Great Jumpin Germaniums! (Ge Diode and Transistor Reviews & Discussion)

[Beaker]

Kirshman, use this translator - it's great for de-cyphering the markings on Russian parts.


http://stevemorse.org/russian/rus2eng.html

I have used some of the electrolytics he sent me - they are absolutely fine for short span locations.

[rocket88]

Unfortunately dbat is spot on about them being leaky. I bought some, gt404v and gt404g I think, and some of them had leakage over 1000uA. I figure they would be good to make Ge buffers and maybe NPN tonebenders.

[Travis]

It's great to have some options for leaky trannies.. Many circuits need it. Don't be afraid to try them out

Those mini electros are Panasonic. They're excellent. Just remember to double check the voltage rating, some of them are low

[Silver Blues]

I got a few Elna caps in the set he sent me, which are even better.

[Beaker]

Yeah, the ones I got are a mixture of Japanese Panasonics and Russian Elna.

[kirshman]

Thank you guys!

[bunny0605]

Nice job  



livescore

[Travis]

My Mullard OC81 (x4) and OC81D (x1) came in yesterday! I just popped them in a fuzz face test build to hear them and even though I don't intend on making a fuzz face with them they sound REALLY sweet.

Really low noise, sweet cleanup, and just a fine toothed grind with ridiculous amounts of harmonics. I can't wait to try them in a MKII, but at least I know they work and sound great

[motterpaul]

IvIark wrote

I bought 150 of these AC125K's a couple of years ago for exactly the same reason as you (in fact he has some 150 qty auctions in his shop now) and they're great.  Leakage isn't as low as many of the Russian ones but they're still very low and non-excessive leakage really isn't the most important consideration, especially as some circuits benefit from it.

But don't give up on the GT308s until you've heard them in a circuit.  I've built Fuzz Faces with GT308s around 50hfe which have sounded fantastic.  Gain of 80 and 120 isn't the most important thing either, it's building a pedal which sounds great with your gear irrespective of the numbers.

I also bought 150 AC125s and tho I am new to Ge trans, I think I got lucky according to a DIY builder on YouTube called DIY Guitar Pedals. He said that the 125s (especially version VI) tend to test with higher (on average) hFEs, with up to 200 not unusual.

By the way - he says the batch of GT308v that he got was virtually worthless, and he does not like GT322A. He does like GT108Vs a lot, and the MP21D. I find the videos where he compares many common Ge's in the same circuit to be very informative.

https://www.youtube.com/user/chromespherecom/search?query=germanium

Anyway, I am still learning but have built the Rangemaster, EHX Germ Overdrive, The Crimson Drive, the Travis Axial Rangemaster (sorry, not really sure if that has an official name), and a few more where I forgot what they were called. Next up is the RangePig since a Ge with a Darlington sounds like an interesting combination.

[Heath]

The Crimson Drive is fantastic, dude.  I don't think you'll regret building it.

[motterpaul]

Yeah, I like the Crimson and plan on building more.

[Silver Blues]

motterpaul wrote

 Next up is the RangePig since a Ge with a Darlington sounds like an interesting combination.

Hehe you'll like what I'm working on then.  It's almost done, just doing some tweaking on the gain range.

[rocket88]

I have to say as emperor of the Ge Deathstar this hidden build pleases me. Buddy you're killing me. I still have to get the pointsetia done, but it's been moved back since I'm in a delay modation kick.

I actually just got some new Ge's in that I have to test in a circuit to see how they sound. And just sorted another batch of 150 ac125uz iv that I just sorted and got a great gain spread on, a little leakier then I'd like, but great for tonebenders, and some odd nasty garage/psyc fuzzes. No joke got one with hfe in the 300's and leakage of 849. Got big plans for it.

[Ed Nice]

Here are some nice geraniums to brighten up the Ge Death Star...



And here are some nice germaniums that I have no idea what to do with but as I'm closing in on my [reasonable] pedal board set, I'm almost ready to start playing so I figured I'd sort them out :)



I have some IT308, MP20, GT313, the little ones top right with the green underside are GF145(?), the little ones bottom left are SF.T.321(?) and there are a few diodes, D9D, IT 2 307(?), K40Y-9(?).

Any recommendations greatfully received but I'll also read through this excellent thread a few times and see what jumps out.

 

[Travis]

Those are mostly good for Fuzz Faces but watch out for the unusual pinouts

[Beaker]

Ed, those big silver radial KY40s are capacitors. I got a bunch of 0.033uF ones in my last order from Bulgaria - they are ideal for guitar tone pot caps!

[rocket88]

The mp20's make great rangemasters, and are great for q1 & q2 for tonebender and tonebender variants. Travis is right, they all should make good fuzzfaces too. They are good for pretty much anything that doesn't need leaky transistors.

[Kinski]

Anyone ever order from catodgb? From Bulgaria. He has a bunch of diodes at good prices.

I'm planning on ordering some D9D, D311, and 1D507A. Any other suggested diodes to get?

Also, there seems to be two versions of D311. A 40ma and 80ma version. Does it matter which one?

[rocket88]

I think I have before, but can't remember. I looked at the diodes he has and I would grab some d9e's if you're thinking Klone. Those are the ones that supposedly have the magic fairy dust. They do sound good in other effects, btw.

D311's are good too, as well as the other d9 diodes. For the prices he's asking you can grab some of each and find what you like and order a bunch. It's really oddly cheap.

[Beaker]

I have - but from his other shop pentodbg. Many more items listed there. No problems, and only about 10 days from Bulgaria to the UK.

For what it's worth, the seller with easily the best choice of diodes (at really good prices) going at the moment is Elena in Russia - I bought a shed load of silicon diodes from her a few weeks ago.

http://stores.ebay.co.uk/elena8913/Diodes-/_i.html?_fsub=4364979016