2sk170 alternative?

[Kost1978]

Hi guys,
I'm looking at Mark's layout for the Little Green Wonder, the JFET needed is 2sk170, but Tayda seems to doesn't have them.
I found them on ebay (DE and UK), but I'd like to know if there are close alternatives that I could source from my "usual" shop.

I obviously already googled my question, but couldn't find any valid answer...

Someone in the blog's comments said he tried J201 (with a different layout), Mark pointed out the PINs orientation's different between the two JFET, but will it work if I somehow "twist" the PINs of a J201 in order to fit them with "our" layout?

http://tagboardeffects.blogspot.it/2012/03/bjfe-little-green-wonder.html

Thanks!

[GoranP]

I got my sk's from Banzai. They are out of production from what I understand so there are bound to be acceptable alternatives, maybe not from tayda.

With 2sk170 being a njfet, perhaps a 2n5485? Just guessing here...

[IvIark]

I bought 100 not so long ago from Futurlec if you want to get some at still reasonable prices (while you can).

[GoranP]

Or maybe BF245?

Someone who's proficient at reading datasheets for information regarding this particular application could likely sort this out...

[IvIark]

I just check the JFETs I have and these are the ones with the same DGS pinout (some may need rotating through 180 degrees though):

2N3819
2SK246
2SK30A
BF244A

[Kost1978]

Thanks for the replies.

@ Mark: Futurlec still have them and for just 0.20$ each, thanks Mark.
Actually I didn't get if I can use any other JFET you listed instead of 2sk170, as long as they have the same PINs layout...
I mean, is it just a matter of "subtle" sound changes using a different one?
Or, will the pedal don't work at all or "hiss" or "explode" or something??

Sorry for the really stupid question, but I'm really really new at this hobby (by now only two working builds under my belt...) and also I don't really have a background in electronics and stuff, still have to learn a lot...

Thanks again!

[IvIark]

I mention the ones with the same pinout purely because you could use them without bending pins around. You could certainly use them as an alternative but their characteristics could vary considerably and you would probably need to change at least one of the surrounding resistors to get it to bias correctly. Personally I'd get some of the 2SK170s while you still can, plus maybe the 2SK117s as well. Once the stocks have run out you'll be paying a premium for singles which will be very annoying.  

Basically stock up on all through hole transistors while the price is still reasonable and you still can

[IvIark]

Incidentally, in this application they should all sound the same or so close that it wouldn't matter. It's a unity gain buffer only and so the character that individual types of JFETs can impart at higher gain levels wouldn't be applicable here.

[Kost1978]

Thanks a lot for the answers Mark, as usual they're super-super-helpful!!!

And, of course, as usual, thanks for the great blog and forum and...everything!

P.