Diodes in series/ parallel question

[Intense_wizardry]

Looking to build a modded bazz fuss and was wondering what putting 2 diodes in series (no components inbetween) would do to the tone, if anything. Same question for putting them in parralel. Cant seem to find any resources that help online so any help would be appreciated!

[GibsonGM]

Ok, I will take a stab at it, LOL....adding another diode in series, same orientation (A-K, A-K) may result in a 'cleaner' bazz fuss.  Since this diode is involved with the transistor's bias, it may cause gating or some other odd-bias effects.      Diodes in series' voltage thresholds ('turn on voltage') add.  So, for 2 Si diodes, the feedback path won't be on until it goes over the 1V threshold (~.5v threshold for each diode).    That's gotta do something weird, I'd think.

In parallel, same orientation, you won't notice anything.  That would allow the diodes' current-carrying capacity to be almost doubled, but ONLY if a large resistance is also placed across each diode.  Not part of the Fuss' operation.   

Final thought - TRY IT!   Just put 2 in series, on the breadboard.  Tell us what it does   It won't hurt anything.   You can even try 2 in parallel, opposite polarity (clippers), see what it sounds like!

[Intense_wizardry]

Thanks for the input!  is there anything that you guys know of that would  "thicken" the fuzz or make it more "meaty"? Dosent have to stick to the stock bazz fuss setup. Sorry for the noob question!

[Ben Lyman]

My brother did something, I can't remember what (he probably can't either lol) but I think he put 2 diodes after the output cap going to ground. This is (was?) a very popular technique for making extra distortion. For extra bass, you could change the input and/or output caps to a larger value (I think)

[Intense_wizardry]

Thanks for the suggestion, I'll give the diodes a shot I'm already using a 4.7uf on the input and I probably don't want to go much higher than that unless I'm adapting it for bass!

[GibsonGM]

Feel free to make the input/output caps larger; just give 'em a try, see what sounds best.  The output cap will probably do more for making things 'meatier' - the input cap could make things muddy if too large (distorting low freq's, can sound nasty).  Just use your ears!

For even MORE dirt, place 2 diodes to ground after the output cap, like Ben said...place them opposite to each other (one with cathode (band...) to ground, the other with cathode towards signal).     This will "re-clip" the signal, resulting in DIRT.   

You can also place the diodes there, with their ends going to a pot, THEN ground, and now you have a gain control; the 1st way is 100% distortion all the time, altho your guitar volume knob will clean that up some   

[Intense_wizardry]

That's exactly what I needed to know thanks for helping out a noob!

[samhay]

>Looking to build a modded bazz fuss and was wondering what putting 2 diodes in series (no components inbetween) would do to the tone, if anything.

There are plenty of examples of Bazz Fuss's built with an LED instead of a 'normal' Si diode.
This might be of interest:  http://home-wrecker.com/bazz.html

[chumbox]

You want meat check this vid out. DIY Guitar Pedals finds that putting an MSPA13 transistor and a CD2A diode in it just slams.  CD2A's are tricky to find but maybe socket it and try any quick silicon rectifier diode (or any diode for that matter).

https://youtu.be/L0PDQ6zMU4g?t=2m45s

Have fun!

[Intense_wizardry]

My setup at the moment is an mpsa13 with a  1n4148 with spdt switch to 1n34a. Gonna have to get some cd2a diodes and switch them in instead of the germanium 1n34a. I'll definitely give it a go