Podcast Summary: Ep. 143 - "The Girl Who Never Rained"
Introduction In Episode 143 of The Truth About Vintage Amps with Skip Simmons, released on January 29, 2025, hosts Skip Simmons and Jason delve into a mix of personal anecdotes, community concerns, and a comprehensive recap of the recent Bay Area Guitar Show. This episode, titled "The Girl Who Never Rained," blends heartfelt discussions with technical insights, providing listeners both entertainment and valuable information.
1. Navigating Recent Fires and Community Impact The episode opens with a candid conversation about the devastating fires affecting the community. Skip shares his personal ordeal during the evacuation, highlighting the resilience and humanity he witnessed amidst chaos.
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Skip (00:24): “I feel so sorry for people and there's so many things involved. I just would encourage people not to even pay attention for at least a week.”
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Jason (02:36): “Love it. There's so many musicians I know and friends of friends have lost their homes. It's crazy.”
Key Points:
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Evacuation Experience: Skip recounts the stress of evacuating his neighborhood, including a neighbor hiding from authorities and the communal experience of seeking refuge in a parking lot.
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Community Resilience: Despite the severity, Skip emphasizes that not everyone is affected by immense wealth, pointing out, “[...] some normal people. It isn't all just 25 million dollar mansions.”
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Impact on Events: The fires have complicated event planning, but Skip underscores the necessity to proceed with scheduled shows to maintain community spirit.
2. Recap of the Bay Area Guitar Show The heart of the episode is a detailed recounting of the Bay Area Guitar Show, emphasizing its unique social dynamics over pure commerce.
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Skip (03:39): “We talked about guitar shows before. They don't. The business model is weird.”
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Key Interactions:
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Connecting Enthusiasts: Skip describes facilitating connections between like-minded individuals, such as pairing two car enthusiasts who bonded over their love for racing and vintage cars.
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Memorabilia and Stories: Discussions about rare recordings, like those from Aztec Recording Studio, and interactions with musicians who have deep-rooted histories in the local music scene.
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Key Points:
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Social Networking: The show serves as a melting pot for networking, fostering friendships that extend beyond music into other shared interests.
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Sales Dynamics: While there were numerous guitars and overpriced items available, the actual transactions were minimal. Skip reflects, “But at the guitar show they always, you know, there's certain people that come over and say, did you bring any PA heads? Did you bring any preamps?”
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Atmosphere: The event was bustling on Saturday with over 25,000 attendees, contrasted by a mellow Sunday. Skip notes, “Saturday was just packed. Probably some of the most people I've seen coming in and paying the 20 bucks, 25 bucks going to the store. Ever beautiful weather, sunny blue skies.”
Notable Quote:
- Skip (08:05): “I sold a few of those things. It wasn't a complete financial wasteland. But even though it was packed on Saturday, at least at our booth, there wasn't a whole lot of buy in going on.”
3. Navigating the Show's Unique Offerings Skip delves into the eclectic mix of items and services available at the show, highlighting innovative side ventures and unique finds.
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Photography Booth: A corner dedicated to guitar photography, allowing attendees to capture professional shots of their instruments.
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Unique Gear: Rare items like Travis Bean guitars and vintage Mackie preamp modules were showcased, appealing to niche collectors.
Key Points:
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Side Hustles: Innovative services like the photography booth add value to the show beyond traditional sales, though they didn't attract as much attention as expected.
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Unexpected Finds: Attendees brought unusual items, such as massive amounts of guitar wood for future projects, reflecting the diverse interests of the vintage amp community.
4. Listener Questions and Technical Insights A significant portion of the episode is dedicated to addressing listener-submitted questions about vintage amp repair and maintenance, showcasing Skip's expertise.
Highlights:
- Gas Rectifiers and Vintage Components:
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Listener Larry Chung (55:39): Inquired about funky British-made filter cap blocks and switchable battery wall-powered amps. Skip praises Larry's adventurous spirit in embracing pre-war components and integrating complex modifications.
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Skip (55:39): “He likes a challenge and he's restored a bunch of early stuff and has shared it all with the keggers.”
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- Amp Maintenance Tips:
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Joe in Denver (58:07): Asked about connecting an extra speaker harness for amp maintenance. Skip advises against potential issues with output transformers and emphasizes the importance of using uniform speaker setups for accurate sound evaluation.
