Any ideas on a great sounding 'cheap' NPN ge for FF's

[vanessa]

Any ideas on a great sounding 'cheap' NPN germaniums for Fuzz Faces, Tone Benders etc..

I searched the archives and came across a couple of posts but mostly PNP's.

I want to build NPN germanium fuzz face but would like a newer NOS like a TI that's NPN with low leakage and tight tolerances that could get a NKT275 type tone. Maybe a Military spec tranny?



:roll:

[cd]

OC140 from small bear.

[spudulike]

Seconded.

[powerplayj]

I'd love to know how these compare to OC44's or OC71's and how they sound running off of an AC adapter.  I hate having 1 pedal in the chain (my PNP Ge Fuzz) that isn't AC powered.

[smallbearelec]

The problem I have with NPN germanium is that I don't have enough of it to offer matched and audited FF pairs on a consistent, off-the-shelf basis. I will look at the possibility as I come up with more inventory.

Re running a positive ground pedal from AC:

BUILD A SMALL WART!!

http://www.smallbearelec.com/Projects/SmWart/SmWart.htm

Regards
SD

[vanessa]

That's very cool on those OC140's. But I'm looking for something a little cheaper.

I've seen other NPN ge's around and I'm sure some could provide that magic that a NKT275 or the like could. I just didn't want to buy 100+ to find out.

I've seen some TI and Japanese tranny's that hit the mark on PNP's. I'm sure there are NPN equivalents. The 70's man, the 70's man!

[barret77]

pete roberts stuff?

[cd]

That's very cool on those OC140's. But I'm looking for something a little cheaper.

You get what you pay for.  Consider what it'll cost you in time & money to get untested, unsorted (or worse yet - fully sorted, and they sell you the bad ones) transistors from eBay or some other skeevy dealer.  Or worse yet, a dealer who doesn't know or care (i.e. NTE replacements from Mouser).

[mojotron]

The problem I have with NPN germanium is that I don't have enough of it to offer matched and audited FF pairs on a consistent, off-the-shelf basis. I will look at the possibility as I come up with more inventory.

Re running a positive ground pedal from AC:

BUILD A SMALL WART!!

http://www.smallbearelec.com/Projects/SmWart/SmWart.htm

Regards
SD

Steve, or anyone else, I know of an opportunitiy from a few months back to buy upto 5000 AC127 transistors from a major vendor - but you have to buy in large (~1000) lots. I would like to help out the sales rep out because they really helped me find some great parts - I just didn't need that many parts - and they were very helpful. I don't have pricing, but I'm sure it's competitive. PM me if you are serious about buying a large lot of AC127s and want details.

[MartyMart]

I'd love to know how these compare to OC44's or OC71's and how they sound running off of an AC adapter.  I hate having 1 pedal in the chain (my PNP Ge Fuzz) that isn't AC powered.

They are every bit as good as a "44"  
So far they sound fantastic in every circuit that I've tried...
RangeBlaster/Fuzz Face/Axis Face  etc etc
Nice and bright, with a good "crunchy" quality - well worth it !!

Marty.

[brett]

Hi.  Try a 2N2369A (Mouser will supply for a few cents), and bypass the 330 or 470 ohm resistor with a 0.047uF cap.  It isn't germanium, but it sounds close (and it's virtually noiseless).

Almost all  (say 18 or 19 out of 20) AC127s that I've tried are leaky and/or noisey.

cheers