Germanium Giant

effect pedal project by Rocket88

Here's the Germanium Giant effect pedal project from Rocket88.

This project has been described using terms like booster, distortion, overdrive, and stripboard and is reportedly verified, meaning many hobbyists have already completed this project and verify that the instructions are without issue.

Beyond the specs and details found on this page, you'll want to check out these stripboard resources too.

Project Resources

Parts List

  • C1
    100n
  • C2
    100n
  • D1
    1N4148
  • D1 (Alt)
    D9K
  • D2
    1N4148
  • D2 (Alt)
    D9K
  • P1
    100k Volume
  • P2
    25k Clean
  • PT1
    5k
  • R1
    2M2
  • R2
    47k
  • T1
    MP38
  • U1
    9V

Similar transistors & Potential Alternatives

Can't find an exact match for the recommended transistor in this project within your stash? Or maybe you just feel like experimenting. Use these tables below to get started finding a suitable or otherwise interesting transistor substitution.

There may be 11 alternatives for the MP38 mentioned above in the parts list for this project. These suggestions were derived by considering the original component's hFE, Pol, Ic, Vcb, and Vce values and finding comparables in our database. These alternatives are suggestions for further exploration (fun!) and have not been tested in the context of this project. You can also to suit your preferences.

MP38
more info
ft
2
MHz
hFE
25
β
Ic
0.02
A
Pc
0.15
W
Pol
NPN
Tj
75
°C
TranMat
Ge
Vcb
15
V
Vce
15
V
2N292
more info
ft
2
MHz
hFE
25
β
Ic
0.02
A
Pc
0.065
W
Pol
NPN
Tj
85
°C
TranMat
Ge
Vcb
15
V
Vce
15
V
Cc
5
pF
2N292A
more info
ft
2
MHz
hFE
25
β
Ic
0.02
A
Pc
0.1
W
Pol
NPN
Tj
85
°C
TranMat
Ge
Vcb
15
V
Vce
15
V
Cc
5
pF
2N293
more info
ft
4
MHz
hFE
25
β
Ic
0.02
A
Pc
0.065
W
Pol
NPN
Tj
85
°C
TranMat
Ge
Vcb
15
V
Vce
15
V
Cc
5
pF
2N313
more info
ft
2
MHz
hFE
25
β
Ic
0.02
A
Pc
0.065
W
Pol
NPN
Tj
85
°C
TranMat
Ge
Vcb
15
V
Vce
15
V
2N314
more info
ft
4
MHz
hFE
25
β
Ic
0.02
A
Pc
0.065
W
Pol
NPN
Tj
85
°C
TranMat
Ge
Vcb
15
V
Vce
15
V
2N478A
more info
ft
5
MHz
hFE
25
β
Ic
0.025
A
Pc
0.2
W
Pol
NPN
Tj
200
°C
TranMat
Si
Vcb
15
V
Vce
15
V
Cc
8
pF
Veb
2
V
2N1006
more info
hFE
25
β
Ic
0.025
A
Pc
0.15
W
Pol
NPN
Tj
175
°C
TranMat
Si
Vcb
15
V
Vce
15
V
3DG8
more info
ft
150
MHz
hFE
25
β
Ic
0.03
A
Pc
0.2
W
Pol
NPN
Tj
175
°C
TranMat
Si
Vcb
15
V
Vce
15
V
Veb
4
V
MP11
more info
ft
1
MHz
hFE
25
β
Ic
0.02
A
Pc
0.15
W
Pol
NPN
Tj
85
°C
TranMat
Ge
Vcb
15
V
Vce
15
V
Cc
60
pF
Veb
15
V
MPSA17
more info
ft
800
MHz
hFE
25
β
Ic
0.1
A
Pc
0.35
W
Pol
NPN
Tj
150
°C
TranMat
Si
Vcb
15
V
Vce
15
V
Cc
4
pF
Veb
3
V