SOLVED Who else gets gremlins when socketing transistors?

[MBFX]

Tonight, I built a Fuzz Face with some Germanium transistors. It sounded amazing on the breadboard, so I committed it to vero using a layout I know to be good. Suddenly, it won't bias right and it sounds weak and shitty. I ended up rebuilding it on a breadboard, getting a good result, then re-socketing the transistors in the veroboard build. Suddenly, it is perfect.

Anyone else get problems with socketed transistors?

 

[Nostradoomus]

I hate socketing transistors and diodes etc. I’ll populate the rest of a board beyond the transistors and any bias resistors and just run jumpers to a breadboard to make it easy peasy.

 

[music6000]

If I do, I solder the transistor legs permanently after selection is complete.

 

[Cybercow]

When using sockets, I've found some components have slightly thinner leads than others and can lead to connectivity gremlins. To overcome intermittent issues with socketed parts, I've started the practice of gently wrinkling the ends of the leads. (see attached image)

 

[Harry Klippton]

No sockets for me. They cause more trouble than they resolve

 

[MBFX]

When using sockets, I've found some components have slightly thinner leads than others and can lead to connectivity gremlins. To overcome intermittent issues with socketed parts, I've started the practice of gently wrinkling the ends of the leads. (see attached image)

View attachment 65766

Marking this as the solution because I just tried it and it's perfect!

 

[MBFX]

No sockets for me. They cause more trouble than they resolve
View attachment 65767View attachment 65768

So fresh and so clean clean

 

[Paradox916]

No sockets for me. They cause more trouble than they resolve

This , there are very few reasons to socket transistors IMO… . And I have no idea why I keep seeing 3904s in sockets… that makes no sense to me at all.

 

[chris.knudson]

No sockets for me. They cause more trouble than they resolve

I think I'm with you Harry. I used to be a believer in socketing transistors, but I've had my share of issues. I think from now on, unless I have a compelling reason, like I want to try a few different transistors, I'm just going to soldier them in. ICs are a different story - I'll always socket ICs -- had too many times where a bad IC was easily rectified by just swapping it out.

 

[MBFX]

I like sockets in case I fuck up the pinout of an old transistor I paid $8+ for. It's a protection of investment thing. It also feels nice that they are more easily reusable, I guess. I should probably get over that.

 

[Coda]

So I decided on my latest build (PPCB Waypoint Fuzz) to skip the sockets…it’s an Si fuzz. Then I watch Grey Bench do a teardown, and the transistors are color coded. Mine all tested the same: 192hfe. Color coded almost definitely means sorted by hfe. My pedal is below unity and is more clean that anything…

I think I’ll go back to sockets…

 

[music6000]

So I decided on my latest build (PPCB Waypoint Fuzz) to skip the sockets…it’s an Si fuzz. Then I watch Grey Bench do a teardown, and the transistors are color coded. Mine all tested the same: 192hfe. Color coded almost definitely means sorted by hfe. My pedal is below unity and is more clean that anything…

I think I’ll go back to sockets…

f I do sockets, I solder the transistor legs permanently after selection is complete.

 

[GizzWizzKing]

Just built a Titania and I am very happy I socketed. Got to roll a bunch of transistors and even just rotating three 2n2222s made a huge difference in the sounds. But I am going to pull the sockets and solder them direct. I don't like sockets.

 

[Harry Klippton]

Just built a Titania and I am very happy I socketed. Got to roll a bunch of transistors and even just rotating three 2n2222s made a huge difference in the sounds. But I am going to pull the sockets and solder them direct. I don't like sockets.

 

[jessenator]

I'm not a fan of the machined sockets in any configuration; singles, SIP or DIP. You get one, maybe two in-and-outs and then you're boned. I did it to verify a board (quick, dirty and melty, I admit), and even that was a disaster. Hot glue to the rescue

apologies for shaky cam :S

soldered leads on the salvaged PNPs weren't related to the socket failure

I'll swear by (leaf spring) socketing ICs, however. #twoPhasedHippocrip

 

[chris.knudson]

I'm not a fan of the machined sockets in any configuration; singles, SIP or DIP. You get one, maybe two in-and-outs and then you're boned. I did it to verify a board (quick, dirty and melty, I admit), and even that was a disaster. Hot glue to the rescue

apologies for shaky cam :S

soldered leads on the salvaged PNPs weren't related to the socket failure

I'll swear by (leaf spring) socketing ICs, however. #twoPhasedHippocrip

I'm currently repairing a circuit where i socketed transistors in machine sockets, but due to bad transistors, I had to replace them several times. In one socket I pulled out the machined part, leaving me with a socket that won't conduct properly, and I snapped off a transistor leg in another socket, leaving me with a socket that I can't insert a new transistor. After this experience, I think I may be done socketing transistors. ICs are another story. I agree with you that the leaf spring sockets for ICs are the better choice.

 

[Feral Feline]

No problems with sockets, except those crappy fly-leaf IC failures-waiting-to-happen.

So I'll continue to use sockets and experiment — thus probably have tons of problems in the near future.


Meanwhile...

socketoomeesocketoomeesocketoomeesocketoomeesocketoomeesocketoomeesocketoomeesocketoomeesocketoomee...

 

[darwin999]

Hmm, crazy thought, would sockets + a small dab of silver paste provide a way to have both reliable connections + retain the option of easy removal? Has anybody tried this?

 

[Big Monk]

Sockets are wack as hell.

If you already breadboarded it, why are you using sockets on the board?

That's the real question.

 

[jessenator]

If you already breadboarded it…

Breadboard a pedal with EIGHT on-board components?! Ain't nobody got time for that!

I kid, of course.