Univox Superfuzz Transistors

[sfx1999]

So the other day I was searching cross references for the 2SC828. Apparently, Fairchild believes their KSC945 is a suitable alternative. Looking further into the datasheet, you can actually get them in hFE ranges. Does anyone know what the hFE were around on the superfuzz?

[petemoore]

  Short 'n sweet answer isn't a 'bad' idea, but I'd wait for more precise advice.
  Try different types in the various stages, figure out what'd sound good in those stages or look at what other similar stages used in other circuits call for.
  Use what it calls for then substitute to preference.
  IIRC some of those SF Q's are used for
  Splitter, Gain, and Buffer stages, not so sure about buffer
  then I think maybe two are used for part of the FWR as clippers.
  Hard to say without looking at a schematic...even then.

[R.G.]

The design of the USF circuit is such that the actual gain does not matter all that much. The two transistors in the octave section should be matched, but if you use the version of circuit I laid out, it has a trimpot to match otherwise random devices of the same type number.



Translation: don't sweat it.

[Sir H C]

Translation: don't sweat it.

Because Univox sure didn't.

[sfx1999]

Yeah I was thinking they wouldn't be very high quality, but I doubt that matters. I mean, look at the Fuzz Face!

I think one of the best parts is that they are 7 cents a piece.

They also come in two pinouts.

[zachomega]

If you privately message me the ranking letter for the 2sc828 you are referring to, I will send you the gain range it is supposed to fall into.  But as everybody is saying, it probably doesn't matter. 

-Zach Omega

[sfx1999]

I just looked it up. 2SC828(Q), hFE between 130-260.

So, I would probably use a Y suffix for the KSC945, hFE is 120 to 240.

Now what I am not sure about is whether the layouts use ECB or EBC. The KSC945 with a C suffix is ECB, which is the pinout the original superfuzz used.

[petemoore]

  I laid mine out
  C
  B
  E
  So every NPN Si I have would match.
  what layout did you use?
  the B/E emitter should be marked, that gives the NPN/PNP transistor type and the orientation, if not I'm sure it can be sorted out, easiest done by referring to the schematic.