2N2613 PNP in a high gain Fuzz Face

[mordechai]

I really like the Analogman Peppermint Fuzz, which I am told uses quite high gain Ge transistors.  I'd be interested in hearing anyone's thoughts on using 2N2613s in this sort of a circuit -- I think they're quite high gain, yes?  But are they TOO high?  I don't know their gain range, but I would guess that anything higher than about 250 Hfe would just not work terribly well in terms of not having the note get lost in the wool...

[smallbearelec]

Most 2N2613s and 2614s will leak too much to be stable in a Fuzz Face. They worked fine in the FZ-1A, and that's what I would save them for if you found some. AFAIK, Mike P. uses low-leakage devices in his pedals.

[rousejeremy]

I just opened up a Peppermint Fuzz at a store in Montreal. It had AC126 trannies. I think the gains were around 130 and 260.

[mordechai]

That sounds about right for the regular PF.  I wonder if the Dark PF just uses a lower gain Q1...

[rousejeremy]

Strangely enough, the fuzz I opened was a Dark

[Pedal love]

I really like the Analogman Peppermint Fuzz, which I am told uses quite high gain Ge transistors.  I'd be interested in hearing anyone's thoughts on using 2N2613s in this sort of a circuit -- I think they're quite high gain, yes?  

I never used 2613's, I did however make a standard germanium fuzz face for a friend of mine years ago, using the bulky 2n270 pnp germaniums. He said he enjoyed the sound, but I had to change the biasing, as the power was too great.

[mordechai]

Strangely enough, the fuzz I opened was a Dark

I wonder if the "dark" quality is a result of the bigger discrepency between Q1 and Q2, since I would think that in a regular FF circuit, a Q1 with a relatively high hfe would yield a brighter tone.

[Dragonfly]

It's a simple circuit - build it, socket Q2, and try it out - see if you like it - if you don't you're out a few resistors and caps is all.