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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Nov 14, 2026 · 1:20:21
It's the 173rd 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…
Oct 23, 2026 · 1:29:49
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…
Sep 24, 2026 · 1:14:10
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),…
Aug 31, 2026 · 1:09:57
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…
Aug 14, 2026 · 1:44:17
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…
Jul 26, 2026 · 1:21:14
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…
Jun 25, 2026 · 1:09:09
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…
Jun 11, 2026 · 1:33:13
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…
May 17, 2026 · 1:37:39
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…
Apr 25, 2026 · 1:20:16
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…
Apr 11, 2026 · 1:39:27
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…
Mar 20, 2026 · 1:29:27
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,…
Mar 2, 2026 · 1:10:32
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…
Feb 16, 2026 · 1:22:16
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…
Jan 17, 2026 · 1:25:58
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…
Dec 24, 2025 · 1:05:50
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…
Dec 18, 2025 · 1:34:13
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…
Nov 26, 2025 · 1:46:38
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…
Nov 1, 2025 · 1:45:38
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…
Oct 17, 2025 · 1:28:09
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…
Sep 18, 2025 · 1:33:46
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…
Sep 3, 2025 · 56:43
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…
Jul 25, 2025 · 1:20:23
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…
Jul 5, 2025 · 1:40:52
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…
Jun 18, 2025 · 1:09:18
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…
Jun 1, 2025 · 1:35:12
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…
Apr 26, 2025 · 1:48:27
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…
Apr 7, 2025 · 1:30:00
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…
Mar 15, 2025 · 1:22:51
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…
Feb 24, 2025 · 1:36:07
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…
Jan 29, 2025 · 1:30:02
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…
Dec 24, 2024 · 1:19:06
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…
Nov 28, 2024 · 1:12:27
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…
Nov 5, 2024 · 1:08:57
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…
Oct 18, 2024 · 1:22:23
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…
Sep 24, 2024 · 1:19:49
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…
Aug 20, 2024 · 1:39:23
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,…
Jul 27, 2024 · 1:10:21
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…
Jun 26, 2024 · 1:36:18
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…
May 29, 2024 · 1:26:39
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…
May 3, 2024 · 1:34:56
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…
Apr 2, 2024 · 1:21:58
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…
Mar 4, 2024 · 1:48:19
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…
Feb 16, 2024 · 1:45:18
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…
Feb 4, 2024 · 1:17:16
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…
Jan 20, 2024 · 1:43:14
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…
Dec 29, 2023 · 51:19
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…
Dec 16, 2023 · 1:40:44
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…
Nov 21, 2023 · 1:08:40
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…
Nov 7, 2023 · 1:10:30
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…
Oct 11, 2023 · 1:46:47
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…
Oct 10, 2023 · 1:34:04
** 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…
Sep 21, 2023 · 1:33:40
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…
Sep 1, 2023 · 1:09:38
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…
Aug 7, 2023 · 1:17:40
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?…
Jul 20, 2023 · 1:43:44
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…
Jul 4, 2023 · 1:23:24
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…
Jun 16, 2023 · 1:19:10
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…
May 23, 2023 · 1:28:28
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…
May 8, 2023 · 1:41:00
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…
Apr 12, 2023 · 1:23:39
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…
Apr 3, 2023 · 1:30:22
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…
Mar 16, 2023 · 1:03:25
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 podcast@fretboardjournal.com and enjoy! Some…
Feb 8, 2023 · 1:17:21
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…
Feb 1, 2023 · 1:26:03
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…
Jan 12, 2023 · 1:33:45
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…
Dec 22, 2022 · 58:51
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…
Dec 6, 2022 · 1:26:06
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:…
Nov 22, 2022 · 36:02
** 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…
Nov 14, 2022 · 1:18:47
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…
Oct 27, 2022 · 1:46:12
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,…
Oct 11, 2022 · 2:26:00
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…
Sep 27, 2022 · 1:36:34
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…
Sep 13, 2022 · 2:20:05
Aug 24, 2022 · 1:23:46
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…
Aug 11, 2022 · 1:36:39
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…
Jul 17, 2022 · 1:54:21
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…
Jun 21, 2022 · 2:02:24
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.…
Jun 4, 2022 · 1:29:35
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,…
May 27, 2022 · 47:09
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,…
May 9, 2022 · 1:17:41
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…
Apr 19, 2022 · 1:36:33
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 ,…
Mar 29, 2022 · 2:07:21
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…
Mar 10, 2022 · 1:55:09
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…
Feb 24, 2022 · 1:29:17
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,…
Feb 8, 2022 · 1:41:41
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…
Jan 24, 2022 · 1:39:45
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.…
Jan 11, 2022 · 1:53:35
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…
Dec 20, 2021 · 1:44:19
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. ,…
Dec 7, 2021 · 1:40:51
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…
Nov 22, 2021 · 1:24:46
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…
Nov 5, 2021 · 1:08:23
Tune in for a new chapter of TAVA, where Skip and Jason Zoom through your tube amp and cooking questions with our highest fidelity yet (thanks to our friends at Shure for sending…
Oct 22, 2021 · 2:03:29
Producer and musician John Vanderslice returns to the Truth About Vintage Amps Podcast with Skip Simmons. This week's episode is sponsored by Jupiter Condenser Co. , Amplified…
Oct 8, 2021 · 1:35:57
It's the 80th episode of the Truth About Vintage Amps Podcast: reverb, goats, pickles from Australia and special call-in guest Sam Mollica! Hosted by amp tech Skip Simmons. This…
Sep 24, 2021 · 2:05:53
It's the 79th episode of the Truth About Vintage Amps Podcast: Red plating tubes, amp rattles, Louisiana hayrides, bad advice, coaster brakes, and Blues Juniors! This week's…
Sep 9, 2021 · 1:40:12
It's the 78th episode of the Truth About Vintage Amps Podcast: Speaker installation tips, more pizza hacks (thanks Pillsbury), special Patreon guest Mike Watson (the 6L6s) and…
Aug 28, 2021 · 1:22:22
It's the 77th episode of the Truth About Vintage Amps Podcast, where amp tech Skip Simmons makes pizza on english muffins, crushes the dreams of young blues aficionados and…
Aug 14, 2021 · 1:36:27
It's the 76th episode of the Truth About Vintage Amps Podcast. After a long buildup, Skip is back and fielding all of your guitar amplifier questions. This week's episode is…
Jul 30, 2021 · 1:05:41
It's the 75th episode of the Truth About Vintage Amps Podcast and Skip is feeling upbeat and quoting from the classics. As always, he's also fielding all of your guitar amplifier…
Jul 20, 2021 · 1:15:27
Welcome to the 74th episode of the Truth About Vintage Amps Podcast, the bi-weekly show where amp tech Skip Simmons answers all of your pressing guitar amplifier questions. No…
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