Parts · Transistors

2N3903

8 circuits use this part. Listed as: BJT transistor, NPN TO-18; BJT transistor, NPN TO-92; BJT transistor, NPN, TO-92.

Substitutes Si NPN transistor

Matched on material, polarity and the limits below from the transistor parameter database. Pinouts and packages are not in that data: check the datasheet before you drop one in, and expect gain to change the sound.

This part

Part	hFE min	Vce	Ic	Pc	fT
2N3903	50	40 V	200 mA	0.31 W	250 MHz

Used on other boards here

Part	hFE min	Vce	Ic	Pc	fT	Boards
2N3904	40	40 V	200 mA	0.31 W	300 MHz	282
MPSA05	50	60 V	500 mA	0.33 W	100 MHz	2
2N3053	50	40 V	700 mA	1 W	100 MHz	1
MPSA06	50	80 V	500 mA	0.625 W	100 MHz	2
2SC536	60	30 V	100 mA	0.2 W	115 MHz	1
2SC1815	70	50 V	150 mA	0.4 W	80 MHz	28
2N4401	100	40 V	600 mA	0.31 W	250 MHz	24
2SC2458	70	50 V	150 mA	0.2 W	80 MHz	1

Closest by the numbers

Part	hFE min	Vce	Ic	Pc	fT
PN3905	50	40 V	200 mA	0.31 W	250 MHz
BSS66R	50	40 V	100 mA	0.3 W	250 MHz
2N6503	50	40 V	1000 mA	0.35 W	250 MHz
BSR17R	50	40 V	200 mA	0.35 W	250 MHz
2N5380	50	40 V	200 mA	0.36 W	250 MHz
BCY70P	50	40 V	200 mA	0.4 W	250 MHz
2SC3915	50	50 V	500 mA	0.3 W	250 MHz
2SC4120	50	50 V	100 mA	0.3 W	250 MHz

Circuit	Based on	Category	Vendor	Box	Knobs	Price	BOM
Oberon Vintage Distortion 2N3903	Jordan Bosstone	Distortion	Aion FX	125B	2	$12.50	30
Rift Octave Fuzz 2N3903 · 2N3904	Univox Superfuzz	Fuzz	Aion FX	125B	3	$12.50	68
Ashes 2N3903	EQD Black Ash	Fuzz	Five Cats Pedals	—	3	£4.50	23
Black Ash Fuzz 2N3903	Black Ash Fuzz	Fuzz	Fuzz Dog	1590B	3	£28.80	19
NostalgiTone ModBender: Classic ToneBender 2N3903	—	Fuzz	GuitarPCB	125B	1	$7.95	20
Carbon Black Fuzz 2N3903	EQD Black Ash Fuzz	Fuzz	PedalPCB	125B	3	$8.00	24
Overcast Fuzz 2N3903	Circle Electric Co. Spirit in the Sky Fuzz	Fuzz	PedalPCB	125B	3	$10.00	22
Desert Bighorn 2N3903 · MMBF4393	Animals Diamond Peak Overdrive	Distortion	Sheepylove	—	6	€10.00	37