Finding replacements for transistors, fets, etc...

[geoff004]

Does anyone have a source for finding replacement transistors and fets?

I use the NTE search all the time and it usually works quite well.  But I find that a lot of their parts cost many times more than competitors.
Most of what I work on are vintage keyboards - organs, CP-70/80s, wurlys - with old noisy transistors.  Usually the old part numbers will only come up on the NTE search engine.  Sometimes I find replacements via Mouser too, but it's usually an NTE part.

Is there an easy way to identify what I need other than using a part number?

 

[Sleeper]

http://www.findchips.com/
you might have to buy a small lot (pieces are listed in lots because they come from surplus) at some of the places on findchips but I think it's worth it. I have had pretty mixed results with NTE. It's been said here that NTE parts are sourced from the manufacturers sub-spec parts and I'd believe it. The quality of the NTE chips just isn't that great.
Quest is pretty cool about fairly small orders.