GERMANIUM

[spacelordmother]

Try Effects Database? Probably not a category for them, but they'd definitely all be there

Duh. My brain hasn't been working lately.

THANKS!

[blindrabbit]

W&C Phat Phuk B > ss/bs TAFM

Germanium ecstasy.

[zRobertez]

Way Huge Havalina clips sound pretty awesome.

[Ro_S]

Is there a good list somewhere of germ dirt pedals? Because I just did a google search and I didn't see a single pedal I've ever played (though some I have used in various modelers) and that kind of blows my mind.

Are you asking about germanium transistors or germanium clipping diodes also?

[spacelordmother]

Is there a good list somewhere of germ dirt pedals? Because I just did a google search and I didn't see a single pedal I've ever played (though some I have used in various modelers) and that kind of blows my mind.

Are you asking about germanium transistors or germanium clipping diodes also?

[Ro_S]

Is there a good list somewhere of germ dirt pedals? Because I just did a google search and I didn't see a single pedal I've ever played (though some I have used in various modelers) and that kind of blows my mind.

Are you asking about germanium transistors or germanium clipping diodes also?

Okay, well if I start with the basics I hope you'll find that useful and won't be offended.

Re: Transistors

Transistors are usually used in fuzz pedals (although not always). Certainly, vintage-style fuzzes will have transistors. In the 1960s these were usually germanium transistors. Famous examples of fuzzes with germanium transistors are: Maestro Fuzztone; 60s Tonebenders (different versions); and 60s Fuzz Face.

Silicon transistors started to be used in fuzzes in - I think - the late 60s. For example, the Fuzz Face started to use silicon transistors instead of germanium ones in circa 1969-70. Silicon transistors then became the norm, because they are more reliable and consistent than germanium. They impart a different tonal character though.

The other famous type of effect that uses transistors is the treble booster, another 60s vintage effect. Most famously, the Dallas Rangemaster had a germanium transistor. Some other examples have a silicon transitor (e.g. later version of the John Hornsby Skewes treble booster).

There are many vintage and vintage-inspired fuzz pedals which have germanium transistors.

The EQD Crimson Drive is a variant of the Dallas Rangemaster and has a germanium transistor: that is unusual in a modern overdrive/dirt pedals.

Re: Diodes

Some dirt pedals' circuits use diodes to clip the signal and create distortion. Sometimes these diodes are germanium.

A famous dirt pedal to incoroprate germanium clipping diodes is the MXR Distortion + (originally introduced in the mid 70s). A modern example of a pedal with germanium diodes that immediately occurs to me is the You Dirty Rat variant of the Proco Rat.

You sometimes see dirt pedals with a toggle switch for different voicings which achieve this by switching between different types of diodes.

Other

Overdrive pedals like the Tubescreamer and most modern dirt pedals do not use tranisistors; they typically use opamp chips.

(I am not a technical expert, nor an effects builder, but I believe the above is all correct.)

Does that help?

I could list some germanium fuzzes if that would help.

[spacelordmother]

No, that's great! Thanks for the infos!

[zRobertez]

Are you telling me I'm running two Rangemasters for my fuzz?

[Ro_S]

Are you telling me I'm running two Rangemasters for my fuzz?

Er, well, sort of. The Sparkle Motion and the EQD C/Drive are both based, as I understand it, on the Dallas Rangemaster circuit. However, neither are clones and both have more complicated circuits than the Rangemaster, I gather. And, moreover, both are far more versatile than a standard treble booster.

[aegert]

I have a pair of STR 2n1188 PNP's no leakage at all Q1 83 Q2 113 in my hands right now. All gain and leakage tested on an Peak Tech: Atlas DCA55... If you are in teh USA free shipping and the pair is free. first to PM me your addy gets the pair.. No strings .. Pay it forward...

[zRobertez]

Are you telling me I'm running two Rangemasters for my fuzz?

Er, well, sort of. The Sparkle Motion and the EQD C/Drive are both based, as I understand it, on the Dallas Rangemaster circuit. However, neither are clones and both have more complicated circuits than the Rangemaster, I gather. And, moreover, both are far more versatile than a standard treble booster.

I could go on for a long time about everything that Sparkle Motion can do for you
#committed

[Hyphen Nation]

Are you telling me I'm running two Rangemasters for my fuzz?

Er, well, sort of. The Sparkle Motion and the EQD C/Drive are both based, as I understand it, on the Dallas Rangemaster circuit. However, neither are clones and both have more complicated circuits than the Rangemaster, I gather. And, moreover, both are far more versatile than a standard treble booster.

I could go on for a long time about everything that Sparkle Motion can do for you
#committed

Yes. My Sparkle Motion is almost always on. So fucking good.

[benjuro]

I LOVE my Ge's too...EQD's Sound Shank and Tone Reaper both kill.

Now, I know the new Tone Reapers are a hybrid...and sound awesome, but my early Tone Reaper (all Ge trannys) is noticeably more musical and just plain more badass sounding.

[Ro_S]

Are there any inexpensive/cheaper pedals that feature germanium transistor/s other than the EHX Germanium OD and the EHX Germanium Big Muff 4? None readily occur to me; do you know of any? thanks

[adapt]

that new dunlop fuzz face, kind of. im not convinced the germ OD actually uses germ transistors, i thought it was just diodes.