want to build the distortus maximus - any 2n5088 replacement

[wavenator]

wanna build this pedal
is there any replacement for the 2n5088?

[caress]

2N5089, 2N5210, 2N4401, BC549

[petemoore]

MPSA18
  The data sheet on most of the transistors mentioned say: High Gain / Low Noise.
  The 2n5088 is a good example of a HG/LN transistor.

[DougH]

For reference- with 2n5088's you're usually talking hfe of 600-800, from my experience anyway...

[wavenator]

ok i've just done the pedal
i used bc549
there is a hursh sound and weak sound
i think thats a bias problem
is it possible?

[caress]

well 2n5088 and bc549 have different pinouts...  not sure if that's your problem.

if the flat side is facing you and the pins are on the bottom, the pinout of 2n5088 is E B C, bc549 is C B E.

could be a number of other things, too, but check this to start.

[brett]

Orientation.  When put in backwards, you'll get a hFE of about 5 instead of 500 !  Of course, there are probably some applications for such a sound (simulating crappy telephone microphones?).
Have a good day!

[wavenator]

so what to do?
mpsa18 will work good?

i turned the bc549 back and the same problem occured
any way' what shall i do? does mpsa18 do the work?