Darkside transistors HFE

[Jimihendrix1987]

Hi there,

I'm about to build one of those tone machines. Today dealing with my electronic supplier he asked me about the BC549's hfe, because he has 3 "models":

- BC549a = Fairchild. TO-92, 50V/100mA, hFE: 110~220.
- BC549b = Fairchild. TO-92, 50V/100mA, hFE: 200~450
- BC549c = Fairchild. TO-92, 50V/100mA, hFE: 420~800.

Which ones should I order to obtain the best of this effect ?

Gracias 

[madbean]

Use BC549C.

[Jimihendrix1987]

Thanks Brian !

[masterlk]

I just bought BC549B from Tayda for my Darkside build....what can I expect different from the "C" version that Brian is recommending? Or, do I need the "C" version for this build?

Thanks.

Nick

Use BC549C.

[jkokura]

You don't need C versions, but that's Brian's recommendation.

Check out the data sheet on the BC549 and you'll see that the difference between B and C transistors is essentially the HFE average. C would have a higher average than B, and A would be lowest average.

Jacob

[masterlk]

Jacob,

So how does this effect the sound?

Nick

[Ang3lus]

My guess would be more gain with the BC549C, using the B version it would be like turning the knob from 10 to 8, C would start @ 10, B would start @ 7.5-8.

I remember reading someplace, that the transistors averaging 600 hfe is what you should use on muff type pedals.

[Jimihendrix1987]

That's true... Transistors above 600hFE to build MUFF fx... My G2 sounds amazing, athought it is a lil' dark (even after I did the brighty mods)

[madbean]

I've built one with the B variety. It sounds good but not terribly gainey. The C is the better choice and is what the stock unity uses. Most of the hFe for the G2 measure around the 550 range, IIRC.