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DIY Stompboxes => Building your own stompbox => Topic started by: lightningfingers on March 15, 2004, 06:18:35 AM

Title: may seem like a stupid question...
Post by: lightningfingers on March 15, 2004, 06:18:35 AM
.... but why is it so important thet we use germaniums in fuzz faces?
why cant we just use the common silicon transistor?
Title: may seem like a stupid question...
Post by: Mike Burgundy on March 15, 2004, 07:53:46 AM
You can, it just sounds different. Read RG's technology of the FF at GEO.
Title: may seem like a stupid question...
Post by: Mark Hammer on March 15, 2004, 09:23:12 AM
In fact some Fuzz Faces were built with BC108C transistors, which ARE silicon.  The originals (i.e. earliest issues), however, are built with Ge trannies, and people seem to prefer the sound of them more.  They DO sound different.  Of course the ultimate fork in the road is whether it is *your* kind of "different" or not.  If you have put one together with Si-only and it makes you happy, that's all that really matters.
Title: Si=Predictable
Post by: petemoore on March 15, 2004, 09:28:44 AM
Ge's are a finicky lot.
 You can always try a 'hybrid' ge/si like the easy face, trimpot Q2's collector and you should be able to get different types of tranny's to bias in Q1 or Q2 positions...
Title: may seem like a stupid question...
Post by: Ge_Whiz on March 15, 2004, 01:39:08 PM
Another good reason for using germanium transistors in FFs is that it gives the audience something to listen to (the radio) when you stop playing... :D
Title: may seem like a stupid question...
Post by: Nasse on March 15, 2004, 01:47:33 PM
QuoteAnother good reason for using germanium transistors in FFs is that it gives the audience something to listen to (the radio) when you stop playing...

Someone reported at this forum that Jimi Hendrix himself was on his FF.

My experiences with germanium ones are minimal, but a good (?) silicon ff can sound almost as good, some like it even more.
Title: may seem like a stupid question...
Post by: Peter Snowberg on March 15, 2004, 01:48:46 PM
Quote from: Ge_WhizAnother good reason for using germanium transistors in FFs is that it gives the audience something to listen to (the radio) when you stop playing... :D
:lol:  :lol:  :lol: !

Take care,
-Peter