Ken "trainwreck" Fischer tribute thread.

[2tone]

it was a sealed phone plug(likely with a resistor inside?) that when inserted into the control rod jack would increase the gain in the 1st channel, sounded like a cross between a Rocket and a thicker Express.






Nice!

And you've opened up a whole kettle o' fish - "Fuel Rod"? Please tell us more!:stir

[FourThirtyTwo]

Did it sell?

From what I was able to get translated several years ago, yes. It was some post from the (Japanese) guy who ended up buying it.

[FourThirtyTwo]

In case anyone didn't see the UStream presentation, it looks like Dan posted his TW podcast to YouTube:

1NORW6kkRsc

[redshark1105]

ah...so thats the royal guardsman cab. were they all closed back? most of the ones i see are open back with the oval opening.

so hogy or dark...do you know anything about ken's other cabs? what about the ampeg cab that matt used on his videos? did that cab have all the insulation on the inside?

In one of the Gerald Weber books Ken mentioned his ampeg cabs and he said they were great sounding cabs once the insulation was REMOVED.

[FourThirtyTwo]

Joe Bonamassa discussing CD's Liverpool and how it works specifically in his rig.

http://www.thegearpage.net/board/showthread.php?t=1098443

[wsaraceni]

sounds great

[Myco]

Yes check it out. Very cool. I received a copy from Ken when it came out. Back in the day.
Wreckboy keep rockn
Myco

[zepled112]

a heard a story from someone that there is a trainwreck owner that uses his amp as a cutting board for his sandwiches.

[v-verb]

a heard a story from someone that there is a trainwreck owner that uses his amp as a cutting board for his sandwiches.

nice way to add value to this thread.:mmm

[Rod]

a heard a story from someone that there is a trainwreck owner that uses his amp as a cutting board for his sandwiches.

He then goes into a killer version of "Cuts Like a Knife"...which, BTW, was played on a Trainwreck in the original recording..:mob:mob

[zepled112]

nice way to add value to this thread.:mmm


sorry. :cry:

[FourThirtyTwo]

He then goes into a killer version of "Cuts Like a Knife"...which, BTW, was played on a Trainwreck in the original recording..

A good follow-up, however technically the verdict is still out on that myth..

[Geetarpicker]

a heard a story from someone that there is a trainwreck owner that uses his amp as a cutting board for his sandwiches.

True, I've played the amp! The top of it is pretty cut up from slicing sandwiches. It was the first Trainwreck I played and is/was(?) owned by Steve of Angela Instruments. He kindly let me borrow the amp for a week and I test drove it on a gig at the famous (now gone) Bayou night club in Washington D.C., then I got on Ken's list and got my Express a few months later. Steve was good friends with Ken if I recall correctly, and would loan his amp out on occasion to help get the word out. This is back in the late 80s when an Express was about $1200 direct from Ken with no money up front. At the time that still wasn't cheap but it was much cheaper than a Dumble and not much more than a tricked out Mesa Boogie. This was before the term boutique amp had even come about, and folks would make fun of a wreck for how it looked. Until they heard it that is...

GK

[Red House]

a heard a story from someone that there is a trainwreck owner that uses his amp as a cutting board for his sandwiches.
nice way to add value to this thread.:mmm
True, I've played the amp! The top of it is pretty cut up from slicing sandwiches.

Ha!

The stuff you learn on this board sometimes.
:beer

[v-verb]

sorry. :cry:

Whoops it's a true story? I owe you an apology!

[zepled112]

Whoops it's a true story? I owe you an apology!


nah its coo G! :p

[zepled112]

True, I've played the amp! The top of it is pretty cut up from slicing sandwiches. It was the first Trainwreck I played and is/was(?) owned by Steve of Angela Instruments. He kindly let me borrow the amp for a week and I test drove it on a gig at the famous (now gone) Bayou night club in Washington D.C., then I got on Ken's list and got my Express a few months later. Steve was good friends with Ken if I recall correctly, and would loan his amp out on occasion to help get the word out. This is back in the late 80s when an Express was about $1200 direct from Ken with no money up front. At the time that still wasn't cheap but it was much cheaper than a Dumble and not much more than a tricked out Mesa Boogie. This was before the term boutique amp had even come about, and folks would make fun of a wreck for how it looked. Until they heard it that is...

GK

thanks Glen!

[MRscratch]

Yeah but Glenn. ARE THERE MUSTARD STAINS ON IT??????;)

[redshark1105]

Yeah but Glenn. ARE THERE MUSTARD STAINS ON IT??????;)

Maybe more than that!! At least we know that mustard won't be found inside... ;)

[LARRY GERSHON]

Hey Glen any interest in coming down to my pro studio in Maryland on July 14th with your wreck? See the amp shootout thread. see my site

www.roserecording.com (http://www.roserecording.com)

take care. Larry

[FourThirtyTwo]

Maybe more than that!! At least we know that mustard won't be found inside...

haha... I was going to make some kind of comment similar to this. you worded it better than I would've. ;)

[redshark1105]

haha... I was going to make some kind of comment similar to this. you worded it better than I would've. ;)

Ha!! I knew somebody was gonna read between the lines.... :)

[FourThirtyTwo]

lJWoMQXBcto


Daisy: 1991 Liverpool

[zepled112]

lJWoMQXBcto


Daisy: 1991 Liverpool


kick-ass video

moar?:p

[redshark1105]

This Daisy...Liverpool? has something diferent. If you make the screen bigger when they take a closer shoot of the back of the amp it actually looks like there's a rectifier tube? or something strange like an octal tube? I know because of the control panel that it is a Liverpool but there's something strange I'm unfamiliar with. Very cool video and good sounding amp for sure.

[FourThirtyTwo]

Interesting info from the guy's YouTube comments:

"My '91 Liverpool (Daisy) and Express (Francine) .... 'Francine' was used by Kirk Hammet on "Reload" and it was also used on a Fabulous Thunderbirds and an Arc Angels record."

It's cool to finally get some info on Kirk Hammett's TW usage. Also that Bramhall was using an Express.. I'm actually surprised that he doesn't own one himself at this point.

[FourThirtyTwo]

This Daisy...Liverpool? has something diferent. If you make the screen bigger when they take a closer shoot of the back of the amp it actually looks like there's a rectifier tube? or something strange like an octal tube?

You are totally right. I didn't even catch that the first time I watched it.

Tube rectifier in a Liverpool maybe? That amp isn't even listed on the archived amp list so it's a mystery unless someone chimes in with more info. The amp sounds exceptional though, even through shyte laptop speakers. Seems to have a lot of bark for a Liverpool! I like it...

[redshark1105]

You are totally right. I didn't even catch that the first time I watched it.

Tube rectifier in a Liverpool maybe? That amp isn't even listed on the archived amp list so it's a mystery unless someone chimes in with more info. The amp sounds exceptional though, even through shyte laptop speakers. Seems to have a lot of bark for a Liverpool! I like it...

Maybe an octal tube in the preamp, not a rectifier.

[stratpaulguy86]

Here's my tribute to Ken's greatness, hope I'm not breaking any rules? (Posted also in the gear/demo section but there's no traffic there unfortunately). Just a few incredible repros of the legendary Trainwrecks amps:

NO SOUNDS: Gear rundown

_bgy4g6Utsw

Express and Rocket comparison

Bl5d2eyxLFE

Rocket Demo alone

Rescp_-lvjQ

[FourThirtyTwo]

Your dad built the Rocket as well?

[stratpaulguy86]

Both the Rocket and Express were built by him.

[hogy]

This Daisy...Liverpool? has something diferent. If you make the screen bigger when they take a closer shoot of the back of the amp it actually looks like there's a rectifier tube? or something strange like an octal tube? I know because of the control panel that it is a Liverpool but there's something strange I'm unfamiliar with. Very cool video and good sounding amp for sure.

It's one of a couple "special voiced" Liverpools, as Ken called them. It uses an octal tube in V2, along with a ECC83 in the same position. You can use either or.

[redshark1105]

It's one of a couple "special voiced" Liverpools, as Ken called them. It uses an octal tube in V2, along with a ECC83 in the same position. You can use either or.

Thanks Hogy!! Very interesting, I think I read somewhere about this Liverpools but first time I see and hear one. I wonder what tube was the guy using but considering the fact that is an SG with buckers it was maybe the octal. The amp in the video actually is not as gainy as an express but gainier than a rocket for sure. Also has a roundness that I haven't heard in other pools so maybe he was but what do I know? I'm not an expert. :(

[FourThirtyTwo]

Wow... thanks Hogy. That amp really does sound killer. Best Liverpool clips I've heard, I'd say.. those octals always bring the house down..

[redshark1105]

Here's my tribute to Ken's greatness, hope I'm not breaking any rules? (Posted also in the gear/demo section but there's no traffic there unfortunately). Just a few incredible repros of the legendary Trainwrecks amps:


You aren't breaking any rules but this thread is about Ken and his amps not the amps that we build that are inspired by his creations.

[t***9]

Both the Rocket and Express were built by him.

Very good sounding amps, however the vast difference in speaker cabinets makes a fair comparison difficult. Better to have each head running into the same cab if you can set up the switching to do that. The cab the Rocket was going into for the clips would give us the best idea of what each amp is capable of I feel. Thanks for your efforts and congrats to your Dad on the build.

[FourThirtyTwo]

kick-ass video

moar? :p

(Available in HD YouTube fidelity as well):

zG0C9nbTs8o

[redshark1105]

Great sounding amp.

