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Roger Alan Modjeski (RAM) 1951 - 2019

It is with great sadness that I announce Roger A. Modjeski passed away peacefully in his home in San Pablo, CA after an 12 month battle with cancer. Roger started Music Reference in 1981 and later RAM Tubes, The Tube Audio Store, and The Berkeley HiFi School. For more than 38 years he tirelessly ran his business and designed some of the most unique and well received audio components in the industry. Right until the near end Roger was working, designing, and teaching until he physically was unable to continue.

The link below will take you my playground where I have posted my tribute to Roger (click ENTER after the page loads):

http://www.electrafidelity.com/

Fare thee well my friend.
clio09
cal3713's avatar
cal3713
1,421 posts
 
What a beautiful thread.
bdp24's avatar
bdp24
10,487 posts
 
In the audience during Roger's hour-long talks at the 2015 and 2018 Burning Amp Festival are Ken Stevens of CAT (a designer he respected. Roger offered RAM tubes hand picked and matched for Ken's amps), Nelson Pass, Herb Reichert (now writing for Stereophile of course, but also a long-time DIYer), and lots of ambitious amateur engineers. Roger also collaborated with noted electric guitar pickup designer Seymour Duncan, a master at that art.  
artemus_5's avatar
artemus_5
2,016 posts
 
@bdp24  I had just started to read about RJ after treading one of your posts in another thread. This has been a year full of deaths of people who were 68 yrs old, which is my age. he seemed like the real deal. Just finished reading about the RM 10mk2
bdp24's avatar
bdp24
10,487 posts
 

@artemus_5, I turned 69 this year, and my old friends and bandmates started dropping like flies a little over 10 years ago (cigarettes and booze, mostly). Robbie Robertson said Rock ’n’ Roll isn’t conducive to a long life, his bandmate Levon Helm responded by entitling his autobiogaphy Ain’t In It For My Health. Robbie’s still living, Levon isn’t.

By the way, if you decide you want one, there is an RM-10 Mk.2 with RAM tubes currently listed on US Audiomart at an asking price of $1400.

artemus_5's avatar
artemus_5
2,016 posts
 
@bdp24 My best friend died this year. I knew him since 2nd grade. We were twin brothers from different mothers literally. Run the roads, raised a ruckus, had a mess of fun with lots of stories. I have a few others that go back a long way too. But the years are getting fewer. Most of my family live til 90. Some days I see that as a blessing...some days a curse. Life has been good. I was in the music scene too (drums& vocals) . I’d love to play some more but don’t have time for the egos and prima donnas. Love to play though. Yes I’ve looked at the amp on Us audiomart. . Only thing that c=scared me a little is that one review mentions its not for R&R. I’m a classic rocker. But then I don’t believe there are rock amps and rock speakers. I have Silverline sonata speakers which are very revealing and love my music from them. Love Neil Young’s grunge guitar too.. but want it portrayed good. Any input on the amp is welcome
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