Which is your favorite DS1 clipping config?

[pott]

I finally got to the point where I really like the sound. With the gain on 10 I can get a clean tone using the guitar's volume pot... But I still want to experiment a little. Right now I have:

Red 3mm Led + Zener in series on one side
1N4148 on the other side (assymetrical)

What do y'all use for the least compression and most headroom? I'm guessing LEDs eh..?

[5thumbs]

If you want headroom above all else, LEDs are not a bad option.  MOSFETs a little lower than LEDs, but still higher than most Si or Ge diodes.

For somewhat of a classic, diode-clipped/compressed sound, I like the "Mondo-MIJ" clipping arrangement, which is documented here: http://www.diystompboxes.com/DIYFiles/up/Build_Your_Own_DS-1_Distortion.pdf.  For a more uncompressed sound (and a lot less mod complexity), look at the VR-MIJ-HG, also documented in the aforementioned document.

Good luck!