I'm usually doing a bank of diodes 2 or more, since they all line up and are spaced equally I just snap off however many SIP and put one on each side, I rarely socket diodes anymore thoughI usually clip off single SIP sockets and solder them in there with the help of some blue tack.
There is another option instead of using sockets. It's ugly, but will work fine for testing on the bench or in the studio. Solder in short stubs of wire where the diodes would go, then use clip leads to temporarily connect the diodes you wish to audition. Once you find the diodes you want, install them permanently. I have used this method to select the tone capacitor in a guitar.
Still another way to do it is to breadboard the pedal circuit and try different diodes (or anything else) on the breadboard. It's pretty involved and requires patience, but the end result is you'll know exactly which parts you want on the PCB before you start building.
*Desolder and remove the stub leads first*Requires a very light touch to do that, because as you're soldering to the stub lead on one side of the board, the solder on the other side is likely to melt. Ratimus, you must have some mad soldering skills!
Yes? As long as it's not too densely populated. Plated through holes make it easier, but aren't strictly necessary. I'm not sure I'm describing it accurately though? It shouldn't be hard. See pics: The 1N4148s are before, the 1N5817s are after (pardon the flux).And you can do that without removing the board?
If I do this method, can I solder the stub lead to the diode lead once I find the one I like?There is another option instead of using sockets. It's ugly, but will work fine for testing on the bench or in the studio. Solder in short stubs of wire where the diodes would go, then use clip leads to temporarily connect the diodes you wish to audition. Once you find the diodes you want, install them permanently. I have used this method to select the tone capacitor in a guitar.
Still another way to do it is to breadboard the pedal circuit and try different diodes (or anything else) on the breadboard. It's pretty involved and requires patience, but the end result is you'll know exactly which parts you want on the PCB before you start building.