Kind of getting bored with my Peppermill. Might replace it with a Trotsky, just need to find a nice Transistor for it first.
What's everybody had good sounding luck with? Do I really need a vintage russian guy?
I tried a bunch of transistors...in the end I ended up with a bunch of metal can BCs I liked. I used some obscure BCxxxx in the end. There was subtle differences between all the transistors. I would just get a bunch of funky looking transistors, modern and old school and try them.
Nice, thanks! Does the Trotsky have a trebly sound or is it smoother? I'm looking for something smoother like a lower gained tube screamer.
The Trotsky is a lower-voiced, not very trebly, gritty overdrive. I absolutely love it. I've tried several transistors in it, and I've built several of them, and I always come back to the 2N3904 every time.
I've got the first one dano built with a kt213 in it and its pretty damn cool. The total output is a little under unity though so I would look for something with a bit more gain to make sure you get over unity gain.
Quote from: gutsofgold on December 17, 2008, 11:41:56 PM
Nice, thanks! Does the Trotsky have a trebly sound or is it smoother? I'm looking for something smoother like a lower gained tube screamer.
That really depends..the bright switch toggle really can get you brighter with lots of attck or low and smooth.
I just finished my 2nd trotsky variation--I've had the following results (I haven't tried any of the old-school transistors that the circuit was originally designed for, and all have headroom above unity):
-2n2222- Decent--this is my go-to
-BS170- Loudest and grittiest yet--I'm using a trotsky built w/ one of these at min. gain, max vol. as a lead boost--compliments my amp's gain channel nicely.
-2n3904- Another decent one--gave me a little more gain than the 2n2222
I'm using mine with assym. clipping and no bright cut switch.
Oh yeah, mine have asymmetric clipping as well. And they're much louder than unity.
Quote from: Nitefly182 on December 18, 2008, 02:41:52 AM
I've got the first one dano built with a kt213 in it and its pretty damn cool. The total output is a little under unity though so I would look for something with a bit more gain to make sure you get over unity gain.
I have one of Superpuma's using the kt213 and it goes well above unity. I would guess luck of the draw is more likely the cause rather than all kt213 will result in below unity.
I used 2n2222 in mine
Are you guys using the can type or regular TO92 type for the 2n2222's? I've been happy with my 2n3904 w/ asym clipping, but have been thinking about a can type 2n2222 as they are available in town.
The ones I bought were can type.
little offtopic:
I've been getting a very high pitched noise/hum when I turn my trostky on.
Do any of you guys know what it might be?
It's housed in a 1590A box, and both in and out jacks are on a stereo jack (which then splits into two cables - Y cable).
I think the problem is in the sh*tty gain pot I used, but if any of you guys had the same problem before, please shoot.
I'm rocking a 2n2484 and i changed the output cap to .01uF and it seemed to tightened up some of the bass.