for added content...
12.20.2021
Ep. 85: "Remington Starfire"
It's the 85th episode of the Truth About Vintage Amps featuring special guest, Calvin McCormick (Hiwatt, @ampfreek)! This week's episode is sponsored by Jupiter Condenser Co., Amplified Parts and Grez Guitars. Support us on Patreon.com for added content and the occasional...
12.07.2021
Ep. 84: "What's Past the Weeds?"
It's the 84th episode of the Truth About Vintage Amps! This week's episode is sponsored by Jupiter Condenser Co., Amplified Parts and Grez Guitars. Support us on Patreon.com for added content and the occasional surprise. Some of the topics discussed this...
11.22.2021
Ep. 83: "No, But I Will"
It's the 83rd episode of the Truth About Vintage Amps: More capacitor talk than you can shake a SnufferStick at, push-pull circuits, Ethiopian cooking tips and more! This week's episode is sponsored by Jupiter Condenser Co., Amplified Parts and Grez Guitars....

What's The Truth About Vintage Amps with Skip Simmons about?

Download our free app to listen on your phone

The Truth About Vintage Amps with Skip Simmons episodes:

Ep. 132: "Start Dark"

Ep. 131: "Sandy Soil"

Ep. 130: "America's Hat"

Ep. 129: "Summer of the Comet"

Ep. 128: "The Smells Were Overwhelming"

Ep. 127: "The Rogue Hoe"

Ep. 126: "They Do Eventually Die"

Ep. 125: "Put Your Hands on the Hood"

Ep. 124: "Night Train"

Ep. 123: "Salt to Taste"

Ep. 122: "A Low Ceiling Situation"

Ep. 121: "Plaid Bell Bottoms"

Ep. 120: "One Call"

Ep. 119: "Painting Some Dots"

Ep. 118: "Pirate Ale" (Special Guest: Ben Harper)

Ep. 117: "Tommy, Time for Dinner"

Ep. 116: "Or Something"

Ep. 115: "The Group W Bench"

Ep. 114: "Mothers, Fathers, Sisters, Brothers"

Ep. 113: "Too Much of Something Somewhere"

Ep. 112: "Adjust for Minimum Smoke"

Ep. 111: "A Tree, the Roof of a Trailer and a Deluxe Reverb"

Ep. 110: "Need a Ride?"

Ep. 109: "The First Podcast Puddle"

Ep. 108: "Put a Pot Under It"

Ep. 107: "Nip It In the Bud"

Ep. 106: "That's When You Know You're Doomed"

Ep. 105: "You Started a Chainsaw" (Special guest: jdflyback)

Ep. 104: "I Bought a Headache"

Ep. 103: "If You Want Something, You Have to Do Something"

Ep. 102: "I Relapsed"

Ep. 101: "One Piece at a Time"

The Truth About Vintage Amps, Ep. 100

Ep. 99: "EQ and You"

Ep. 98: "Reserve Champion"

Ep. 97: "Do I Want the Red or the Gold?"

Ep. 96 "The Problem Is the Problem"

Ep. 95: "What's the Implication?"

Ep. 94: Tex Amps

Ep. 93: "Permissive Parents"

Ep. 92: "I'll Be There Briefly"

Ep. 91: "I'm Still Frying Garlic"

Ep. 90: "Seeing Foxes In the Daytime"

Ep. 89: "Champions Adjust"

Ep. 88: "Wake Up"

Ep. 87: "Waxy... and Leaking"

Ep. 86: "You Run Hot"

Ep. 85: "Remington Starfire"

Ep. 84: "What's Past the Weeds?"

Ep. 83: "No, But I Will"