Choose 4 Transistors

[Austin73]

Hi Everyone, just about to order some parts but wanted some ideas on transistors, I need four different sounding trannies NPN and silicon was thinking 2N2222A, 2N3904, 2N5089 and possibly MPSA13? I'm looking at switching between them to have different types of gain/fuzz etc

Also I'm in the UK so please try and pick common ones please

Aus

[Isaiah]

I use 2N3904 and 2N5088 quite a lot.
MPSA13 is a Darlington.

I've never used a 2N2222 though.

Perhaps BC184 (I use them sometimes) or BC108 (I'm going to order some of those)?

[Austin73]

I know MPSA13 is a darlington but just wanted 4 different sounds if that makes sense from very low to high gain fuzz

Aus

[smnm]

I like BC141s - good bottom end, medium gain

I've found 2N2222As very harsh and ear-hurting, but some people like that I guess .

I've got some PN2222s on the way via ebay....

[Isaiah]

I know MPSA13 is a darlington but just wanted 4 different sounds if that makes sense from very low to high gain fuzz

Aus

Ah, ok.

Oh, I'm not sure if it's worth looking into the 2N5089.
Probably not, I imagine the difference between that and a 2N5088 isn't that big.

You've got a good selection there.
Go for it!

[petemoore]

2N2222A, 2N3904, 2N5089 and possibly MPSA13?
  Low gain
  2n2222 tin hats get press, 2n2369's, 2n4401
  Med Gain
  2n3904..*2n5088's are low noise, great general purpose Q's, BC109's sound different / mid grit
  High Gain
  2n5089's work about like 5088's...'depending on application',
  Darlington very high gain
  When you need a darlington...you need a darlington, two 2n5088's or 5089's make good darlington.     
  At low gain for FF Q1, small differences in anything Q related may more easily be discerned, heard as larger difference in tone/output...one Q of type/brand may sound different than the next Q of same type. Certain builds require low gain transistors, and respond quite differently from one Q to the next.
  At Medium gain, [FF Q1 sounds louder], 2n3904 may produce more noise than my favorite grab a Q choices, 2n5088/5089 which are good low noise choices...BMP, LPB, Buffers, etc.
  If you're looking at Joe Davisson schematics you'll need to get 2n5089's. 
 

[Dragonfly]

Hi Everyone, just about to order some parts but wanted some ideas on transistors, I need four different sounding trannies NPN and silicon was thinking 2N2222A, 2N3904, 2N5089 and possibly MPSA13? I'm looking at switching between them to have different types of gain/fuzz etc

Also I'm in the UK so please try and pick common ones please

Aus

2N3903 (2N3904 isf you cant find 3903's...but 3903's are lower gain)
BC108A
BC109C or 2N5088
MPSA18

[trevize]

bc108 definitely. to me these are the best silicon trannies for fuzz faces

[Austin73]

MPSA18 I can't seem to get hold of, can't find 3903 either but good advice so far. The project is a Buzz Box which I'm going to just go a bit crazy just for the hell of it sort of research come switch fest. Plan is to have 100k pots feeding each transistor but that would be chosen from a 4way 3 pole rotary switch with Dano12 style switched diodes etc so basically the transistor, 100k resistors adn the diodes will all be able to be chosen does that make sense

I know its not the best project out here but I just want to have fun, also going to have the second stage switchable either in or out too

Aus

[slacker]

If you're in the UK BC550 and BC549 are good substitutes for 2N5088.
BC109s are one of my favourites for fuzzes, either get old ones or modern BC109B which are about the same gain as the older ones.