-for larger values, (1uF and up) I typically just use xicon electrolytics... I've tried a few tantalum caps in my circuits, and didnt really notice a different.... most of the time when im using large value caps, the actual size is not important... just that they are sufficiently "big" enough... power filtering, voltage dividers, or bypass caps.
-medium values (.47uF to .001) Most audio range caps that i use in builds are 5% wima or AVX box caps. I like the fact that they are a uniform size, so that I can change something later, and not have to worry about size. Lately i've been favoring the AVX caps, because they seem slightly warmer, and have the values stamped on top so i can verify work before we pack stuff up. Most wimas are stamped on top as well, but some times they are stamped on the side. Both wimas and avx are also reasonably priced, and very consistant. I used to use greenies, but sometimes I'd get a bunch in and they would be a different size than the previous order. I've also tried panasonic poly and metal film, but they arent really helpful when you are trying to squeeze 50+ parts in a 1590B
-small values (500pf and smaller) I typcially dont give them much thought, and just use ceramic caps... most of the time these are really are RF bleed off... I've used mica caps in the past, but really couldnt hear a difference in most of the spots i was using them... I'll take the smaller footpring and lower price in that case... thanks.
Resistors- I mostly use 1/4 and 1/8 watt carbon film, but did use metal film in the past. I honestly could not hear a difference in noise. I suppose that guitar has an inherant level of noise that is always there... so long as magnetic pickups are in use anyways. My basic thought on resistors is that either way you slice it resistors are about 100 years ahead of capacitors, and are much closer to idea components than capacitors, especially at low voltages.
That said, I am switching back to metal film pretty soon, because some designs require more closely matched components. They don't cost that much more, and resistors are relatively cheap anyways.... a lot cheaper than measuring them individually before soldering :p
opamps- My standby opamp is definitely a TL072 for audio, and for LFO's and non audio stuff an LM358. I have a bunch of jrc4558's which i sometimes use for active rectifier/envelop follower circuits, but honestly have found very little use for them... although they dont seem to have the offset issues TL072's do they seem to have cross talk problems. I also like the jrc1458 in TS style overdrives.
other opamps i have and use occasionally.
TL074 (no brainer if i need more than one tl072)
LM324- complex LFO and CV circuits... low power, and doesnt require as much decoupling from the power supply
LM741- meh
TLE2082/84/72/74- super highfi, and less offset issues than the TL07X opamps Havent used these in builds, but i could see that happening someday, especially where cross talk is an issue.
TL022- sometimes a good sub for the lm358, but seems to have more issues, even though IIRC it has better specs.
KA4558- old DOD standby opamp... not actually a huge fan of these in general, but they sound good in some overdrives.
I have a few others, but cant recall them right now.
BJT's-
I dont use bipolar transistors for audio much... I use them mostly to manipulate stuff via a control voltage. They are actually really consistant, and fairly forgiving in circuit design... in a lot of circuits, you can put a very wide range of bjt's and the circuit will work just fine.
I use a lot of 2n5088's and 5087's. I also like PN2369's for some stuff... like trying to make a Si Fuzz sound more "vintagey"
Mosfets-
Well, i have about 1000 BS170's laying around. I've ordered in a few other enhancement types... mostly they all seem to be the same to my ears. I have at least one depletion type somewhere, but have never used them.
Jfets-
My component of choice for overdrives. They are finicky, and kind of a pain in the butt to design around, but I just love the way they sound. They also work well as variable resistors in some circuits but not so much in filter or phaser circuits IMHO. I use a lot of J201, 2n5457 2n5458 2n5459. I have a bunch others... I believe I have some j103's around... and have a couple types of p channel fets, but havnt played around with them much.
pots-
alpha 16mm- small, affordable, reliable, and most importantly, always in stock somewhere.
wire-
there is a local place i get my prebond wire from... They have a 3000 sqft warehouse full of nothing but small guage wire. I told them what i was doing, and what i wanted and they recomended a UL spec... been buying 1000 ft spools ever since. I dont recall it right now tough.
Jacks-
Nutric jacks. I used to use switch craft until we went RoHS... switch craft jacks dont seem to take well to silver solder for some reason.
