About this episode
Amp tech Skip Simmons is once again fielding guitar tube amp questions from around the world. Submit your question to Skip here: podcast@fretboardjournal.com or, better yet, leave us a voicemail or text at 509-557-0848. This week's sponsor: Grez Guitars ( link ) Note: This episode was recorded on February 28, 2020 and pre-dates the passing of Little Charlie Baty, as well as much as of the news we now have on the coronavirus. (We just recorded a new show on March 19 that discusses both topics and we will be posting that next week.) Some of the topics discussed on this episode: 4:10 The hillbillies from Olivehurst: A cursed Gibson GA-15RVT and an early '60s Gibson Melody Maker 11:09 A 1951 Fender Tweed Pro with a factory field coil speaker (with one end on the B+, the other end grounded) 14:38 A TAVA Facebook group? Looking for moderators (inquire within) 18:44 Frito Chili Pie 20:42 Biasing for Class A Fixed, Class A/B and Cathode biasing; A Fender 5F2A's inverse negative feedback 30:49 Built-in power attenuators 35:40 Installing a headphone output jack on a vintage Fender Champ 37:16 The future reputation of modern amp builders (Carr, Dr. Z, Bartel, etc.) 47:04 More on Skip's Retropolitan amps 50:35 Breaking-in a speaker with a looper pedal 53:49 Music recommendations: Stanley Turentine, Grant Green, Lou Donaldson, Shirley Scott 55:21 What's wrong with Arthur "Big Boy" Crudup's amp on his 1946 recording "That's All Right"? 57:35 Vintage Australian amps: Goldentone, Vase & Moody 58:34 A Fender Blues Deville with too much reverb 1:00:58 The "tone expander" switch on a Gibson GA30RV "Invader" 1:02:20 Vintage Gibson cabinet talk: Redwood? Any available reproduction cabinets? 1:05:54 Music recommendation: 'Unshaven: Live at Smith's Olde Bar' by Shaver 1:07:34 A John Vanderslice / Tiny Telephone update 1:09:07 Mac & cheese revisited 1:10:15 Picky goats 1:11:12 Selmer Triumph Reverb schematic 1:13:50 Grounding schemes, halloumi cheese 1:21:17 Special guest: Chris Benson of Benson Amplifiers! (Triad transformers, new releases, granola, cast iron) 1:39:19 Replace the bypass cap on your silverface Champ 1:40:10 Rodriguez & Searching for Sugar Man 1:42:01 Louis Armstrong's Hot Five and Hot Seven