The Truth About Vintage Amps with Skip Simmons – Episode 142: "Paul Jerky"

Released on December 24, 2024, "Paul Jerky" dives deep into the world of vintage tube amplifiers, blending technical insights with the podcast’s signature humor and community spirit. Hosted by Skip Simmons under The Fretboard Journal, this episode continues the tradition of addressing listener questions while exploring various facets of amp restoration, repair, and collecting.

The Baffle: Unraveling the Musical Mystery

The episode kicks off with Skip and Jason dissecting a captivating piece of vintage Christmas music. Skip muses, “[00:28] 'That's some pretty cool jazzy rockabilly Arch top guitar on that. I wonder who that was. Probably Barney Kessel or somebody.'” The playful banter sets the tone, inviting listeners to engage with the podcast’s unique blend of music appreciation and technical discussion.

Listener Questions and Expert Insights

1. Joe from Culver City: Tackling the Tick

Timestamp: [14:17]
Joe’s Inquiry:
Joe, a new listener inspired by the podcast, reaches out with a technical issue concerning his Princeton Reverb-inspired amp. He describes an unwanted ticking sound when using a quarter-inch TRS jack for his vibrato and tremolo footswitch, suspecting a grounding problem.

Skip’s Response:
Skip suggests, “[21:11] 'I think that if you separated those, that tip ring sleeve jack into two separate jacks, and then you ran two separate foot switches, you wouldn't have that problem.'” He elaborates on the potential causes, emphasizing the importance of proper shielding and isolation of the tremolo and reverb circuits to eliminate interference.

2. Nick from Detroit: Power Discrepancies in Fender Champs

Timestamp: [23:49]
Nick’s Concern:
Nick observes a significant difference in current draw between his 1975 and 1978 Silver Face Fender Champs when powered by a Variac. He’s unsure whether this variance is normal or indicative of an underlying issue.

Skip’s Guidance:
Skip advises, “[24:44] 'I’d be looking at the cathode resistor for the power tubes. Make sure it’s, you know, 500. Supposed to be 470.'” He recommends measuring the plate current of each amp’s power tubes to determine if the difference is within acceptable limits or if further investigation is needed.

3. Martin’s Soldering Techniques

Timestamp: [26:22]
Martin’s Query:
Martin asks about Skip’s preferred diameter of Kester 44 flux solder, contrasting his own preference for smaller diameters.

Skip’s Insight:
Skip responds humorously and informatively, “[27:18] 'I use 0.050, which is probably what you’d call your medium size.'” He explains his usage of different solder diameters based on application, favoring vintage solder when possible but not shying away from modern equivalents for practicality.

4. James from the Midwest: Enhancing a 5E3 Kit with Tremolo

Timestamp: [28:39]
James’s Challenge:
James seeks advice on integrating a tremolo system into his 5E3 amp build, debating between complex circuit additions and simpler pedal solutions.

Skip’s Recommendation:
Skip suggests, “[31:53] 'I would try building a tremolo pedal yourself,'” highlighting the benefits and limitations of external pedals versus internal tremolo circuits. He encourages experimentation while cautioning about maintaining the amp’s tonal integrity.

5. Bruce from Nashville: The Angela Super 6V6 Build

Timestamp: [33:28]
Bruce’s Bold Project:
Bruce shares an enthusiastic, manifesto-like email detailing his ambitious modifications to the Angela Super 6V6 amp, incorporating multiple switches and controls to achieve a personalized tonal palette.

Skip’s Encouragement:
Skip praises Bruce’s ingenuity, “[36:10] 'If he did it all and it does work, that’s pretty groovy.'” He underscores the value of community-driven innovation and the rewarding nature of customizing vintage amps to suit individual preferences.

6. Bob from Boulder County: Observations and Food Tips

Timestamp: [37:02]
Bob’s Contributions:
Bob doesn’t pose a question but offers observations on amp terminology and shares a clever recipe for homemade rice using tomato paste and spices.

Skip’s Thoughts:
Skip engages with Bob’s insights, “[38:33] 'That’s some cool stuff right there, Klaus,'” appreciating the blend of technical knowledge and practical tips that enrich the podcast community.

7. Dave: Exploring Multi-Output Guitar Setups

Timestamp: [55:19]
Dave’s Exploration:
Dave inquires about the feasibility of running a single guitar signal through multiple amps optimized for different frequency ranges, inspired by Charlie Hunter’s hybrid guitar setups.

Skip’s Expertise:
Skip analyzes the concept, “[62:33] 'In the hi-fi world for a while, in the 50s when it was still mono, you’d see amps that were bi-amp setups.'” He connects Dave’s idea to historical practices and suggests practical implementations using modern equipment to achieve a balanced, wide-ranging sound.

8. Klaus from Denmark: Creative Amp Configurations

Timestamp: [66:14]
Klaus’s Innovations:
Klaus shares his experiment of using a reverb driver transformer as an output transformer on his Princeton Reverb Reissue, noting improvements in sound quality and amp behavior.

Skip’s Recommendations:
Skip delves into the technical aspects, “[66:17] 'Another weird thing you can do is you can take the output of the reverb tank and put it into the normal channel of a two-channel amp.'” He elaborates on the potential sonic benefits and encourages experimentation while maintaining caution to preserve equipment integrity.

Community Highlights and Creative Sharing

Throughout the episode, the hosts foster a sense of community by sharing listener-submitted recipes, holiday tips, and personal anecdotes. From homemade Vesper martinis to inventive chip dips and lasagna recipes, the interjections provide a warm, personable layer to the technical discussions.

Notable Food Tip:
Joe from Culver City shares his Vesper martini recipe: “[14:17] 'It's three ounces of gin, one ounce of vodka, and half an ounce of Cocchi Americano… garnish with a lemon twist.'” This addition exemplifies the podcast’s unique blend of niche interests.

Recommendations and Personal Touches

Skip and Jason conclude with recommendations for books and movies, encouraging listeners to engage in offline activities and broaden their cultural horizons. Highlights include:

• Books:
  Skip recommends "Off the Record" by Joe Smith and "Same Place, Same Things" by Tim Gautroux, emphasizing their storytelling and technical insights.

• Movies:
  Suggestions like "Little Miss Sunshine," "Master and Commander," and "Napoleon Dynamite" cater to diverse tastes, reflecting the hosts' eclectic interests.

Skip’s Final Thoughts:
In a heartfelt closing, Skip shares, “[69:55] 'Read a book if, you know, you should read something good and hard that's, like, difficult.'” His encouragement fosters a culture of continuous learning and exploration within the community.

Conclusion: A Blend of Expertise and Camaraderie

Episode 142, titled "Paul Jerky," encapsulates the essence of "The Truth About Vintage Amps" by delivering in-depth technical advice while nurturing a vibrant, supportive listener community. Through addressing a spectrum of questions—from grounding issues and power discrepancies to innovative amp configurations—the podcast reinforces its role as an indispensable resource for vintage amp enthusiasts. Simultaneously, the infusion of personal stories, holiday cheer, and culinary creativity ensures that each episode remains engaging, relatable, and uniquely enjoyable.

Whether you’re troubleshooting a vintage amp or seeking inspiration for your next musical project, Episode 142 offers a comprehensive blend of knowledge, humor, and community spirit that epitomizes The Fretboard Journal’s commitment to all things guitar amp-related.