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

[tito_elmer]

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?