Diode selection for Klone

[jtrezzo]

I was wondering if anyone had a favorite Ge for Klone diodes? I've tried 1n34a and 1n270 so far. I preferred the 1n270, as the 1n34a sounded a bit thinner. I've read that OA91 and 1n277 are good choices. Anyone have a favorite that was just above the rest?

[midwayfair]

OA126 (Fv .65), D9E (Fv .28), and OA1160 (Fv .32) consistantly sound excellent. I cut the bass cap to 68n and treble cap to 3.3n when using the OA126. Lots of people like BAT41s, too. The 1N270s you've used are going to be close to the D9E or OA1160s, so they might be the right choice for you (and I like them in plenty of circuits).

Go with your ears if you're building to use it with the gain pot turned up. The cap tolerances make some diode selections sound a little better than stock.

[Pyr0]

^^^ What he said. I also like the BAT41's in it. They just sounded a bit cleaner then Ge's to me. But hey, it all a personal preference.

[jtrezzo]

I did try some BAT41s and also 1N695s. I did find the BAT41s to be cleaner, which also meant less overall gain. I did however LOVE the sound of the 1n695s though. I also tried the NOS germaniums (not sure what exactly) from Small Bear with the red band. They were about the same as the 1N270. I have a couple more ordered to try out, the ones I mentioned originally.

[midwayfair]

I did try some BAT41s and also 1N695s. I did find the BAT41s to be cleaner, which also meant less overall gain. I did however LOVE the sound of the 1n695s though. I also tried the NOS germaniums (not sure what exactly) from Small Bear with the red band. They were about the same as the 1N270. I have a couple more ordered to try out, the ones I mentioned originally.

If you're just looking for more distortion, you need a lower forward voltage. Pick up a bunch of 1N60P (the cheapo Schottky ones, 4c at Tayda). Measure a bunch ... some go as low as .18Fv, which is lower even than any 1N5818s I've found.

You can use the leftovers in any circuit requiring a germanium (except as a reverse-bias diode on a germanium transistor) -- really good for rectifier networks in compressors, etc.