Podcast Summary: The Truth About Vintage Amps with Skip Simmons – Ep. 150: "Throw It In the River"

Release Date: July 5, 2025

Introduction and Milestone Celebration

In the landmark 150th episode of The Truth About Vintage Amps podcast, hosts Skip Simmons and Jason celebrate this significant milestone with enthusiasm and humor. The episode kicks off with Skip humorously commenting on punctuality:

[00:14] Skip: "This is unprecedented."

Jason joins in the excitement, acknowledging the continuous support from listeners that has sustained the podcast over numerous episodes.

Recent Events and Local News

The hosts discuss a recent fireworks explosion near Esparto, Sacramento, which led to the postponement of local celebrations and left seven individuals unaccounted for. Skip recounts his initial confusion upon hearing about the incident:

[01:34] Skip: "Rumor has it it's not zoned properly, so. Intrigue Norcal. Intrigue."

They reflect on the implications of such accidents, emphasizing the importance of proper storage and licensing for pyrotechnic materials.

Personal Anecdotes and Community Connections

Skip shares a nostalgic story about reconnecting with old friends and the unexpected joy of salvaging valuable wood from his late father's property. He recounts helping Keith Carrie repurpose madrone wood and old organ parts into guitar necks:

[03:42] Skip: "I spent an hour carefully unscrewing these things from this gigantic Get pedals... and put all the little pieces of maple together."

Jason discusses his involvement in community events, including attending the Western States Endurance Run and cheering for Ben Gibbert of Death Cab for Cutie as he crossed the finish line. This segues into a conversation about endurance running, highlighting Jason's passion and the dedication it requires.

Technical Deep Dive: Ample Amp Insights

The episode delves into technical discussions about vintage amps, featuring complex questions from listeners. Skip addresses an intricate issue with an Ampeg V4 amplifier's bias supply:

[25:21] Skip: "These are real early tube standells... they just have a ton of clarity and headroom."

Skip and Jason explore various amplifier classes (A, B, AB, etc.) and their significance in amp design. Skip simplifies these concepts for the audience, making them accessible even to those with limited technical knowledge.

Listener Questions and Solutions

1. Keith's Inquiry on Amp Classes and Configurations

Keith from Charlotte, North Carolina, poses a fundamental question about amplifier classes and configurations. Skip provides a detailed explanation:

[28:07] Keith: "What's the difference between a single ended and a push pull amplifier and how does that relate to and really what is a class A amp, a B, an ab, a C, a D class amp?"

[38:39] Skip: "In our world of vacuum tubes, we basically just have A and a B... Single ended. Push pull. Dinky little amps with one power tube are called single ended."

2. Zach's Query on Channel Jumping in Fender Amps

Zach from Seattle questions the practice of channel jumping in Fender amplifiers compared to Marshall Plexi amps:

[42:01] Zach: "Can skip riff on this topic and maybe discuss why you would or would not do this with a Fender tweed black panel or silver panel amplifier."

Skip explains the technical reasons behind channel configurations and their impact on tone:

[43:34] Skip: "A Marshall plexi is two channels, four inputs... it's just putting your guitar on both sides."

3. Bernie’s Question on 12/7 DC Power Supply for Tube PA Amps

Bernie from New York inquires about the feasibility of running tube PA amps off a dedicated 12-volt DC supply:

[86:22] Bernie: "Was wondering if it would make sense to keep [tube PA amps] in their original form and run them off a dedicated 12 volt DC supply."

Skip advises on power configurations for such setups:

[90:34] Skip: "Most of the big PA companies made amps like that for mobile use. Most of them are 6 volt, some of them are 12 volt... A power transformer that can do either one."

Sponsor Highlights and Promotions

Throughout the episode, the hosts seamlessly integrate promotions for their sponsors, offering exclusive discounts and highlighting special products:

• Amplified Parts: Offering a 10% discount during their Fourth of July sale.
• Emerald City Guitars: Featuring a vast collection of 60s Fenders and boutique guitars available in Seattle or online.
• Grez Guitars: Showcasing their handmade guitars, with a special mention of their appearance at the upcoming 2025 Fretboard Summit.

[16:00] Skip: "I say there's nothing wrong with that in a way... But those standells are made so crappy. But if the guy had been, you know, like a neat freak and spent all this time laying out all the parts just perfect and doing things the way I like to see, maybe he wouldn't have come up with that circuit."

Community Engagement and Listener Contributions

Listeners contribute not only questions but also diverse content, including recipes and music recommendations. Notably, Keith shares a step-by-step recipe for a cherry chocolate cake:

[28:07] Keith: "It's a delicious chocolate cherry cake with a cherry with a chocolate glaze... pretty easy."

Additionally, Bill Downey introduces a band from Shanghai’s punk scene, and Chris discusses modifications to preamp circuits in Harmony 420 amps, fostering a rich community dialogue.

Historical Reflections and Storytelling

Towards the episode's end, Skip reminisces about the historical figure Ishi, the last known member of his tribe, highlighting his integration into modern society:

[97:24] Skip: "He really liked people, and he wanted to show people how he did stuff. It's just amazing... Ishi in Two Worlds."

This segment underscores the podcast’s dedication to blending technical discussions with broader cultural and historical narratives.

Conclusion and Looking Ahead

As the episode wraps up, Jason and Skip reflect on their journey to the 150th episode, expressing gratitude to their listeners and sponsors. They tease upcoming events, including the 2025 Fretboard Summit and the Pinewood Derby, encouraging continued community participation.

[100:57] Skip: "Thanks to our sponsors and Amplified Parts, where there currently is a great sale going on. Be a part of the show podcastritboardjournal.com follow us on Patreon and here's our last question from listener Sean Skipping."

Key Quotes

• [00:14] Skip: "This is unprecedented."
• [01:34] Skip: "Intrigue Norcal. Intrigue."
• [25:21] Skip: "These are real early tube standells... they just have a ton of clarity and headroom."
• [38:39] Skip: "Single ended. Push pull. Dinky little amps with one power tube are called single ended."
• [83:53] Jason: "What did that thing sell for?"
• [97:24] Skip: "He wanted to show people how he did stuff. It's just amazing."

Final Thoughts

Episode 150 of The Truth About Vintage Amps with Skip Simmons masterfully blends technical expertise with personal stories, community engagement, and historical insights. Skip and Jason maintain an engaging dialogue that not only educates but also builds a strong sense of camaraderie among vintage amp enthusiasts. Whether you're a seasoned collector or a curious newcomer, this episode offers valuable knowledge and a heartfelt celebration of a significant podcast milestone.

Connect with the Podcast:

• Website: podcastritboardjournal.com
• Patreon: Support the show
• Social Media: Follow on Instagram and Facebook for updates and behind-the-scenes content.

Sponsors:

• Amplified Parts: Quality parts for vintage amp restoration.
• Emerald City Guitars: Exclusive collection of vintage and boutique guitars.
• Grez Guitars: Handmade guitars featured at the 2025 Fretboard Summit.

Thank you for celebrating Episode 150 with us! Stay tuned for more insightful and entertaining discussions on vintage tube amp repair, restoration, and collecting.