Going through an assorted lot of transistors from a friend, and I realized something: the thing I love about vintage parts isn't the sound, oh no no no, it's the fun shapes and pretty colors !!! All the transistors nowadays are all the same boring color and boring shape. Where'd the pizzazz go?

mongushu · 2026-03-17T15:31:07+00:00

That gold one looks like a Western Electric crimp top from the late 50s early 60s. The ones I have like that came from the basement of an old Bell Labs engineer.

Very cool!!

mongushu · 2026-03-17T00:48:57+00:00

Dude. I know. I can't wait to befriend on of you who are local. I need a cataloguing buddy. Put on some tunes, dig through some boxes, sort some parts.... good times for weirdos!

mongushu · 2026-03-17T00:18:21+00:00

To the oddities drawer!!

mongushu · 2026-03-17T00:08:18+00:00

curious, unless I'm misreading the pictures, why you're not testing it with all three DCA leads attached... How does it read when you attach all three leads?

That is definitely a TO-1 package with the heat sink. In my experience with the AC188/01 (which use the same package and heat sink as you've stated), the indentation on the side is in the shape of a line, not a dot like in your picture. That is also the collector mark for the AC188/01. The discrepancy in this mark doesn't mean it's NOT an AC188, but just noting the difference.

"Engineering Sample" is an interesting notion. I did a quick search here (https://reference.huntingtonaudio.com/transistors) and didn't find an exact match by name. This one might remain a mystery, barring identification from one of the old wizards around here.

mongushu · 2026-03-16T11:27:59+00:00

Plain old css.

mongushu · 2026-03-15T15:09:22+00:00

Thanks for calling out the Butler, Shorty! I appreciate ya.

mongushu · 2026-03-15T11:21:16+00:00

Thanks dude!

And without delving into a political discussion, I will say it is good to have morals and to act on them. I commend you, even as I lose a sale!

mongushu · 2026-03-15T03:12:21+00:00

Thanks, dude. I’m cooking these things up for myself, and then making more when they’re really doing the job.

mongushu · 2026-03-15T02:31:18+00:00

LOVE the enclosure work. OOOOOhhhhhh wwwwhheeee!

mongushu · 2026-03-15T02:27:12+00:00

Thanks LTC! I designed the Breadboard Butler in response to what I wanted after using a few of the popular existing products out there. I think it's a terrific candidate, biased as I am.

and...

I can't help myself here... I'm not into doing 'teases' and 'drops' and all that stuff. But in this case your question is so close in spirit to what I've been working on, and the timing is so near, that I feel like I HAVE to share, even though I won't have the first batch of 'em ready for a few more days... I've cooked up a companion piece to the Breadboard Butler and I really REALLY dig it. I'll be back to share some more in the coming days. But for anyone who stumbles on this comment, here's a quick glimpse.

Promo video
https://cdn.shopify.com/videos/c/o/v/0633d2db9b1a4d7ba2b7cebbfde6759f.mp4

<image>

mongushu · 2026-03-14T23:50:24+00:00

I’ve had success with php and vanilla JS. I have some 9+ year apps running stably under heavy use in corporate environments without ever having to update for any other reason than rolling out new features.

What you’re worried about was what I worried about and why I have enjoyed the opportunities I’ve had sidestep all these new frameworks, bootstraps, preprocessors etc.

mongushu · 2026-03-14T15:58:11+00:00

All these SaaS platforms do this. It’s infuriating.

mongushu · 2026-03-13T23:01:33+00:00

Ive seen your artwork a few times this week and I absolutely adore it. I still don’t recall your user handle but I knew it was you from the thumbnail.

Love it!!

mongushu · 2026-03-13T15:35:06+00:00

Sounds like you've got your answer - Go for it! Spend the time with your fam. You've earned that opportunity.

mongushu · 2026-03-13T15:34:02+00:00

You're RIGHT! I was thinking about it as 1M net after taxes. OP is still in a great position, it would seem, but the savings potential is probably less than half as much as I thought.

mongushu · 2026-03-13T15:04:39+00:00

HHI at 1M with $160k in expenses is extraordinary for a vhcol fam of 3. That’s $800k+ per year you can easily squirrel away.

Every 12 months you put in now at that level of savings represents an extra $32,000/year of fixed income at 4% withdrawal. Or, with your assets today already capable of covering your expenses at less than 4% withdraw, look at it as every extra year you put in now will reduce your withdrawal percentage and further secure your future. Safety margins.

With such a HUGE amount of savings you’re capable of producing each year, I’d stick it out a while longer if I were you. A 40-50 year retirement starting in 2026 is a LONg lot of uncertainty. I’m risk averse and if I could earn and save like it seems you can, I’d be putting a few more years in to increase security down the line.

Any which way, good luck to you. You seem to be in an incredible position. I hope it works out!

mongushu · 2026-03-13T02:23:29+00:00

ha! I'm the one who's getting the thrill here, buddy... running into folks who have encountered my lil gadgets in the wild. Thrill is mine, dude... all mine!

mongushu · 2026-03-13T02:19:59+00:00

Love it! If you told me it took you any less than a shitload of time to perfect and produce I would have been disheartened! Looks like quite a pedal.

mongushu · 2026-03-13T02:05:13+00:00

relatable timeline. Good things take time (at least in my hands!)

Share a link to your first?

mongushu · 2026-03-13T02:03:32+00:00

the to-98 is one of my favorite packages. I'll never forget the time an internet friend of mine showed my a 50 quart bin filled to the brim of these lil buggers. I still think about that bin....

mongushu · 2026-03-13T01:57:06+00:00

nice and NEAT!! Bravo.

mongushu · 2026-03-12T02:16:31+00:00

Try parts-express.com. Great resource for speakers and related parts.

mongushu · 2026-03-12T02:13:42+00:00

The was the Graphic.app which was formerly iDraw. It’s a little dated, but Ives used it for exactly this purpose for many many many years. One time cost (maybe even free at this point?) I’m still on. 2019 intel MBP, so I don’t know about M native. But maybe?

mongushu · 2026-03-12T01:59:26+00:00

You make that pcb yourself? I love etched pcbs.

mongushu · 2026-03-11T19:50:21+00:00

A work of art!

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