Germanium vs silicon transistors, when do you actually need germanium?

Iron tips, flux, hot air, SMD work, desoldering. Hands-on rework topics.
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tito_elmer
Posts: 13
Joined: Tue May 05, 2026 10:51 am

Younger folks ask: bakit pa nag-bother sa germanium kung silicon mas durable, mas mura, mas available?

Where Ge still matters:
  • Vintage fuzz pedals, that specific warm clipping sound
  • Restoring 50s-60s gear, original spec
  • Low Vbe drop (0.2V vs 0.7V), niche analog detection circuits
For everything else, silicon. 2N3904 will outlast you for general signal switching.

Sourcing tip: NOS 2SB54 still available from old TV repair shops. Mga PHP 100-300 each. Test before buy, leakage current high pag matanda na yung box.

Guitar pedal builders here? Worth the search for original Mullard OC75?
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