GGG ITS8 diode options

[chrlswtt]

I'm new to the forum and new to kit building. I just finished building the ITS8 "expensive boutique" version. I love the sound but was confused whether to use the silicone or the germanium for the expensive build. It wasn't really made clear in the instructions. I wound up using the silicon but am wondering if I'm missing something by having not used the germanium.

Thanks

[jkokura]

If you can solder in some sockets, you can try all the options you have available! Try buying a few different Diodes and LED's and try them all out in there, and you'll be able to tell what you're missing much better than we could describe it for you.

Jacob

[Electron Tornado]

The ITS8 uses soft clipping. I've tried germanium diodes in soft clipping circuits and never got any good clipping out of them. I built an ITS8 a while back and modified it with three different clipping diode combinations. I didn't want to stray from the tubescreamer sound so I used all 1N4148 diodes. You can also try 1N4001 diodes as well.

Try different diodes and see what you like.

[chrlswtt]

Thanks for the replies. I guess I didn't state my question clearly. Since both diodes (silicon and germanium) were supplied with the kit, is the 'expensive mod' supposed to use the germanium? Like I said, the instructions were kind of vague on that point. I thought maybe one of the members here had already built the kit or were familiar with the Landgraff Dynamic Overdrive (which I've read the expensive mod is a clone of) could answer the question.

Thanks again

[jkokura]

Probably. Germanium is more expensive than Silicon because Silicon replaced Germanium. Very little germanium products are used anymore.

Jacob

[MikeH]

Usually putting Ge diodes in a TS type circuit results in less than unity ouput at full volume.  Not good.  Try some LEDs- they sound awesome in there.

[Mark Hammer]

Q:  What do you desire more from the pedal: strong output to overdrive the amp, or capability for a dirtier sound from the pedal itself?

If the former, stay away from Ge.  If the latter try 'em out.

[Brymus]

I built the ITS8 and modded the PCB to include a switch for the asymetric side to do symetric clipping and another set of pads for additional EQing aside from jumpering for the "phat" mod.
Anyway I tried several diode combos as I used sockets on the symetric/LED side and just ran wires to my breadboard for easy set ups,ect
FWIW after trying all manner of arrangments ,I liked the 4148s or (4001s even more) on one side(asymetric) and LEDs on the other(symetric) the Ge diodes I just didnt like,I even tried the mega mod of having 10 Ge's and one 4148
I think the Ge diodes are way overated for TS use IMO, of course YMMV

[Philippe]

Usually putting Ge diodes in a TS type circuit results in less than unity ouput at full volume.  Not good.  Try some LEDs- they sound awesome in there.

Ditto

[chrlswtt]

Thanks to all. I'm gonna stick with the silicon.