MichaelW
Well-known member
What do they look like? Single yellow band or 2 yellow bands?
Pedalhacker on Vacation?
- Thread starter Fingolfen
- Start date
MichaelW
Well-known member
Yah, unless you have the means to test them to make sure they're in spec, sounds like this particular pedal is pretty sensitive to J201's. For a couple of bucks, I'd throw them on the next PPCB order you place. I think he's got the pre-mounted ones on the adapter boards in stock.
SillyOctpuss
Well-known member
As @MichaelW said so they have one yellow stripe or two? If its just one yellow stripe then they were definitely 1SS133. I placed my last pedal hacker order in November and he had sold out of Ma858 by then and was selling 1SS133 instead. If you have any gutshots of that build they could help. Real Panasonic MA diodes have a black mark on the cathode.
steviejr92
Authorized Vendor
Hey guys so I canceled my order from pedalhacker anyone know where I can get authentic 1n270 ge diodes? And their reliable?
benny_profane
Well-known member
What are you using them for? Is there a reason why they have to be 1n270 diodes and not another Ge device?
steviejr92
Authorized Vendor
@BuddytheReow gave me a parts list and that’s the only thing on there that I don’t have and I’m going to be building a Klon and wanted to try out different diodes.
benny_profane
Well-known member
Oh, you can try out a variety of Ge diodes for a klon (or even Schottky BAT4# diodes!). Don't get too hung up on the part number. Try out what you can find from a vendor you trust and go with your ears!
steviejr92
Authorized Vendor
I’ve been reading on here so it seems like the type of diode doesn’t matter it’s their vf you want am I correct? If I am does that mean I can use any other diode within the same vf to get a similar sound?
steviejr92
Authorized Vendor
So basically save the money and go else where? Lol
SillyOctpuss
Well-known member
Where are you from @steviejr92? Also to echo @benny_profane there's no need to hunt down 1n270. Any germanium with a forward voltage of about 0.23-0.27 on a basic multimeter will do the job just fine.
steviejr92
Authorized Vendor
I’m from New Jersey man!
MichaelW
Well-known member
Offer still stands dude. Lemme know!
benny_profane
Well-known member
That's not entirely the case. Diodes are non-linear devices—meaning that they behave differently given different circumstances. For a resistor, the relationship between voltage and current is linear (i.e., the current through is proportional to the voltage across expressed in terms of resistance). This can be plotted as a line on a graph given the resistor's value.
For semiconductors (i.e., diodes here), that isn't the case. The forward voltage of a diode is a snapshot given a supplied current. The way that current changes with voltage is expressed with a V-I (voltage-current) graph or curve. You'll see how the arc of the curve is different for different types of diodes. This difference in response is experienced in differences in clipping behavior. Ge devices typically have a 'rounder' feel. This is seen when the graph is a more gradual curve rather than a sharper curve that approaches vertical with increased voltage.
That's why it's said to try out different part numbers and types. The theoretical curve doesn't exactly tell you how you'll experience the device. The best way is to try some out and see what you like.
steviejr92
Authorized Vendor
Thanks alot that just helped clear up some confusion!
joelorigo
Well-known member
Looks like 1 band
Attachments
joelorigo
Well-known member
Photo right above. I don't see a black mark.
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MichaelW
Well-known member
Hard to tell, they could be legit MA856's, especially if you bought them 3 years ago.
The Rohm 1SS133's are slightly longer in the body (see pic).
The second pic is of an MA858, which is the same body length as the MA856 but has 2 yellow stripes.
Having said all that, all 3 are great clipping diodes. I like the 1SS133's a lot and have used them in other circuits (but haven't tried them in a KOT).
As long as they sound good to you, I wouldn't sweat it.
The Rohm 1SS133's are slightly longer in the body (see pic).
The second pic is of an MA858, which is the same body length as the MA856 but has 2 yellow stripes.
Having said all that, all 3 are great clipping diodes. I like the 1SS133's a lot and have used them in other circuits (but haven't tried them in a KOT).
As long as they sound good to you, I wouldn't sweat it.
joelorigo
Well-known member
It does sound good! When I finished building the pedal I had an actual King of Tone. They were very similar, one being more treble-y than the other with everything at noon, I can't remember which. Close enough that I sold the KOT.
Would the difference between MA856 and 1SS133 effect "treble"?
MichaelW
Well-known member
That's actually a pretty well documented "feature" of the full size Paragon
(The Mini doesn't seem to suffer from the brightness that the full size one does).
Check out this post from @ckaudioeffects.
I incorporated al his "warmer tone" mods in my Paragon build.
Edit: No I don't think the clippers in this discussion have anything to do with the brightness.
Yes, Buy them now as a presoldered package as there is a shortage on J102 SMD's at the moment!