[FourThirtyTwo]

http://theoriginaltonefest.com/Trainwreck%20%26%20Planewreck.jpg

Just a cool shot of Glen that should probably be in this thread.

http://theoriginaltonefest.com (http://theoriginaltonefest.com/TF04%20Pix.html)

[FourThirtyTwo]

Just stumbled upon this interesting nugget;

It's a post on a punkrock message board by a guy named Brian Fulda who hails from PA:

"Sorry for the terrible picture quality, and this is NOT my guitar setup, it's my uncles .... this is only about one third of his entire room full of gear. He has guitars in this room played and/or owned by Keith Richards, Robin Trower, Eric Clapton, and more. He's got about 45 or 50 vintage guitars, anything between late 50's Fenders and Gibsons to Resonator acoustics and even a Brazilian Rosewood Martin. As for amps, the list goes on forever, but I think his most important one is a REAL TRAINWRECK head, custom made for him by Ken Fischer himself. It's in this picture, the brownish wooden head in the center. Look it up if you haven't heard of it. I feel like a kid in a candy store every time I visit him."

http://www.anonmgur.com/up/e81060e3382d921f2b0cf455ccff861e.jpg

Gotta wonder who this dude is.... Unreal gear collection, regardless.

[redshark1105]

It's one of a couple "special voiced" Liverpools, as Ken called them. It uses an octal tube in V2, along with a ECC83 in the same position. You can use either or.

Well, the owner of Daisy and Francine said that in this case he requested Ken to put a rectifier tube in both amps (Liverpool and Express) and this is the case here.

[FourThirtyTwo]

Hmmm.. Wreckboy; you selling this one?

http://www.anonmgur.com/up/7260d00885e3ec5f6642f61c29dc2678.jpg


http://honolulu.craigslist.org/oah/msg/3121534483.html

[FourThirtyTwo]

Really seems to be the time to snag a Climax for those who are on the lookout:

http://www.anonmgur.com/up/4f85b9b3c6f90e9c494b3ee2bf4a838f.jpg


http://sfbay.craigslist.org/sby/msg/3220930485.html


Actually... I noticed that this one's for sale in SF. Kirk Hammett lives in the SF area... I wonder if this is his amp?

[Rupe]

Wasn't there some sort of an issue with these amps? I don't recall what it was but I vaguely remember a bit of controversy...either with their performance or with the business arrangement between Ken and Gerald?

[teefus]

Wasn't there some sort of an issue with these amps? I don't recall what it was but I vaguely remember a bit of controversy...either with their performance or with the business arrangement between Ken and Gerald?
iirc, i think ken was not 100% happy with the climax and wanted to be disassociated from the resulting amps.

[smolder]

iirc, i think ken was not 100% happy with the climax and wanted to be disassociated from the resulting amps.

surprisingly, you can still buy the Joy Zee kit.

[Rupe]

surprisingly, you can still buy the Joe Zee kit.

What is that?

[smolder]

What is that?

from what I just read... it's a kit of the climax. It's reportedly named Joy Zee after Ken's jersey accent.

[Geetarpicker]

Wasn't there some sort of an issue with these amps? I don't recall what it was but I vaguely remember a bit of controversy...either with their performance or with the business arrangement between Ken and Gerald?

Both. I remember Ken talking about getting ripped off, AND not being happy at all with the sound of these amps after Gerald did his tweaks.
Ken himself told me to stay away from these amps.

[Rupe]

Both. I remember Ken talking about getting ripped off, AND not being happy at all with the sound of these amps after Gerald did his tweaks.
Ken himself told me to stay away from these amps.

Thanks Glen :aok

[redshark1105]

Still waiting for your demos Rupe!!!

[Rupe]

I've got a dvd of a recent gig but I'm not sure how to break it into individual songs...it was recorded as one continuous track with no breaks.

I think I'm going to get one of those Olympus handheld video recorders...they seem to do a nice job of capturing what's going on in the room.

[FourThirtyTwo]

Just rip the whole thing to an .iso/image file Rupe! I'll take it all in HQ ;)

[FourThirtyTwo]

Dude needs more gear. Definitely.

gT9YURpCeQA


..and I would probably also store those amps next to the toilet as well if I owned them.

Whatever works, right?

qwdSVddq5f0

[MRscratch]

Dude needs more gear. Definitely.

gT9YURpCeQA


..and I would probably also store those amps next to the toilet as well if I owned them.

Whatever works, right?

qwdSVddq5f0
Next to the toilet because he's a piece of S@#t
I know, this isn't the right place for it, but he came to my channel and started throwing insults. Hi Bill!!!
Steffen

[Rupe]

The guy has some nice gear for a beginner

[FourThirtyTwo]

Next to the toilet because he's a piece of S@#t
I know, this isn't the right place for it, but he came to my channel and started throwing insults.

Yeah dude. I saw that a while back actually. I certainly don't know this guy but he's got some nice amps.

All I know is that if anyone's going to diss anyone, they have to be able to back it up - tone, chops, theory, science, whatever. We all know that.

I'm not the greatest player on earth either, but I sure as hell wouldn't post stuff on your YT channel dissing your style.

But then again I'm a punkrocker who likes nice amps. We aren't exactly a common breed. You run into a few of us on the road, but most don't care. I kind of like that actually. Germany... Scandinavia.. you'll run into more guys over there like us.

It's a different ethos. You can still own a Trainwreck and bash away on it.

Best of both worlds! And fu*k whoever doesn't like it!

[MRscratch]

Yeah dude. I saw that a while back actually. I certainly don't know this guy but he's got some nice amps.

All I know is that if anyone's going to diss anyone, they have to be able to back it up - tone, chops, theory, science, whatever. We all know that.

I'm not the greatest player on earth either, but I sure as hell wouldn't post stuff on your YT channel dissing your style.

But then again I'm a punkrocker who likes nice amps. We aren't exactly a common breed. You run into a few of us on the road, but most don't care. I kind of like that actually. Germany... Scandinavia.. you'll run into more guys over there like us.

It's a different ethos. You can still own a Trainwreck and bash away on it.

Best of both worlds! And fu*k whoever doesn't like it!just out of the blue. I can take his opinion on "real" trainwrecks, and i do agree. BUT!! let it go already, accusing me of lying when i put it on ebay, and tuning before i play my "no ears " licks on my video?? WTF
Im also a punker too bad you dont live close.
Speaking of punk rock, we did our Sex Pistols show. It was awesome. There was a black Flag band before us, and the actual singer from BF was in the band. LOL Ron Reyes??
anyway the wreck was scorching. i did get some footage but it sucks. i was HAMMERED!!! we played last and by then it was Beddy bye time for me !
i do have a full lengh of another sex pistols we did. less people, but its pretty cool. i tried to upload but it said 11hrs!!!!!

[FourThirtyTwo]

even though this looks like a clone.. the vid is worth checking out.
..sounding pretty cool:

qNXwANSlPo8

[Red House]

even though this looks like a clone.. the vid is worth checking out.
..sounding pretty cool:

qNXwANSlPo8
:beer

Sounds like he still has the original-wind late-1690 Stradivarius pups in that bad boy; their warmth, woodiness, and chime is unmistakable and unmatched to this very day. :bow

[t***9]

That was pretty cool, I'm sure Ken would've dug that.

[redshark1105]

Trainwreck camp is very quiet lately!!!!!

[FourThirtyTwo]

And then.... there's this:

http://www.ebay.com/itm/KOMET-TRAINWRECK-LIMITED-EDITION-HYBRID-50W-AMPLIFIER-KOMET-60-AND-CONCORDE-/180993755854

http://www.anonmgur.com/up/af0fa2399329ccdae59561af16f1abdd.JPG

[Oatie]

I miss Ken, RIP Ken,

"The Loft"

[redshark1105]

Awesome demo!!


1HIbgtOJjbg

[MRscratch]

very cool!! sounds like mine :) i must admit that mine is more like the George lynch one. A little angry sounding. I wonder why they all have the same pre amp tubes in them?

[Timbre Wolf]

I wonder why they all have the same pre amp tubes in them?
I wonder why there is a distinction made between "Amperex"/"Bugle Boy" and "Philips Miniwatt"? Usually those both originate from the Heerlen, Holland Philips factory.

- Thom

[FourThirtyTwo]

I wonder why there is a distinction made between "Amperex"/"Bugle Boy" and "Philips Miniwatt"? Usually those both originate from the Heerlen, Holland Philips factory.

..because Shawn Hammond knows.. that the Trainwreck Internet Ninjas would be all over him if he scrimped on any detail!

[Timbre Wolf]

...on any detail!
No matter how pointless or misleading!

[redshark1105]

very cool!! sounds like mine :) i must admit that mine is more like the George lynch one. A little angry sounding. I wonder why they all have the same pre amp tubes in them?

Seems to me this amps are tubed according to the current owner's preference more than what real trainwrecks were using or probably to Ken's favorite tubes. If trainwrecks were tubed with Siemens, tungsram and Ei is because that was what was available as current production and relabeled by groove tubes in the 80's. Still now we know Ken would preferred telefunken or mullard xf2 instead of Siemens but that wasn't very cost-effective then. With preamp tubes we know now Ken liked amperex bugle boys and mullard but the second gives the amp a rounder warmer tone and amperex is clearer. So it depends what you are after and what you would choose for V1. As simple as that.

[MRscratch]

Seems to me this amps are tubed according to the current owner's preference more than what real trainwrecks were using or probably to Ken's favorite tubes. If trainwrecks were tubed with Siemens, tungsram and Ei is because that was what was available as current production and relabeled by groove tubes in the 80's. Still now we know Ken would preferred telefunken or mullard xf2 instead of Siemens but that wasn't very cost-effective then. With preamp tubes we know now Ken liked amperex bugle boys and mullard but the second gives the amp a rounder warmer tone and amperex is clearer. So it depends what you are after and what you would choose for V1. As simple as that.
I think that those are real trainwrecks in the video right? I thought Ken used seimens EI and Tungsram because he liked them, If he used them because of economics than it pretty much negates any argument about what tubes should really be in the wrecks, because Ken only used them because they were cheaper. I have had Mullards in mine, i have a bugle boy that came with it too. I still have the tungsram EI complimemnt that i bought from Joshua, and they sound great. In reality, i have really put anything in it that sounded bad!
P.S that bugle boy has a home in V2 of my Plexi!

