J201 substitute part for Blues Driver

[pianoman_282]

Hi,
I'm trying to build a Blues Driver based on this layout: http://tagboardeffects.blogspot.com/2013/03/boss-bd2-blues-driver.html and I'm having trouble finding any J201's, at least legitimate ones. I know Tayda sells them but I've heard a lot of their parts can be fake.  I usually buy from Smallbear or Mouser and they're no longer selling any J201's.  Is there a substitute part I could use in this circuit?  Thanks.

[Elijah-Baley]

It's really hard to find J201, now. Same thing about 2N5457, and probably some similar jfet.

I think it's the moment to try the SMD version. Those are pretty ok and accurate. You need a mini PCB where solder it and socket pin to solder the mini PCB on the circuit board.
I still didn't do it, but the time will come even for me.

[antonis]

Can't say for  BD2 direct replacement but J111/2/3 worth a try...

[Elijah-Baley]

Yeah, try with some sockets some similar jfet you can find until you like that.
I don't know the BD-2 so well to advice something better.

Though, I think that the J201 SMD version will be the definitve choice. Tayda sells it but you will need the mini PCB and the socket I never bought it. In the last time I prefer buy transistors somewhere else even if I never had bad experiences with Tayda, honestly.

[jubal81]

Mouser has through-hole J201 in stock.

https://www.mouser.com/ProductDetail/InterFET/J201?qs=sGAEpiMZZMvplms98TlKY8skfZQpQP4sTauuqV%252BhBdb8eh7Ae4NdvQ%3D%3D

[Sooner Boomer]

Mouser has through-hole J201 in stock.

https://www.mouser.com/ProductDetail/InterFET/J201?qs=sGAEpiMZZMvplms98TlKY8skfZQpQP4sTauuqV%252BhBdb8eh7Ae4NdvQ%3D%3D

They do.  Wow! they are expensive!  Three fiddy a piece in one-zies.  Not like the penny-a-piece 3904s

[pianoman_282]

Thanks for the replies.  I need 4 of them so $3.50/ea comes to about $14.  What do you think about using this part that I noticed Smallbear supplies:
http://smallbear-electronics.mybigcommerce.com/sot-23-to-to-92-surfboards/.  4 of the SMD J201's and 4 of these adapters will come to about $7 so that shaves off some of the cost.  I'm using a plain stripboard so I'm hoping the adapter will fit in there with no problems.

[smallbearelec]

Some suggestions:

I found a reel of the old Siliconix parts and have posted for sale:

http://smallbear-electronics.mybigcommerce.com/transistor-fet-j201-siliconix/

I also have these generics:

http://smallbear-electronics.mybigcommerce.com/transistor-fet-j201-generic/

Yes, the surfboards combined with the SMD parts are also good.

Regards
SD

[pianoman_282]

Awesome, thanks Smallbear. This will help me complete my order at your site!

[Invertiguy]

Some suggestions:

I found a reel of the old Siliconix parts and have posted for sale:

http://smallbear-electronics.mybigcommerce.com/transistor-fet-j201-siliconix/

I also have these generics:

http://smallbear-electronics.mybigcommerce.com/transistor-fet-j201-generic/

Yes, the surfboards combined with the SMD parts are also good.

Regards
SD

Wow, you actually found more? Looks like now's the time to stock up before they're all gone again!

Honestly though, in the long term, it's definitely not a bad idea to start getting used to the SMD JFETs. The through hole devices are only gonna get harder and harder to find, even if the odd batch turns up now and again it's not something you can really count on. The SMDs tend to be more consistent anyway, and they're still in production.