LED Clipping

[col]

I know there might be a basic answer to this but why don't LEDs light up when used as clipping diodes? Is it just that they light too fast to be seen when used in this way as they clip to ground? I really like the hard distortion they give when used in this manner and a test circuit I made showed that while some diodes sounded good with single coils and others with humbuckers the LEDs were good with both. I had hoped to use the LEDs as an indicator but since they don't light up I can't do this.
Also, why don't they burn out as more than 3v usually kills them!

A puzzle!

[MartyMart]

I've used LED's a lot in Boss pedal mods/Builds  they DO light up, as in "Keeleys" seeing eye mod !!
Depends on the LED and how much "Juice" goes through them in circuit.
Try "standard" 3mm red LED's, they have a nice "tube" type sound IMO
Have you tried "ultra bright" LED's ? they should "light" with much less current through them...

Marty.

[rubberlips]

As martymart said they do light up, but depends on the circuit. I seen 'em light in a RAT pedal but I think they're a bit more higher gain.

As for why they don't burn out I think it's more to do with the current that's going through them - plus the voltage that's across them is usually only higher volts for a short time - it's not like you're connecting them to 5V continually

Cheers

Pete