diode clipping stage with resistor

[Wounded Paw]

I think I understand what's going on here but a technical explanation from someone in the know would be nice.  I've been looking at a diode clipping stage in an odd bass distortion pedal.  It has two diodes in parallel in opposite directions like usual but instead of one side of each going straight to ground there is a single 6.8k resistor wired to those ends that goes to ground instead.  Anyone want to elaborate?

[Wounded Paw]

Like this

[John Lyons]

When you use diodes straight to ground in opposite directions you get clipping at the threashold of the diode.
Silicon = .7v
Germanium = .3v
LED = 1.2v
ETC ETC...there are many others.

When you add a resistance between the diodes and ground you alter the threshold of the diodes and the clipping becomes less. More resistance = less clipping...
You can also put a pot between the diodes and ground to have a variable clipping control or "warp" control as Jack Orman has written about. You can find that at the AMZ link above.
When you add a capacitor between the diodes and ground you change the frequency that the diodes clip.

Hope that helps.

John