RIP Ken Fischer

[doctord02]

Word over at the Gear Pages is that Kenny passed away on Saturday...

Rest in peace Ken. I actually cooresponded with him in the last couple of years and he was a nice guy.

Bummer.

[Normster]

I never corresponded with him, but always hoped someday I might. I'm very saddened by the news.

[stoo]

.....what a loss.....

RIP Ken!
Stew

[Humbucker]

Ken's legacy lives.

[mat]

Too sad..

[keithrick]

RIP Ken, your work lives on as well as your inspiration to others.

[Bickster]

Has anyone confirmed this?

[tjauernig]

If this is true, It's a sad day. I didn't know him, but he helped me and many others. KF and the tone will forever be mighty.

[funkmeblue]

into the supernatural

[jimipage]

rest in peace, Ken

[stevlech]

I just checked Komet's website. Thanks for the inspiration, Mr. Fischer.

RIP

[UR12]

Has anyone confirmed this?

Yes it has been confirmed. I never met or spoke to Ken but do feel the the music world has lost a great friend. Very sad news.

Here is a copy and paste from another site posted by Allynmey

At the request of Mona Fischer, Ken Fischer's Funeral will be held at the following location:

Thursday, December 28, 2006

11:30 AM

Beth Israel Cemetary
Route 1 & Woodbridge Mall
Woodbridge, NJ 07095

732-634-2100

[the guy who invented fire]

Truly sad indeed.

R.I.P Ken

[rfgordon]

Wow, Ken's gone. Bummer. Now that I'm 46, it seems like everyone "isn't that old" any more. Does anyone know how old Ken was?

I think that Ken was a man and amp builder ahead of his time. Until very recently, most guitarists viewed the amp as little more than a noise maker. You certainly see this phenomenon at work in the marketplace--people will sell a kidney to buy "that one guitar" but get upset if they have to part with much more than lunch money for an amp.

But maybe the boutique amp marketplace is changing that. The amp is becoming better known for its true role as a tone shaper, and as much an instrument to be played as a guitar. Certainly Ken's designs are just that: instruments. A Trainwreck just begs to be played; the touch sensitivity and the dynamics can bring out your best or expose you as a fretwanker.

Either way, Ken had discovered how to put the control back in the fingers and away from a bunch of channels and footswitches. Guitarists who discover tone in great amps really are part of Ken's legacy, whether they play a Wreck or not. I doubt there is a boutique ampbuilder out there who hasn't at least studied Ken's work, if not tried on a Trainwreck for size.

Ken, along with H.A.D., is/was one of the few who has had a lasting impact on amp design and culture, and he will be missed. It saddens me to think what things were yet in his mind that will never cause lead to flow.

I wonder if it would be at all possible to assemble a collection of recorded songs that feature Ken's original amps. That might be a good way to honor his legacy. (Well, that and build lots of Wrecks so that his influence spreads.)

[Luke Duke]

RIP Ken