Ken Fischer of Trainwreck Circuits Interview Part #1

Back on June 6, 1992 my good friend Nigel Brewer had the foresight to interview the now late Ken Fischer at "Trainwreck Circuits" headquarters (Ken's basement amp workshop) in New Jersey. The full interview was edited down into 3 parts, and was originally shown on Nigel's "Rock Study" cable TV show which "aired" in Northern, VA. Part #2 of this interview was already posted here along with my spot on the TV show. So far the 3rd part of the inteview has yet to be found, but hopefully we'll eventually get all the footage together and uploaded. Note the 2 Trainwreck amps on the table in front of Ken. Other than this interview footage, I've never seen any other video of Ken Fischer. Enjoy! Glen Kuykendall
http://www.glenkuykendall.com/

Category:

Music

Tags:

• Trainwreck
• Amp
• Amplifier
• Liverpool
• Express
• Rocket
• Vox
• AC30
• Ampeg
• Fischer
• Kuykendall

[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! ;)

[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...

[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.

[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.

[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