germanium transistor uses

[cajununicorn]

guys, i've got a bunch of germanium transistors with gains of 20 to 50. what can i use them for? they don't work in my rangemaster clone. any ideas? i know they can be used as diodes (rather expensive diodes!), but how? anything else i can do with 'em? thanks, jon

[petemoore]

Like other diodes, the B/E juncition will read on a DMM similar to a 'regular' diode.

[cajununicorn]

thanks pete. is there anything else i can use them for? those are some expensive diodes....maybe some kind of circuit that doesn't require high gain from the germaniums?  thanks, jon

[petemoore]

Hybrid si Ge FF's like EZ face with them and had some good results.
I used bias pots for a Rangemasters resistors [I think all but one] to get boost from Ge's.
 Bazz Fuss is on a board and actually pretty interesting using Ge's.
 As long as the transistors match the circuit polarity, and you can set them up to  get them to bias...for the most part they can be used.
 Pretty cool fuzzes and OD tones can be had by running Ge boost stages in series/no cleanup like FF at guitar vol. and less dynamics etc. but very respectable fuzz tones.