i it possible to change Gain of the germaniums transistors?

[mathflan]

HI,

I have some AC128 with a high gain ( hfe near 200 ),
I 'd like to know if it's possible to reduce the gain, and if yes, would it be the same sound as a germanium with less  gain.

thanks

[Mark F]

I don't think you can change the inherent gain of any transistor, germanium or silicon, unless piggybacking is involved and then you're not actually changing the gain of  a transistor. The actual gain,I believe, is inherent in the manufacturing process.

[petemoore]

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v207/petemoore/8PINFFPBACK.jpg
   Here's how I use an 8 pin IC socket to do a neat, strong, EZ to swap R value and transistors, piggyback wiring....works great for Q1 or Q2, if you don't have a low Hfe Q1, I'd use it there...[in which case Ignore the 'trimpot' and 470 Ohm texts...]
  The right side transistors collector is where the PBTransistors output is taken the left side transistors collector is not used, Bases connect, pins 4 and 5 is where you can plug different resistors in to try different values [ or wire in a pot].
  Another trick is between Emitter and ground insert a 'Yaff' [AMZ] resistor [small like 100ohm] between E and Gnd.
  I believe you'll have no trouble except to wire and do the swaps to find excellent FF tone and rolloff of gain at guitar volume this way...
  2n2369 transistors for Q1 FF are quite nice alone also though...

[mathflan]

Ok thanks Guys I'll try that!

[z-zero]

Here is a link Bioroids posted in a reply to one of my threads similar to this topic:

http://www.geocities.com/SunsetStrip/Studio/2987/britface.html

It shows one GE diode being used to limit a transitors gain. 157 turns into 52. Pretty nice article.

z-zero