Ep. 159: "TAVA, Again...Exclamation Point"

Jan 17, 2026

Episode 159 of the Truth About Vintage Amps: Beans, two-prong ASMR, peeling diodes (and faceplates) and more! 

Thank our sponsors: Grez Guitars; Emerald City Guitars and Amplified Parts. And honarary mention to Rancho Gordo beans.

Some of the topics discussed this week:

1:32 Rancho Gordo beans in the WSJ, corn sticks

8:13 What's on Skip's bench: All the early Fender Princetons; a baffler!

11:20 Our sponsors: and (unofficially) Rancho Gordo beans

15:15: What should I do with this extra Bell Sound 2122-C hi-fi amp?; hear the TAVA All-Stars: Bob Armstong, Keith Cary, Charles Batey, Leff Jeffries (YouTube link, audio only)

25:20 How can I remove and save my tube chart when I replace the baffle?

30:09 Comparing a 5F2A kit schematic to the original; cargamanto beans (see below)

40:34 What does Skip always replace? Sello Rojo coffee; Lustre Craft pots

47:48 A Tweed Vibrolux with rusty faceplate; WEST amps transformers?

55:48 A broken, yet soothing two-prong plug question; Stephen King's 'It'

1:01:57 Are the diodes in my Premier B-220 Custom Bass amp okay? Can Switchcraft jacks go bad?

1:10:50 Real death caps; Fantastic Fungi

1:13:05 Kraft dinner; replacement transformers for 50-watt Rickenbackers; WD-40 for joint pain

1:19:28 Homemade (mostly) pizza hacks  

Danny G's carmanto bean recipe
INGREDIENTS:
1 can cargamanto beans rinsed and drained
avocado oil in the pan
1⁄4 green pepper chopped
1⁄2 yellow onion diced
2 garlic cloves minced
1 can El Pato hot tomato sauce
1⁄2 tsp. cumin
1⁄2 tsp. paprika
salt & pepper to taste
Heat oil in the pan
Add pepper, onion, garlic
Saute for about 5 minutes until softened
Stir in the beans, El Pato, cumin, paprika
Season with salt and pepper
Add 1 cup water or broth
Bring to a boil then reduce to simmer
Reduce for about 10-15 minutes stirring occasionally to preferred
consistency
Serve over rice with some avocado or sour cream
This is great as is, but carnivores may want to add some meat.
Living in the Polish neighborhood that I do, I first sliced up and browned
some fresh made Kielbasa from the local smokery and put it aside before
softening the veggies in the fond, then adding it back again during the
simmering process. Multicultural chef’s kiss. - Danny

Want amp tech Skip Simmons' advice on your DIY guitar amp projects? Want to share your top secret family recipe? Need relationship advice? Join us by sending your voice memo or written questions to [e-mail]! Include a photo, too.

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