New Stuff / RG's Brass-O-Blaster

[Joe Viau]

Well, I'm in for it now! I finally bit the bullet and ordered the following from GGG:

Brass-O-Blaster PC board
Neutron PC board
Rocktave Divider PC board

Many thanks to RG for the first two layouts, and Craig Anderton for making the Rocktave Divider and to Dean Hazelwanter for the revised layout.  If I've forgotten anyone, please don't be offended, it was totally unintentional and I offer my apologies. 

I've decided to make the Brass-O-Blaster first.  After some searching and querying here, I found that there were a handful of components in the dual T-filter that were not identified well, but I think that I resolved those.  I've also looked at the other fuzzes that are discussed here, and my question is this:  For the BOB, would it be wise to match the Hfe of the 2N3392's, will this make any difference in the sound? I'd be willing to buy a handful and match them.  Also, going to Mouser, I found that there are three manufacturers for these trannies: Fairchild, Central, and NTE.  Fairchild prices out at 11 cents for a quantity of 25-99, Central prices out at 15 cents for quantity 100-499, and NTE hits the roof at $1.20 for 1-99.  Is there any difference in terms of quality between these three manufacturers?

TIA,
Joe
(idle hands are the Devil's tools, time to make some NOISE)

[Paul Perry (Frostwave)]

I've never had a dud Fairchild component, if that helps. NTE just rebadge other people's stuff & mark it up.

[Joe Viau]

Thanks, that's what I was looking for.  Can anyone answer the Hfe question? As I can now buy a wad of trannies, I'm wondering if it's worth the effort--if it is, I don't mind doing the work.

[Joe Viau]

<bump>

Anyone? Aichhhhhhhhh... Efffffffffff... Eeeeeeeeeeee....

[moosapotamus]

I never bothered with trying to match the transistors when I built it... sounds great. Maybe would make more difference if you picked low gain or high gain units? Dunno... that might not be a big deal either. I wouldn't sweat it at all. Just build it. It's a great sounding fuzz for bass. Not as great for guitar, tho, IMO.

~ Charlie

[Joe Viau]

Thanks, Charlie, your sound samples certainly seem to bear out the quality of the unit regardless of how close the transistors are! Maybe I'll socket the transistors and experiment with high / low gain units.