Green Ringer: Transistor vs Diode Rectifier

[thehallofshields]

Okay I know the 21st Century Green Ringer has been discussed before, but those threads are beyond old. I've breadboarded a Fuzz + Ringer (Filter Mod) and it sounds great. Now I'm looking at these '21st Century' mods from 2001, and I'm curious what the advantage of the transistor as a rectifier is.

I understand that a transistor can act as a diode, but is the forward voltage significantly lower for the transistor?
 



Would I be looking for low-gain or high-gain, Si or Ge transistor?

I'm in love with the ringer circuit. The symmetry is just too cool, and the LP Filter mod gave it an incredible sound.

If anyone would like to chime in on the function of the mods on the 21st Century build Id really love to listen.

Thanks.

[Eddododo]

pretty interested in that myself... I accidentally 'reinvented' the green ringer using a mosfet as the inverting splitter (Q2) with the intention of piping an oscillator tone into the front for the purposes of that awesome ring-modish analog octave harmonic goodness caused by polyphony. Once i actually discovered the G.R., and after i stole alot of the cool ideas in it, i stumbled across this 21st century schem.    I played with this a little bit, but I was just not able to make it happen for me..

[pappasmurfsharem]

A lot of my Si transistors tested at around 750mV if it helps

[thehallofshields]

A lot of my Si transistors tested at around 750mV if it helps

You see, now I'm confused. The Green Ringer design calls for Germanium Diodes for their low forward voltage of 0.3v. If Si Transistors are about 0.75v then I really don't get the design.

Am I conflating Forward Voltage and Voltage Drop?

[better_info]

I've made a couple green ringers with 1N4148's, similar forward voltage. I prefer them. I think diode matching is the important part.