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Artwork for The Truth About Vintage Amps with Skip Simmons

The Truth About Vintage Amps with Skip Simmons

The Fretboard Journal
Vintage Tube Amps
Vintage Amplifiers
Vintage Amps
Guitar Repair
Vintage Guitar Amplifiers
Guitar Amplifiers
Tube Amplifiers
Fender
Fretboard Summit
Vintage Tube Amplifiers
Guitar Shows
Fretboard Journal
Tube Amps
Harmonica
Typewriters
Peru
Vintage Music
Standel Amps
Allman Brothers Band
700-Watt Tube Amplifier

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.

PublishesTwice monthlyEpisodes171Founded8 years ago
Number of ListenersCategories
MusicMusic History

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Artwork for The Truth About Vintage Amps with Skip Simmons

Latest Episodes

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.

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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 gea... more

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 t... more

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 t... more

Key Facts

Accepts Guests
Accepts Sponsors
Contact Information
Podcast Host
Number of Listeners
Find out how many people listen to this podcast per episode and each month.

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Recent Guests

David in Hawaii
Listener who submitted a voicemail about guitar/bass hybrid setups
Listener, Hawaii
Episode: Ep. 167: "Little Baby Barbells"
Chad Grechel
Listener providing a voice memo from Calgary, Alberta
Listener, Calgary
Episode: Ep. 167: "Little Baby Barbells"
John Vanderslice
Musician and recording artist (special guest)
Music
Episode: Ep. 166: "Seattle, Loma Rica, Amsterdam"
Roy Rogers
A veteran guitarist and amp expert, known for sessions with John Lee Hooker and a long-running presence in vintage-amp circles
Independent musician and educator
Episode: Ep. 163: "Thoughts Go to Cornbread" (Special Guest: Roy Rogers!)
Jack Weston
Expert on the Allman Brothers Band, co-author of a memorabilia book.
Episode: Ep. 156: "A Hoop and a Stick"
Will Simmons
Former guest and academic, author of the book "Love and Degradation"
Not specified
Episode: Ep. 141: "I've Got an Alamo That I Want to Forget"
Steve Carr
Boutique amplifier builder and founder of Carr Amplifiers
Carr Amplifiers
Episode: Ep. 137: "Walk Around the Yard"
Jonathan Stout
Reformed lawyer turned jazz guitarist, plays guitar for competitive dances.
Campus Five band
Episode: Ep. 134: "A Little Debbie Swiss Roll"
Bob Armstrong
Acclaimed musician and illustrator, known for his contributions to vintage music preservation.
Episode: Ep. 131: "Sandy Soil"

Hosts

Skip Simmons
Host of the vintage-amp-focused show with deep repair, restoration and collecting expertise.
Jason
Co-host, associated with The Truth About Vintage Amps and Fretboard Journal.

Reviews

4.8 out of 5 stars from 634 ratings
  • Into the weeds we go

    “Well Skip, can you believe we’ve done it again?” Can I believe that I’m still listening 160 episodes later to an amp podcast that often is not about amplifiers? This is a classic, a rare corner of the internet- podcast world where time stands still, and not even the expert amp tech knows why.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    T677754499999
    Australiaa month ago
  • Entertaining, Informative and Humorous

    More fun than a rustic kegger out in the woods. The best vintage amp advice in the world.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    JC Swayzee
    United States2 months ago
  • Peak amp content

    A great wealth of amp knowledge shared in an approachable and friendly way.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    MetsXVX
    United States6 months ago
  • Amazing podcast

    This podcast is unbelievably awesome. Jason and Skip not only offer stellar content they also open their doors for Q&A…..If you are into vintage amps this is the #1 podcast.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Gitmoapps
    United Statesa year ago
  • The best

    Greetings from sweden

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Emlon Emlonson
    Swedena year ago

Listeners Say

Key themes from listener reviews, highlighting what works and what could be improved about the show.

The banter and community feel are major positives, though some consider topics diverging from amps too often.
Overall high praise for practical, experience-based amp repair knowledge.
Listener questions drive value and engagement, with useful troubleshooting tips.

Chart Rankings

How this podcast ranks in the Apple Podcasts, Spotify and YouTube charts.

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

Ep. 166: "Seattle, Loma Rica, Amsterdam"
Q: What is on your bench right now?
The hosts discuss a Supro Galaxy and a Magnatone amp among other pieces, highlighting ongoing repair and restoration projects, and the value of practical, room-oriented testing versus box-in-a-studio setups.
Ep. 164: "Kern County Wool Growers"
Q: A Tweed Deluxe Clone with 5V3 circuit shows significant plate voltage differences between two 6V6s; what could be wrong?
Possible issues include the output transformer impedance, grid current, or a bad coupling capacitor; swapping tubes and testing with an alternate transformer is a reasonable diagnostic path, and if needed, use a different transformer to see if current draw evens out.
Ep. 164: "Kern County Wool Growers"
Q: A listener asked about converting a four-pin XLR speaker jack on an Ampeg B15N to a standard 1/4" jack; is that advisable?
Likely not ideal due to the protective standby mechanism in the circuit; it's best to work with the existing connector design or consult a Sacramento-area tech rather than a manual swap.
Ep. 164: "Kern County Wool Growers"
Q: What about grounding concerns with a two-prong Fender amp and a reverb unit plugged into an accessory outlet?
Polarity matters; you should plug it in one way and test by touching strings to see if there's noise, then reverse the plug if needed. If it doesn't pose the risk of shocking, the two-prong setup is historically common and acceptable.
Ep. 164: "Kern County Wool Growers"
Q: For switching between different cabinets for comparison, is it safe to use an open patch bay with standby on the amp?
It's generally fine to patch without playing; ensure the amp is off or in standby to avoid transformer stress, and avoid patching while actively playing to prevent damage.

Audience Metrics

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Frequently Asked Questions About This Podcast

What is This Podcast about and what kind of topics does it cover?

A highly technical yet approachable show about vintage guitar tube amps, focusing on repair, restoration, and collecting. Listeners get practical, battle-tested guidance on circuits, transformers, and troubleshooting, peppered with anecdotes, community Q&As, and hobbyist camaraderie. The tone blends meticulous, experience-based know-how with entertaining side conversations about food, gear sourcing, and personal stories, creating a welcoming hub for enthusiasts and professionals alike. A standout keeps the content grounded in real-world repair while maintaining a warm, communal vibe that invites participation and curiosity.

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Which podcasts are similar to this podcast?

These podcasts share a similar audience with this podcast:

1. The Fretboard Journal Guitar Podcast
2. Dipped In Tone
3. Chasing Tone - Guitar Podcast About Gear, Effects, Amps and Tone
4. The Fret Files
5. Know Your Gear Podcast

How many episodes of this podcast are there?

this podcast launched 8 years ago and published 171 episodes to date. You can find more information about this podcast including rankings, audience demographics and engagement in our podcast database.

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What guests have appeared on this podcast?

Recent guests on this podcast include:

1. David in Hawaii
2. Chad Grechel
3. John Vanderslice
4. Roy Rogers
5. Jack Weston
6. Will Simmons
7. Steve Carr
8. Jonathan Stout

To view more recent guests and their details, simply upgrade your Rephonic account. You'll also get access to a typical guest profile to help you decide if the show is worth pitching.

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