VERY old transistors for free!

[TroelsM]

Hi all.

I've been given a number of old (germanium-transistors).

Half of them have never been used and I would guess that they are in good condition.

I have no use for them, but there seems to be some hype about these and I would like to offer them to you guys.

Types are (amongst others)

AC176, AC128, AC125

BCY34

OC71.

I guess that there are around 30 in all.

I can post pics (germanium-porn?)

Some one has obviously taken great care of these for many years and I would like to "honor" this by giving them to people at DiyAudio.

If the transistors are worth anything I would like people to donate some money to DIYA and I'll send the transistors for free.

So, post here if you feel that you have a "worthy" project.

If I dig more stuff up, I'll post it here.

Regards TroelsM

 

[EC8010]

I'd be interested to measure them. However, they may not work. I tried measuring a GET1 recently but when I opened the sealed packaging, it turned out not to work. Poor seals on the transistor had allowed water vapour in and killed it. Shame.

 

[Nordic]

I still have 1 a128 somewhere.. its mate is dead... realy old.... I remember it being in my dad's drawer when I was just a kid still...

 

[TroelsM]

Update

Hi.

I also found these. - I've never seen anything like them before.

Regards TroelsM

 

[davidallancole]

The AC128 was used in the fuzz face effects pedal for the guitar. I would take those of your hand.

 

[bob_v5]

Just wondering, are these any better than sillicon transistors, and if they are why does no one use them anymore? ( ha this is where i get a hundred people saying they use them.......)

 

[davidallancole]

They are better in some respects like a lower base to emitter voltage, around 0.3V, but are worse in others like higher leakage currents.

 

[OzMikeH]

I used to use an AWA regulated power supply with 2n442s in it ( my memory may be failing me but they were something like that). The thing was built mostly point-to point, the whole thing was made like they were expecting valves to go in it. Was still running beautifully when I left the company 3 years ago.

4 of them were good for 10 amps at 13.8V. they might be good for a little retro class A amplifier.

 

[poynton]

Re: Update

Hi.

I also found these. - I've never seen anything like them before.

Regards TroelsM

it's a Mullard early package design.


http://homepages.nildram.co.uk/~wylie/Mullard/Mullard.htm


EDIT :- No it's Motorola !!!!


Andy

 

[Nordic]

I was thinking in bed last night.. I would like to try a headphone amp with germaniums... Can I maybe buy one or two of those A128's from you... ?

 

[TroelsM]

Old resistors

OK, dug up some more.

This time it's resistors.

All brand new.

What are these? Are they any good?

I have 10-20 different values

Regards TroelsM

 

[anatech]

Hi TroelsM,
Yes, those resistors are good. They appear to be wire wound.

-Chris

 

[TroelsM]

Hi Chris.

Good for what? I'm just curious as they seem to be a lot bigger than modern types.

Regards

 

[anatech]

Hi TroelsM,
They are power resistors and are good for much more than 1/2 watt like the average part. I would hang on to them and use them when you need that value at higher power.

-Chris

 

[john_ellis]

Hi TroelsM

Those AC176's might be valuable!
Back in the days of geraniums (sweet scented...) the AC128 was pretty much an OC81 update. The transistor sold as its complement was an AC127. It wasn't. If you ever tried to design a complementary 9V tranny radio output stage the gain fall-off of an AC127 was pretty poor, and you had to push the driver current somewhat to guarantee it would work. The AC176 was a "true" complement to the AC128 and you could successfully design the proverbial 1W amp. with it.

You have to go some to make a silicon tranny amp work like the AC176/AC128 pair. It is possible, but you need something special. For example, a BC327/BC337 pair CAN do 1W but run out of steam (a bit like the AC127) but a double pair of BC327/337 will do 1W. But then you've got the Vbe to limit performance unless you use a bootstrap on both sides; then the gain is still a little low.

But there again who uses 9V tranny radios these days with 1W/channel?

cheers
John

 

[anatech]

Hi John,

But there again who uses 9V tranny radios these days with 1W/channel?

Headphone amp. 😀

A 1W transistor radio would have been quite the performer! Most were a couple hundred mW, "back in the day".

-Chris

 

[SY]

Well, thanks for making me feel like a senior citizen. One of my first electronic kits was one of those 26-in-1 setups with a breadboard from Philips- got it for my 11th birthday. AC126 and AF116. I had just built a little preamp with CK722 and was intrigued by these European units. Nice find!

 

[mod_evil]

Hey

If you can send to me some AC128 to make a FUZZ FACE PEDAL, i will be very happy!

My email: Felnavarro@gmail.com

Best Regards,
Felipe

 

[valvusmusicus]

Excellent, I have a use for them

Hi
I build Guitar Pedals and have a use for all (well most anyway) of these. I would be prepared to make adonation or pay what you want for them. If you have any left, that is

Cheers
paul

 

[unclejed613]

those Mot transistors can find use in old car radios or old Leslie amps. you might want to find a pro-audio shop that refurbs old organs like Hammonds. those transistors (large and small) would be quite useful to them.