Ken "trainwreck" Fischer tribute thread.

[redshark1105]

I started this thread mostly to learn about Ken, his amps and those legendary phone conversations he had with lots of people. We all know Ken loved to share information and spread his amazing knowledge on tube amps and many other things. Let's learn from the man!!! Please no arguing about clonning and no attacks if so or so can do a better trainwreck amp. This is all about Ken.
It's a shame that Ken never got to write a complete book but we can still learn from him through 2 Gerald Weber books:

-"A desktop reference of hip vintage amps" includes the trainwreck pages.
-"Tube amp talk for the guitarist and tech" pages 121 to 267 diferent articles that Ken wrote for vintage guitar.

and also Dave Hunter on "The guitar amp book" has an interview with Ken.

Come and share!!!!

[RCM78]

I had the oportunity to meet Ken. I went to his house with a friend to pick up two Express's he ordered. If I remember correctly they were $1800 each. That was a lot of money to me back then!!!
Ken was a nice guy!!! Really into those amps, and talking about how each one was a little different...

[johan]

Ken's column on Ultimate Guitar Gear

http://www.ultimateguitargear.com/kens_column.htm

[wsaraceni]

the trainwreck pages

http://angela.com/thetrainwreckpages.aspx

[redshark1105]

Great links to Ken's articles, thanks guys!!

[murky69nz]

Please correct me if I'm wrong, but I recall seeing an article on the Celestion Blue Reissue somewhere which suggested that Ken was involved in its design....

I think he was quoted as saying they couldn't get the RI sounding exactly the same as the old ones because the old ones used longer "fibres" in the cone which they no longer made - but the RI was as close as they could get....

True to form, I can't find the article/link now....

Debate over the TW "sound" notwithstanding, I think the Blue sounds amazing! Magic, magic, ears.......if the above is true.......

[Hulakatt]

The man not only knew very well what he was doing but was happy to share the knowledge he had worked hard to know.

[hardrockindaddy]

And a reminder that Ken's best friend is continuing in his footsteps, building Trainwrecks on the same bench, and using the same equipment, etc.. that Ken used. And they sound incredible. Just as good as the originals too.

[matte]

vg nancy article.

[Timmo]

Sometime in the early '80's, Guitar Player Magazine gave a Trainwreck Express a less than average review.

I remember him saying something to the effect......."$2500 is alot to pay for an amp".......

Wonder where that guy is today?
Probably been teased about that review for 35 years now.

[gillman royce]

[QUOTE=murky69nz;11610706]Please correct me if I'm wrong, but I recall seeing an article on the Celestion Blue Reissue somewhere which suggested that Ken was involved in its design....I think he was quoted as saying they couldn't get the RI sounding exactly the same as the old ones because the old ones used longer "fibres" in the cone which they no longer made - but the RI was as close as they could get....QUOTE]

You are correct

[gillman royce]

I learned a lot from Ken, beginning with his article on ' The Care and Feeding of an AC30 '. As is true with Ted Weber, it's a crime that the talented and nice die young.

[wreckboy]

Guitar Player Magazine did a review of 4 amps, all the others were higher powered amps ( I believe the VHT 100 Pitbull was included).
I initially overlooked the review but later read it and "kicked" myself for overlooking the unassuming looking Trainwreck Express. The overall review was of high praise. I believe the end phrase went something like, "If you are looking for the Holy Grain of Tone, this is a good place to start! I'll try to see if I can dig up that copy of GP. If I read that review I would have been 6 months ahead of the "list" curve....not that it would have helped get an amp from Ken

[brookshubbert]

Ken was a very acute individual in that he understood the weird things that make amps do certain things well. My train wreck ( burgundy ) Liverpool Ken kindly named after my daughter and had a gator wood burned into the cabinet faceplate. The amp shipped with inexpensive Chinese tubes el84s, Ken said the tubes were a r
Trade off was the tubes produced hiss but just exploded with supreme character when played loud. Didn't notice the hiss while ripping it up. Ken had a grip on designing based on what a tubes design is and expanding out from there. Ken also said my liverpool was built for strat, and he was right on. I miss Ken he always made me feel special in spite of his continuing failing health. A real jewel he was

[Timmo]

Originally Posted by wreckboy

Guitar Player Magazine did a review of 4 amps, all the others were higher powered amps ( I believe the VHT 100 Pitbull was included).
I initially overlooked the review but later read it and "kicked" myself for overlooking the unassuming looking Trainwreck Express. The overall review was of high praise. I believe the end phrase went something like, "If you are looking for the Holy Grain of Tone, this is a good place to start! I'll try to see if I can dig up that copy of GP. If I read that review I would have been 6 months ahead of the "list" curve....not that it would have helped get an amp from Ken

Yeah, I'd be interested in reading that article/review.
I do not remember the "holy grail of tone" being said though.
I could be wrong......I WAS wrong once......