Germanium Transistors, Noise and Leakage

Posted by squirrels on Aug 03, 2016; 1:45am
URL: http://guitar-fx-layouts.238.s1.nabble.com/Germanium-Transistors-Noise-and-Leakage-tp32320.html

I'm going to start by saying I have very little experience with Germanium Transistors, pretty much only having built a Crimsom Drive, Fuzz Factory, Oracle and a Sunface. The only transistors I've used are untested (going to be building a tester), using an AC128 in the Crimson, 2N404s in the Fuzz Factory and Sunface (same ones, didn't care for the FF) and TK3055s and 2N404s in the Oracle. All of my GE builds have been noisy regardless of how power was supplied (wall wart or battery). Would this be an effect of high leakage transistors? I know the lower the leakage the better but why? Is added noise the result of higher leakage? I know that there is probably a lot of info online but I think that getting actual feedback from people may be more beneficial.

Also does anyone have a good or even a decent source for Germaniums? Also any recommendations for Tonebenders and Fuzz Faces? Thanks.