Silicon vs. Germanium

[Herr Masel]

Seems strange to me, but I couldn't find any info on this. Don't mean to be too basic but I was wondering just how great the differences between germanium and silicon transistors (and diodes) are. I mean, would it sound totally different or does it basically break down at the design? In my case, I want to mod my sd-1 going by the indyguitarist.com mod, but I don't think I'll be able to get any germanium diodes. Would it still be worth while using something similar, or should I leave it as it is and build a big-daddy?

[wampcat1]

It won't hurt anything by *not* using the germaniums, but it definately won't sound the same. The big daddy has a totally different flavor than the sd-1, modified or not, so I'd do both!

If it was me, I'd get go to www.smallbearelec.com and purchase a few, it will make the clipping much nicer.

Take care,
Brian

[Herr Masel]

Oh, I thought (from hearing the clips) they were quite similar, but of course that's not a really good reference point. How are they different? Anyway, I live in the mediterranian mid-east, and shipping is as though to asia, which means a LOT, so I don't think I will be ordering anything from small-bear right now. But, if I may ask again, how substantial is the difference, between si and ge that is? It sucks feeling I'm getting the short end of the straw just because of where I live, but I guess I'll make due with what is (and scavange the flee market dumpsters for old electronics)...

[wampcat1]

Oh, I thought (from hearing the clips) they were quite similar, but of course that's not a really good reference point. How are they different? Anyway, I live in the mediterranian mid-east, and shipping is as though to asia, which means a LOT, so I don't think I will be ordering anything from small-bear right now. But, if I may ask again, how substantial is the difference, between si and ge that is? It sucks feeling I'm getting the short end of the straw just because of where I live, but I guess I'll make due with what is (and scavange the flee market dumpsters for old electronics)...

The big daddy's clipping is a little coarser, and not smoother like the sd-1.

Instead of the germaniums, you could try using LED's in place of them. The tone won't be the same exactly, but the clipping will be nicer than stock IMO.

Also, you might post on here looking for someone who lives closer to you who can sell you a few germaniums, always worth a shot.

Hope that helps!

Thanks,
Brian

[Paul Perry (Frostwave)]

Herr Masel, I don't know where you live, but it might be possible to salvage a few Ge diodes from an old broken transistor radio (the ones from the 1960s). Might be worth aasking a local repair shop too, if they repair things in your country.

[Herr Masel]

Thanks for your help, I guiess I WILL do both, why not?

[...]if they repair things in your country.

Haha, I don't know if that was a joke but it made me laugh .

I want to use this thread for another, undrelated question instead of clogging up the board with a new thread: can you point me to a site that explains CMOS, TTL etc. components? I mean a brief explenation of what does what and how to wire them. I just found out about the mobious trip and I want to build one!

I wish I had less questions and more input to the board but I am still learning. I never knew how much fun this could be. It gives me trouble falling asleep and when I sleep I dream about transistors and soldering. I think it is fatally dangerous for me to have another aspect of guitar to become obsessed with!

[petemoore]

  k,,,
  Ge's have lowest cliping threshold, this means more distortey and less outputey.
  But...I wouldn't assume you'd like them in your SD1 any more than the si's that are in it  though...some word the difference Ge's make as 'restrictive' IIRC>
  Si's are 'somewhere in the middle of clipping threshold, LED's have very high clipping threshold, and supposedly 'crunch' [words of other] but...I'd use Si's or Ge's.
  1 going one way and the other diode facing the other way, adding another diode to one of these makes for 'assymetric' clipping...you could try that if you can get the Si diode,
  Also computer monitors have a nice supply of different diode types if you can get your hands on a broken one and salvage them out...maybe some different types but mostly Si 1n914 and 1n400x types [I think], both these types are good for clipping usages....perhaps just replacing one of the SD's diodes with a 1n400x type...the 1n400x seem to have 'followers'...

[Paul Perry (Frostwave)]

[...]if they repair things in your country.

Haha, I don't know if that was a joke but it made me laugh .

I only say that, because (tragically) almost nothing electronic is repairable here in Australia & so all the old repair guys are out of work. It is probably the same everywhere now! I guess fixing stomp boxes and amps is a last stronghold. But whatever country you are in, I'm sure there are some Ge diodes, if you can but find them!!