This week, we’re joined by the one-and-only Ben Harper, who has a couple of questions for Skip right before his Lyon, France concert. Ben regales us with tales of a rare Weissenborn spotted on a Disneyland ride, Dumbles, and pre-show skateboarding (which Skip is a little worried about). He also spills the beans on his new touring amp of choice… a Two-Rock.
Before Ben joins us, we’ve got our usual assortment of listener-submitted questions on tremolo and speaker impendence, Larry Chung references, and a tamale suggestion.
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.
Don't forget we now have a Patreon if you'd like to support the show.
Some of the topics discussed in this episode:
:34 Special thanks to Shure for that MV7 that Skip uses; the Fretboard Summit (August 24-26 in Chicago; www.fretboardsummit.org)
1:51 PSA: Skip is retired through September
2:23 A forthcoming Danelectro documentary, early Nat Daniel-built Epiphone Model M amps
15:32 This week's sponsors: Emerald City Guitars, Stringjoy Strings (use the code FRETBOARD to save 10% off your first string order), Amplified Parts, and Grez Guitars.
19:05 Peter Jensen’s Magnavox 12" speakers
20:54 Don Pepino canned tomato sauce (thanks, Rob), Remington Model 5 typewriters
22:27 A 1964 Fender Vibrolux Reverb with a replaced power transformer…but not really; Skip gets a visit from Larry Chung
29:46 The dangers of playing a bass through a small guitar amp; Versatone amps; Los Hernandez tamales in Union Gap, Washington (https://www.loshernandeztamales.com); Bruce Harvie & the Sound Flea’s ‘Overhead at Darrington’ (Bandcamp link)
38:47 A humming Ampeg GS-12 Reverberocket: Was the speaker affecting the reverb spring?
43:26 Changing the tremolo depth on an Ampeg Jet
46:12 Skip’s favorite trem circuit; a Massie that modulates the guitar signal; Chris Vincent (https://www.instagram.com/djlavalamp/)
51:03 Tube amp kits (Mod 102 and Mod 102+ from AmplifiedParts.com https://www.amplifiedparts.com/products/amp-kit-mod-electronics-mod102-guitar-amp ); grilled asparagus; the Good Ol’ Grateful Deadcast
59:54 The rising cost of everything
1:02:17 Speaker impedance for a Gibson Falcon GR-19RVT Crestline
1:02:53 What to do with the reverb on a Silvertone 1484; JHD Audio Ice Cubes
1:06:09 Special guest: Ben Harper! Forestry; a vintage Weissenborn spotted on Disneyland's Pirates of the Caribbean ride; Ben’s new Two-Rock Bloomfield Drive; Marcus Eaton; Jimmy Page seeing David Lindley’s Kaleidoscope; Liuteria Guarnieri guitars (https://www.liuteriaguarnieri.com/en/acoustic-guitars/); Dumbles are like Basquiats; skateboarding before a concert; kicking Princeton Reverbs; tech Bill Webb; and vintage Gibson amps
Recorded July 19, 2023.
Hosted by amp tech Skip Simmons and co-hosted/produced by Jason Verlinde of the Fretboard Journal.
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