Still playing with the DS-1

[bluetubes]

I put a rotary switch in the DS-1 to select the second diode type in the clipping pair.  I have a 1N34A on the board and the three options on the switch are:

1N4001
1N34A
3MM LED (SEM)

There is a huge difference in output level when selecting the LED.  It is MUCH louder than the other two.......is this normal?

Thanks,
BT

[MartyMart]

When you use 3mm LED's in that position, its normal to have a big volume increase from them.
Have you tried two in series ?
Thats part of the "Ultra" mod and helps the DS-1 sound very "tube" like

Marty.

[petemoore]

two LED's in series is about 1.4V before clipping [according to my meter, which may be off]...
 But an LED raises threshold over SI's and Ge's...alot, and will let alot more signal to be output...but I'd guess it would have more of an overdrive flavor to it...as MM says...tube like.
 Rather high threshold for clipping, I'd think the drive knob would need to be 'up for the circuit to even reach the C.Threshold level of seriesed LEDs?