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Tim Schroeder

During nearly three decades in the music business, Tim Schroeder has worked as a noted master builder of fine archtops, though for the last 15 years he has focused on being president, primary designer, and builder at Schroeder Amplification, Inc., whose clients include Jeff Tweedy, Nels Cline, and Jake Cinninger.

Articles

ARTICLES

To Wreck or to Rock?

July 3, 2020

Tim Schroeder

How to know when a vintage amp is worth rescuing.

How to Buy a Used Amp

July 22, 2016

Tim Schroeder

Tim Schroeder—amp builder for Jeff Tweedy and Nels Cline—offers seven tips for avoiding the post-purchase blues.

8 Guitar-Amp Mods for Newbies

July 9, 2012

Tim Schroeder

Removing or replacing a single component in your amp can have significant impacts on both its tonal character and the amount of gain or headroom on tap. Here we guide you through several easy projects you can do in relatively little time with a few basic tools.

Why and How to Replace Your Amplifier’s Output Transformer

July 6, 2011

Tim Schroeder

The output transformer plays a very large role, but is not everything in shaping an amp’s tone. Upgrading it takes what the amp already is, and then enhances it.

Sprucing Up Your Amp For Touring

June 1, 2011

Tim Schroeder

Jeff Tweedy''s Fender Princeton is on the bench for a summer tuneup.

Tube Amp Buying Basics

April 25, 2011

Tim Schroeder

Tube amps sound their best when pushed to some degree—and while playing a 100-watt Marshall half stack at home might look cool—the amp won’t get to shine if you are limited to keeping the volume level at one.

Adventures in Amplification: Lineage of a Dumble Overdrive Special

March 9, 2011

Tim Schroeder

Peek under the hood of a Dumble Overdrive Special with a unique configuration, and listen to sound clips!

Adventures in Amplification: Don’t Overlook the Cables

February 8, 2011

Tim Schroeder

Cables, whether used for power, for linking pedals, connecting amplifier to speaker, or in the internal connections of an amplifier, offer different tonal qualities that will enhance, decrease, or be transparent to your tone

Adventures in Amplification: Lineage of a Dumble OD-100WR

January 7, 2011

Tim Schroeder

Tracing the history of a purple Dumble combo with unusual circuitry.

Sprucing up a '60s Blonde Fender Band-Master

December 15, 2010

Tim Schroeder

A gorgeous vintage Band-Master gets a checkup for tone and safety

Freshening Up a Vintage Ampeg B-12XT

August 6, 2009

Tim Schroeder

Tim acquires an Ampeg B-12XT that needs some TLC

Orange Upgrade, Part 2

June 3, 2009

Tim Schroeder

Tim finishes is AD200 project with component selection and installation, then fires it up to hear his work

Orange Upgrade, part 1

April 30, 2009

Tim Schroeder

Tim Schroeder digs into a stock Orange AD200. He details stripping the amp to its chassis and turning it into a point-to-point handwired amp with high-quality components.