Big Muff Pi--Russian (mod) 2n5089?

[jimbob]

I read somewhere that if you replace a certain stock transistor with a 2n5089--it gives more gain / distortion--Anyone know which one? and is this true? Have i been misinformed?

[80k]

I read somewhere that if you replace a certain stock transistor with a 2n5089--it gives more gain / distortion--Anyone know which one? and is this true? Have i been misinformed?

hi,
any of the 2n5088's can be replaced with the 5089's for more gain.  replace any or all of them, and see what happens.  you can also get transistor sockets and swap them in and out and see what you like.

i ended up using all 5089's and it works great.

[jimbob]

thanks 80k!!

[bettycat]

If I understood Jack Orman´s eBook about the Big Muff correctly, only the 4th and last gain-stage is able to add more gain to the circuit, so if you only want more gain, this is the working point for you. If you want another sound, you can experiment with all four transistors. For this I would suggest to use sockets, so you can try some different combinations to find your sound. Nobody knows exactly what transistors are in the russian BM circuit, but they sound not bad to my ears. If you want to get closer to the "normal" BM sound (NYC reissue or vintage BM version 3) you should try 2N5088, the 2N5089 is hotter but sounds similar. If you want less gain and to come closer to the old vintage BM versions (triangle, rams head), try BC239, they sound close to the old FS36999 transistors, often found in this boxes. There are also rumours that this FS36999´s are nothing more than rebranded standard 2N5088, but who knows .... feel free to experiment with all this transistors and let us know what you like best - be careful with the pinouts !!!!

[jimbob]

Thanks bettycat..If i recall, I thought you were the one that said you were mainkg a web site that showed how to add true bypass? If so, hows that going along..i still need to do that to the muff..as far as the muff goes, im goint to try the 2n5089 and see how that works out...i wanted a hotter sound from it.. I LOVE THE SUSTAIN!  I just thought it would sound better for me if i could add more dist / gain w out adding other dist boxes to the chain..

[bettycat]

Thanks bettycat..If i recall, I thought you were the one that said you were mainkg a web site that showed how to add true bypass? If so, hows that going along..i still need to do that to the muff..as far as the muff goes, im goint to try the 2n5089 and see how that works out...i wanted a hotter sound from it.. I LOVE THE SUSTAIN!  I just thought it would sound better for me if i could add more dist / gain w out adding other dist boxes to the chain..

That´s right, I´m working on an additional "How to true bypass ..." webpage. The article about the russian Muff´s (tan, green and black ones) is still in progress because I first finished the articles about the vintage, NYC reissue and rare OpAmp Muffs but if you need help, we can work it out together.
As for the trannies, the 2N5089 is what you are looking for !!! Very hot and walls of fuzzy distortion with sustain for days. I also highly recommend Jack Orman´s eBook about the Big Muff (and RAT). You will find a lot of additional hot rodding tips there. Absolutely worth the money.

[jimbob]

thanks bettycat!! I really appreciate it look forward to your articles.