FETs are disappearing???

[darron]

I didn't know this was going to happen...

Smallbear stopped stocking the fairchild J201. I didn't even realise that they were out of production!

I spent a good couple of hours looking for them with the usual suppliers. Nope. RS don't even stock the Vishay version anymore.

Ahh well. I went to order 500x fairchild 2N5457's... A week later RS tell me the order was cancelled and they are discontinued.




So what do you use? I'm in Australia. Jaycar stock a MPF102, but $1.05 for 50x? That's a rip...
But seriously, if you wanted to build a Dr Boogie, Brown sound, buffer, compressor, what would you use to substitute?


How would the 2N5459 compare?

[aron]

I still have the J201 in the STORE link above. Quick before the price goes up.

[DiscoVlad]

what would you use to substitute?

How would the 2N5459 compare?

2n5457 looks closer (similar Vgs(off) range), but at this stage either switching to SMD, or just using whatever you can get and making it work is the way to go.

[Jdansti]

Just ordered a bunch from Aron. Great price-10 for $3.50!  Mouser shows that they are "End of Life".  Get 'em while you can!

[darron]

I still have the J201 in the STORE link above. Quick before the price goes up.

Ah! I overlooked that. Yep, likes like it's time to boost up those prices!

Only allows 4x per order though. I need a lot more than that. The price is very decent. Can you confirm or deny their availability? (:

I'm making an order now. US$18.56 for 40x to Australia isn't bad (:      I think I'll put these aside for a little while with preference for what's more readily on hand.

[Jdansti]

FYI: I noticed that the store is closed until June 8. I'm not in a hurry so it's no big deal for me, but just wanted to let you know.

http://www.diystompboxes.com/smfforum/index.php?topic=97475.msg849513#msg849513

[darron]

might mean it's still open until 21st... but yeah, no rush.

i just ordered nearly the remaining RS Australia stock of 2N5459's... i'll see how they go in some circuits.

[smallbearelec]

Hi All--

It's not just the FETs that are going away, it's all of the "jelly-bean" stuff. Fairchild will continue to make J201, 2Nxxxx, etc. for the present, but only in surface-mount. Parts In DIY Quantities WILL Remain Available On The Small Bear Stock List. I had adequate notice and did what you would expect--stocked up for the next several years. Having said that, all of those formerly common parts fall under our "Obsolete Devices" policy. We don't sell bulk, and we limit quantities to a few of each per order. If you use quantities for production, check with one of the on-line brokerages like American Microsemi and lay in a small supply.

Regards
SD

[ORK]

You`ve been warned: http://www.diystompboxes.com/smfforum/index.php?topic=95438.0

[Jdansti]

might mean it's still open until 21st... but yeah, no rush.

Sorry-got my dates mixed up. He should still be open for another week.

You`ve been warned: http://www.diystompboxes.com/smfforum/index.php?topic=95438.0

Thanks.

Hi All--

It's not just the FETs that are going away, it's all of the "jelly-bean" stuff. Fairchild will continue to make J201, 2Nxxxx, etc. for the present, but only in surface-mount. Parts In DIY Quantities WILL Remain Available On The Small Bear Stock List. I had adequate notice and did what you would expect--stocked up for the next several years. Having said that, all of those formerly common parts fall under our "Obsolete Devices" policy. We don't sell bulk, and we limit quantities to a few of each per order. If you use quantities for production, check with one of the on-line brokerages like American Microsemi and lay in a small supply.

Regards
SD

Thanks for the info!

[darron]

thanks Steve (:

just submitted a request.. i'll see what pops up.

[Bill Mountain]

From what I understand some medical and military thru-holes are still being produced.  I would look for higher spec'd versions of the JFETs you've been using.  You can also see all the ones that are still being made and compare the data sheets to the ones you've been using as well.

Or, like all of us will have to do eventually...switch to SMD .

[Paul Marossy]

Looks like DIY is going to get harder to do as time goes on. Everything is moving towards full automation, made in China. 

[Bill Mountain]

Looks like DIY is going to get harder to do as time goes on. Everything is moving towards full automation, made in China. 

Hey if someone is China can make my DIY pedals and then play my gigs for me as well.  I might have time for more productive projects around the house.

[R.G.]

Looks like DIY is going to get harder to do as time goes on. Everything is moving towards full automation, made in China. 

Hmm. Interestingly enough, if it's full automation, there's no reason to make it in China or other offshore place. The move to offshore production was to minimize labor. Full automation amounts to substituting capital for labor, and then the impetus would be to eliminate transportation. Right now, industry is substituting cheap(er) transportation for expensive labor. When labor is free (i.e. done by a machine almost in toto), the next cost savings becomes transportation, so siting fully automated production near the consumption becomes smart.

Sorry - I've been reading WSJ again.   

[Jdansti]

Looks like DIY is going to get harder to do as time goes on. Everything is moving towards full automation, made in China. 

Hmm. Interestingly enough, if it's full automation, there's no reason to make it in China or other offshore place. The move to offshore production was to minimize labor. Full automation amounts to substituting capital for labor, and then the impetus would be to eliminate transportation. Right now, industry is substituting cheap(er) transportation for expensive labor. When labor is free (i.e. done by a machine almost in toto), the next cost savings becomes transportation, so siting fully automated production near the consumption becomes smart.

Sorry - I've been reading WSJ again.   

Right. Companies will follow the path of cheapest production/transportation and maximum profit.  I have a relative that manages circuit board layout for computer servers for the largest circuit board manufacturer in the world. The company has built cities for their workers in Taiwan and China. Their processes are highly automated, yet they require a lot of people. They ship millions of iPhones, iPads, Play Stations, and computers every year. I'll have to ask him where the labor is used. I know they are doing circuit design and layout over there now. Workers have to receive and handle raw materials. They have to operate and maintain the production and packaging machinery. And they have to ship the products.  If I understand correctly,  WSJ says that it's cheaper to ship from China?

[Electron Tornado]

Is the J201 disappearing, or just the current package style? Even at that, there's bound to be other devices that can be used in most effects applications.

Either way, it seems the day keeps getting closer when I'm going to actually have to get good at soldering surface mount stuff. There are tutorial videos on the web.

[ghostsauce]

Hrm, interesting.. So what does this mean for circuits that require j201's? I've never heard of any excellent substitutes, although I have seen a few used in a pinch. Wonder what the dr boogey would sound like with something else in there.

[Electron Tornado]

I guess another question is, if the J201 is going completely by the wayside, do we care? Can circuits that use the J201 be redesigned to use a different JFET?

I can see the future pedal adverts now, "We use the (coveted, rare, no longer available, mythical, legendary, etc - insert favorite superlative here) J201. We were able to acquire a supply of vintage NOS J201s. Yes, these are the ones with the real mojo, not like the run of the mill, garden variety FETs others use. These are the only ones that will give you that true vintage tone......etc, etc, wiffle, wiffle, blah ,blah, blah....etc. (Harumph)"





(Hmmm..I wonder if I spelled "harumph" correctly?)

[IvIark]

Check out dpi4parts on eBay.  US based and I've bought transistors including J201's from him for a few years, and his prices are very reasonable.  He also seems to have plenty of J201's left, I just bought another 50 from him.