RANGEMASTER BOOSTER

Just a Rangemaster with a rotary switch for selecting input capacitors - it uses some odd parts, as this is what was available in my local electronics store - the 5 lug tag strip in particular, a regular Rangemaster is on 6.  It's also a slightly odd rotary, but it was all that was left in the draw.

RANGEMASTER BASED GERMANIUM BOOSTER - VARIABLE FREQUENCY

You may also want to add a small cap ( 470p / 1n) across the input to the base of the transistor, so there’s always a capacitor in the circuit - this reduces switch noise on the rotary.  I don’t think it’s massively important,  as I’m a set and forget kind of guy.  

Do check the numbering on the rotary, as the ones that Ive been using are in reverse, compared to the layout.  i.e.  start with small cap values on the left.

Expect some hiss - this circuit is infamous for it, but it does sound good so most people overlook this.  Having a rotary with a few capacitor options is so much better than the stock Rangemaster treble booster - the additional range of sounds is well worth it.  The full range boost can get a little fuzzy, which is something that I was not expecting. 

While it was pretty quick to put the Rangemaster board together, it wasn't fast to wire up the rest.  There was a bit of fiddling with lining up the capacitors on the rotary, and the general position of the tag strip didn't help matters.   

Same again, but this time with a pot to help set the gain, instead of a 3.9k resistor.  This is hand to dial in (or out) the grit that can really make treble boosters shine.