sorry, TS question... :-/

[blanik]

hi, (i used search already!) i'm building a TS (i don't even know why.. just to try it out after all the hype i read about in on the web i guess...lol) from TonePad, on the TP schem they recommend 1N914 diodes, on SmallBear they sell 1S1588 stating it's the original ones, on some other page they mention MA150 as the "mojoest ones"...

wich ones do YOU prefer (and why? lol)
do they really sound all different?

and on the TP schem they mention 1uF NP caps, can't find them NP, i was thinking about using polarized ones and follow the polarity of the schem, or using two reversed together, has anyone tried both and do they have different sound?
if i solder 2 reversed do i need 2X 0.5uF caps together or 2X 1uF ?

thanks...!

R.

[MartyMart]

If you can find them small enough try 1uf "poly" caps .... it is possible

Keeley say's they are like "a new air filter on your car" but honestly I couldn't hear a difference !

2x pairs of .047uf's connected + to - each pair should work as NP too

MM.

[blanik]

you guess you mean a pair of .47 uF cause a pair of .047uF would make a .1uF (the schem ask for a 1uF...)?

[MartyMart]

Yes .... 0.47uf  ... my bad !!

MM.

[wampcat1]

Keeley say's they are like "a new air filter on your car" but honestly I couldn't hear a difference !

MM.

Honestly, I think that's just marketing    , aren't those 1uf caps out of the signal path?   

For diodes, I wouldn't worry about it so much -- the 133's or 1n4148's will work just fine. If you want even better clipping, try 1n34a's/1n4148 in series for each spot.

[zpyder]

blanik-
I just bought parts yesterday for my TS-808 that I'm making with a PCB I bought from Tonepad.

SmallBear has 1N914's at http://www.smallbearelec.com/Detail.bok?no=317
1N4148's are (as far as I know) about 99.99999% the same as 1N914's and smallbear has them at http://www.smallbearelec.com/Detail.bok?no=318
I am going to try some different clipping diodes in mine since I'm fairly new at this - to get some hands-on experience.  I would suggest the same for you.  Get a few 1N914/1N4148's and then buy a germanium 1N34-type http://www.smallbearelec.com/Detail.bok?no=322 and a 1S1588 http://www.smallbearelec.com/Detail.bok?no=504 .  Try them all out and see how it sounds to YOU!    This is what I'm doing...

NP stands for Non-polarized.  I'm buying some NP Electrolytic (normally electrolytics are polarized) as well as a poly film (which are always NP).  the Electrolytic NP 1uF at smallbear is at http://www.smallbearelec.com/Detail.bok?no=191 But rest assured that if you buy any of the poly film they will be NP.  Infact I believe if you look at the PCB layout from tonepad it indicates the box-style 1uF which is at smallbear at http://www.smallbearelec.com/Detail.bok?no=168

Also, I hate to take business away from SmallBear since I love smallbear, but you might want to check out futurlec.com, on some items they have way lower prices.  Also, and I love giving business to DIYStompBoxes, click on the store link at diystompboxes.com ... Aron sells sets of common diodes, transistors, etc... He has 1N4148's and 1N34's (also check out the deal on 3PDT's!!)

HAVE FUN!

[blanik]

yeah, i already have all those diodes at home except the 1588 that SB sells as the mojoriginal diodes i was just wondering was type did Ibanez and Maxxon used since diodes usually influence the sound (as far as i know... i.e.: very little!!) lol

and if you tell me the 1uF NP caps aren't even in the sound path... well, why not use polarized ones?

R.

[MartyMart]

the 2 x 1uf NP caps ARE in the signal path  !!
One is off the first tranny before opamp pin 3 and one at the output before volume pot.
I would say that in this case, replacing "electro's" in any signal path, if possible is
worth doing ...

MM.

[zpyder]

martymart:

you would suggest using poly film or mylar in signal path when possible?