[traviswalk]

Great demo, hopefully Jeff will chime in here with some more commentary. I thought the Liverpool sounded terrific!

[redshark1105]

I liked Sarah the best and then Armida. Suzanne is ok but it is gainier than an average express build. I can hear how those old Stancor transformers made a big diference, actually bigger than I could imagine but we started figuring that out when we heard Glen's demo comparing the 85 express to his 89. Demos like this is what we needed to start understanding more ken's amps.
Mrscratch I think in those days when NOS tubes were not sold using ebay @ some point they were harder to get. I'm sure ken would like to have a good supply of mullards and amperex but that wasn't posible. Still if you compare what was available then: Siemens, tungsram and Ei to what we have now makes a big diference. Now what was available then is sold as NOS or ANOS.

[dark]

Hi to everyone!
Hogy thanks for interesting for me and my health!
At my vintage age (52) things are slightly complicated as used to be. I made some emotional distance from past, Ken, Trainwreck… But for now I’m getting better and some stories and photos are ready. :)

At one point of my musician’s career (1989) my band went to recording studio. Kenny had sent some preamp and output tubes for my amps as well as instructions for some modifications. My main amp was ’69 SL Marshall and two cabinets, ’77 Marshall B 4x12” cabinet with Celestion black-backs and custom made 4x12” with Fane Medusa speakers. I wrote some impressions to Kenny and he immediately replayed that my cabinets are wrong! He offered to loan me some real cabinets with REAL Celestion speakers, as joke (because of distance)… He sad that I need pre-Rola Celestions for best results!... I told him to find some pre-Rola speakers for me….
As devil never sleeps, and because of my unfinished duties in our army, I lost contact with Kenny for 3-4 months. In meantime he sent me unbelievable good offer for some REAL speakers…He waited for my answer 2 months and these speakers gone:
http://i251.photobucket.com/albums/gg285/darkomilo/Trainwreck/TrainwreckAlbum_DarkoMilosevic_0061876x578.jpg
http://i251.photobucket.com/albums/gg285/darkomilo/Trainwreck/TrainwreckAlbum_DarkoMilosevic_0062872x586.jpg
http://i251.photobucket.com/albums/gg285/darkomilo/Trainwreck/TrainwreckAlbum_DarkoMilosevic_0065870x584.jpg

Dark

Rock on!

:beer

[redshark1105]

Dark!!!
I'm happy to see that you feel better!! Welcome back man!!!

[parker]

Dark, Good to see you're doing well! Always enjoy reading your stories..

[jmcerlain]

Awesome demo!!


1HIbgtOJjbg

Hey Guys!

My ears are still ringing. It was certainly fun playing the amps, I had never played one before, but three! It was cool, they are very different from what I am used to which is an old school Marshall. So I'd have to live with them for a while and take out a bank loan. They certainly are touch sensitive for sure. You have to learn how to play the amp as well, like any amp. They were awesome sounding amps and each as you can hear, had it's own thing going on. As I say in the video, the last one was my favorite.

I wish I could say more but it was all done very quickly. What you didn't see was the 1967 small box plexi I played at the end of the session. That amp was sick, it was only $7K. A bargain!

I gotta say demos like this are so bizarre to do, it's like camera is rolling now play something cool and don't mess up! Waiting for the internet trolls!

More importantly, Rebecca Dirks is a great hang. And really funny. :cool:

[redshark1105]

Thanks man for your comments!! I'm a big Rebecca Dirks fan by the way!!
:love:

[jmcerlain]

She is very cool and knows her stuff for sure. Great hang.

[traviswalk]

Question for the other 'Wreck afficianados, do you think the Liverpool would sound better if you used alnico speakers vs those in the Marshall cab?

[Geetarpicker]

Most of the time when I talked to Ken about the Liverpools he would mention AC30 extension 2x12 cabs with old Celestion alnicos were one of his favorites with them. He also specifically warned however that 2x12 Alnicos would probably not hold up to the extra power of an Express, but were safe with the lower power of the Liverpool. I've tried x4 Blues in a Marshall 4x12, both closed back and with open panels. To me it wasn't as nice as an AC30 ext. cab, perhaps the speakers sound best when pushed more to their limits by these amps in pairs, not quads.

[redshark1105]

I think Ken Fischer's fav speaker was G12H30-55 prerola with 014 codes.
I think that is the speaker he had in mind with the Liverpool. AFAIK he liked old alnico celestions with the rocket. Maybe Hogy or dark can elaborate more on this

[Timbre Wolf]

Question for the other 'Wreck afficianados, do you think the Liverpool would sound better if you used alnico speakers vs those in the Marshall cab?
If my KaneWreck Liverpool is anything like the real thing (and it seems to be, based on what I've heard), then I can address this from my own experience with lots of different speakers and cabs. Bottom line: it will work with whatever you prefer, whether that be AlNiCo or ceramic or neodymium, etc. speakers.

I'd caution against any generalizations about "AlNiCo" vs. others, as the category contains lots of choices that players feel strongly about, one way or the other. I happen to enjoy EV SRO and Altec 417, but have backed away from Celestion Gold, Blue, Jensen Jet Blackbird, Eminence EJ1250, Weber Blue Dog and Silver Bell AlNiCo 12". And Scumback's ceramic H75 sound pretty good to me, for a Celestion style choice.

Personal taste prevails.

- Thom

[traviswalk]

Most of the time when I talked to Ken about the Liverpools he would mention AC30 extension 2x12 cabs with old Celestion alnicos were one of his favorites with them. He also specifically warned however that 2x12 Alnicos would probably not hold up to the extra power of an Express, but were safe with the lower power of the Liverpool. I've tried x4 Blues in a Marshall 4x12, both closed back and with open panels. To me it wasn't as nice as an AC30 ext. cab, perhaps the speakers sound best when pushed more to their limits by these amps in pairs, not quads.

I think Ken Fischer's fav speaker was G12H30-55 prerola with 014 codes.
I think that is the speaker he had in mind with the Liverpool. AFAIK he liked old alnico celestions with the rocket. Maybe Hogy or dark can elaborate more on this

If my KaneWreck Liverpool is anything like the real thing (and it seems to be, based on what I've heard), then I can address this from my own experience with lots of different speakers and cabs. Bottom line: it will work with whatever you prefer, whether that be AlNiCo or ceramic or neodymium, etc. speakers.

I'd caution against any generalizations about "AlNiCo" vs. others, as the category contains lots of choices that players feel strongly about, one way or the other. I happen to enjoy EV SRO and Altec 417, but have backed away from Celestion Gold, Blue, Jensen Jet Blackbird, Eminence EJ1250, Weber Blue Dog and Silver Bell AlNiCo 12". And Scumback's ceramic H75 sound pretty good to me, for a Celestion style choice.

Personal taste prevails.

- Thom

Fair enough and appreciate the color :aok

[Rupe]

Cool vid. From what I heard, the Lynch Express sounded similar to my JM Express...hard to tell for sure with a video clip though. Wish I could have been in the room!

[2tone]

I remember the day george Lynch ordered the Express. I had taken two amps to Goodnight LA studio in the 90's. One was a Thunderfunk( I was a dealer for). The other was my Express Reba, since George wanted to hear an Express. First he played the Thunderfunk ( great amp), liked it and said "I'll take it". Then we plugged in the Express, and he was ecstatic, as it sounded glorious. He cancelled the Thunderfunk sale, went to the phone and called Ken, and ordered an Express. About three months later Suzanne was born.

[redshark1105]

I remember the day george Lynch ordered the Express. I had taken two amps to Goodnight LA studio in the 90's. One was a Thunderfunk( I was a dealer for). The other was my Express Reba, since George wanted to hear an Express. First he played the Thunderfunk ( great amp), liked it and said "I'll take it". Then we plugged in the Express, and he was ecstatic, as it sounded glorious. He cancelled the Thunderfunk sale, went to the phone and called Ken, and ordered an Express. About three months later Suzanne was born.


So why do you think neither Billy or George kept their trainwrecks? Both of them apparently loved them when they played them and heard them the first time. I would love your opinion.

[Rupe]

So why do you think neither Billy or George kept their trainwrecks? Both of them apparently loved them when they played them and heard them the first time. I would love your opinion.

$$$

[2tone]

So why do you think neither Billy or George kept their trainwrecks? Both of them apparently loved them when they played them and heard them the first time. I would love your opinion.

Don't really know, other than both guys have a warehouse of gear. Billy G is more straight Marshall type of guy, and often gets more gain thru his complicated rig than an Express. George probably liked the more familiar sound of his bigger rigs. Like Eric Johnson, who said the Express wasn't loud enough for live!!!, maybe the same was true for Lynch. I doubt it was that the tone wasn't there!

[2tone]

$$$


Not for the REV!! he doesn't need the $$.. Maybe Feorge at the time did, but at that time Expresses weren't bringing what they are today. If George sold his 2 years later than he may have got 3500 for it. In a few years more the prices started skyrocketting....

[redshark1105]

My assumptions 2tone:

-Wrecks aren't forgiving
- they sound the best in a plug and play situation
- I wonder how they will perform with wireless
- Ken loved pure tone, guitar-good cable-good amp
how many rockstars perform like that?
Wrecks I'm sure are great recording weapons probably the best but road worthy?

[dark]

Not for the REV!! he doesn't need the $$.. Maybe Feorge at the time did, but at that time Expresses weren't bringing what they are today. If George sold his 2 years later than he may have got 3500 for it. In a few years more the prices started skyrocketting....

