Ep. 115: ”The Group W Bench”

It's the 115th episode of the Truth About Vintage Amps podcast, where legendary amp tech Skip Simmons fields your questions on guitar amps and their repair! 

Want to be a part of the show? Keep the amp questions for Skip coming to podcast@fretboardjournal.com! Voice memos or emails are welcome. And don't forget we now have a Patreon.

Some of the topics discussed this week:

2:07 This week's sponsors: Emerald City Guitars (check out the Jim Kelley prototype), Stringjoy Strings (use the code FRETBOARD to save off your first string order), Amplified Parts, and Grez Guitars. You can also use the discount code FRET10 to save 10% off your Izotope purchase.

6:58 Listener Matt gets the Heathkit Stereo Signal Generator kit

9:27 Skip sees a Bald eagle 

11:33 Waking up a 1980 Musicman 112 RD after a long hibernation

14:05 Acceptable DC leakage in capacitors, puppies attacking sprinklers 

17:11 Epiphone Pacemaker desirability versus its Gibson Skylark counterpart

20:04 How to blow up an amp, heating tortillas, and Masco ME-27s

32:31  A Weber Proluxe 5E3 amp kit and reducing hum by changing coupling cap orientation; Leighton Amps/Jef Brown's blog post (link)

43:33 Octal 6F5 tubes 

38:55 An Operadio Model 1030 

45:34 An Orange AD-30 with an EL84s that run hot; Servisol Super 10

51:07 A late '80s Fender Vibroverb with a burning smell and a glowing 6L6 

56:47 Thoughts on a Symphonic MA7-1?

1:00:51 Thoughts on modern reverb tanks  

1:04:06 A really quiet Frenzel HBX-AC30 

1:10:42 What to service on a recently-purchased 1968 Univox U235?

1:17:18 Changing values in the preamp of a SF Champ to reduce bass 

1:26:09 Non-stick pans 

Hosted by amp tech Skip Simmons and co-hosted/produced by Jason Verlinde of the Fretboard Journal. 

Support us on Patreon.com for added content and the occasional surprise and don't forget to get a subscription to the Fretboard Journal (link). Digital subscriptions start at just $30.

Submit your amp questions, recipes, and life hacks to podcast@fretboardjournal.com and don't forget to share the show with friends on social media.