SE4010 (NOS?) Fairchild NPN transistors from Small Bear

[twangquack]

Anyone else order these recently from Small Bear? I'm curious if anyone has experience with this NOS Fairchild transistor, especially in a Big Muff clone. For the second order in a row (I previously ordered some parts a few weeks ago), I received eight J201 JFETs -- AGAIN! -- instead of the eight SE4010 NPN trannies I ordered. Good thing I also ordered some 2N5088 and 2N5089 with other parts that (I hope) will be coming in a second bag, maybe Monday (I only got half my order today, two weeks after ordering). But I'm a patient guy. Anybody know of any web resources/links with info on the SE4010? After getting eight more J201, which I already have a whole bunch of, and which also cost 60 cents less per item than the SE4010 I ordered (this is getting expensive, trying to get these suckers!) ... I'll probably call or email Monday to see what the deal is, but would like to hear of any experiences folks have had in using the SE4010 in a Big Muff or similar build. I may have to just give up on these, try other options (probably use 2N5088).

[Nitefly182]

Anyone else order these recently from Small Bear? I'm curious if anyone has experience with this NOS Fairchild transistor, especially in a Big Muff clone. For the second order in a row (I previously ordered some parts a few weeks ago), I received ( J201 JFETs -- AGAIN! -- instead of the SE4010 NPN trannies I ordered. Good thing I also ordered some 2N5088 and 2N5089 with other parts that (I hope) will be coming in a second bag, maybe Monday (I only got half my order today, two weeks after ordering). But I'm a patient guy. Anybody know of any web resources/links with info on the SE4010? After getting eight more J201, which I already have a whole bunch of, and which also cost 60 cents less per item than the SE4010 I ordered (this is getting expensive, trying to get these suckers!) ... I'll probably call or email Monday to see what the deal is, but would like to hear of any experiences folks have had in using the SE4010 in a Big Muff or similar build. I may have to just give up on these, try other options (probably use 2N5088).

I bought 8 of them and also received j201s in my order. There must be a mislabeled box in the cave. I can say that Steve's 140hfe spec is pretty accurate although I dont think 140 will really make a saturated high gain muff. More like a tighter rock distortion. Of the 8 I bought, 1 was under the 140 spec, 6 were between 150-170, and one was in the mid 300s.

[twangquack]

I bought 8 of them and also received j201s in my order. There must be a mislabeled box in the cave. I can say that Steve's 140hfe spec is pretty accurate although I dont think 140 will really make a saturated high gain muff. More like a tighter rock distortion.

OK, thanks very, very much ... that's great info! I wondered about the level of gain/saturation these might provide. Could be a bit low, but it might be nice to at least try them out (if I can ever get 'em).

Of the 8 I bought, 1 was under the 140 spec, 6 were between 150-170, and one was in the mid 300s.

Ahhh, that's interesting ... so only one around 300? Hmmm, I think I will sort through some of the more usual options to get a bit higher ... closer to 300 and over (between 300 and 500). Thanks!

[Nitefly182]

I bought 8 of them and also received j201s in my order. There must be a mislabeled box in the cave. I can say that Steve's 140hfe spec is pretty accurate although I dont think 140 will really make a saturated high gain muff. More like a tighter rock distortion.

OK, thanks very, very much ... that's great info! I wondered about the level of gain/saturation these might provide. Could be a bit low, but it might be nice to at least try them out (if I can ever get 'em).

Of the 8 I bought, 1 was under the 140 spec, 6 were between 150-170, and one was in the mid 300s.

Ahhh, that's interesting ... so only one around 300? Hmmm, I think I will sort through some of the more usual options to get a bit higher ... closer to 300 and over (between 300 and 500). Thanks!

I only bought 8. If you were really serious I think buying 20-30 might be a better idea but they are expensive so thats probably wouldn't work for everyone. Maybe try BC239Cs. Those were apparently used in the Ram Heads for a while.

[smallbearelec]

I bought 8 of them and also received j201s in my order. There must be a mislabeled box in the cave.

Apologies! I will check the drawer in the morning. We will reimburse return postage when things have to be returned.

[twangquack]

Apologies! I will check the drawer in the morning. We will reimburse return postage when things have to be returned.

No problem, a simple mistake and stuff happens! I was tempted to keep the J201s, as before, but I need the SE4010 trannies more. Since I already used some of the J201 JFETs I got by mistake second-to-last order, I'll keep those for other projects; but tomorrow I'll send back the eight J201s I got this very last order because I really want to try out the SE4010 trannies. I'm not concerned about return postage reimbursement, though ... but am anxious to have some of these NOS Fairchild transistors on hand, to try out in my first BMP clone!