18 years ago...(crop from Kenny's letter)

http://i251.photobucket.com/albums/gg285/darkomilo/Trainwreck/Crop_IMG_0036698x220_zps1782c88f.jpg

:)

Dark

Rock on!

:beer

[FourThirtyTwo]

From being on the road, I've learned that the term "road worthy" definitely depends on the roads you travel. ..and the company you keep. If you're touring in a van and sleeping on floors and 1/2 of your crew are in various states of addiction, then it might not be the best idea to tour with amps like these. But if you're doing it, Brad Paisley-style, then taking these amps on the road doesn't seem to really be overly detrimental to their health (or the mental health of their owners).

Basically it's more of knowing you have your sht together enough to be able to look after your own gear, properly. Or that your techs are gold. This is one factor.

For Lynch, I have it on good authority that headroom was, indeed, the issue with the amp. Although, I would almost think that the guy would hold onto the head for studio use. But hey... he's George Lynch - dude can do what he pleases and still rip it up.

The Gibbons amp, well, there might be more backstory on that one than is floating around anywhere on the Internet. It could also be personal taste for the guy. As many have mentioned, BG is using a lot of modelling stuff these days and those gold-colored Marshall power amps. Dude probably doesn't want to deal with the liability. Plus who could resist a 30K check coming your way out of the blue?

If you watch the video again, you'll see (as I was a bit stunned to see) the gain difference on those two Expresses with the knobs at the same level. Goes to completely re-affirm the fact that all of Ken's amps were voiced in particular ways. Making them largely one-offs, every time.

Armida sounded gorgeous.

Oh, and Jeff I also thought that one part at 6:07 actually did sound like a Strat through a fuzz pedal. So it was interesting that you said that you'd almost prefer a Liverpool with a fuzzface. Was that really a tone preference or just an 'ease of use in a live setting' sort of a deal?

I'm really pumped that this demo was made (I'd love to see the hour of raw footage!). Great Xmas gift from Premier Guitar!

[dark]

Kenny sent letters with various Trainwreck stickers... I like these best:



http://i251.photobucket.com/albums/gg285/darkomilo/Trainwreck/Trainwreckletters021800x600_zpsc4d0b64f.jpg

Dark

Rock on!

:beer

[MRscratch]

Most of the time when I talked to Ken about the Liverpools he would mention AC30 extension 2x12 cabs with old Celestion alnicos were one of his favorites with them. He also specifically warned however that 2x12 Alnicos would probably not hold up to the extra power of an Express, but were safe with the lower power of the Liverpool. I've tried x4 Blues in a Marshall 4x12, both closed back and with open panels. To me it wasn't as nice as an AC30 ext. cab, perhaps the speakers sound best when pushed more to their limits by these amps in pairs, not quads.
Hey Glen! i really like the way mine sounds through my DR Z Best cab with 2 golds. I have played many gigs with it , cranked, as these were Punk rock gigs, and the amp just loved these. I think anyways. I have never tried a Vox 2/12 with old alnico speakers mind you, but i think The golds work very nicely with the express. Its just too bad that they are not around 96 97 DB because they are pretty loud with a cranked express

[hogy]

Ken had two favorite speaker/cab setups.

One was an Ampeg V4B cab with front mounted pre-Rola G12Hs.

The other was a Vox Royal Guardsman cab with the horn disconnected and retrofitted with Vox Blues from 1961. On top of that was an original Vox AC30 extension cab from 1963 I believe. Ken removed the factory closed back and turned it into a semi open back cab. That was his "EL84 setup".

The Liverpool will sound good on either cab, but I personally prefer it with Vox Blues.

[FourThirtyTwo]

Kenny sent letters with various Trainwreck stickers...

Dark, you have all the coolest stuff!!

[redshark1105]

Ken had two favorite speaker/cab setups.

One was an Ampeg V4B cab with front mounted pre-Rola G12Hs.

The other was a Vox Royal Guardsman cab with the horn disconnected and retrofitted with Vox Blues from 1961. On top of that was an original Vox AC30 extension cab from 1963 I believe. Ken removed the factory closed back and turned it into a semi open back cab. That was his "EL84 setup".

The Liverpool will sound good on either cab, but I personally prefer it with Vox Blues.

I wonder how it would be to use 2 blues and 2 G12H in a x pattern inside an ampeg V4. Best of both worlds

[Rupe]

Has anybody tried Weber Silver Bells (ceramic) in a 4x12? They are the "new" speaker that JM and Miko recommend for the Express. I'm about to reload a Marshall 4x12 and would love to get some feedback on these (or any other speakers that would be a good match).

[dark]

Kenny saw many amps...(late 70's 4 hole)




http://i251.photobucket.com/albums/gg285/darkomilo/Trainwreck/TrainwreckAlbum_DarkoMilosevic_0042772x520_zps25b3 8f72.jpg
http://i251.photobucket.com/albums/gg285/darkomilo/Trainwreck/TrainwreckAlbum_DarkoMilosevic_0044774x518_zpsf832 a85c.jpg



Dark

Rock on!

:beer

[Rupe]

Kenny saw many amps...(late 80's 4 hole)




http://i251.photobucket.com/albums/gg285/darkomilo/Trainwreck/TrainwreckAlbum_DarkoMilosevic_0042772x520_zps25b3 8f72.jpg
http://i251.photobucket.com/albums/gg285/darkomilo/Trainwreck/TrainwreckAlbum_DarkoMilosevic_0044774x518_zpsf832 a85c.jpg



Dark

Rock on!

:beer

Did you mean late 70's?

[MRscratch]

Rupe, its you with the 80 watt express right? what do you think? we havent heard much from you about the amp! any pics? clips?
Steffen

[dark]

Did you mean late 70's?

Yeah! Mistake!

Dark

Rock on!

:beer

[MRscratch]

Dark, you posted a picture about a year ago of a wreck and a non reverse firebird. You still have that guitar?
I have a 65, but my pots are shot. Im going to try to get some new ones in. The current custom shop gibson ones seem to have a pretty good taper.

[redshark1105]

Has anybody tried Weber Silver Bells (ceramic) in a 4x12? They are the "new" speaker that JM and Miko recommend for the Express. I'm about to reload a Marshall 4x12 and would love to get some feedback on these (or any other speakers that would be a good match).

I haven't tried the silver bells but when I bought an empty V4 cab (Ken's fav) I loaded the cab with Weber G1225 with prerola doping and the cab sounds fabulous. Actually someone brought an old marshall with prerolas one day and we both agreed that both cabs sound very good with the express.

[dark]

Dark, you posted a picture about a year ago of a wreck and a non reverse firebird. You still have that guitar?
I have a 65, but my pots are shot. Im going to try to get some new ones in. The current custom shop gibson ones seem to have a pretty good taper.

Sold years ago. As for pots, I have Di Marzio's in my '08 R8.

Dark

Rock on!

:beer

[dark]

Another interesting photo.



http://i251.photobucket.com/albums/gg285/darkomilo/Trainwreck/TrainwreckAlbum_DarkoMilosevic_0018594x879_zps8910 78d6.jpg



Dark

Rock on!

:beer

[FourThirtyTwo]

Steffen, it's actually that ZepLed guy who has an 80watt. I also have a buddy up your way who has had one of those beasts for several months now. So there are a couple out in the wild. By first-(second?) hand account, the amp is absolutely searing, and the flexibility on them is amazing. I've been trying to coax some more details, so here's hoping. If I hear anything, it'll get posted in the other (JM) thread.

For your pots, I'd recommend those RS Superpots. Many claim that they're better than the Gibson pots.. and I'd have to agree. Those RS guys seem to be big on micro-details.

[redshark1105]

I had used both RS superpots and Gibson custom shop 2010 pots and if the goal is to emulate the old centralab pot then Gibson custom shop wins!! Just sayin'

[MRscratch]

Steffen, it's actually that ZepLed guy who has an 80watt. I also have a buddy up your way who has had one of those beasts for several months now. So there are a couple out in the wild. By first-(second?) hand account, the amp is absolutely searing, and the flexibility on them is amazing. I've been trying to coax some more details, so here's hoping. If I hear anything, it'll get posted in the other (JM) thread.

For your pots, I'd recommend those RS Superpots. Many claim that they're better than the Gibson pots.. and I'd have to agree. Those RS guys seem to be big on micro-details.My way as in Vancouver?

[FourThirtyTwo]

Hah, sorry about that. The guy works out of Montreal actually... your way, as in "Canada". So I guess pretty much on the other side of the continent though lol.

And as far as the pots go, I'm not sure if RS was chasing the Centralab thing or not. I guess do a bit of homework on them and then choose accordingly. I just know that RS makes a really great potentiometer.

[johan]

From Premier Guitar.com

1HIbgtOJjbg

[dark]

More Kenny's photos. :)


http://i251.photobucket.com/albums/gg285/darkomilo/Trainwreck/TrainwreckAlbum_DarkoMilosevic_0030516x767_zpsdc4f d397.jpg

http://i251.photobucket.com/albums/gg285/darkomilo/Trainwreck/TrainwreckAlbum_DarkoMilosevic_0032512x766_zps4390 246f.jpg



Dark

Rock on!

:beer

[redshark1105]

Awesome Dark!!! keep them coming!! Thanks to your contributions this thread is a great Ken Fischer tribute!!

[Rupe]

Dark! You've got some great pics and info...your contributions are greatly appreciated!

[dark]

Thank you!!!!

Dark

Rock on!

:beer

[Mark Barna]

I recall an earlier debate about the JM Trainwrecks, where pundits, including a couple amp builders, were saying the JM demos by Matt O. don't sound like a Fischer Trainwreck because the tone is too fuzzy.

Well, the above demos sound fuzzy to me at max volume. Indeed, they sound like JMs to me.:hide2

What am I missing?

