AC128's from Czech?

[jkokura]

http://cgi.ebay.ca/AC128-Germanium-PNP-Transistors-2-pcs-Fuzz-Face-set-/110588794305?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item19bf9b15c1#ht_1802wt_913

What do you guys think? Worth a shot? Total would be around 12 bucks including shipping for a pair with good HFE's for a Fuzz Face or a Fuzz Factory.

Jacob

[brett]

Hard to tell. Higher quality, lower risk devices come from Japan and Russia.
But 12 bucks isn't gunna buy a Ferrari, is it?  So you could take the risk.
cheers

[LucifersTrip]

http://cgi.ebay.ca/AC128-Germanium-PNP-Transistors-2-pcs-Fuzz-Face-set-/110588794305?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item19bf9b15c1#ht_1802wt_913

What do you guys think? Worth a shot? Total would be around 12 bucks including shipping for a pair with good HFE's for a Fuzz Face or a Fuzz Factory.

Jacob

If you're gonna go for it, I'd buy more than one pair since the shipping for an additional set is only $1.90...so only $4.89 for the next pair

[zombiwoof]

Those are the modern small-case AC128, not the larger vintage type.  They will probably work, but they are not the "good" ones.

Check out this article by Jacques on the AC128:
http://www.jacquesstompboxes.com/ac128.htm

Those smaller case ones are available from several sources, and are generally made by Tungsram in the modern era.  Again, they might work fine, but they are not the vintage AC128's that were in the old vintage pedals.  Might be worth a try, though.

I recently got a pair of tested AC128K's, the large rectangular ones that have a built-in heatsink, and one of them now resides in my Fuzz Face (along with a 2SB176), and I'm happy with that combo.  Many different germanium trannies will work as long as they are in the correct hfe range, so it's a matter of trying different ones and seeing what they sound like.  I have found that different types will sound different, it's best to socket your transistors and try a bunch!.

Al

[elebcz]

Jacob,

I offer you to do a test. You can get from me one set of AC128s free. Do test them and if you're happy with the sound you get you pay them. If you find they sound bad, you can throw them away and pay nothing. Do you agree?

Jan

[jkokura]

Jan, are you the guy who's selling the Transistors? I'll be sending you a PM right away...

Jacob

[elebcz]

Jacob, Yes. That's me. Let's do a test. See PM from me.

Jan

[Hides-His-Eyes]

Got any Ge NPNs?

[elebcz]

Yes. I have many other Ge transistors and diodes, all tested with reported specs, I'll give you a list via PM later afternoon (= here in Europe).

[elebcz]

Hides-His-Eyes, Chris, done. Check the PM. Jan

[Pigyboy]

Thanks. I will be in touch
Cheers

[tubelectron]

Hi,

If the Hfe is 90-110 with an Ice0 around 100-120µA (less would be better, if seriously measured) then it's good for the Fuzz Face. It's what I have in mine (Philips AC128 60'-70's NOS). Here's a picture :



It would be probably good for the Fuzz Factory, but I read somewhere that the Hfe were lower (right or wrong ?).

A+!

[elebcz]

Guys,

See the feedbacks I'm currently getting in my eBay listing of AC128 Germanium PNP Transistors 2 pcs - Fuzz Face set:

fettt21( 112) - 3 sets - Sep-24-10: Got here way earlier than expected (a week). Transistors sound great! Thanks!
knil98( 118) - 1 set - Sep-27-10: Great seller, thanks.
lbartwork( 214) - 2 sets - Sep-29-10: Fast shipping to US. Super seller! Went above and beyond! Will buy again!!
mattman8001( 9 ) - 3 sets - Sep-30-10: Awesome!! Thanks!
trakaudio( 60) - 15 sets - Sep-30-10: super ebayer !!!! A ++++
bencruzf( 24) - 2 sets - Oct-02-10: A++++++++++++
flyingvfan51( 70) - 1 set - Oct-04-10: Fast shipping all the way to America. Transistors were labeled nicely.

We will see what will say Jacob's test.

Jan

[jkokura]

Trannies arrived today. Clearly marked with nice little labels. I'll be trying them out soon, and posting the results. Currently I'll be testing them in both the fuzz factory and fuzz face circuits.

Jacob

[Pigyboy]

I have to say that Jan is one cool dude to work with. He hooked me up sweet and I highly recommend him and his Ebay store. Fast response and a desire to make friends not just money will bring me back to buy from him again no problem.
Cheers Jan and thanks again,
chris

[elebcz]

Jacob, Chris,

I'm happy to work with you, I think electronics and music is a common love of all of us.

Looking forward to hear from you an experience with trannies and cables from my eBay store.

Jan

[Jaicen_solo]

I don't know how many people are aware, but it's possible to get brand new production, (not NOS), Ge transistors from R.S components, among other places.
I've used them, and they are very consistent and low leakage. Obviously, NOS has it's own cachet, but personally I prefer the new production to the NOS transistors I have, of which I have many.

[elebcz]

Why not. Which brand do you mean? R.S components is just a distributor.

Jan

[Jaicen_solo]

They're made by Magnatec. I wouldn't be surprised to see them coming from Eastern Europe to be honest.
I'm not meaning to damage your sales elebcz, because there will always be a market for NOS tested trannies, but perhaps you could find them locally and offer them as well?

[elebcz]

Could it be this one? http://www.semelab.com/magnatec/index.shtml

Don't worry about my business, I'm doing well. Always some people feel better to have exactly old components in their staff. And sounding of different solutions can be very subjective.

Jan