OC44 - Am I the Only One...

[frankie5fingers]

... that finds this trannie souding pretty ratty in a Rangemaster?  I'm completely unimpressed with the OC44.  It's not only ratty and harsh but it's pretty weak when using the bridge pickup. which I never expected from a treble booster.  I have an AC125 and a GT108V, as well as a Hitachi 2sb77 on the way.  Any other suggestions or favorites in this circuit?  I'd like a broader range and some clarity and smoothness in the tone.  It's the MB Rangemaster with no mods, BTW.
Thanks, Frank

[stecykmi]

do you know the gain and leakage of your device?

[midwayfair]

It's the MB Rangemaster with no mods, BTW.
Thanks, Frank

No mods, including the biasing resistors? Do you have 7v on the collector? Definite "ratty" sounding -- do you mean it's gating? And it's going to be harsh going into some amps ... it's a treble booster. Your bridge pickup has less bass than the other pickups, so it's not driving the transistor as hard, so it's also going to sound "weaker" there.

[frankie5fingers]

I don't remember the hFE and leakage numbers, it's an old one I found in my transistors box, didn't even know I had one.  Certainly it could be just unsuitable.  It's just a disappointment cause the black glass looks so cool.  No mods at all, I didn't even add the range knob like I intended to, just the stock MB build spec with a .015 in C2.  It comes up a little hotter at the collector but it's not gating either.  The build is great, works perfectly.    I see what you mean about the bridge pickup.  I'm sure I'll find the right tweak.  Any other transistor faves for this circuit?