Hey,
Ive designed a clipping stage with shunting GE diodes to ground, but im not really sure which diodes to use. Has anyone had success with a particular GE diode?

come on guys, i need help here    :?

I would just try with ones that are easily available. They should not be too different from eachother anyway. You could buy some different ones and do some testing ofcource but the tone shaping and gainstage before them and tone shaping after them will probably have a lot bigger effect on the sound than the "numbers printed on the diodes".

That's my opinion anyway. YMMV.

Socket!

Sockets are very handy in these situations!!!
Remember to use silicon diodes,too.
I prefer them to germanium...and i never liked leds.

Nick

The difference between diode types will be far greater than any audible differences between diode numbers..  So, don't expect to hear a difference between 1N914 and 1N4148 (both Si switching diodes).  Similarly, don't expect to hear a difference between 1N34A, 1N60, and 1N270 (all Ge types).  *DO* expect to hear a difference between Si and Ge.

Note that there is also variation *within* part numbers that can have an impact on the sound.  For that reason, it is generally helpful to select diodes to taste using a meter which will show the clipping threshold.

So, if you have a small handful of Ge diodes of any type, the ones that show a voltage drop of 250-290mv will not clip as easily or hard as those that show a voltage drop of 190-230mv.  If you like your tone only moderately fuzzy and prefer to generate your distortion by pushing your amp very hard, then it is advisable to use diodes with a *higher* clipping threshold, such as LEDs or Si diodes selected with higher values, since such diodes will generally provide greater signal output from the pedal.  If you want the most sizzle you can get in a pedal, and don't particularly care how loud the pedal is, use diodeswith a *lower* threshold/drop.  You can also use multiples of the same or even different diodes to vary the threshold.  So, a Ge with a threshold of 224mv and an Si with a threshold of 617mv will provide clipping in the direction they "face" when the signal reaches 821mv.

The moral of the story is that you should probably get yourself a small pile of Ge types, just about any type you can easily and cheaply get, and play with different combinations until you find a tone you like.

Quote from: Alpha579come on guys, i need help here    :?

1n34a  when i am burndoned to use them in a circuit for someone i use those.  i dont' like ge too much myself

Hey Alpha,

I don't a lot of experience with different Ge diode types, I've only used 1N34's myself -- but I really like them in "clipper" type circuits like the Disortion +.  I prefer them to Si, but then again I prefer a more "70's" rock tone to metal.  Si diodes sound very metal to me.

Jim

In my 'Stupid Box' I just built last night and used in the studio today I used a combination of Ge(2 of whatever the ones that smallbear sells are) & Si(1 of 1N4001) for some of the soft fuzzy clipping of the Ge & the added crunch and output(& assymetry) that the Si offers.

SOCKET

RDV