Rangemaster / Germanium Boost Shootout Different Transistors compared OC71 OC75 OC44 & More!
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 29 ก.ย. 2024
- Get your "JDM Boost" here: goo.gl/gUaHIk - We currently have the OC75, OC71, OC139, and 2N1304 available. The OC44 transistors have been used in fuzz circuits (far more fitting there anyway!)
Do different transistors really sound different in Rangemaster type circuits? Only one way to find out - compare a whole sh*tload of them side-by-side. This turned into a very interesting experiment, and will help you choose the right boost for your rig.
Hey all - thanks for checkin this out. The video goes back quite a few years now, and we have updated the design a lot. At heart it is still 100% classic Rangemaster, but now the "EQ" control is perfected, and the top cut switch uses a second order filter on the output for a very musical top cut to the treble frequencies, on one side just barely "taking the edge off" and cutting hiss, the other side creating an almost "cocked-wah" resonance. Get one using the transistor of your dreams here: www.joedocmusic.com/jdm-pedals-oc-boost-custom-germanium-boost-rangemaster-pedals/
I just received my OC75 from Joe and it's great! It really makes P90's sound fantastic. Thanks Joe!
Hé can you explain what circuitry wizardry you do to make the squiling-radio noises go away with the switch ? Would be super helpful to know how it works 🙏
Back in this time, I used a filter cap from the collector to base - 150pf up to 1nf, tuned to need! That can cut noise that gets into the circuit, but adding a tiny bit of series resistance with the input can do the same trick as with a fuzzface, cutting out some radio interference. Hope that helps! best, joe
@@joedocmusic thank you so much ! I’ll give that a try 🎸
whats the gain and leakage on these? are these like java boost or dam red rooster? thank you
What's the riff at about 8:43?
One Vision!
@@joedochtermann7164 hey mr. Joe H , 10:02 sounds really cool 😎 I really want to find that rif , I have heard something like it , but cannot find it (lil help ?) and I subbed ,enjoyed your comparisons and playing , thanks
@@ungwigwi Hey Ken! The "One Vision" riff is Brian May, from the "A Kind Of Magic" album. If you mean the first riff, that is Judas Priest. Oh man... so much finger-forkin' fun in there \m/ ;-P \m/
Looking at buying a rangemaster right now, I play an Esquire through an 18 watt clone and I'm not sure if this video could be any more for me...
Hi There, New Zealand calling,, I like the OC139 boost, How much to buy & send over to NZ thanks,,, (Nice sounds mate)
You have these with the different transistors, and they are for sale still? I am Interested.
Hi Ernest, These originals are long since sold, but we do make the OC71, OC44, and 2N1304 versions, and also offer an AC121VI from Toshiba, which is right up there with the OC75 in terms of tone. Drop a line at joedocmusic.com cheers, joe
We’re all Victim of changes that’s for sure. I’m glad I found your channel. Very informative video thank you!
I would love if you did a similar comparison of your limited edition Elektrikas. Your descriptions on your site are very appreciated, but words only go so far. Trying to find my way to the bottom of this particular pedal rabbit hole and becoming overwhelmed by nuances.
Sad wings! Hell yes beutifull album.
From just watching this vid I think I liked the sound of the oc75 best. Thought I’d like the OC44 best but I kinda liked how the oc75 was just a little bit tamer and not quite as noisy
Have you tried using the 2SD352 transistor?
It's a NPN germanium transistor that's pretty similar to the OC44.
Don't have any of those!
Geat video... nice to hear how the different transistors sound in the rangemaster cct
Nice! I like them all LOL
I am going to make one of these with some OC140 and another with an OC75 ala RED Roosterish :)
See that puppy on the far left? Liked the sound of it so much its now mine!
Yes sir - and you got that exact one! The 2N1304 has a great extended but warm top end :) best, joe
How did you bias the transistors? Are they all biased at the same voltage (6-7V)?
Using trim pots. All were biased to 6.8- 7V at the collector. Cheers, joe
thanks, all the best.
I love how Queens of the Stone Age riffs always seem to find their way into these fuzz demos!
Torture...tuned in to hear the 44...next to nothing on it...Thanks alot!
OC139 is nicely tight and articulate, very sweet.
Congratulations! That was a treble booster master class! Cheers!
nice job but were all these transistors the same hfe and leakage? did you measure all the caps and resistors? Thanks
As usual I'm late to the party but this is great info. Thanks for taking the time to do it.
Hi, great demo and explanation! I'm breadboarding a RM with an OC71 transistor with Hfe=40 and Leakage=0.07mA (measured with a Peak DCA55) and it biases perfectly with stock resistors (c: 7.00v, b: 0.90v, e: 0.84v) but it's just much less "gainy" than with my other transistor, an OC44 (Hfe=90, Leakage=0.09mA), which also biases perfectly: I wasn't expecting these results, isn't the RM a finicky circuit regarding Hfe\Leakage? Both versions sound good, but there's quite a big difference in terms of volume boost, something like 25db for the OC71 and 30-35db for the OC44, is this normal? As you said, I like the OC71 for low gain bluesy stuff, and the OC44 for rocky riffs! :)
Thanks! Glad if it sheds some light on this classic pedal build. I also find the OC44 to distort more than the OC71 in the same circuit. This naturally means more upper harmonics, and likely a "grainier" sound. Strapping a 150-330pf capacitor across the Base/Collector can mellow this out, hint, hint ;) As far as biasing goes, if your transistor has low leakage (your OC71 is a lucky grab!) then the "stock" circuit values should bias up perfectly. I generally replace the 470k resistor with a 500k trimpot, then measure the collector voltage and adjust the trim until Vc hits 6.8v and it's golden.
Cool! I also found the OC71 mellower than the OC44, but in the originals, many OC71 equipped units mounted a 8.2nF output cap: sounds very good coupled with 50uF at the emitter to ground... :)
I still have some AC107, OC70N, OC72N and ASY80YTG to try! :D
They all sound great, man!
I have a few with other transistors too. Great to hear more side by side comparisons! Thanks a lot! I built mine with identical measuring transistors, and the results are just like your's. Every transistor type has its own flavor. Every component in the circuits are measured and matched. Curiosity, right?😁
This guy is really cool. I can't stop watching.
the oc79 seems to stand out as the k.k.downing boost. they all sound great. OC71 for me! tried ac128 and 2sbi73, too hissy.
The finesse of the OC71 is just sublime. You get all sorts of great tones just adjusting the guitar volume pot. Love mine! :)
@@joedocmusic have you tried the nkt275? Works pretty nice in a treblebooster as well as fuzz boxes. BTW, the oc71 has that honk that sounds great! Do you make custom pieces upon requests? Thanks!
@@whotendsthefire7234 Hey there! I do have some NKT278 original, and some of the Dunlop made NKT275, but have saved them for fuzz. I'll bet they are great in a Rangemaster, too. Custom pedals has become more popular lately - just drop me a line thru the site joedocmusic.com cheers, Joe
Great demo to let people know which tran they prefer Word is getting around Joe I sub'd as well Good demo to study for your ears lol 😁
i really like my oc71 ...its on my pedalboard with other rangemaster clones...just the good amount of gain for blues rock rythm..or with an od before..it gives a good solo boost...very transparent and phat
Yeah!
I think that's the one that Marc Bolan of T-rex's range master was supposed to have used.
10:10 to 10:30 time
umm not sure what the differences are its too bad you cant get them all in one box tho
Use my OC-71 every day. Thank you !!
My fav is the oc139 the 71 also was really good. Great video!
Where would this treble booster go in the pedalboard chain? At the end to hit the amp hard ? Or the first pedal in the chain?
First pedal in the chain
If you just want to hear the comparison and skip the background info, jump to 2:10.
JoeDocMusic
Hey Man,
I play A Tele and some les Pauls throu a vintage 59' Bassman.
and I am looking for that ZZ Top first album kind of sound
so my question is do i go oc 71 or rather oc 44 ?
I usually crank the thing with a attenuator
but i am missing some more gain and bite
@@silviosantapaola2825 Hey! Missed your question till now. I'd say go OC71 with that setup, there's just something subtly nice about the OC71... that magic mojo that's hard to put yer finger on. j
JoeDocMusic
Hey Thanx for your Answer.
I'll consider it but i'll wait till i can try it out
Nice, Victim of Changes, love that riff, but that wasn't a NWOBHM riff, that riff came out in '76, where as the NWOBHM started in either late '78 or '79.
I prefer the NPN type transistor's bite.
Didn´t you adjust the bias on each one to get same values?
Yes, all bias adjusted to 6.7v @ collector
@@joedocmusic I made the mine with AC127 NPN (I had this transistor since 2006) and just today I make this to work, it sounds very good, I still need to set bias but where I live (Venezuela) is better buy food than a trimmer :)
@@percyhornickel Hi Percy! Wow, yes the AC127 is an excellent choice, and if you need any parts, write to me. I'll be glad to send a care package to a fellow builder. I'm lucky to have a full workshop here and can certainly spare some pots and trimmers for a fellow musician and pedal builder. best regards, joe
@@joedocmusic I really appreciate your kindest, by now in here it is very dificult to buy or find simple parts like a single resistor or even a cap. (Just one eletrolitic cap cost the same as 15 days of my salary, no joke). I started to build the RM like 15 years ago when my father was alive so I wanted him to listen something made by myself, never happend tough. I`m a Petroleum engineer, I love guitar and I´m studing all the time, lately I have return to electronics (I always like it), I´ve been studing deeply the way to set bjt bias and that´s why I made a worksheet in excel to "see" the load line and how changes the Q point in some boosters, electra dist and the RM. It is so interesting and it helps to give you a better idea about how it works. I couldn´t measure right my RM because I think my AC127 has a big leak, but anyways it seems to "work".
My sister is living in USA since 3 years ago (Houston, Texas), she is sending us every 2 or 3 months some boxes with food and stuff for my family so if you have a little extra parts that you don´t use well... ...I´m your man !!!!
...just whatever you want to include will be so appreciated.
...and yes, you are so so lucky to have a full wokshop (one of my dreams).
btw, sorry about my english... ...is not that good.
Saludos
@@percyhornickel Hey Percy! Yes, I'll send you a message now, I have some goodies to send your way as soon as shipping is running here again. I'll message you! j
Do each of them have to be biased differently?
Yes, bias points vary depending on the transistor.
Hey! I only see the OC71 for sale on your site. Do you still carry the OC75??
Hey there! We do have OC75, just specify when ordering. cheers, joe
@@joedocmusic thanks for getting back to me! I sent you an email
OC 17, 75, 44 ,139 and... ? ... ????G1969? What!? Please! Tks
The last unit on the left is an NPN version, and is built with a 2n1304 transistor.
Turn 'em all on! ha ha.....
Hi, very cool video! Which one of these gets you into the Rory Gallagher territory?
The classic tone is really the OC71, however for a "daisy-chainable" version, the OC139 is perfect. The OC139 is also a vintage black glass Germanium transistor with the same gain as the OC71, but in NPN instead of PNP, so it can be powered by a standard modern PSU. cheers, joe / jdm pedals
OC 75 is the best !
Love your demo !!...........are you still building them ?
Absolutely! Find us at www.joedocmusic.com cheers, j
What you should do is have the comparison of all pedals, THEN talk about their differences.
very cool video. I own Sound Sounds. I personally use my Range Wizard Pedal through a Sound Sounds JMH45 Amp. This is a great video. Only question just for my reference did you gain check the hfe and if so what system did you use to find out. thanks
Hi Jonny - We use a DCA-55 to test gain and leakage. We're lucky enough to have acquired a large stock of excellent quality vintage transistors, so they're quite consistent. cheers, joe
Cool. I use the same model dca-55. Good unit. What gain ranges did you shoot for. I generally run mine hotter than an oc44 range. I think I prefer the oc71 model personally. When it comes to original units anyhow
The OC44 has a much higher Hfe than the OC71, for example, but in this circuit you don't want something TOO hot, or you may get a fizzy sounding 'overdrive', in my experience. The aim of a boost is of course to push an amp, rather than generate 'fuzz' of it's own. Any transistor can be biased into the right range, and then it's a matter of taste. I agree that the OC71 sounds great - the most "classic" tone. For a negative ground version I prefer the OC139, which sounds very close to the OC71. cheers, joe
Weird all my Millard oc44 have been 60 and lower, here my oc71 have been anywhere from 40 to 80 in the sound sounds range wizard I use much higher hfe. Pnp battery only. Played through a 6l6 jtm45 with silver alnico. I play both at full volume also in my band setting I use a low power twin built to grind with both amps I get to die for creamy sustaining tone. No buzzy sound at all. I've made a living for past 10 years selling pedals 90% ge fuzz. I have stuff on people's boards from social d, to warren Haynes t o Craig bartock. Stuff Is just word of mouth and I'm not rich just pay the bills and smoke endless endless amounts of weed. But anyhow again great video
Sounds like you got the right idea! ;0) keep puffin' - J
Hey Joe,
Great review!!
Thanks Mark
I'd say that, more important than the TYPE of germanium transistor is the hfe (simply put, how much gain the device has), and how much leakage it has - something which all germanium transistors have, to a greater or lesser extent.
It seems to me that the pedals with a "grittier" sound here simply have a higher gain transistor - most of my oc71's have less gain than my 2n1304's for example.
I design and build effects pedals for a living, and I spend a ridiculous amount of time swapping out Ge transistors when I could be doing something far more important, like making music.
Hi Alan, Yes - there is most certainly more "grit" available in a higher gain transistor (we also spend time experimenting with different models). For the non-engineer player, however, who just wants to hear a tone, say "that's the one I'd like," and order it, hfe, leakage, frequency response, etc. Are not worth getting into in depth. Hence the side-by-side comparison to make it easier for the player to listen and choose. Thanks for writing in! best regards, joe
Agreed. An OC44 with Hfe 50 isn't going to sound the same as an OC44 with Hfe 150. Imagine if I happened to have a stock of OC76s all with hfe around 120 and I wanted to start selling pedals....I could say that the OC76 was the best transistor for circuit X (that sounds good with a transistor with Hfe 120) and that's why I only use them and why I charge £100 more than everybody else. If I start talking about gain and leakage then my customers are given a level of understanding that allows them to see right through my layer of marketing illusion and I'll have to drop my prices to compete. That said I do hear differences between transistors even when gain and leakage are the same.
Meaningless test without the true bypass sound
Great video, extremely helpful albeit disappointing. My hunt for a good oc44 continues.
The OC44 is great, but always a bit "hairy" in this circuit at max gain ;-)
@@joedocmusic its got a nice bite. I started putting this pedal together, thinking it would be quick, easy, and cheap. That was 3 months ago. I didn't realize how hard it is to find the right oc44. Do you think i'd get the same sound from a one of these other transistors listed as an equivalent (ac128, cv7003, nte126) or do they vary just as much?
@@bingusvsgoogle You can get very close with any good quality transistor, the tone is also affected by biasing your circuit, choosing he value of input capacitor, the base-collector capacitance (which acts as a sort of tone cut) and a certain amount of magic mystical mojo... The other transistors you mentioned should do a fine job. If you socket the transistor and use a trim pot to adjust the bias you could swap transistors in your circuit and audition to see which suits your guitra/amp combo best. cheers, j
@@joedocmusic great advice, great video. Thanks.
@superpagoon