[dark]

Genius is small pieces...Daniel Lanois

Dark

Rock on!

:beer

[dark]

Some details about this Liverpool amp:


http://i251.photobucket.com/albums/gg285/darkomilo/Trainwreck/TrainwreckAlbum_DarkoMilosevic_0006880x598_zpsb9bb 6496.jpg

http://i251.photobucket.com/albums/gg285/darkomilo/Trainwreck/TrainwreckAlbum_DarkoMilosevic_0008880x598_zps9f5d 274d.jpg


Dark

Rock on!

:beer

[FourThirtyTwo]

I recall an earlier debate about the JM Trainwrecks, where pundits, including a couple amp builders, were saying the JM demos by Matt O. don't sound like a Fischer Trainwreck because the tone is too fuzzy.

Well, the above demos sound fuzzy to me at max volume. Indeed, they sound like JMs to me.

What am I missing?

Apart from the physical age of the internal components, I'd say you're not missing a thing with that observation. Also notice how totally different all three of those amps sound. Notice the variations in the JM amps as well. There is no single 'wreck behavior profile. But is there a Trainwreck "sound"? Yes.

When you're in a room with one of these amps, it's all about a "thing" that the amps do that other amps just don't. Call it "feel", "vibe", whatever.. it's beyond sound and into the hazy and ethereal world of tone.

My take on it is that there are harmonics, heard & unheard, involved. It's like the amps have a timbre all their own. I suppose that most amps do, really.. but this specific signature timbre just happens to be REALLY pleasing to the ear.

Microphones are not ears. This is one amplifier that requires you to be in the room with it in order to get the full import. It's interacting with your body, whereas with recorded stuff, it's an mp3 clip over a DSL connection interacting with your body.

These days, everyone lives on the Internet and thinks it's real life. In the '80s and '90s, NO ONE operated like that. The human physical form hasn't changed since then. Expecting to just be able to alter the method of interaction and to achieve the same results is ludicrous.

ANY clip on the Internet, (pedals, amps, acoustic guitars..) has to only be accepted as a 50%-60% representation of really being there. If you don't take that approach, you're just fooling yourself. Then to yammer on about it past hammering out the details borders on the ridiculous.

I listen with my "Internet ears" all of the time, and make gear decisions based on that. This is fine, because at least you know if the demo is decent, the real thing should be pretty amazing.

There is also the fact that some people can't hear tone. I remember when I was in highschool and one day at some club show I just "got it", I heard what tone was.. over and above the amp itself, over and above the notes and their own specific frequencies. I could not do this before 11th grade or so... I didn't even know there was such a thing until it clicked.

Given that experience, I realized that there might be a lot of other people who couldn't (and possibly still can't) hear tone.

How do I even know that everyone with an opinion on the Internet can hear tone? or even knows what it is? You can't define it anyway (it took Helmholtz 600 pages to do it!) Fizziness can come from an overloading mic.. you can still hear the tone (if it's there) through that fizziness. It's another sonic component.

These days all opinions on gear come with huge grains of salt unless I know the reviewer (or am familiar with their legacy) and have similar tastes.

It's probably no different for many others on here who are serious about this stuff.

[Sirloin]

I recall an earlier debate about the JM Trainwrecks, where pundits, including a couple amp builders, were saying the JM demos by Matt O. don't sound like a Fischer Trainwreck because the tone is too fuzzy.

Well, the above demos sound fuzzy to me at max volume. Indeed, they sound like JMs to me.:hide2

What am I missing?

To my ears, Glen K's vids of his Trainwrecks are the best going. Those premier guitar clips were okay.

[dark]

Apart from the physical age of the internal components, I'd say you're not missing a thing with that observation. Also notice how totally different all three of those amps sound. Notice the variations in the JM amps as well. There is no single 'wreck behavior profile. But is there a Trainwreck "sound"? Yes.

When you're in a room with one of these amps, it's all about a "thing" that the amps do that other amps just don't. Call it "feel", "vibe", whatever.. it's beyond sound and into the hazy and ethereal world of tone.

My take on it is that there are harmonics, heard & unheard, involved. It's like the amps have a timbre all their own. I suppose that most amps do, really.. but this specific signature timbre just happens to be REALLY pleasing to the ear.

Microphones are not ears. This is one amplifier that requires you to be in the room with it in order to get the full import. It's interacting with your body, whereas with recorded stuff, it's an mp3 clip over a DSL connection interacting with your body.

These days, everyone lives on the Internet and thinks it's real life. In the '80s and '90s, NO ONE operated like that. The human physical form hasn't changed since then. Expecting to just be able to alter the method of interaction and to achieve the same results is ludicrous.

ANY clip on the Internet, (pedals, amps, acoustic guitars..) has to only be accepted as a 50%-60% representation of really being there. If you don't take that approach, you're just fooling yourself. Then to yammer on about it past hammering out the details borders on the ridiculous.

I listen with my "Internet ears" all of the time, and make gear decisions based on that. This is fine, because at least you know if the demo is decent, the real thing should be pretty amazing.

There is also the fact that some people can't hear tone. I remember when I was in highschool and one day at some club show I just "got it", I heard what tone was.. over and above the amp itself, over and above the notes and their own specific frequencies. I could not do this before 11th grade or so... I didn't even know there was such a thing until it clicked.

Given that experience, I realized that there might be a lot of other people who couldn't (and possibly still can't) hear tone.

How do I even know that everyone with an opinion on the Internet can hear tone? or even knows what it is? You can't define it anyway (it took Helmholtz 600 pages to do it!) Fizziness can come from an overloading mic.. you can still hear the tone (if it's there) through that fizziness. It's another sonic component.

These days all opinions on gear come with huge grains of salt unless I know the reviewer (or am familiar with their legacy) and have similar tastes.

It's probably no different for many others on here who are serious about this stuff.

+1000

Dark

Rock on!

:beer

[redshark1105]

Actually Glen K's videos are great but he knows the gear and how to get the most out of it. This premiere guitar videos are good because there wasn't that much planning going on, the guitars are average to what anyone out there could be playing instead of Glen's 59 LP. So this videos are spontaneous and still we could all tell the diferent character between amps. I liked them a lot. The more videos we have of this amps the better.

[MRscratch]

To my ears, Glen K's vids of his Trainwrecks are the best going. Those premier guitar clips were okay.Glen, has killer chops, and knows how to use his amps! thats 95% of the battle right there. I bet you he would sound the same, performance wise with a little champ.

[MRscratch]

This i know. All the amps so far sound different. Mine brings a huge smile to my face when i play it. Not to mention the people that come up after a gig that just love the sound of it. Its huge.

[redshark1105]

Trainwreck: the best amps ever made!! Oh well, at least the most unique for what they do.

[dark]

Train, Train, Trainwreck!


http://i251.photobucket.com/albums/gg285/darkomilo/Trainwreck/TrainwreckAlbum_DarkoMilosevic_0010756x520_zpsd35c 24a0.jpg


Dark

Rock on!

:beer

[redshark1105]

Train, Train, Trainwreck!


http://i251.photobucket.com/albums/gg285/darkomilo/Trainwreck/TrainwreckAlbum_DarkoMilosevic_0010756x520_zpsd35c 24a0.jpg


Dark

Rock on!

:beer

That looks like Brad Paisley's Liverpool.

[MRscratch]

That looks like Brad Paisley's Liverpool.choo choo choose me!

[HelloKittyHawk!]

Oh, Ralph Wiggum!

[aaronz28]

I recall an earlier debate about the JM Trainwrecks, where pundits, including a couple amp builders, were saying the JM demos by Matt O. don't sound like a Fischer Trainwreck because the tone is too fuzzy.

Well, the above demos sound fuzzy to me at max volume. Indeed, they sound like JMs to me.:hide2

What am I missing?

being the owner of a JM Wreck - they are not Fizzy - unless you attenuate them, or run the treble too high - in which case, so are Marshalls, Fenders, Dumbles, etc.

I was totally unimpressed with the videos as well -

To me, that video sounds like 3 old amps that need service - but the owners are afraid to have the 30year old caps replaced because it will kill the value of a $30k amp :/

i found the first amp to be muddy and flubby - not at all how my Wreck sounds - the second amp was better - but much fizzier, and the third was the best - but i don't play singlecoils so its not my cup o tea.

I thought that Matt's videos are far far far better than this PremierGuitar Vid.

Nothing against Ken or his amps - after all, he is why I own one - but these just don't do it for me.

In fact, i'm convinced that the Placebo effect will overpower logic and listening on these videos. yet if someone said that they were clones - the comments would likely be "meh"

cheers
A

[MRscratch]

Hey Buddy! I lost your # . My I phone Bit the dust. Give me a call some time or PM me your digits!!

[MRscratch]

being the owner of a JM Wreck - they are not Fizzy - unless you attenuate them, or run the treble too high - in which case, so are Marshalls, Fenders, Dumbles, etc.

I was totally unimpressed with the videos as well -

To me, that video sounds like 3 old amps that need service - but the owners are afraid to have the 30year old caps replaced because it will kill the value of a $30k amp :/

i found the first amp to be muddy and flubby - not at all how my Wreck sounds - the second amp was better - but much fizzier, and the third was the best - but i don't play singlecoils so its not my cup o tea.

I thought that Matt's videos are far far far better than this PremierGuitar Vid.

Nothing against Ken or his amps - after all, he is why I own one - but these just don't do it for me.

In fact, i'm convinced that the Placebo effect will overpower logic and listening on these videos. yet if someone said that they were clones - the comments would likely be "meh"

cheers
AI thought they sounded great! I agree that they may have been a little loose, but that might just be the guitars? oh well. Mine is awesome!

