begginers troubles

[crang85]

im new to building effects pedals so i was hoping someone could give me a hand. i first want to know what part number would be a standard germanium pnp transistor and i need it in a code starting with BC. i think its a british thing.

i also need some information on ICs. i need a 4558 and CD4013 but i dont know what these are because im just starting on using ICs. if someone could give me a better description or some generic substitutes of these parts it would be very helpful

[the_badcliff]

If I'm not mistaken, the codes for germanium transistors always start with an A.  The notation used would have A representing Germanium and B representing Silicon.  I forget what the C stands for.  Anyway, I think what you are looking for is an AC128 (Maybe an AC125, I forget which is which).

IC's are integrated circuits, they look like little chips and for most of the projects you do they will be 8-pin.  4558s are very common and there are a few variations.  I don't know about the CD4013 but I'd imagine its not too hard to find.

Look for these parts at www.smallbearelec.com, thats what I always do.

I'm a beginner too by the way, Good luck.

[Fret Wire]

The most common European PNP Ge transistor used in effects is the AC128. Still pretty available if you look. BC108's and BC109's are popular NPN Silicon transistors used in late 60's/early 70's fuzz's and wah wah's.

For IC's, 4558 (8-pin) and CD4013 (14-pin) are basically genaric IC's. For the 4558, there is the JRC4558, RC4558, NJM4558, to name a few. What you want are these IC's in what is called a DIP package. The pins look like a spiders legs, half on each side. That is the standard type used in effects. Look for the 4558 in an 8-pin DIP, the 4013 in a 14-pin DIP package. Go to Mouser's site and enter 4558 and 4013 in the search fields. You'll get many different brands and packages. Heres a specific example of each.

RC4558p: click on the pdf data sheet on the page. Look at the drawing of the pins.
http://www.mouser.com/index.cfm?handler=displayproduct&lstdispproductid=247569

CD4013: look at the data sheet. You'll see drawings of two different pins, the long ones are DIP
http://www.mouser.com/index.cfm?handler=displayproduct&lstdispproductid=245665

What projects are you planning to build? It is easier to help if you tell us what you want to build and include a link to the schematic or layout.

[crang85]

im trying to build an mxr bluebox from tone pad. heres the link

http://www.tonepad.com/project.asp?id=33

[Fret Wire]

That's a rather ambitious project for the first! Any prior electronic experience? If you can solder, and are patient, and methodical, go for it.

Like Badcliff said, Small Bear Electric has both the RC4558 and the CD4013 in the proper DIP 8 & 14 pin packages. You should always put the IC's in sockets like above. One, so you don't heat damage them while soldering, 2nd, to make swapping them easy. Notice the left side has a small half circle cut-out? That's for orientation. The IC itself has a little circular dot on one side. Now look at the Tonepad layout. You'll see the outline of the IC with the same semi-circle cutout. Line up the socket with the layout, the IC with the socket, and it will work.

Check the FAQ on this site and the GEO site for more helpful tips . They both have great debugging articles for when things don't work.

Not that you'll be worrying about this, but here's some mods suggested by Mark Hammer for the bluebox:
http://diystompboxes.com/sboxforum/viewtopic.php?t=22917

[crang85]

before this i made an ampeg scramble, this is just my first one with ICs. it didnt work properly, its gating the sound but ive read on debugging pages how to fix it i just havent got round to it yet.

Im having trouble with finding Ge transistors is there anything you can recomend. im in australia so the selection isnt the best.

[zener]

Well, the issue of not finding this and that part/s really comes down to the bottom question, "Can you afford to or do you have the means to order online"?

I'm also in a place where many things for DIY stompboxes are not around. No hammond-type boxes, no footswitches, no log pots, no 2N5089 and J201 trannies (which are very common trannies used in DIY) and maybe even more. My own answer to the question above is definitely no. Exchange rate ain't that good here that the minimum wage here is equivalent to just US $5 :shock: .

Most of the times i just have to be content and settle for things that are just around here and plus some creativity and a bit of ingenuity, somehow I was able to make up for the lack of many things here .

But there are lot of times I just can't help but to say, "damn, this could have looked/sounded/worked better if only I have this and/or that part/s". :?

So, answer the question above and know what are the things that present and not around in your place and you can pre-determine your future in DIY stompboxes :wink: .

[Fret Wire]

Read the Technology of the Fuzz Face at GEO. You'll see that Ge's are very inconsistant in gain and leakage compared to silicon transistors. Plus, they have to fall in a certain range for gain and leakage to work properly in a fuzz. Which means you could spend alot of money to get, say 10, only to find out just two are useable. For you first fuzz, get a matched pair from Small Bear. You pay more, but they're tested and are the proper specs. He also has the TO-5 transistor sockets you should use because Ge's hate soldering heat. If, after, you want to build many, then you can build a transistor tester, and buy in quantity, so you can sort out the bad ones.

[Fret Wire]

You have quite a few neighbors on this forum who can point you to some good local sources. You also don't have to have GE transistors to build fuzz's. The fustration with Ge's has led some of the gifted people here to come up with some nice silicon alternatives.

[crang85]

is there a replacement for the 4558 IC im having difficulty getting it here but i'll keep in mind overseas ordering

[Fret Wire]

TL072, RC4559, NE5532, and many other dual DIP 8-pin IC's can sub for the 4558.