Choosing layouts PNP vs. NPN and neg. vs. pos. grnd ???

[powerplayj]

I'm thinking about ordering boards and parts for a Rangemaster and Boutique '69 Fuzz and plan to get the transistors from Small Bear.  I know a battery is recommended for these two pedals but, I want to wire in a DC jack just in case (and for compatability).  I have also read about inherent problems with PNP transistors and neg. grnds within fuzz face type circuits.  I figured NPN transistors and a neg. grnd layout would be the safe way to go.

So..............why would anyone use a PNP pos. grnd circuit when incorporating a DC jack?  To mimic the original circuit?  Or.................are Ge PNP's better than NPN's?

[R.G.]

So..............why would anyone use a PNP pos. grnd circuit when incorporating a DC jack? To mimic the original circuit?

(a) to mimic the original circuit
and
(b) using a negative ground on an originally positive ground circuit is inviting difficulty; this can be (not always, but often) a way to get intractible oscillations. Using positive ground avoids the issue.

Or.................are Ge PNP's better than NPN's?

Yes, as a matter of fact, they are. They have better gain, lower leakage, higher frequency response, and better thermal stability - none of which is critical to the circuits we's use them in. So the correct answer is "in some circuits yes, but in audio effects circuits no."

[bwanasonic]

So..............why would anyone use a PNP pos. grnd circuit when incorporating a DC jack?

I wouldn't use a DC Jack with a PNP/Pos. Gnd effect unless it was somehow idiot proofed from someone plugging in a Boss power supply. Part of the reason it's nice to "mimic the original circuit", is you can decide for yourself if those *Holy Grail* transistors sound good to you. It would be a shame if they got fried from an adapter. If you haven't used a Ge Fuzz Face with a battery, it's hard to comprehend the battery life if you are just used to *modern* effects. It's really damn long. Really.

Kerry M