Substituting Ge for Si Transistors

[Pavlos]

I thought that might be the case, I'd only noticed hybrids with Si in Q1 and Q2, and Ge in Q3 so guessed that Q3 might play a major role in the sound and feel of the pedal. Might give good results though, and as the DAM stuff all looks pretty interesting I might just add the greasebox to my list

And I'm probably being a right royal PITA asking all these questions, but I appreciate all the answers and I always learn a lot from you guys so many thanks

[Travis]

Despite all the information we've given you, the MKIII is an easy build. My recomemdation is try Q1 and Q2 around 60 and 70 hfe respectively, and pop some different AC125s in there and judge by ear. It would be more difficult to try and make it work with silicon transistors really.

I took some gutshots of a GB-83 to try to trace it, but two of the most important resistor values are blacked out. There was apparently some effort on fsb or diysb, but from what I saw they are just guessing as well. Definitely try the stock MKIII before you attempt that.

[Pavlos]

Yep, lots of information, though I feel like I am barely scratching the surface of an iceberg lol

Thanks for the recomendation for Q1 and Q2 hfe, gives me a good starting point, and I'd agree that tonebenders are fairly easy builds. I reckon that if I can manage to cope with getting JFET circuits to bias and work properly so they sound good, then I've got a fighting chance with Ge as well....as long as I get the right components of course.......and that is where a bit of knowledge really does help a lot

Thanks for the advice regarding the GB-83 as well, it was likely to a be some way down the wish list anyway but it'll definitely stay there now until I've got my head round using Ge a bit better,small simple steps and as you say, judge by ear

[Travis]

Mmmm having built them all, I wouldn't generalize that they're easy lol. The MKIII is the easiest one but if you build them with a critical ear you'll see what I mean. The different versions range pretty widely in "difficulty" but generally it's super easy to get them working and a little more in depth to get them really great

The MKI is probably the most difficult fuzz build here on the site. Easy to get it "working", incredibly fickle to get "right".

[Pavlos]

err, I was meaning easy as in not over complex lol, though I know what you mean about the difference between working, and working well, I've noticed on few occasions that a small difference in bias can be the difference between meh......and holy sh** that sounds amazing! and it isn't always where 'conventional wisdom' says it should be either. And yep, some circuits that look like they should be a doddle just refuse to give theIr best without the 'magic' component........almost sounds like you're trying to put me off lol

[Pavlos]

Working on what has been suggested I now have the following ordered, diodes should give me plenty of options and keep me going for a very long time (For life probably) and hopefully the quantity and mix of transistors will enable me to get at least a few decent builds out of them. Once they arrive (Economy post from Bulgaria to Uk, maybe a couple or three weeks?) it'll be time to test and sort......and then it's time to breadboard and build

MP38 Qty38
MP20A Qty 20
MP21A Qty 21
D9B Qty 100
D18 Qty 100
D311 Qty 100

AC125Uz V Qty 10

[Travis]

Good luck. He will probably throw in some free goodies as well

[Pavlos]

Well my parcels of Ge bits n bobs arrived yesterday, just need to finish off testing them then I'll post in the main Ge thread