Using transistors instead of diodes?

[honza]

Hi everybody,
i'am quite new to building stompboxes. This forum has already helped me a lot while building fuzz faces and axis fuzz (sounds great).

My current problem is, that i have no germanium diode but i have a bunch of germanium transistors. Can i use a transistor instead of diode and how?
Thanks for answers.

                          Honza (Czech Republic)

[spongebob]

Yes, that should work, if you use the emitter and base transistor legs as anode and cathode.

Like this (for PNP transistors):

Code Select Expand


Base    Emitter
 __|/|____
   |\|


[Triffid]

I though you actually had to connect the collector to the base for that to work?

[Mike Burgundy]

both work, but one might leak. I'm not sure which one of the two. I thought BC was low leakage in Si, but... How quickly one forgets
Do a search in the archives, it's all in there, we've had threads like this before.

Edit:
'ere ya go, it's in the FAQ (as it should )
http://www.diystompboxes.com/sboxforum/viewtopic.php?t=38&highlight=transistor+clipping+diode

[honza]

Thank you for your suggestions. I'm going to try theese soon.
                                               Honza