Pep Box Ge transistor selection

[a2music]

Hello friends,
I've just built the Wem Pep Box. It works without any issues but the sound is lacking - not much saturation or sustain. I've tried various transistors from 50 hfe up to 130. I've tried leakages from 0 to 300. Is there anyone here who has figured out a good approach to transistor selection for this circuit?

[Andrekp]

One idea would be to create one of those little daughter boards with the piggy backed Si transistors that can be adjusted for gains from almost nothing to the transistors regular gain with a trimmer. Put one of those in there and start messing with the gain and see if you can find something you like. Then if you do, you can leave these simulated Ge's in there, or measure them and find a similar Ge.

[a2music]

That's a solid idea. I was just auditioning several more transistors and I think I'm pretty close but I might have to get creative if I'm ever going to sound like Paperback Writer.

Cheers!

[Electric Warrior]

That's a solid idea. I was just auditioning several more transistors and I think I'm pretty close but I might have to get creative if I'm ever going to sound like Paperback Writer.

Cheers!

Maybe Paperback Writer is the problem. My guess is they went straight into the amp on that one.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cAtupA4jyro

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IMnDvkTBYdc

[a2music]

Yeah, I was starting to get that idea. Funny, I thought everything you read on the internet was true. It turns out some things people post are just speculation. It's still a pretty cool fuzz, though not for everyone - or every day.

[Electric Warrior]

Well, a Pep Box was in the room when they rehearsed the song. That much is true! 

[brianq]

I believe I read somewhere, John did use it for the rhythm track. I don't know what George used on the track tho? I'm sure they had it backed way off , cuz if you've ever heard a pep box they're not so subtle.