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** New money-saving base models now available! These transistor options come at a discount as we can build them up when we have free time, and keep them in stock for FAST shipping, and pass the savings to you!!! PLEASE do not choose any other PEDAL OPTIONS (power jack, led, etc) if you want to get these special deals. **
This Sunface has many transistor options, there is no BEST, they are all similar but have some differences that should make some better than others for your needs.
Here is a short summary, much more info is on the Sunface page on analogman.com :
White Dot normal gain NKT-275 - no longer available. Pretty low gain, not much fuzz but
could get totally, sparkly clean. Very consistent, not too temperamental.
White Dot very low gain NKT-275 - same parts as above, even lower gain.
White Dot high gain NKT-275 - available but low supply. Same as above but these tested out to have a higher gain. Good amount of fuzz, a little brighter than the above. Cleanup is fine, about as good as any other germanium but not totally, sparkly clean. Very consistent, not too temperamental.
Red dot NKT-275 - available, decent supply. Usually pretty low gain but let us know in your order if you want medium, or higher gain. Cool smoky, dark tones. Pretty good cleanup. A bit finicky, they don't sound good at extreme cold or hot. We put a bias trimpot inside even if you get a sundial so you can keep it in range (started this in late 2011). You should order the Sun Dial option with these as the sound will change at different temperatures.
TI/UK CV7003 - military version of the OC44, made by Texas Instruments in the United Kingdom in the late 1960s. Good amount of fuzz and gain, not too finicky. Good cleanup. A little brighter than the red dot NKT or standard germanium. Similar to high gain NKTs.
2SB Japanese transistors : usually Toshiba brand, about 30 years old. Medium gain, not too finicky, nice warm tone, not very bright. Good cleanup.
2N USA transistors : black or silver larger metal cans, similar to the 2SB transistors but maybe a little brighter. Usually made by General Electric (GE).
High Gain Germanium : These transistors were used in Baldwin Organs about 40 years ago. They are quite consistent, sound similar to the other germaniums (close to TI/UK) but the higher gain does not allow them to clean up quite as well.
SILICON
BC108C : most normally found in 1970 era Fuzzfaces, metal can. Can be very high gain, can cause radio or other noise. Best to back the FUZZ KNOB or clean trimpot down a bit. We are now using some TFK (Telefunken) marked transistors just like the old ones from 1970.
BC183 : We have some really cool old BC183 with paint stripes, they came individually bagged. Medium high gain. I like these best for a silicon fuzz. Almost all the silicon transistors sound about the same if you use transistors with the same gain ranges. But these BC183 are all in the right gain range so it's easier to make a more consistent and excellent sounding fuzz. These are really smooth, almost like a germanium sound.
BC182 : Similar to BC183, it's also easy to match these up with a BC183 to make a perfect matched pair. But I like the old BC183 that we got better.
BC109 : Similar to BC108 but edgier, cuts well, not quite as smooth as the BC108.
Check out the BATT-O-METER for how you can test the battery level and LIFE without opening your pedal! It's in our ACCESSORIES area. It works only on the Silicon negative ground Sunface pedals, so check it's page for more info.
