send me some awesome big muff transistors and i will love you!

who's got some awesome, classic big muff transistors they want to sell me? i built this great clone with all carbon comp resistors, etc., but i only have access to these super high gain tranny's locally that have way too much gain. i want smooth, silky warmth.

anybody?

or, if anyone has a lead on some sweet vintage transistors somewhere they can link me to, i will be equally enamored.

2N5088's or BC239C's have the perfect gain for smooth tones, and are available anywhere.

If you want things a little darker and softer, try BC237B's in slots 1 and 4.

Muff trannies are in the mojo free zone.

2N5088's or BC239C's have the perfect gain for smooth tones, and are available anywhere.

If you want things a little darker and softer, try BC237B's in slots 1 and 4.

Muff trannies are in the mojo free zone.

looks like small bear has the 2n5088's, but the bc239's and bc237b's seem to come up as "obsolete" everywhere. any direct links you could aim me towards?

Sorry - try these:

2N3904:

http://www.mouser.com/Fairchild-Semiconductor/Semiconductors/Transistors-FETs-Bipolars-IGBTs/Bipolar-Transistors/_/N-2xpqhZ1z0zlebZscv7?P=1z0z60lZ1z0rw8v&Keyword=2n3904&FS=True

BC550:

http://www.mouser.com/Fairchild-Semiconductor/Semiconductors/Transistors-FETs-Bipolars-IGBTs/Bipolar-Transistors/_/N-2xpqhZ1z0zlebZscv7?P=1z0z60lZ1z0rw8v&Keyword=bc550c&FS=True

and for very low gain (max Hfe of 300) - 2N3704:

http://www.mouser.com/ProductDetail/Fairchild-Semiconductor/2N3704/?qs=UMEuL5FsraC1VJyYdv9j2A%3d%3d

The 2N3904's are going to be almost identical to 2N5088's, especially in a Muff circuit. Both are low noise.

The BC550's have slightly higher gain, but are super low noise. Just run the Sustain knob a little lower.

The 2N3704's will REALLY soften things. Watch out for the goofy pinout - it's ECB instead of EBC (ever play Twister with trannies?). Keep the leads as long as possible, and SOCKET them. Once it's working to your liking, dab some hot glue on them to immobilize them.

The truth be told, any gain of 400 to 800 in a Muff is fine. The subtle nuance part is typically putting the higher gainers in slots 2 and 3, where the clipping diodes will clamp them down a bit.

There are a zillion BJT's that will have suitable gain ranges for Muffs. The more important aspect is typically noise issues. I really prefer low noise to ultra low noise, as the Muff makes a ton of gain.