1n60 as a clipping diode instead of 1n34A???

[bancika]

Can 1n60 substitute 1n34A as germanium clipping diode with similar results? That's the only GE diode they have around here.
Tnx

[D Wagner]

Yes!  The 1N60 is a great clipping diode.  The MXR Distortion+, or the DOD Overdrive 250 sound perfect with them.

[Mark Hammer]

I doubt even the "golden ears" could hear a difference between 1N60, 1N34A, and 1N270 (what was originally in the Dist+ and any other MXR pedals needing GE diodes).

[bancika]

that's great  for two reasons
1) I already got 1N60 and they weren't cheap (about .70$ each)
2) the only way to get 1N34A for me is to order from internet and then wait long and pay customs expenses

Thanks guys!

[mac]

My ears are not in good shape but I can certainly hear a subtle difference between 1n34, 1n60, oa91 and aa117 in a MXR+...



mac

[mjones99]

I think the 1n60 sounds a bit more wooly than the 1n34a and quite a bit more wooly than the 1n270 to me anyway

[JimRayden]

My ears are not in good shape but I can certainly hear a subtle difference between 1n34, 1n60, oa91 and aa117 in a MXR+...



mac

Have you tried listening to two 1N34 pairs? Might give the same difference.

---------
Jimbo

[LP Hovercraft]

The owners of the cool electronics store out here in Denver tells me that the 1N60 is fuctionally the same, but manufactured to tighter tolerances than the 1N34.  These guys are way into homemade crystal radios and say they are superior in that application.  I found a matched quad for a ring mod I am making, no problem-only had to buy 10 of them.

[TheBigMan]

Most people use 1N34As cos they are the most easily available germanium signal diodes.  Using something else is certainly not a crime though!

[mac]

Have you tried listening to two 1N34 pairs? Might give the same difference.

Differences between pairs of 1n34s? Sound like tolerance variations between capacitors. Mine are from the same batch, I never paid much attn but I am going to try different pairs.

---

IMO, one can use any diode or mix different diodes, it is a matter of personal taste. 1n34, 1n270, 1n60 , Si they all sound good.
My mxr+ has selectable 1n60 and 1n4148.



mac

[Eb7+9]

... that's the only GE diode they have around here.

It should be pointed out that Point-Contact Ge diodes are not really Germanium diodes in the strict theoretical sense - ie., where the forward "on" voltage (Vf) would lie around 200mv ... if you read the datasheet carefully on these you'll notice both these guys don't have published Vf specs, only a max spec - which is stated in both cases as 1volt ... my 1n34a's and 1n60's measure around 300mV at around 5mA forward current ... if you want a real 200mV GE diode you should grab the BE junction of a Ge transistor - this makes a difference in LFO waveshaping circuits - of course, that's not really crucial for clipping functions ...

~jc

[mac]

Eb7+9,
Thx for the info.


mac

[WGTP]

Seems like someone around hear thought one or the other had more bass.