Availability of germanium transistors?

[jmusser]

I had done a "Search", and didn't find any information on this topic. I was just curious as to the availability of germaniums in general. I have heard from some sources, that germaniums were made up into the 80s sometime, but I'm not sure what properties they would pocess to make them hang around that long after silicon. Here it is, almost 2006, and germaniums (even some of the originals used in vintage effects) are still available. I have been getting some very good quality (but weird pin out) Russian types that I guess we're leftovers from the USSR, and there have been some great Mullards coming from the Ministry of Defense. I had heard from different posts, that the source for germaniums are drying up, but I'm not seeing it. I'm also wondering why these Russian and MOD germaniums haven't been purged from stock and put in a land fill 20 years ago? Of course I'm glad they're not for the DIY community, but I'd figure they would be there right along with 8 track tapes and Beta VCR tapes!

[MartyMart]

This should probably be called "availabillity of good germanium transistors"  !!
There are LOTS of crap ones out there, or batches which have had all the decent
"low leakage" ones removed !
I got lucky with the OC140's and those Russian ones that you put me on to are
fantastic also
I'm hogging these and they will do me for some time !
As for searching for the "perfect" NTK/AC12** or whatever, its a mine field.
For a few projects it makes sense to buy from smallbear/Banzai and get the matched
sets, which you know are going to work.
Taking a chance on a huge amount is fine if they are cheap enough, the recent
OC44's thread was worth it, tried and tested devices sure helps when handing
over your cash

Marty.

[petemoore]

  For a few', can't beat just getting 'good tested ones...I put an NPN Ge 'Rangemaster' Q, got it from SB, sounds nearly like a FF, or thick and rich that way but less distorted...until recently I never was getting that from Rangemasters...Ge Figure.
  I have a batch of 8, but they're in a working radio........I had to be 'chintzy' at teh tag sale, I coulda had more than 10 of them, plus everything else about an old Japanese Brand tape recorder...all for 10$.
  Ii found an old Zenith [large, red plastic] radio, but they wanted 45$ for that thing...Ge Figure...I bid 6.50, but they didn't call.

[MartyMart]

That was a great deal pete !!!
Can't get over those OC140's  they just sound great in any
circuit !
I seem to be having no "ge NPN" problems so wil stick with
it, makes powering them a breeze

MM.

[aron]

Yeah, I have the OC140 (CV7112) in the store.

[jmusser]

Ahhh, so you're the one! I knew someone bought up a bunch of them. I think maybe Steve got a few of them too. They are exceptional. I've tried them in several different Si circuits, and they sound great. Marty was good enough to send me some samples initially before I knew they existed on Ebay, so I had to buy some. We've also been having fun with the Russian germs. They were cheap enough to experiment with, and I've yet to have any of them not work just picking them out of the bin at random.

[MartyMart]

Yeah, I have the OC140 (CV7112) in the store.

HA !
I thought his latest 3000 went quickly !   
They are FAB  !

Marty.