By Scott @ BMF Effects
So… in sorting all the NOS OC75s for the Ge Spot 1.5 Limited Run, it also provided me the opportunity to take stock of my germanium transistor stash overall and give you guys an update as to the future of BMF Effects fuzz pedals.
The Bad News – My stash is running low. Not dangerously low, but low enough that I’m mentioning it. Due to current prices and availability of good germanium transistors, I am no longer buying bulk, unsorted batches and hoping for the best. The return on my investment just isn’t worth it, and I would rather funnel the money elsewhere in the business. As a result of this, I’m going to update the website and list your transistor options. At this time, they are.
- 2SB17Xs – These are my house transistors which I have been using for quite some time.
- 2N404s – I have a limited supply of these, and there will be a small upcharge.
- Mullard CV8252 (Military Spec OC42) / OC76 – This has become my favorite combination but again, a limited supply, so there will be a small upcharge.
I do have a few other types of transistors I have not tested yet, so another option may be added. Another possibility is that I have some NPN germanium transistors, which could be used for a negative ground version of the Ge Spot. However, I haven’t done much testing with them, and the little I have yielded mediocre results. I may also try brands and types that fall out of the “mojo” category if they can be had at reasonable prices. I’ve always believed that your ear is the best piece of test equipment you will ever own. Just because we haven’t heard it mentioned in the forums doesn’t mean it isn’t worth giving it a try.
The Good News – I have a rather healthy supply of NOS Mullard OC76s that should work nicely in a Tonebender Mk II-style circuit. So, while we will eventually have to say goodbye to the two transistor Ge Spot, it looks as though I may be able to replace it with a different flavor.
The Cool News – Over the last 18 years, I have accumulated a wide variety of germanium transistors of all brands and types, but generally never enough to do a full run of Ge Spots. So, what does this mean for you? I will be doing one last limited run of Ge Spots with these oddballs. Some could have 5-10 units available, while others will truly be one of a kind, and I’m fairly certain that some of the transistor combinations have never been used by any builder. We’re a little ways out from these happening, but they will have their own page on the website when they’re ready.
As for the GB Boost, we’re looking at the same thing.
- 2SB17Xs – House transistors
- Mullard OC42 – Limited supply, small upcharge.
- Mullard CV8252 (Military Spec OC42) – Limited supply, small upcharge.
- Mullard OC75s – Decent supply, small upcharge.
Another option for the GB Boost is using an NPN germanium like the one I use in the Marc F’N Ford pedal. I have a decent supply of these. They sound great, they’re quiet, and they run off a regular power supply. There will also be a limited run of GB Boosts featuring rare and oddball transistors.
And that’s all I have to say about that. I’ll announce the limited runs as they happen and post updates when I can. As always, thanks for the support!
PLEASE NOTE - This has no impact on the Sisyphuzz Silicon Fuzz. Silicon transistor stock levels are very high.