[wreckboy]

If there was no Ken Fischer, there would be no Trainwreck Circuits, and there would be no JM built Trainwrecks. Ken was the original, the guy with the vision and the ears. His whole design philosophy is Trainwreck Circuits. I own or have owned 6 originals Trainwrecks....each was a a killer. By the way I did own one of the first JM built Rockets. So I speak from experience.

[aaronz28]

If there was no Ken Fischer, there would be no Trainwreck Circuits, and there would be no JM built Trainwrecks. Ken was the original, the guy with the vision and the ears. His whole design philosophy is Trainwreck Circuits. I own or have owned 6 originals Trainwrecks....each was a a killer. By the way I did own one of the first JM built Rockets. So I speak from experience.

I agree with this wholeheartedly.
Its easy (well, maybe not easy) to take someones work and reverse engineer it- especially if u are on the inside.

What i find interesting is how the universe agrees that just because something is original, that it cant be improved upon, or that just becuase its original, it is automatically better than anything else out there.
Its like declaring that every 59 Les Paul has to be better than every reissue. just because. And there are people out there and probably lurking on this forum who agree. That isnt to say that the good ones arent incredible, but what about the duds that dint play in tune or have crooked necks etc.
,
Ive owned Constance now almost 3 years and everytime i play it, i find things that i cant describe. Stuff like the feel/response etc. things that inspire you to play more.

So it might not be a Ken build but it is certainly on a level above my old Marshalls and any other amp ice played.

[redshark1105]

being the owner of a JM Wreck - they are not Fizzy - unless you attenuate them, or run the treble too high - in which case, so are Marshalls, Fenders, Dumbles, etc.

I was totally unimpressed with the videos as well -

To me, that video sounds like 3 old amps that need service - but the owners are afraid to have the 30year old caps replaced because it will kill the value of a $30k amp :/

i found the first amp to be muddy and flubby - not at all how my Wreck sounds - the second amp was better - but much fizzier, and the third was the best - but i don't play singlecoils so its not my cup o tea.

I thought that Matt's videos are far far far better than this PremierGuitar Vid.

Nothing against Ken or his amps - after all, he is why I own one - but these just don't do it for me.

In fact, i'm convinced that the Placebo effect will overpower logic and listening on these videos. yet if someone said that they were clones - the comments would likely be "meh"

cheers
A

To each their own but I have to disagree with you. I think "Sarah" it's the best sounding wreck I had seen on a youtube video. I'm not evaluating recording technique, only the amp.

[aaronz28]

Thats cool. I just dont hear it.
To me it was dark and muddy and i didn't care for the way the harmonics popped. Now: that could be speakers, mic placement and/or inexperience on a Wreck--- not that im even remotely as capable as the player in the video.
But thats what i got.

I do find it interesting that all three had Mullard/BugleBoy/and Miniwatt 12ax7s in the same position.

Would probably have been more pleasing to me if the cab had G12m which my 68BW has, and i would have liked to hear them dial the eq and use the bright switch - but as presented? i little dull if u ask me.

I guess we all hear things differently.

Now Glen's videos do it for me. That amp sounds out of this world even for a compressed youtube video- and i dont this its all in his Guitar- even the reissue strat is killer.

A

[MRscratch]

Thats cool. I just dont hear it.
To me it was dark and muddy and i didn't care for the way the harmonics popped. Now: that could be speakers, mic placement and/or inexperience on a Wreck--- not that im even remotely as capable as the player in the video.
But thats what i got.

I do find it interesting that all three had Mullard/BugleBoy/and Miniwatt 12ax7s in the same position.

Would probably have been more pleasing to me if the cab had G12m which my 68BW has, and i would have liked to hear them dial the eq and use the bright switch - but as presented? i little dull if u ask me.

I guess we all hear things differently.

Now Glen's videos do it for me. That amp sounds out of this world even for a compressed youtube video- and i dont this its all in his Guitar- even the reissue strat is killer.

Ai like the clip of The guy playing Lynch's express in the celestion room at some guitar show in new york? anyway, hes playing a TELE and it sounds killer. Too short though

[redshark1105]

Yes, we all have diferent taste I guess. I think the amps are tubed that way because that is what Gene wanted or what sounds good to him. I agree they aren't tubed like other wrecks but I think Ken tubed his personal amps diferent than the ones that went for sale.

[MRscratch]

well, i think ill just go ply mine now! this is my new A/B rig! http://i33.photobucket.com/albums/d84/steffenpeter/photo-79.jpg
just kidding. i would never haul this much crap to a gig! LOL

[aaronz28]

well, i think ill just go ply mine now! this is my new A/B rig! http://i33.photobucket.com/albums/d84/steffenpeter/photo-79.jpg
just kidding. i would never haul this much crap to a gig! LOL

and my wet/dry/stereo/ rig :D

http://i593.photobucket.com/albums/tt20/aaronzl1/IMG_0988.jpg

[MRscratch]

and my wet/dry/stereo/ rig :D

http://i593.photobucket.com/albums/tt20/aaronzl1/IMG_0988.jpg
nice amp! LOL, Dude, you CANT sell it. We have twins!

[aaronz28]

the sale threads are only to passify the gal I live with :D

the deal i made when i bought it - "if we ever need the money i'll try to sell"

the word try is very vague - just need to show that i've listed it LOL

i'll be buried with it :D

[dark]

:)


http://i251.photobucket.com/albums/gg285/darkomilo/Trainwreck/TrainwreckAlbum_DarkoMilosevic_0045592x868_zps7c06 fab2.jpg

http://i251.photobucket.com/albums/gg285/darkomilo/Trainwreck/TrainwreckAlbum_DarkoMilosevic_0047E868x592_zps45a 2f8d6.jpg


Dark

Rock on!

:beer

[cochese]

I'm not sure if this has been posted but it's a clip of a real Trainwreck by Alex Garcia that is on the Komet amps website. http://www.kometamps.com/sounds/demoalex9.mp3

This is the same track with the Komet 60.http://www.kometamps.com/sounds/demoalex4.mp3

If I had the extra $$$ I would go for the Komet as it is a newer KF design and the company is still in business. Plus I think it addresses some shortcomings in the original design. The added power, more bottom end, a more readily available clean tone and the cut control. Obviously having an original Trainwreck would be great as well as an investment or for a collector but I think these amps are really designed for a specific type of player.

The one thing to note about some of these clips is that running any really well built and designed amp at full out volume levels will yield a much more touch responsive amp. Unfortunately running most amps in that manner is pretty impractical for most.

[stratovarius]

I'm not sure if this has been posted but it's a clip of a real Trainwreck by Alex Garcia that is on the Komet amps website. http://www.kometamps.com/sounds/demoalex9.mp3

This is the same track with the Komet 60.http://www.kometamps.com/sounds/demoalex4.mp3

If I had the extra $$$ I would go for the Komet as it is a newer KF design and the company is still in business. Plus I think it addresses some shortcomings in the original design. The added power, more bottom end, a more readily available clean tone and the cut control. Obviously having an original Trainwreck would be great as well as an investment or for a collector but I think these amps are really designed for a specific type of player.

The one thing to note about some of these clips is that running any really well built and designed amp at full out volume levels will yield a much more touch responsive amp. Unfortunately running most amps in that manner is pretty impractical for most.

You make a lot of good points. My only experience is with clones, but the original design seems to be more extreme on the clean-to-mean gradient which is cool, but the high degree of tuning required comes with its own set of problems.

[cochese]

I guess we would have to ask Hogy at Komet or Alex Garcia ( since he did own an original Express) about the clean to mean response between the Komet and Express. My experience has been only been with a couple of clones and my tech modded my 66 BF Bassman with the TW circuit. Here is an old clip (that I've posted before) and the amp has been further modded and sounds even better now. http://http://chrisdelis.com/music/GTR%20samples/bass_wreck.mp3

The truth is a have 3 amps capable of high gain and they all can do that clean to mean thing very well but it always works best when the amps are at a good healthy volume. Also the "clean" sound with your guitar volume rolled back on something like the TW circuit is not the same thing as the "clean" sound that a BF Twin can produce. You really have to feather your touch a bit with a gained out amp to get it clean and if you try to get a real percussive spanky clean thing happening it will just start to distort more.

[aaronz28]

as an owner of several Komets - (2 K60s and 3 different KF50s), more than a handfull of old Marshalls, and a Trainwreck Express -

there are similarities - the Komets have most of the gain that an Express has - but they aren't quite as clear. The Komets definately have more volume and girth. The KF50 wasn't tight until I did the Friedman mod - and then it really closed the gap between the Express and the Komet IMHO

HOWEVER< neither Komet or Marshall cleaned up as nice without losing considerable volume. Sure - any amp will clean up mostly when you roll the guitar volume, but they lose alot of db in the process - the Wreck (while overall the quieter of the amps) - maintains it volume when the guitar is rolled back... It actually plays louder and cleaner than either Komet/Marshall which are noticably Louder when wide open... if that makes any sense.

So while a Wreck won't get that Twin Reverb clean - nothing will - it does have some sparkly clean that the Komet doesn't.

Cheers

[Sirloin]

Lose and losing not loose and loosing. But good info nontheless.

[aaronz28]

Lose and losing not loose and loosing. But good info nontheless.

already edited before reading your post - not sure whats up with my spelling tonight :D

[MRscratch]

already edited before reading your post - not sure whats up with my spelling tonight :Dprobably a little too much christmas cheer? merry Christmas buddy!

[dark]

Friedman mod....

Kenny had intention with that cap (and resistor). Concorde can not be Express.

Anyway, it's good to know that someone is smarter than Kenny. ;)

Dark

Rock on!

:beer

[MRscratch]

Friedman mod....

Kenny had intention with that cap (and resistor). Concorde can not be Express.

Anyway, it's good to know that someone is smarter than Kenny. ;)

Dark

Rock on!

