New Komet

[HeeBGB]

As I said...I have had correspondence with Ken. He doesn't have a problem with home builders cloning his amps as long as we are not in the business of selling clones. Here's a quote from Ken's letter "As for copying, That's fine. I don't mind copies as long as they're not for sale as such!"

The damage has already been done by Two Rock and some others who have seen the inside of real Expresses long ago and sold their clones. What was posted here isn't hurting anyone..... except maybe the cloners! How many people here are going to see those pics and start selling clones based on them? Let's be realistic about this. Anyone who wanted to clone an Express has done their homework already and put the amp out there way before those pics were posted.

In addition to that...pics of Trainwrecks were posted on Ken's own site for the longest time. They were grainy but they were available and still available on this site. I just brought them into focus. Pics of the Komet are also available on the Komet site and they are in focus!

[Guest]

"As I said...I have had correspondence with Ken."

Like I said, ask him how he feels about these pics being posted and report back.

You can justify this "if I want it I'm entitled to it" mentality all you want, fact is, it is in clear opposition to what Ken wants, and a slap in the face for him.

He has always been more than generous helping out anyone who asked, short of handing out pictures of his work.

If you don't believe this helps the numerous commercial cloners who so far haven't been able to even get close, you're delusional.

It's not that easy to get your hands on a real Trainwreck, because most owners respect Ken's wishes not to have them dissected.


Rheingold

[HeeBGB]

It seems that you have had correspondence with Ken. If that is the case then say it. If you know for a fact that Ken is not happy with those pics being posted then say it. Did you ask him? Don't beat around the bush. If it is his wishes that the pics be removed then I will ask Omar to do so.

I still don't see what the big deal is. The only thing those pics actually shed ANY light on was the power supply. The pre-amp was already out there as was the schem. If you're going to tell me that Ken is not happy about people knowing how he bent the wires I'm going to laugh at you!

[Guest]

If you're going to tell me that Ken is not happy about people knowing how he bent the wires I'm going to laugh at you!

You haven't read the posts on this forum where people reported drastic changes for the better in their clones from copying some of the lead dress in the pics? Maybe you should laugh at them.

Yes, I've known Ken for many years. Anybody who has knows he doesn't want pictures published to help others cash in on his work, and not just cloners for that matter.

As for removing the pics now, it's kinda late for that. That horse has left the barn.


Rheingold

[HeeBGB]

Where do you get this shit?

You still haven't answered my questions! Have you spoken to Ken about this recently? If he doesn't want pics posted why did he have them on his own site? Am I to believe he doesn't care about the schem or the layouts that were posted? I had nothing to do with those.

If you want to speak about the horse leaving the barn...the clones were already done before the pics were posted....so what are you talking about? Who here is cashing in on Ken's work? You need to aim your anger at Two Rock and Andy Fuchs and some others who clone Wrecks.

Incidentally I built a clone before the pics were taken and it's very close sonically to Francesca and I didn't have the benefit of those pics at the time.

I don't think I am entitled to anything. The info was available and I used it. I DO NOT SELL MY AMPS! They are for my use only and if a commercial cloner really wants to clone an Express it's not that difficult to obtain one. All you need to do is call Ultrasound. Two Rock and Fuchs have seen the inside of Express amps and made their clones. Those are the guys you should be angry at. Not us.

Why are you here anyway? We are here to build amps and share info that you obviously feel shouldn't be availabe so why do you come here? Just to troll I suppose!

[Guest]

If he doesn't want pics posted why did he have them on his own site?

There never were any chassis pics on the old Trainwreck site, your memory is foggy.

Look, it's really simple. Ask Ken how he feels about this. Let us know what he said.

Or maybe the current owner of Francesca could call Ken, Ken always answers phone calls to give tech support to Trainwreck owners. He could say "hey Ken, I just posted dozens of pics showing every minute detail of my Express on the internet, I don't suppose you mind?'

Don't waste your time speculating about my agenda, ask the man himself.


Rheingold

[HeeBGB]

You keep skirting my questions! What brings you here? AND if the horse has left the barn what purpose will it serve to ask Ken anything? When was the last time YOU spoke to Ken about this?

Oh and AGAIN...I don't feel I am entitled to anything. I simply returned the favor to people who shared info with me! All this secret society bullshit is starting to get on my nerves!

[Guest]

You keep skirting my questions! What brings you here?

I know Ken, I know how he feels about inside pictures of his amps being published, and I thought I'd let you know. Not that you guys care, if you did you'd have asked first.

AND if the horse has left the barn what purpose will it serve to ask Ken anything?

None, I agree. See above.


Rheingold

[HeeBGB]

Not that you guys care, if you did you'd have asked first.

I don't care. As far as I'm concerned the horse left the barn so the pics didn't do any damage.

AND if the horse has left the barn what purpose will it serve to ask Ken anything?

None, I agree. See above.
Rheingold

OK...So the Two Rock and the Fuchs clones were already on the market before the pics were posted. (The Two Rock has since been discontinued) So tell me what harm the pics have done? Again...the horse left the barn so posting the pics is harmless! Also, I have built a clone so don't give me the wire bending nonsense! It's not true!

