Help me choose germanium transistors.

[haveyouseenhim]

My local joke of an electronics store has germanium trannies but I'm not familiar with what germanium can be used in stompbox circuits.   Just list a few popular models and what I should look for.

Thanks

[LucifersTrip]

My local joke of an electronics store has germanium trannies but I'm not familiar with what germanium can be used in stompbox circuits.   Just list a few popular models and what I should look for.

Thanks

you can use any as long as the gain & leakage is right for the circuit you want to build

if you're buying without measuring, it's always a gamble

A common US one usually with good specs is 2N404.  The Japanese ones, which can also commonly be found in the US can be good, usually with lower leakage....2SB's and 2SA's...2SB175, 2Sb77, etc...

[digi2t]

A bit pricey for the DIY`er, but one of the best purchases I made this year...



It`s made sorting through Ge duds much easier. It also allows me to sort my Si trannies into gain groups rather quickly. Not to mention the fact that it gives me the pinout at the touch of a button. I bring it with me when shopping for Ge trannies in town. If I`m buying on the net, well, it`s a crap shoot. I guess that`s why I`m hooked on the Russian trannies right now. You get a bunch for cheap, and the dud rate is usually pretty good.

My DMM, the Peak Atlas, and my cap tester. Three indispensable tools on my bench.

[haveyouseenhim]

^ I'm sure they wont let me test them like that. This is the worst electronics store in america. It's just leftover old stock from a store that used to be in my town. All of the stock is in the back room, they don't have a list of stocked items, and they refuse to let me browse... its a 70 year old lady that knows NOTHING about components.
she couldn't tell a resistor from a transistor.

It always pisses me off to no end to try to find anything there. I'm going to secretly film my next visit because I don't think any of you would believe the craziness of this 'store'

[oldschoolanalog]

See if they have some BBDs!
Oh yeah! 

[Govmnt_Lacky]

...All of the stock is in the back room, they don't have a list of stocked items, and they refuse to let me browse...

So when you walk in and ask for "XXX," you have to wait for the old lady to search through a bunch of items that she doesn't know about or even know what she is looking for?

Sounds like a solid business/customer service attitude to me! 

[haveyouseenhim]

See if they have some BBDs!
Oh yeah! 

i think most of the stock is nte. does nte make any bbds?

...All of the stock is in the back room, they don't have a list of stocked items, and they refuse to let me browse...

So when you walk in and ask for "XXX," you have to wait for the old lady to search through a bunch of items that she doesn't know about or even know what she is looking for?

Sounds like a solid business/customer service attitude to me! 

It's rage worthy 

[LucifersTrip]

i think most of the stock is nte.

...then the 102A's will be one of your better bets...

[smallbearelec]

i think most of the stock is nte. does nte make any bbds?

NTE does not "make" anything. Their devices are rejects that are re-labeled. Do Not Overpay, and consider yourself lucky if any of their germanium parts turn out to be useable. If the store has any 2Nxxx or 2SBxxx parts and you are lucky enough to score a lot, drop me a message at smallbearelec@ix.netcom.com. I buy quantities of things I need and pay reasonable finder's fees in cash or store credit.

Regards
SD

[haveyouseenhim]

i think most of the stock is nte. does nte make any bbds?

NTE does not "make" anything. Their devices are rejects that are re-labeled. Do Not Overpay, and consider yourself lucky if any of their germanium parts turn out to be useable. If the store has any 2Nxxx or 2SBxxx parts and you are lucky enough to score a lot, drop me a message at smallbearelec@ix.netcom.com. I buy quantities of things I need and pay reasonable finder's fees in cash or store credit.

Regards
SD

I'll keep that in mind. I'll buy just two to test the water