Transistors

Adzam (Mazda) brand OC45 PNP germanium transistors. The OC45 is a popular PNP for fuzz pedals and boost effects. This transistor is in a glass SO-2 package with long leads commonly found on germanium transistors. The dot indicates the collector lead.

OC43 PNP germanium transistors. The OC43 is a popular PNP for fuzz pedals and boost effects. This transistor is in a glass SO-2 package with long leads commonly found on germanium transistors. The dot indicates the collector lead.

Valvo brand OC45 PNP germanium transistors. The OC45 is a popular PNP for fuzz pedals and boost effects. This transistor is in a glass SO-2 package with long leads commonly found on germanium transistors. The dot indicates the collector lead.

OC139 NPN germanium transistors. The OC139 is a popular NPN for fuzz pedals and boost effects. This transistor is in a glass SO-2 package with long leads commonly found on germanium transistors. The NPN polarity allows for use with standard pedal power supplies. The dot indicates the collector lead. The OC139 can be found in the EarthQuaker Devices Bows germanium preamp.

The 2N4125 is a general purpose silicon NPN transistor in a TO-92 case. The 2N4125 is primarily intended for general purpose amplification. It is a popular choice for silicon fuzz pedals due to its low hFE specifications. It has also been used in a variety of classic pedals such as the Phase 90.

2N1309 PNP germanium transistors. The 2N1309 is a popular PNP for fuzz pedals and other effects. This transistor is in a TO-5 package with long leads commonly found on germanium transistors.

General purpose low-power NPN bipolar junction transistor, used frequently in hobbyist electronic projects. This version is lead free.
For a lead free 2N3906 see P-Q2N3906-LF.

TI377 PNP germanium transistors from Texas Instruments. The TI377 is a great PNP for fuzz pedals and other effects. This transistor is in a metal SO-2 package with long leads commonly found on germanium transistors. This package with the gold leads visually matches the 2G308, 2G309, and 2G381 transistors found in Zonk and Tonebender MKI fuzz pedals.

The BC546 is a silicon general purpose NPN transistor in a TO-92 package. The BC546’s typical applications include signal processing, amplification, and switching. The BC546 is available in two different gain ranges: BC546B and BC546C. Type hFE (IC=2mA, VCE=5V) BC546B 200-450 BC546C 420-800

2N527 PNP germanium transistors. The 2N527 is a popular PNP for fuzz pedals and other effects. It can be found in modern classics such as the Sunface and Benson Fuzz. This transistor is in a TO-5 package with long leads commonly found on germanium transistors.

2N404A PNP germanium transistors. The 2N404A is used in many fuzz pedals along with other effects. The 2N404A is the same as the 2N404 but with a higher voltage rating. This transistor is in a TO-5 package with long leads commonly found on germanium transistors. For a lower voltage version of this transistor, see P-Q2N404.

General purpose low-power PNP bipolar junction transistor, used frequently in hobbyist electronic projects. For the NPN 2N3904 see P-Q2N3904

New old stock 2N404A PNP germanium transistors manufactured by Texas Instruments. These TI 2N404A feature gold plated leads. The 2N404A is used in many fuzz pedals along with other effects. The 2N404A is the same as the 2N404 but with a higher voltage rating. This transistor is in a TO-5 package with long leads commonly found on germanium transistors.

The BC548 is a silicon general purpose NPN transistor in a TO-92 package. The BC548’s typical applications include signal processing, amplification, and switching. The BC548 is available in two different gain ranges: BC548B and BC548C. Type hFE (IC=2mA, VCE=5V) BC548B 200-450 BC548C 420-800

2N2222A in a TO-92 package. The 2N2222A is a NPN transistor commonly used in fuzz pedals. Typical Applications:

• Signal processing
• Switching
• Amplification

2SC945 NPN transistors. This is a silicon NPN transistor in a TO-92 package. The 2SC945 was used in many classic Boss pedals such as the CE-2 chorus.

BC108 NPN silicon transistors. The BC108 is a popular NPN choice for fuzz pedals and other effects such as vintage silicon Fuzz Face builds and Big Muff clones. Type hFE (IC=2mA, VCE=5V) hfe (IC=2mA, VCE=5V, f=1KHz) BC108A 110-220 125-260 BC108B 200-450 240-500 BC108C 420-800 450-900

• NPN polarity
• Collector emitter breakdown voltage 25V
• Collector base breakdown voltage 30V
• Collector current 200mA
• Power 0.75W
• Transition frequency 150MHz
• TO-18 case
• Weight 0.35g

This is a set of two 2N1309 germanium transistors that have been hand-selected to work in the germanium Fuzz Face circuit. Also included are 4 metal film resistors to use in the circuit. In most cases, the values have been modified from the stock values slightly to ensure that the collector of Q2 biases to roughly -4.5V. A data sheet containing the schematic and the resistor values is included so that you can use your own resistor type if you would prefer. There is a range of bias voltages that can sound nice in a Fuzz Face, and voltages in original units varied. These transistors have been tested with bias voltage, sound, and noise level in mind. Note that due to a variety of factors such as battery/PSU voltage, temperature, and component tolerance, the voltage on the collector of Q2 may not measure at exactly -4.5V, but it should be close in a properly-built circuit.

The BC557 is a silicon general purpose PNP transistor in a TO-92 package. The BC557’s typical applications include signal processing, amplification, and switching.

2N5400 (761), PNP general purpose amp, 120V, 10mA, TO-92 case.

The 2N5135 is a silicon NPN transistor in a TO-105 case. This transistor is a close match to the rare 2N5133 but with higher voltage ratings and is in a larger package. The hFE range is less wide than the 2N5133 with more values in the range found in the batches used on vintage Big Muff pedals. The lower hFE range also makes these a great option for silicon fuzz pedals.

The BC183 is a general purpose NPN transistor in a TO-92 case. The BC183 is commonly used in fuzz pedals and has a reputation as a warm sounding silicon transistor for fuzz.

The AS194H is a junction isolated ultra well-matched monolithic NPN transistor pair with an order of magnitude improvement in matching over conventional transistor pairs. Electrical characteristics of these devices such as drift versus initial offset voltage, noise, and the exponential relationship of base-emitter voltage to collector current closely approach those of a theoretical transistor. Extrinsic base and emitter resistances are very low, giving very low noise and operating over a wide current range. To guarantee long term stability of matching parameters, internal clamp diodes have been added across the emitter-base junction of each transistor. These prevent degradation due to reverse biased emitter current, the most common cause of field failures in matched devices.

ASY76 PNP germanium transistors. The ASY76 is a PNP transistor recommended for audio frequency amplifiers and drivers and works well in effects that use germanium transistors such as fuzz and boost pedals. This transistor is in a TO-5 package with long leads commonly found on germanium transistors.