What can i build with 200hfe Ge transistors?

[andrew_k]

I've just finished salvaging 14 various Toshiba transistors and am in the process of testing them using R.G's circuit. The 3 that I've tested so far have been awesome; low leakage and gains of 70, 90, and 200+!?! 

I tested the last one a few times to be sure, but yes, that's the result. I'm planning on using some of these to make at least one Tonebender MkII and Rangemaster, but are there any interesting circuits for high gain PNP Ge?

Thanks

[rikkards]

If you have enough in that range, maybe a Kay Fuzztone? I believe the transistors were in that range.

[brett]

200 would make an awesome Rangemaster.  Oh yeah 

[andrew_k]

200 would make an awesome Rangemaster.  Oh yeah 

lol, I just went and found the rangemaster schem for exactly that purpose

Twisted minds think alike 

[mac]

What Toshibas?

I used +200 in a Ge Big Muff. Amazing tone.

mac

[andrew_k]

What Toshibas?

From memory, 2SB463, 2SB440, 2SB56, 2SB40 and some others.

I briefly considered a big muff, but I recently picked up a triangle muff built by forum member nitefly182 and it's filling that niche nicely.

4 of them (I think 2SB463) are mounted on a cool looking metal plate, but due to their package design all the collectors are joined. If anyone knows a circuit that uses 4 Ge's with joined collectors it would be awesome to be able to use this chunk o' metal.

[brett]

Darl-darl-darlington, anyone?

(I'm only kidding - it would oscillate and hiss like mad.)  In most circuits, the phase changes by 180 degrees between stages and you need to separate the collectors.

[rogeryu_ph]

I thought lower Hfe is needed for Rangemaster....
I got Mullard OC44 with 210 Hfe reading, is this good for Rangemaster

Roger

[petemoore]

  Rangemaster is a funny bias on a gain stage, diddling with the bias can get the topology to work with any Ge [working] transisitor.
  I think the 70hfe for RM has to do with the 7/9th's collector bias [of PS] causing the clipping to be strong on one side...lower gain maybe sounds good for distorted RM on 9v...somewhat above unity.
  Gain stages, gain stages with clipping elements [bmp], transistor fuzz stages [run a row of them and the 'left-er' ones with boosted input will distort.
I seem to recall a little 'Deacy' amp..reportedly used for electric guitar tracks on a Queen record.
Piggyback, try our Range-Pig, or a piggybacked Q1- Fuzz Face.

[mac]

I agree with Pete that the ideal hfe for a RM is around 70, and 6.7v to 7v on the collector.

2sb56 have a good reputation. I have many of them and they fit every project.

mac

[andrew_k]

Lots of helpful info, thanks guys!

[bumblebee]

id build a FF with that hFE,i dont like hFE much lower than 190 in any fuzz.