[Funkalicousgroove]

What a Sad, Sad discussion this is, I mean it's not like ken doesn't give up all his Lead dress "Secrets" in "The trainwreck Pages" Not that it really makes that much of a difference anyway.
Every Circut in that amp is straight out of the RCA/Western Electric Recieving Manual, It was clever that He added the additional gain stage after the Recovery amp, but nothing that wasn't done before (Fender AA864 Bassman), his trick with the diodes is also there(TW PGS).
I have great respect for Ken as a Teacher, a modern day Medicine man as it were, someone who is willing to share the knowledge he has acquired in his years of experience, but I can't Imagine that a man who doesn't use or own a computer, is no longer building amps, and who is more than happy to share schematics (If you can get in contact with him) would care about some people admiring an amp he built 20 years ago.
I would gladly call him and ask him, but all the phone numbers for Trainwreck Circuts have long been disconnected, and with Ken's health as it is, it seems as though the letters sent to his P.O.box in colonia are either collecting dust or He has better things to worry about (And justly so).
Rheingold, Contribute or leave, but please spare us your self appointed advocacy/Self Righteous soap box ranting, There are enough folks out there that REALLY DO know Ken and speak to him enough that they will let us know when and if he has a problem, and if he does, we will act accordingly.

[HeeBGB]

What a Sad, Sad discussion this is, I mean it's not like ken doesn't give up all his Lead dress "Secrets" in "The trainwreck Pages" Not that it really makes that much of a difference anyway.
Every Circut in that amp is straight out of the RCA/Western Electric Recieving Manual, It was clever that He added the additional gain stage after the Recovery amp, but nothing that wasn't done before (Fender AA864 Bassman), his trick with the diodes is also there(TW PGS).
I have great respect for Ken as a Teacher, a modern day Medicine man as it were, someone who is willing to share the knowledge he has acquired in his years of experience, but I can't Imagine that a man who doesn't use or own a computer, is no longer building amps, and who is more than happy to share schematics (If you can get in contact with him) would care about some people admiring an amp he built 20 years ago.
I would gladly call him and ask him, but all the phone numbers for Trainwreck Circuts have long been disconnected, and with Ken's health as it is, it seems as though the letters sent to his P.O.box in colonia are either collecting dust or He has better things to worry about (And justly so).
Rheingold, Contribute or leave, but please spare us your self appointed advocacy/Self Righteous soap box ranting, There are enough folks out there that REALLY DO know Ken and speak to him enough that they will let us know when and if he has a problem, and if he does, we will act accordingly.

Well said!

I didn't realize how sad it was until you pointed it out. I am sorry for my participation in it.

[Guest]

I would gladly call him and ask him, but all the phone numbers for Trainwreck Circuts have long been disconnected,

Wrong, the number hasn't changed since the early '80s and still works. Call him.

As far as sadness goes, nothing beats watching you guys justify all kinds of ways how you can show Ken the finger while deeply respecting him.

And I'm out, see you around.


Rheingold

[Funkalicousgroove]

Just dialed 201 381 5126, Says it's dis-connected, So I will send Ken a Letter and ask him, but I don't expect to hear back. No one here is Flipping anyone the bird but you, but from way up there on your soap box it may be tough to see that.

[Omar]

Wow - I should have been checking the board instead of working today ...

Rheingold
It seems that no explanation will suffice for you. If you believe that we are "justify all kinds of ways how [we] can show Ken the finger while deeply respecting him" then that is your opinion but I can assure that that is definitely not the case.

I have a problem with you making statements on Ken's behalf and then asking us to justify them by calling him? HeeBGB mentioned that he had direct mail correspondence with Ken. Others in this group have done the same and Ken's answer has always been - he doesn't mind homebrewing as long as it not for commerical use. You on the other hand have been vague at best with your contacts with Ken.

Also, I have problems with you implying that we think we are entitled to this information. This is plain B.S. What statements did you use to derive this conclusion?

Omar

[Mark]

Dear Rheingold

I hope this doesn't come across as I'm attacking anyone, actually far from it. I do have a definite opinion on all of this now, so I'll get on my soap box now.

Regarding your comment "You guys just gave that away for free on Ken's behalf".

You have to remember that Ken Fischer didn't have any problem with lifting the AC-30 circuit and calling it a Rocket amp, do you suppose that he called up Vox and paid them some sort percent of the money he made using their circuit?

Also many of Ken Fischer's critics have said (to me via email) that the Express is nothing but a mish-mash of other amps, and it is true that I've seen all the various circuits in other amps. For the record, I think Ken Fischer came up with a good sounding amp, and I don't feel any need to critcise him.

As far as the Air brake goes didn't Tom Scholz build a resistive attenuator first, is it possible that Ken Fischer reworked Tom Scholz's idea?
If so what does Ken Fischer owe Tom Scholz?

Personally, I don't think it is really worth worrying about any of this sort of thing, after all Vox could have sued Ken Fischer, so if they are happy enough why should I worry?

Some time ago I have made Ken Fischer aware of this site and he doesn't have a problem with it, so why should anyone else?
Ken is free to post his opinion here, in fact we would love to have him posting here.

Personally, I think the real problem isn't with individuals wanting to protect Ken Fischer's intellectual property, but individuals protecting their investment. Still it is their money and I'm not here to tell them what to do with it.

I suppose the thing about all this that does amaze me is the fact we know all about the basic Express and Liverpool circuit (not to be confused with being able to correctly layout the circuit in the most effective manner), and yet the Rocket amp that is an AC-30 clone is the amp we know the least about.

Nudge, nudge, wink, wink Rocket.