Ask Amp Tech Expert Skip Simmons

Hey Skip, Can I use a cabinet thats a 410 size to place the laney cub 10 components in it with just two "weber 10a125s". Does  the larger size Cabinet hurt the tone at all. Its a nice tweed cabinet not in use.

i saw someone ask about a PR. I was jut assuming  mine was not harp friendly. I have a 3 year old PR with 65 all tube circuitry! Can it be made harp friendly...and if so what should I do! I am basically a plug and play guy....but I do like a little more bass!

Thanks.

gordon

Hi Skip,

I'm looking into getting my first amp and after researching what features people recommend, the usage of it in an apartment complex, and taking price into account I've come down to the Blackstar HTR1: https://www.blackstaramps.com/uk/ranges/ht-1r-mkii. Although the mark two is mentioned here it essentially is the same apart from an additional output feature.

I'm quite happy with what it provides, but my knowledge of amps is extremely limited. I was wondering if there's any red flags that jump out to you about this amp?

Really appreciate your time, continue reading...

Hi Skip,

I'm looking into getting my first amp and after researching what features people recommend, the usage of it in an apartment complex, and taking price into account I've come down to the Blackstar HTR1: https://www.blackstaramps.com/uk/ranges/ht-1r-mkii. Although the mark two is mentioned here it essentially is the same apart from an additional output feature.

I'm quite happy with what it provides, but my knowledge of amps is extremely limited. I was wondering if there's any red flags that jump out to you about this amp?

Really appreciate your time, continue reading...

Skip, 

I just wanted to know a good reliable source for purchasing tubes! I want to purchase a 12AY7 and had read your previous post that mentioned you don't have to buy the latest and greatest tubes out there. That being said, where should I look to purchase some tubes at a reasonable price that include quality and reilability? There are no biased answers here... 

I was wondering if the Fender Vintage reissue 59 bassman   is a good amp to play with a full band . For sound and to be heard. I have a memphis mini amp which is good and I miced it but I could not be heard well. Thanks.

I found the above answered on the Bassman chronicles section which I was not aware of before I asked the question  

Hi Skip, Any information you can give me regarding this speaker. Thinking of buying a Laney cub 10 with one fitted. Thanks

Hey skip,

thank you so much for sharing your extensive knowledge 

and expertise.

I am having a blast with my Fender Bassman LTD.

I know I should of course change a tube if it is failing but 

how long should tubes last? i bought the amp used from a guitar player and the 

rectifier and Power tubes are at least 10 years old at this point.

Should I re-tube every few years? Do I just wait for a tube to fail?

How Long should I expect tubes to last? The amp gets played 4-5 hours at a couple continue reading...

Hey Skip--I just bought a '68 Custom Princeton Reverb, one of Fender's newest entries of Princetons after listening to David Barrett's smal amp reviews. Marvelous amp, by the way. David recommends swapping the GZ34 (or 5ar4) rectifier for a 5u4GB for what I assume is the additional sag the tube creates. The only issue I see is that the 5u4GB has a filament draw of 3amps vs 2amps from the GZ34. I know that Princetons at one point in time ran the 5u4GB, but I also know that the new Fender has a custom transformer. Think it can handle it?

I recently bought an MA25 and not knowing, plugged it in and turned it on without it being connected to a speaker.  As soon as I flipped the power switch there was a spark from that switch.  I immediately unplugged it.  Someone told me that could fry the transformers.  is there any way to test what damage, if any, has been done.  Are there fuses etc i should check.  I know very little about electronics clearly.  It's very possible that i had the rectifier tube in it's socket incorrectly because the rectifier tube trhat came with it was for some reason miss continue reading...