Substitute for ac128 germanium pnp for the tonebender mark2p

[mat]

Hi!

Could the ac128's be replaced with other (maybe silicon) trannies in Tonebender Mark II Professional negative ground pnp in GGG ( http://www.generalguitargadgets.com/diagrams/tonebender_m2p_sc_pn.gif ) ?
Where I'm living they ask about four bucks for one ac128.... and you cannot measure them..

I'm propably going to order them from SmallBear but would like to know what would be suitable substitute if there is any.

Thank You,
mat

[vseriesamps]

I've substituted the AC128 with an NTE158 with very good results . . .

[mat]

I've substituted the AC128 with an NTE158 with very good results . . .

Eh, sorry i was not very clear on this one. What I ment was that could I try silicon transistors with good results on the circuit, the germanies are way too expensive here.

Thanks,
mat

[Steben]

Try PNP power trannies. BD136/138/140 series.
Or go for a P-channel mosfet ;-)

(You can always change to AC125 and AC126 if they are cheaper ?!)

[cd]

You can't use silicon, not if you want the pedal to sound remotely similar to the original.  Order from Small Bear, you'll avoid the hassle of testing and get a pedal that sounds right.

[Steben]

I'm willing to give some cheap ac128's if it's realy killing you.. Yet I live in belgium, so transportation will cost...

[mat]

I'm willing to give some cheap ac128's if it's realy killing you.. Yet I live in belgium, so transportation will cost...

Ok! Thanks all for responding  

This will be my first fuzz so I really would like it to sound like the originals. I dont like the too muched sounds off fuzz pedals. I have red here for several ocations that certain fuzzes are great when backing the guitar volume a bit. Allthough it would be nice for time to time to go complitely nuts with it  :twisted:

I found one store here in my home land that sells the ac128 for 46cents + taxes and ac125 and ac 126 a little cheaper. Maybe gonna by 20 of the ac128's. I will first check these and then turn to Small Bear.
One good thing - I have to learn how to measure the trannies  :?

Steben, thank You for a very generous offer  :lol:  I live in Finland so the post should have been here in one or two days, and the cost would have been also very reasonable. Thanks for offering... I think I'll survive  :shock:

mat

[RDV]

You could try this. It's a NPN Si version of the circuit. It's made with easy to find transistors and sounds pretty mean!
http://www.diystompboxes.com/pedals/schems/NPN_Si_TB_Mk.%20II.pdf

RDV

[mat]

Hey thanks RDV    I will surely build this one too.

I heard today from someone who has built lots of tube amps and fuzz pedals that fuzzes sound best with a little weak battery (not with pedal power source), that the battery 'bends' nicely  :shock: . And the temperature of the germaniums also has something to do with the sound. Also he said that there are players who has putted a lamp inside of the fuzz boxes to keep the trannies on same temperature all the time  :shock:  :roll: Go figure..

cheers,
mat

You could try this. It's a NPN Si version of the circuit. It's made with easy to find transistors and sounds pretty mean!
http://www.diystompboxes.com/pedals/schems/NPN_Si_TB_Mk.%20II.pdf

RDV

[bwanasonic]

And the temperature of the germaniums also has something to do with the sound. Also he said that there are players who has putted a lamp inside of the fuzz boxes to keep the trannies on same temperature all the time  :shock:  :roll: Go figure..

I built my Ge Fuzz inside of a live squirrel to maintain a steady temp.  Cheaper than a Hammond enclosure too! They look awfully cute in the aluminum foil outfits I use for shielding.

But seriously...

A silicon TB might be musically useful, but is just not the same thing as the germanium species.

Kerry M

[mat]

 :?    :lol:   !!!!!!!!!

how do You get it to stay on pedalboard  :shock:

Ok, thanks for the sili/germ clarification.

mat

And the temperature of the
germaniums also has something to do with the sound. Also he said that there are players who has putted a lamp inside of the fuzz boxes to keep the trannies on same temperature all the time  :shock:  :roll: Go figure..

I built my Ge Fuzz inside of a live squirrel to maintain a steady temp.  Cheaper than a Hammond enclosure too! They look awfully cute in the aluminum foil outfits I use for shielding.

But seriously...

A silicon TB might be musically useful, but is just not the same thing as the germanium species.

Kerry M