:beerwho? Einstein? Jesus? Leo Fender?
LOL

[redshark1105]

Friedman mod....

Kenny had intention with that cap (and resistor). Concorde can not be Express.

Anyway, it's good to know that someone is smarter than Kenny. ;)

Dark

Rock on!

:beer

I agree 100%!!

[aaronz28]

I wasn't slamming Ken or Komet for the stock Concord/KF50 circuit - i just found the bottom end a bit flubby - but i play humbuckers - it migth be just the thing for singlecoil pups.

The Concorde still doesn't clean up as nice and clear as an Express with that mod - but the highgain/wideopen sound is much much closer.

Thanks
A

[hogy]

Here's a Trainwreck you don't see every day:

http://pic100.picturetrail.com/VOL921/489579/5923483/402068097.jpg


Ken did a lot of modded (or as he called them, "nuked") Fenders. Most look stock on the outside, this is the only one I know of that has a Trainwreck logo face plate.

[aaronz28]

:clips:clips

[cochese]

Here's a Trainwreck you don't see every day:

http://pic100.picturetrail.com/VOL921/489579/5923483/402068097.jpg


Ken did a lot of modded (or as he called them, "nuked") Fenders. Most look stock on the outside, this is the only one I know of that has a Trainwreck logo face plate.

Cool. Hogy, how would you characterize the difference between the Komet 60 and the TW Express?

[dark]

Here's a Trainwreck you don't see every day:

http://pic100.picturetrail.com/VOL921/489579/5923483/402068097.jpg


Ken did a lot of modded (or as he called them, "nuked") Fenders. Most look stock on the outside, this is the only one I know of that has a Trainwreck logo face plate.

:)

http://i251.photobucket.com/albums/gg285/darkomilo/Trainwreck/Kenny_LeslieWest762x174_zps38be10a5.jpg


Dark

Rock on!

:beer

[redshark1105]

:)

http://i251.photobucket.com/albums/gg285/darkomilo/Trainwreck/Kenny_LeslieWest762x174_zps38be10a5.jpg


Dark

Rock on!

:beer

Dark, if you have all the list from Kenny himself of people that had used his trainwrecks or modded amps it would be good that you publish it here cause there always been some sort of curiosity about that. We know that certain celebrities has used them in big recordings but still it would be cool to have all the info from Kenny. Thanks!!

[midnightlaundry]

What's the preferred speaker for an Express?

[Rupe]

What's the preferred speaker for an Express?

I believe Ken preferred pre-Rola H30s IIRC. JM likes Pre-Rola greenbacks or for new speakers, Weber Silver Bells.

[midnightlaundry]

So, that's the 55hz cone then, eh?

[MRscratch]

I like Bass cones for mine. i also throw in a big vote for Golds!!

[aaronz28]

i'm for the prerola G12m 25w Greenbacks -
or (believe it or not) a pair of JBL D120f

you most certainly have to eq it differently than a celestion - but i think its magic.

cheers

[Timbre Wolf]

or (believe it or not) a pair of JBL D120f

you most certainly have to eq it differently than a celestion - but i think its magic.
I know this thread is about honoring KF and his lore... but I'm also quite glad to see someone intrepidly exploring new ground.

- Thom

[aaronz28]

as far as i'm concerned - Ken was all about exploring.

i'm convinced that while a PRS into a Trainwreck with D-120s isn't for everyone - to me its magic with secret sauce on top :D

It nails all of the classic tones and still has its own voice - thats kinda what i like about it.

Cheers

[redshark1105]

AFAIK Ken never liked efficient speakers like EVM or JBL for his amps. He voiced them for old celestions (prerola) and yes, his fav cab was the ampeg V-4 with 4 prerola G12H30-55hz. It doesn't surprise me at all JM likes Weber silverbells and also I think Golds are a good match.

[aaronz28]

AFAIK Ken never liked efficient speakers like EVM or JBL for his amps. He voiced them for old celestions (prerola) and yes, his fav cab was the ampeg V-4 with 4 prerola G12H30-55hz. It doesn't surprise me at all JM likes Weber silverbells and also I think Golds are a good match.

yeah - thats what i've heard as well -

for me - i don't care for the bass cones -
and i spoke with JM and indeed he loves the Weber silver bells....

interestingly enough, he doesn't seem to care for scumbacks which are a dead ringer as we all know for vintage Celestions.

I have tried both Celestion Golds, Blues (when attenuated) and several sets of ASW alnico's - which are even brighter than JBLs in my opinion.

I've long decided that while the public opinion of "what is holy grail" has its merits - i'm learning to continue to explore that which sounds best to my ears -

i'll try to redo some audio clips with the D120f for fun.

Cheers
A

[MRscratch]

man, everytime we talk about this stuff, i have to load my cab, load the amp into the front deat, put the seat belt around it, pick out a guitar, and its always the same one, and then drive 15 KM to my jam space to crank the express only to blow my eardrums out in 5 minutes! LOL its such a loud amp. Also if i screw up a note i can bend it until it explodes into a crazy feedback stew, or just admit that this amp will expose all your crap playing extremely fast!
Love it

[big mike]

Here's a Trainwreck you don't see every day:

http://pic100.picturetrail.com/VOL921/489579/5923483/402068097.jpg


Ken did a lot of modded (or as he called them, "nuked") Fenders. Most look stock on the outside, this is the only one I know of that has a Trainwreck logo face plate.

Yeah a former friend of mine has a ken 'nuked' fender head with the stock faceplate still. Killer amp.

[redshark1105]

So Big Mike how exactly a Ken "nuked" fender sounded like? like a fender with more gain? like a Marshally-fender? like a trainwrecked fender? What is your opinion? Hogy what can you tell us about this amps?

[aaronz28]

this was recorded with a video cam so the quality isn't the best but you can hear the difference between PreRola Greenbacks, JBL D120f, and ASW Elegantes.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3mUiOXH1MNY&feature=youtu.be

[Rupe]

this was recorded with a video cam so the quality isn't the best but you can hear the difference between PreRola Greenbacks, JBL D120f, and ASW Elegantes.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3mUiOXH1MNY&feature=youtu.be

It's a youtube vid so I'm not sure what we can really tell, but what I heard were that the ASW Elegantes sounded thicker than the others. I thought the JBLs sounded kind of thin and the Greenbacks were in the middle. Nothing sounded bad, but I'm guessing that I wouldn't care for the JBLs personally. I'd have to be in the room to have a meaningful opinion though.

What surprised me the most was how the PRS and Les Paul essentially sounded the same.

[aaronz28]

It's a youtube vid so I'm not sure what we can really tell, but what I heard were that the ASW Elegantes sounded thicker than the others. I thought the JBLs sounded kind of thin and the Greenbacks were in the middle. Nothing sounded bad, but I'm guessing that I wouldn't care for the JBLs personally. I'd have to be in the room to have a meaningful opinion though.

What surprised me the most was how the PRS and Les Paul essentially sounded the same.

all the bottom is rolled off from the handy cam for sure - -

the "in room" experience gives you the sense that the Greenbacks sound muffled by comparison - which isn't bad - it just means that the ASW are overly bright - and the JBLs have a HONK to them - which i dig.

The 2x12 JBL is HUGE sounding compared to the 4x12 Marshall, even though the 2x12 is open back and the 4x12 is closed back.

the other thing is that the JBL and ASW are about the same volume. I no longer own any ASW speakers as they were just too bright for me.

The Celestion is like "an old friend" you know what to expect and what they sound like, where to put the amp for ideal tone... i also didn't fool with any eq on the demo - just swapped things - which doesn't do anything for coaxing the best tone out of the speakers.

as for the PRS and LesPaul sounding alike - i think you are right.
That 86 and the one I currently own are amazing sounding guitars with alot of LP tone in them - i'm not sure if that is what Paul was going for - but the LP is the sound i hear in my head - so i tend to tweak every guitar I own to sound like a vintage LP. LOL

I can't remember but I might have had PAFs in that PRS at the time I recorded that video - in most early maple top PRS guitars, the original T/B pickups are VERY Bright even at 8 and 10k respectively - they have alnico magnets as the slug coils and it tends to really accentuate the sound of an already bright guitar with a very thick maple cap on a rather thin mahagony body. The one I own now is quite opposite and is the darkest PRS i've ever owned, which is a good thing for the original pickups - its like the best of both worlds -

and i know it isn't for everyone, but the sweetswitch just makes me smile in the on position with a Wreck :D

[bbill]

I wasn't slamming Ken or Komet for the stock Concord/KF50 circuit - i just found the bottom end a bit flubby - but i play humbuckers - it migth be just the thing for singlecoil pups.

The Concorde still doesn't clean up as nice and clear as an Express with that mod - but the highgain/wideopen sound is much much closer.

Thanks
A

I found the same thing with humbuckers/Concorde. But with P-90's and Fender single coils, it is probably my favorite amp for those guitars, especially the P-90.

[traviswalk]

this was recorded with a video cam so the quality isn't the best but you can hear the difference between PreRola Greenbacks, JBL D120f, and ASW Elegantes.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3mUiOXH1MNY&feature=youtu.be

Very nice! I dug the Elegante's, but the D120f were unique :aok

[aaronz28]

Very nice! I dug the Elegante's, but the D120f were unique :aok

thanks - i think "unique" is one reason I like them so much.. ITs not the same ole sound that everyone goes for... not that Trainwreck into Marshall 4x12/Celestion is a bad thing - i absolutely love it... But it really is cool to have a different flavor.

one thing to keep in mind - the camera i used is an older Fuji - which is not very good at all - however it is the only camera I have that can handle the loud SPL without distortion - the other vids I've done require setting up mics and running through Protools or Logic and then syncing with video -

trying to do a/b tests like that in my basement is impossible because I'm 1000% confident that i won't be able to duplicate mic placement from speaker to speaker - and i've found that you can put a mic on the surround of a JBL and its duller then anything - yet put a mic on the center of a Celestion and its ice-pick in your ear... so at least this video gives some honest assessment of the differences between the 3 even if the placement isn't scientific and the quality is poor. :D

the thing about the JBLs is that they are ultra honest as to what goes into them... very Hi-Fi sounding - after all , that is what they were designed for.

