Transistor Sockets

Psean

I've started building my first Fuzz circuit and most websites recommend socketing the transistors. I can't find the sockets anywhere on Mantech's website or at RSE. I see ftcl has some in the pics on his thread here:

http://www.guitarforum.co.za/effects/still-can't-figure-this-out-(please-help-again)/
I assume therefore, that they must be available somewhere; can anyone point me in the right direction?

Thanks

peterleroux

They are called 'tulip' sockets, and they come in a long strip of 20 or 40 terminals that you cut into pairs (for jumpers and diodes) or threes (for transistors). It took me a lot of hunting (looking for sockets of three) until I read this somewhere. Here is the 40 contact version at Mantech: http://www.mantech.co.za/ProductInfo.aspx?Item=14M5073

Psean

peterleroux wrote They are called 'tulip' sockets, and they come in a long strip of 20 or 40 terminals that you cut into pairs (for jumpers and diodes) or threes (for transistors). It took me a lot of hunting (looking for sockets of three) until I read this somewhere. Here is the 40 contact version at Mantech: http://www.mantech.co.za/ProductInfo.aspx?Item=14M5073

Thanks! That's what I need. They really were just about impossible to find on Mantech's site. Now that I know they're called tulips they come up first search.

By the way, it's the Bazz Fuss that you posted that I'm building now; I breadboarded a three-knob version and now want to get it onto vero.

peterleroux

Enjoy. It might be worth socketing the Diode, too, so you can play around with the overdrive sound

mtmattan

Yep also searching "sip socket" gets the job done ?

psyx

What transistors are you planning on using? I would personally recommend the 2N5089 for a fuzz circuit. Ive gotten some good results from them

Psean

peterleroux wrote Enjoy. It might be worth socketing the Diode, too, so you can play around with the overdrive sound

Yeah, I'll do that. Played around on the breadboard and settled on a 1N4007 but it'll be cool to leave options.

Psean

Mattocaster wrote Yep also searching "sip socket" gets the job done ?

Cool. Thanks

psyx wrote What transistors are you planning on using? I would personally recommend the 2N5089 for a fuzz circuit. Ive gotten some good results from them

MPSA13. I tried a 2N3904 first but it gave a gated, spluttery kind of sound which wasn't great for bass. I might pick up a 2N5089 or two when I collect my sockets.

Psean

In case anyone is interested, I used this site when building it:http://www.tonefiend.com//wp-content/uploads/DIY-Club-Project-2-v02.pdf
It explains everything in simple steps and is easy even for someone like me without any electronics experience.

peterleroux

Psean wrote In case anyone is interested, I used this site when building it:http://www.tonefiend.com//wp-content/uploads/DIY-Club-Project-2-v02.pdf
It explains everything in simple steps and is easy even for someone like me without any electronics experience.

Some cool links on that site, he's got me pondering the blend wiring for my Tele again (and strangely longing after a Hello Kitty Strat)

psyx

The 2N5088 is used in the reissue of the big muff pi and the 2N5089 is the slightly higher gain version which is used in the musket fuzz

Psean

psyx wrote The 2N5088 is used in the reissue of the big muff pi and the 2N5089 is the slightly higher gain version which is used in the musket fuzz

The NYC Reissue; i.e., the one you have? If so, I might have to give it a go. I have the sockets now, so can swap them ?

psyx

Indeed... The one you may be very familiar with ?

Psean

psyx wrote Indeed... The one you may be very familiar with ?

Hehe Cool. I did enjoy that one. Hope it's still treating you well (and mistreating anyone nearby ?)

Psean

Back onto the topic of the tulip sockets:

I find that LEDs and the 1N914 diode I have (but don't want to use) fit perfectly but the 1N4001/1N4007's (which are the ones I'd like to socket) have thicker legs and don't fit.
Any suggestions? Ideally I'd like to be able to vit a variety of diodes in. Do the 1N4001's come in different leg thicknesses or is there only one available?

DDR4LYF

I find that the mechanical tolerances can be a bit out, but most of the time, it fits with a bit of pressing. I find chips to have legs that are much stronger than they look. So giving a little more pressure may be your solution?

Psean

DDR4LYF wrote I find that the mechanical tolerances can be a bit out, but most of the time, it fits with a bit of pressing. I find chips to have legs that are much stronger than they look. So giving a little more pressure may be your solution?

Hey man. It's a diode I'm trying to fit in there and the legs are quite flexible; I already bent the legs on my other 1N4001 back on themselves trying to get it in.

I'm not sure if you can see the difference from this pic but the one has legs that are quite a bit thicker than the other.

psyx

That's probably never going to fit... Maybe you should solder copper wires to the ends as a temporary measure and fit the copper wires into the breadboard

Psean

psyx wrote That's probably never going to fit... Maybe you should solder copper wires to the ends as a temporary measure and fit the copper wires into the breadboard

I did manage to get it in using needle-nose pliers very close to the ends; I'll have to see how that works when I've cut the legs shorter once I get the whole lot onto vero. I might give the copper wire a try or just solder it straight in; it sounds pretty good.

Thanks guys.