Subbing a 1N4001 or 1N4005 for a 1N4004...okay to do?

[skiraly017]

Layout calls for a 1N4004 and I have 4001's and 4005's coming out my ears. Is it okay to sub? Is one preferred over the other? Any tonal differences? Thanks.

[Seljer]

For clipping I doubt there is any difference in tone...but then again, some people hear differences among the same type of diodes

the difference is their maximum reverse voltage when used in rectifiers and such, the 1n4001 can take somewhere around 60V and I think the 1n4007 goes somewhere past 1000V (go look up the datasheets). For most stompbox uses I guess it doesn't really matter, as you'd have to try hard to get voltages like that in a stompbox (unless you've got some kind of high voltage tube thing)

[rockgardenlove]

If it's just being used as rectification or P/S safety it should be fine.

[Ronsonic]

The only difference in the 1n400X family is peak voltage. If this is going into a pedal use any of those you like. Myself, I just buy 1N4007 in bulk. They work the same at lower voltages, don't cost significantly more and are perfect for the tube stuff I do.

Ron

[skiraly017]

Cool, thanks.

[phaeton]

The 1n400x diodes have a 'turn on' voltage around 1V or so, don't they?  At least that's what "Forward Voltage" on the datasheet means, right?

[JimRayden]

Layout calls for a 1N4004 and I have 4001's and 4005's coming out my ears.

You mean like this?

http://www.diystompboxes.com/smfforum/index.php?topic=51795.0

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Jimbo

[phaeton]

Layout calls for a 1N4004 and I have 4001's and 4005's coming out my ears.

You mean like this?

http://www.diystompboxes.com/smfforum/index.php?topic=51795.0

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Jimbo

Wouldn't that make all the sounds coming into that ear kind of stutter?