Silicon Trannies in a Fuzz-Tone?

[Yun]

Hey guys, i gots a question for you; i already looked at the FAQ 4 times over so.........

Can i change out the wimpy Germ. transistors for silicon transistors eh?

i tried one transistor, and i get "no sound".  unless i touch my finger to the base and colector.  The connections are VERY solid, etc.  

So should i Replace them all?  Or is it possible without re-Biasing the effect?

PS:  Not to worry; it's a reissue  :wink:

Thanks guys....

[petemoore]

What circuit are you typing about,...
 But probably N/P, but you may have to tweek the bias, and be certain to match PNP transistors to PNP circuits unless you're wired for NPN.
 [OT ..Really: what does YMMV mean?]
 ...Depending on the circuit.

[Yun]

It's the new Maestro Fuzz-Tone reissue, man.  

Thanks for that    .  

What's a YMMV eh?  i think you mean my sig right?  It just bassically means don't dwell in the past.

[R.G.]

Can i change out the wimpy Germ. transistors for silicon transistors eh? i tried one transistor, and i get "no sound". unless i touch my finger to the base and colector. The connections are VERY solid, etc.
So should i Replace them all? Or is it possible without re-Biasing the effect?

It is not, in general, possible to simply substitute silicon for germanium and not have to retouch the biasing.

Germanium leaks so much that early and simple germanium circuits were "leakage biased" - that is, the designer relied on the leakage to get a little current flowing to let signal through. This does not work with silicon at all. Your touching a finger to base and collector allows some current to flow through your finger to bias the silicon up.

To replace with silicon, you'll have to readjust or even add a whole new biasing network for the transistor. It depends on the original circuit and how dependent it was on germanium's leakage.

[brett]

Hi.  Are the Maestro people still in business?
Is this the original fuzz-tone? (as reportedly used on the Stones' "Satisfaction")
IF so, it was built with Si transistors.  Small signal, medium hFE (200-400).  Equivalent to a PN100 or 2N3904.  (As far as I know).

[petemoore]

...^They're 'Givin' Maestro Fuzz Box Re-issues 'away' with new SG purchases.

[Bluesgeetar]

I don't know about this wimpy thing!  I have a vintage 64 FZ1 and a 66 FZ1A and neither of them are wimpy!  It must be just the reissues. :roll:

[brian wenz]

Hello Hello--
  The FZ-1 and FZ-1A  are germanium circuits.   Later Maestro fuzzes were silicon.
Brian.

[jimbob]

I guess you got it safe and sound. :lol: