What is germanium? Where do I find germanium transistors and diodes?
Germanium is a metallic semiconductor and early transistors and diodes were made from it. You can read about the history of the transistor here. Some early circuits like the Fuzz Face and Tone Benders used germanium transistors. You can find germanium transistors from NTE as well as other electronic places. GEO and Small Bear Electronics offer matched transistors for building these circuits. The typically used germanium diode, the 1N34A is available from Radio Shack and other places.
Germanium is a metallic semiconductor and early transistors and diodes were made from it. You can read about the history of the transistor here. Some early circuits like the Fuzz Face and Tone Benders used germanium transistors. You can find germanium transistors from NTE as well as other electronic places. Small Bear Electronics and my store offers matched transistors for building these circuits. The typically used germanium diode, the 1N34A is available from my store.
