Bluesbreaker and Rangemaster in the same box?

[phintze]

Can both of these effects be housed in the same enclosure running off of the same power source? I ask since the Rangemaster uses a PNP transistor and I seem to remember something funny going on with the power requirements.

[GibsonGM]

I think you might have issues with the same power supply.  There might be a way around it, keep waiting and maybe a guru will answer!!  Generally, I think you'd get a lot of noise given the different grounding schemes...

[petemoore]

I ask since the Rangemaster uses a PNP transistor and I seem to remember something funny going on with the power requirements.
  + and - Can't share ground, they like to share ground sometimes, but I never let them, it leads to sparks and smoke and no chance of any work getting done.

[DougH]

Just build an NPN Rangemaster instead. You will save some headaches.

[phintze]

Is that just a matter of using an NPN transistor, or is it an entirely different PCB layout? I'm using this PCB.

http://www.generalguitargadgets.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=66&Itemid=26

[railhead]

You need to reverse the 9v polarity, and reverse the polarized caps -- just using an NPN in place of a PNP won't work.

[railhead]

DUDE -- I just realized you posted this!

[phintze]

Yeah, it's me. 

I knew that it wouldn't be as simple as putting an NPN in there. Any transistor suggestions? I'd like to keep it as close as possible to the original, because that's the sound that I'm looking for.

I'll probably just end up using a battery and wiring in a switch to kill the power or something.

[DougH]

Aron used to sell some Ge NPNs that sounded real good. You can find them around if you google, check Ebay, etc. I don't know if Smallbear sells NPN Ge's or not. I would stick with Ge for a Rangemaster, personally. But NPN's are simpler to work with esp if you are combining it with another circuit in the same chassis.

[petemoore]

  Bottom line is observe polarity with all polarized components.
  diodes, transistors, power supply, capacitors, opamps...and...anything else with an associated + or - mark.