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May 12, 1945 - December 23, 2006
I am sad to report that Ken
Fischer passed away on Saturday, December 23, 2006. I was introduced to
Kenny in 1994 through a mutual friend in the music business named Eliot
Jacobs. Eliot felt that I was passionate about my guitar playing as well
as my insatiable desire to create my own amplifiers. He likely thought it
appropriate to "introduce and enlighten" me about the finest amplifier
builder in the world - especially since he thought I reminded him of his
buddy Ken. I was 21 years old back then, working on construction sites as
an Environmental Contractor, and just starting on the steep learning curve
of my lifelong ambition of creating custom musical instruments. I was
playing my guitar out in bars, with my band, and just about everywhere I
could. I am forever indebted to Eliot for his introduction. I hadn't even
subscribed to Vintage Guitar Magazine yet back then! Little did I realize
that Ken was literally a legend and freely sharing his knowledge with the
world and especially guys like me who thirst to create useful Art. As a
matter of fact, Ken's articles were some of the most prolific,
knowledgeable, and popular articles ever to grace the pages in the most
excellent publication that is Vintage Guitar Magazine! Needless to say,
after becoming acquainted with Ken, my life forever changed for the best.
Ken was wonderful. My first experience with Ken was totally unexpected and
uplifting. Ken was so willing in his conversation. What I mean is that he
is an altruist. Ken genuinely felt at his best helping others to achieve
good things. When I explained to him my frustration with the most popular
amplifier designs as well as my personal collection, that I strive to
perfect my own designs, and that I admire his innovation, he just took off
like a rocket. He had so much to say. I think we spoke for about 3 hours.
Of course I couldn't possibly remember everything he said, and I never
took any notes. He also encouraged getting your hands dirty and
experimenting. He liked to reveal subtle differences from actually getting
in there and working within the amplifier. Ken was a fabulous sculptor.
You need to break out the hammer and chisel and get to work if you want to
attain great visions. A schematic will get you nowhere. It is just a
guideline or a map. The schematic might get you 80% of the way. But it's
the remaining 15% that makes a nice amp, and the last 5% that brings it on
home. Like all things in audio, you pay dearly for that last 5% of
perfection. It's the war that Physics wages on the designers and
constructors of fine audio gear. But that is where the music lives. It's
all in the subtleties of your soldering technique, wire routing and
placement, component and materials choice, etc. All of life's finest
details make up the overall quality. It's all the fine details that are
the composite of a great work. I am forever indebted to my mentor and
friend. I will always hope for the best for his friends and family. I will
always admire his memory, respect his work, and miss his conversation." |
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