The Truth About Vintage Amps with Skip Simmons
The Truth About Vintage Amps with Skip Simmons · Jan 17, 2026 · 1:25:58
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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, Charles Batey, Leff Jeffries (YouTube link, audio only)
25:20 How can I remove and save my tube chart when I replace the baffle?
30:09 Comparing a 5F2A kit schematic to the original; cargamanto beans (see below)
40:34 What does Skip always replace? Sello Rojo coffee; Lustre Craft pots
47:48 A Tweed Vibrolux with rusty faceplate; WEST amps transformers?
55:48 A broken, yet soothing two-prong plug question; Stephen King's 'It'
1:01:57 Are the diodes in my Premier B-220 Custom Bass amp okay? Can Switchcraft jacks go bad?
1:10:50 Real death caps; Fantastic Fungi
1:13:05 Kraft dinner; replacement transformers for 50-watt Rickenbackers; WD-40 for joint pain
Want amp tech Skip Simmons' advice on your DIY guitar amp projects? Want to share your top secret family recipe? Need relationship advice? Join us by sending your voice memo or written questions to podcast@fretboardjournal.com! Include a photo, too.
Hosted by amp tech Skip Simmons and co-hosted/produced by Jason Verlinde of the Fretboard Journal.
Episodes: The Truth About Vintage Amps with Skip Simmons