Another dumb(?) question: Transistor gain?

[BassWombat]

I've chosen to use a pair of nice BC109C transistors that I ordered from Steve Daniels of Small Bear Electronics a while back. For Q1 I chose a unit with a gain of 400, and for Q2 I chose one with a gain of 388.

The above is from the Axis Wah article at Fuzz Central.

The bit I don't understand is the different gains. I've found BC109C transistors, but how do the different gain values come into play? Are they different transistors?

Excuse me if I'm missing something here - but I'm a complete newb (and I guess if you don't ask you'll never learn!)

Thanks!

[puretube]

some help here? :
http://www.diystompboxes.com/sboxforum/viewtopic.php?t=21746

[freebird1127]

There is a property inherent to all transistors called their hfe or beta value (same thing, essentially).  These values can fluctuate quite a bit depending on the transistor, even within the same part number.  The current gain of a transistor amplifier is largely defined by this beta value, the actual formula being Beta x Base Current = Collector Current.  I assume this is the gain he's talking about.  I could be wrong on that, of course... someone feel free to correct me, svp...