Ken Fischer of Trainwreck Circuits Interview Part #1

[mikebri527]

Fortunately I live close to where Ken lived. My guitar teacher knew him and got me in touch with him. I bought an ESP Strat from him in the mid 80's. He had a contact to get them from the ESP warehouse in NYC. I had a chance to play thru one of his amps that was under construction. He was a great guy and educated me about the sonic differences between different power and pre-amp tubes. He actually sat there with me and let me play through one of his amps while he swapped out different tubes.

[lespaul667]

He was one of the nicest people I've ever met. He would work on my amps while I waited, answer my endless questions, and charge peanuts for his time. I hadn't seen him since he got ill, and there will never be another like him. He used to tell me how hot Mike Doyle's sister was. LMFAO. RIP Ken!

[jashobbsie]

Ken was a genious....wish i could have met him...

[guitartodd]

BS, you can cross signals on a PCB on a different layer of a multi layer PCB at a 90 degree angle. Take some bad PCB layout practices, apply them globally and all of a sudden PCB design is bad even though you can provide better impedance matching using a PCB with a common reference. I use a PTP wired tube amp because its a good amp, it doesn't mean that there are not good amps out there that use PCB. Hand wiring is just a term used by boutique amp builders to upcharge the product.

[jf99151]

@guitartodd Thats not what he said. The traces are usually on the same board or plane. Thats bad. To fix that you would be able to cross perpendicularly any problematic wiring. Yes a pcb with different levels would help.

[rmroza]

@guitartodd - 100% correct. PCB is actually better IF DESIGNED ACCORDINGLY and utilize a two layer board with single-side as grounding plane pulling everything to ground! It should be quieter also...which we all like while not playing! ;) Maybe someone should design a TW/Express on PCB!!! That would be taking it to the next level! What a hoot that would be! ;)

[TheIndustrialArtist]

Hi all, Ken Fisher has been one of my heros for years. I never knew him personally but, I have worked on tube amps for 25 years and I found some printed stuff from Ken. About 15 or so years ago I bought the "Hip Guide to Vintage Amps" by Gerald Weber and Kens 15 pages pages were included in this book. After reading Ken's section in that book, I became a big fan. I still go back to his pages today! A genius! He is missed by many people who he never knew, like me. God Bless Ken.

Thanks, Signy

[homenote]

Sorry for the spelling/typos (IPhone thingy)

I got cut off so I guess I'll keep it short. Lol

I bought a Allen Concorde clone. All Hand made exact if not better quality. Hand drilled. Chaise etc. I was told by the seller(not maker) that Ken told him personally a "secret sauce" for the very best tubes and there arrangement for this amp. I can buy them from him and the recipe for there arrangement for about a grand. $1,000

I was wondering if you know what they may be?

God Bless Ken Fisher!

Than

[homenote]

WowZA!

Hey Glen,

I have must say I have been on a non stop quest for the tone you put out on the vid Can u hear it ring with your 59 Paul and TW Ex..

I didn't have $500.000 to spare so I did the best with what I have and as of tomarro I believe(pray) I will have completed this quest.

After years of searching and researching this is what I came up with as far as gear.(I may need some lessons from u lol)

1. MAX Les Paul with all voyage correct goodies. Wiring caps pots etc etc etc.

2.Skatt

[NicholasBarrios]

HEAVY jersey accent. haha

[willssonline]

What a treasure. I had the pleasure of doing business with Ken. He was a great guy to work with. I bought a '64 Deluxe that he did a great mod on. After 22 years, it's still my go-to amp. So sad to have lost him so early in life.

[NoelGrassy]

Thank you Glen for this rare moment!

[Wenlockone]

WOW! this is awesome! I knew Ken and had him work on a variety of my amps. He was a sweet and humble individual. He taught me quite a bit about guitar sound.

[graveljaw]

THANK YOU!!!

[Omega126hotmailcom]

If you only knew Ken in his home environment...he knew EVERYTHING..I played in a band with his brother Scott and both of them were excellant guitar players...Ken could jam on anything...I had one of the first (maybe even THE first solid state he did for Ampeg...it was 100 watts and soooo clean....Anyone know where Scott is? Sorry to hear about Ken He WAS the man!!! Alan

[bigsmitty812]

R.I.P. K.F.

[Avalon888]

Nice one Glen. Thanks for posting.

Matt

[CEPedals]

This is a real treat! Thanks Glen!

-mark.

[thenextvh]

this is great, thanks for the upload gk!

[RobinStrower]

Many thx for posting. 5*****

Robin :o)

[deadpope1]

Thank you for this!