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Frank in Germany (63:31): Presented a complex scenario involving a vintage Marshall amp affected by Hurricane Helene. Skip provides a comprehensive troubleshooting guide, emphasizing cautious drying methods and the use of variacs to prevent inrush current.
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Notable Quote:
- Skip (58:45): “Don't put the old filter caps back in it. I'm just speculating. Done is done. But if you're a worrywart about reserving electronics, an affordable variac and the right mindset eliminates almost every problem that you could ever have.”
Technical Insights:
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Battery Wall-Powered Amps: Exploration of unconventional power sources and their implications on amp functionality.
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Proper Maintenance Practices: Importance of gradual warm-ups using variacs and avoiding modifications that could compromise amp integrity.
5. Community and Sponsor Acknowledgments The episode acknowledges various sponsors and community members who contribute to the podcast’s success.
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Barry from Grez Guitars: Highlighted for his exquisite guitars like the Grand Tour model, which received high praise from both hosts and the community.
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Amplified Parts & Emerald City Guitars: Regular sponsors praised for their extensive range of amp parts and welcoming showrooms, respectively.
Key Points:
- Support and Collaboration: Emphasis on the collaborative nature of the vintage amp community, with sponsors playing a crucial role in maintaining the podcast’s quality and reach.
6. Personal Stories and Reflections Beyond technical discussions, Skip and Jason share personal stories that humanize the hosts and build a deeper connection with listeners.
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Skip’s Brush with the Everglades: Recounts a story about a ferry crew member proposing, highlighting the unexpected moments of kindness and creativity within the community.
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Listener Gratitude: Jason shares a heartfelt voice memo from Dan, a 12th-grade literature teacher, who appreciates the podcast's impact on enthusiasts and educators alike.
Key Points:
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Human Connections: Stories of friendship, unexpected proposals, and listener appreciation underscore the podcast's role in fostering a supportive and engaged community.
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Cultural Reflections: Discussions about environmental conservation, such as the restoration of the San Francisco Bay estuary, illustrate the hosts' awareness of broader ecological issues affecting their community.
Notable Quote:
- Dan from Dakula (51:35): “...you guys bring so much joy. People want to hear what you have to say. Anyway, thanks for everything you do.”
7. Conclusion and Forward Look As the episode wraps up, Skip and Jason reflect on the challenges and successes of hosting amidst personal and community upheavals, expressing optimism for future events and continued community engagement.
- Skip (88:03): “So Ghost. Go to a show, go to a guitar shop and we'll do it again apparently in another couple weeks.”
Key Points:
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Resilience and Continuity: Despite recent hardships, the hosts remain committed to their mission of connecting enthusiasts and preserving vintage amp culture.
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Upcoming Plans: Teasing future events and episodes, promising continued coverage of guitar shows and technical deep-dives.
Final Thoughts Episode 143 of The Truth About Vintage Amps with Skip Simmons masterfully balances personal narratives with technical expertise, offering listeners a holistic view of the vintage amp community. From navigating the aftermath of natural disasters to the intricate details of amp maintenance, Skip and Jason provide valuable insights wrapped in engaging storytelling. This episode not only celebrates the enduring passion for vintage gear but also underscores the importance of community and resilience in the face of adversity.
Notable Quotes:
- Skip (37:22): “I was amazed. And then of course, another Tava. You don't know jack. I called Lee Jeffries, who knows a lot about Standel, and he goes, those are plastic boxes that he used. I went, what?”
- Jason (12:37): “We had something like that at the last fretboard summit with Eleanor Jane who's like one of the. Or the, the guitar photographer based out of the UK.”
Timestamps Highlighted:
- 00:23 – 02:36: Discussion on the impact of recent fires.
- 03:08 – 08:05: Recap of the Bay Area Guitar Show.
- 58:07 – 67:52: Listener questions and technical answers.
- 51:35 – 54:46: Listener gratitude and personal stories.
Join the Conversation Listeners are encouraged to submit their questions and voice memos to podcastritboardjournal.com to be featured in future episodes. The hosts express immense gratitude for the supportive community and look forward to continuing their mission of demystifying vintage amp maintenance and fostering connections among enthusiasts.
End of Summary