Vintage Guitar Magazine article

[sliberty]

In the Jan 2014 issue of Vintage Guitar Magazine, Dave Hunter has an article about Trainwreck amps and Ken Fischer. It is an entertaining enough article, but I did almost spit my beer across the room when I read the following line:

"The Express is `Fischer's rendition of a Marshall-style amplifier, but only in the broadest sense, given the tremendous amount of originality in his circuits."

Now, I love TW amps as much as the next guy. But give me a break! The Rocket is a dead nuts rip off of an AC30, and the Liverpool and Express almost totally follow the topology of several Fenders (AA165 Bassman for example) with only minor (but significant) tweaks.

Ken's skills were not about the originality of his design (they just weren't all that original), but rather in his ability to tweak a circuit to taste (mostly his own). He turned a relatively tame Fender circuit into a Tazmanian Devil (hey - that would be a good name for an amp...I call dibs).

But "tremendous amount of originality"? Not bloody likely! Dave, you usually know better than that.

OK, if you must, let the flames begin. But take a look at the circuits first before you claim they don't resemble the ones I mentioned.

[jelle]

Haha!

[matt h]

(deleted)

[Firestorm]

The Express could be said to sound a bit Marshall-like, but the circuit clearly has a different lineage. Sloppy writing on Dave's part.

[jjman]

Many/most amp-centered articles in VG mag contain questionable statements. The 1st time they had an article about amps I spotted 6 blatant falsehoods. Their 6v6 tube comparison from a while back was filled with mere slogans and mumbo jumbo.

But it is the only mag I subscribe to and it's well worth the money.

[Reeltarded]

If an article anout something as mundane as a handmade guitar amplifier can be so messed up what are we to think about articles at mileyfanblog.org and thehuffingtonpost?

Jenny McCarthy should spend a week on her head in 3' of mud, btw.

[M Fowler]

And Dave Hunter said cloners pirated the Trainwreck schematic off internet?

[dartanion]

Propagating myths is what the media is all about these days. Even in guitar pubs.

[rooster]

Well... hm. He did say 'the Express' and not the Rocket there. And I do agree the Rocket is a dead nuts kind of thing with a better power supply. However, the Express is different than any Marshall nade in the day.

The output section is dead nuts Plexi, yes, but not the choke value. The Plexi had a 100 ohms resistive choke, the Express 1000. That's not dead nuts and it wasn't until the 900 series that Marshall used 2.2K screen resistors on the power tubes that they approached this kind of separation, plate to screen.

Then the preamps. The JCM800 had the gain stages, yes, but not the tone stack placement of the Express, and remember the Marshall had the cathode follower exit to the PI, the Express did not. This was all Ken and I don't know of any amp that had this path at the time, with the exception of the AB165 Bassman on the bass channel (and a version or two in front of this or behind it). But this channel was hardly anything that would - in it's stock form - serve a guitar player.

So I think Dave said something accurate and true regarding Ken. And I actually liked the way he phrased it. Ken Fischer was a brilliant man in my book.

[rooster]

Double post.

[sliberty]

I can't really find anything that qualifies as "a tremendous amount of originality", including on the Express. Don't compare the circuit to a Marshall. Compare it to a Fender. As an example, look at the AA165, and then tell me that Fischer created a unique and original circuit. I don't think you will.

Did Ken bring value to the art? Yes. I love my Rocket and my Express. In many ways, they sound better than most other amps I have tried. But "tremendous originality" just doesn't do justice to those that came before him.

And I am no amp historian (which Dave probably considers himself).

BTW, this was not meant as a slam on Ken. It was meant as a slam on Dave.

[redshark]

I just bought the magazine to read the article. Oh well, actually what is impressive is the pictures of Kaylene!! that express looks gorgeous!!

[cbass]

I subscribed to VG they came for a few months then stopped guess it was just a 5 month subscription

[M Fowler]

I subscribed to VG they came for a few months then stopped guess it was just a 5 month subscription

Next time I roll by their office I'll give them the finger for you!

[cbass]

Thanks Mark, that means a lot to me.