freestompboxes.org

I'm onto my 2nd and 3rd DIY projects after completing my PNP Germanium Fuzz Face - an NPN Silicon FF and an MXR Distortion +. I've already bought most of the parts for the D+ from this Tonepad schematic (http://tonepad.com/getFile.asp?id=6). I am having a hard time finding out whether the 1N914 Diodes I bought (http://www.pedalpartsplus.com/mm5/merch ... y_Code=DIO) are silicon or germanium. Google searches bring up results that list them as one or the other . Which one is it?

On another note, is there as big a difference between germanium and silicon diodes as there is with germanium and silicon transistors in Fuzz Faces in overall sound?

1N914s are absolutely silicon. For all intents and purposes, the 1N914 is identical to the 1N4148, which is pretty much the most common small signal diode on the market today.

There is also a pretty big difference between germanium and silicon diodes, as germanium diodes have a lower forward voltage than most silicons. Silicon diodes will give you a louder, more compressed sound, while conversely, germaniums will give you a softer, more open sound. I strongly prefer silicon diodes in a D+, but it's up to you to experiment!

triplesevener wrote:1N914s are absolutely silicon. For all intents and purposes, the 1N914 is identical to the 1N4148, which is pretty much the most common small signal diode on the market today.

There is also a pretty big difference between germanium and silicon diodes, as germanium diodes have a lower forward voltage than most silicons. Silicon diodes will give you a louder, more compressed sound, while conversely, germaniums will give you a softer, more open sound. I strongly prefer silicon diodes in a D+, but it's up to you to experiment!

Thank you! That's what I thought This article (http://www.ehow.com/list_7505165_diode- ... tions.html) confused me.