AC176 NPN Germanium Transistor

Oops, I forgot I had two different lots of AC176.

Here's a load of Tungsram ones in a more standard casing than those below if they don't float your boat.

£1 each

1N60P (1N34A) Germanium Diodes

I'd been paying £1 each for 1N34A diodes. After a bit of research I found the 1N60P was pretty much identical. So much so that if you order 1N34A from China you're 99% sure to be sent 1N60P.

I've done several direct comparisons in a few circuits by socketing the diodes and swapping them out. No difference at all to my ears, and I like to think they're pretty good (despite the onset of hair coming out of them).

Not too many of these left as people have been snapping them up.

£3 for 10

AC176 NPN Germanium Transistor

Bought as matched pairs with the AC128s.

Again, I've not measured these but will do eventually.

Should be suitable for just about any circuit specifying NPN Germanium.

Full-on Retro Goodness.

£1.50 each or three for £4

Alternatively you can have one of these and his factory matched AC128 buddy for £2.50.

AC128 PNP Germanium Transistors

Look at that beauty.... seems a shame to stick it in an enclosure.

I bought a bunch of these as matched pairs with AC176's, so they've obviously all been tested and measured. I'm yet to measure them myself since I've been using the 2N404's in everything, but I'll post hFEs when I do.

£1.50 each or three for £4

Yum.

Alternatively you can have one of these and his factory matched AC176 buddy for £2.50.

2N404 PNP Germanium Transistors

Oooh, nice! These retro bastards can be used in pretty much any circuit specifying PNP germaniums. Particularly close to AC128's.

I've used them in Tonebender MkII Professional, Tonebender Reissue, z-vex Fuzz Factory and a Fuzz Face. I'll undoubtedly use them in plenty of other stuff too.

I bought a load, tested them all, dumped the ones with crazy leakage and sorted them into hFE ranges. They go anywhere from 30-35ish up to 200ish with very small leakage.

There are some up over 250 hFE, but the leakage on them is quite a bit higher. Maybe that suits your purpose..?? I believe some pedals like leaky trannies.

I paid a lot of money for these, so would like £1.50 each. For that you get one within 10 hFE of what you're after.

I'll dig through and sort out matched pairs (within 10 hFE of each other) for £5 a pair.