Cheers
A

[t***9]

this was recorded with a video cam so the quality isn't the best but you can hear the difference between PreRola Greenbacks, JBL D120f, and ASW Elegantes.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3mUiOXH1MNY&feature=youtu.be

I loved the PreRola Greenbacks, they crunched well and the mid-range was right. ASW's were good but the edgy note detail was not for me, not as solid as the Greenbacks. The JBL's, wow, don't fit that amp IMO and gag on the crunch. Didn't expect that much difference between them all, and appreciate the demo - nice playing too.

[redshark1105]

Thanks for the demo Aaron, is obvious that the best option for the amp is the prerolas. The amp will sound good no matter what but it seems to bond better with the mids of celestions. IMO.

[aaronz28]

Thanks for the demo Aaron, is obvious that the best option for the amp is the prerolas. The amp will sound good no matter what but it seems to bond better with the mids of celestions. IMO.


that seems to be the general consensus and this 68BW is an excellent example that has not been abused.

And I would agree that when you have the vol on the Wreck above 12:00, the Celestions are the bomb.

I do very much enjoy bringing the vol back to about 10:00 and rolling the bass/mids up and playing through the JBLs - and it is the ultimate Blues tone for me.

Cheers
A

[MRscratch]

i think they all sound great! mind you we only heard the speakers through three different cabs, not all in the same cab. So that also needs to be factored in!

[aaronz28]

here is another set of ASW alncos with the Wreck and a LP

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6wmVdpbyiLE

[Rupe]

here is another set of ASW alncos with the Wreck and a LP

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6wmVdpbyiLE

Sounds great...pretty much the same as my Veronica as far as I can tell. I've played no other amp that responds like the Express. The way notes will sustain into feedback is special to say the least...you captured it nicely yet its still one of those things where you "have to be there" to truly appreciate.

[midnightlaundry]

Those Express amps don't have a lot of lowend.

[aaronz28]

I run my bass pot at about 9:00, when the gain is above 1:00 or 2:00

its got as much bottom end as my 2 marshals, just not as loud - so the volume translates to a perceived lack of bottom. It might not be as tight as a 50w Marshall - but thats ok by me.


cheers

A

[Rupe]

Those Express amps don't have a lot of lowend.

They have plenty of low end unless you want to play drop tuned metal...about the same as a 50w Plexi. Anything more would most likely get lost in a mix anyway.

[MRscratch]

Those Express amps don't have a lot of lowend.they do , but you are right. Its not quite the same as say a 100watt super lead. the amp is tighter and you wont get much flub out of it. The amp is pretty much made to rip leads out on records. also it cuts through the mix super well. the bas doesnt roll on that much but its pretty subtle, you use it more to tighten the overdrive more. Its hard to explain. The amp is just THICK in the mids and the whole thing sounds ballanced, not bottom heavy .

[hogy]

Here's another piece of KF trivia. Kenny's favorite humbucker (next to a good vintage PAF) was this:


http://pic100.picturetrail.com/VOL921/489579/5923483/405198865.jpg


Late '70s Lawrence L90XL. He was always raving about that pickup and sent me this one. He was right, it's marvelous. Hot, yet still very clear and dynamic, cleans up well and just screams with harmonics. Mine has a DC resistance of 12.3k, but it's not middy and dull like most overwound humbuckers. Full bandwith and throaty, detailed mids. Killer pickup.

[MRscratch]

cool! I have a l500xl or is it XL 500L ? anyway bought it when i was around 16 i guess? around 1982? wow
Its a great pup. I think it was the one that Dime bag use to like. Its definitely a shredder PUP.
Its the L500XL. This is an original one with the chrome housing. Not the one with the dark housing that the guy who owns "Bill Lawrence" name pups sells.
What a rip off. cant he sell something with his OWN god damned name???

[Geetarpicker]

Just this week I played on this blues track (link below for "Shame") and used my 1985 Trainwreck Express. Note how ample the low end is on this Express, and that is with the bass on 1/2, and a slant 4x12 w/25s.

The electric guitar is one track, recorded with two mics and no EQ during mix down. I did sacrifice tone a little bit (due to late night tracking) as the amp was attenuated 12db, which is only about 2 watts at the cab. This made it just a tad dirtier and slightly darker than without the ATT but still a nice tone that fit the song. That said, this amp is a very clean sounding Express and even on 1-2pm it's almost clean when you play lightly. I didn't work the guitar knobs any, simply kept it up and just played lighter on the cleaner sections and hit it very hard during the solo work.

Glen

"Shame" written and sung by Dale Hall
Guitar and bass by Glen Kuykendall
Drums by Rory Faciane

_--ussgWLdc

[redshark1105]

Awesome recording Glen!! As always!!

[Rupe]

Just this week I played on this blues track (link below for "Shame") and used my 1985 Trainwreck Express. Note how ample the low end is on this Express, and that is with the bass on 1/2, and a slant 4x12 w/25s.

The electric guitar is one track, recorded with two mics and no EQ during mix down. I did sacrifice tone a little bit (due to late night tracking) as the amp was attenuated 12db, which is only about 2 watts at the cab. This made it just a tad dirtier and slightly darker than without the ATT but still a nice tone that fit the song. That said, this amp is a very clean sounding Express and even on 1-2pm it's almost clean when you play lightly. I didn't work the guitar knobs any, simply kept it up and just played lighter on the cleaner sections and hit it very hard during the solo work.

Glen

"Shame" written and sung by Dale Hall
Guitar and bass by Glen Kuykendall
Drums by Rory Faciane

_--ussgWLdc

Sounds good...never would have known that you attenuated it if you hadn't said so. Did you play your burst?

[Geetarpicker]

Attenuated 12db, which is only 2 watts at the 4x12 cab being 1/2 watt per speaker!

Interestingly the amp is actually slightly cleaner when running straight to the cab, at least compared to running it with my Faustine Phantom attenuator backed down to -12. I never need to attenuate that much on a gig, it's more like -4 to -8 db tops. However it was a late night session and I had to keep a tab on the volume of it all. You would think that pushing the cab full out at 35 watts vs 2 watts would net a dirtier tone, not the other way around. That said it's still quite clean for an Express on 1-2pm on the volume and the guitar full up the whole time, though I varied my pick attack alot on this.

I played my Fender Relic strat w/Fralin pickups on this recording.

[FourThirtyTwo]

Just found this demo too:

VMSXdLumJ3A

[FourThirtyTwo]

And now, this one (Les Paul + 1991 Liverpool):

7xSHr6b71wk

[wreckboy]

Here's another piece of KF trivia. Kenny's favorite humbucker (next to a good vintage PAF) was this:


http://pic100.picturetrail.com/VOL921/489579/5923483/405198865.jpg


Late '70s Lawrence L90XL. He was always raving about that pickup and sent me this one. He was right, it's marvelous. Hot, yet still very clear and dynamic, cleans up well and just screams with harmonics. Mine has a DC resistance of 12.3k, but it's not middy and dull like most overwound humbuckers. Full bandwith and throaty, detailed mids. Killer pickup.
Ken told me about these pickup.....always raving about it. I bought a number of these whenever they came up for sale. My favorite humbucker
in my PRS guitars.

[mrfender]

Just found this demo too:

VMSXdLumJ3A

Wow! That sounds amazing.

[redshark1105]

Those demos posted by Airbloom amplifiers sound nice but I can't say the tone is that much typical trainwreck for a couple reasons:
1.- His amps have tube rectifiers, both the express and Liverpool, probably the only ones made with tube rectifiers (all express and liverpools have stock solid state rectification).

2.- Those demos have pedals in front of the amp and are also attenuated. When a trainwreck amp really shines if at least with volume @ noon and with no pedals in front.

Just my opinion, still great sounding amps no question about it.

[t***9]

Just this week I played on this blues track (link below for "Shame") and used my 1985 Trainwreck Express. Note how ample the low end is on this Express, and that is with the bass on 1/2, and a slant 4x12 w/25s.

The electric guitar is one track, recorded with two mics and no EQ during mix down. I did sacrifice tone a little bit (due to late night tracking) as the amp was attenuated 12db, which is only about 2 watts at the cab. This made it just a tad dirtier and slightly darker than without the ATT but still a nice tone that fit the song. That said, this amp is a very clean sounding Express and even on 1-2pm it's almost clean when you play lightly. I didn't work the guitar knobs any, simply kept it up and just played lighter on the cleaner sections and hit it very hard during the solo work.

Glen

"Shame" written and sung by Dale Hall
Guitar and bass by Glen Kuykendall
Drums by Rory Faciane

_--ussgWLdc

Wow, like other posters I find it hard to believe that was -12 db attentuated - impressive. Sweet playing and great saturated tone, fit the song well.

[cholula69]

I spe a few days reading through this thread. It makes me wish I had contacted Ken back in the day. There is a lot of great information on here.

[Geetarpicker]

Wow, like other posters I find it hard to believe that was -12 db attentuated - impressive. Sweet playing and great saturated tone, fit the song well.

Thank you. I have another blues recording session this week (not my own music, I'm just hired to play) and I plan to use the same rig. It records so easily tone wise, the trick is to play well as the amp is rewarding and unforgiving all at the same time. GK

[redshark1105]

http://www.thegearpage.net/board/showthread.php?t=1268220

Thanks Glen and kenny for building a sweet amp like Lori!!!

I love it!!