mesa boogie throttle box diode substitute

ballfire · Post by **ballfire** » 06 Jan 2018, 04:29

good day everybody...

i just want to know what best to substitute the 1n4148 diodes on the throttle box ?? because i dont have or available a 1n4148 diodes??

a 1n4007 could be good???

thanks..

jrfox92 · Post by **jrfox92** » 06 Jan 2018, 07:48

1N4148 has a Vf of 1V while 1N4007 has a Vf of 1.1V, so it should be fine.
That being said, you should buy more 1N4148's since they're some of the cheapest diodes out there.

ballfire · Post by **ballfire** » 08 Jan 2018, 02:20

jrfox92 wrote:1N4148 has a Vf of 1V while 1N4007 has a Vf of 1.1V, so it should be fine.
That being said, you should buy more 1N4148's since they're some of the cheapest diodes out there.

ok i will try the 1n4007 will see if its ok for the tone..

by the way its ok not to use the inductor on mid cut section of the mesa boogire throttle box since i dont have any inductor here..is there an effect on the circuit with out it???

thank you for the reply..

Manfred · Post by **Manfred** » 08 Jan 2018, 13:32

I traced the PN-junction curves of both diodes.
The shape of the curves are different.
This means that the harmonics content is different too.
I don't know if the differnce is really audible, maybe it is an subjective perception for each person.

Jim-Analog · Post by **Jim-Analog** » 08 Jan 2018, 19:17

Greetings,

Perhaps a 1N914? I've seen them listed as alternates for the 1N4148 in plenty of equipment. Good luck!

Regards, Jim

dv8r601 · Post by **dv8r601** » 09 Jan 2018, 21:11

Jim-Analog wrote:Greetings,

Perhaps a 1N914? I've seen them listed as alternates for the 1N4148 in plenty of equipment. Good luck!

Regards, Jim

They're the same. 1n4148/914 are interchangeable. You might notice some difference with the 4148 and 1n4007 but I HIGHLY doubt that anyone could tell a 1n914 and 1n4148 apart in the purposes we use them. But some may disagree on this point.

ballfire · Post by **ballfire** » 10 Jan 2018, 04:32

good day

can i use a germanium diode 1n60??

Manfred · Post by **Manfred** » 10 Jan 2018, 06:56

ballfire wrote:good day

can i use a germanium diode 1n60??

This is a matter of taste, sounds noticeable different.
Watch this video.

dv8r601 · Post by **dv8r601** » 10 Jan 2018, 09:02

ballfire wrote:good day

can i use a germanium diode 1n60??

You can try whatever you like. It with these it will be a LOT quieter, and if yours are real germanium a lot smoother.

I have a jig with a dip switch with these on it:1)2x1n270 symmetrical 2) 2x 1n5817 symmetrical 3)3x d18 asymmetrical 4) 2x 4148 symmetrical 5) 3x 4148 asymmetrical 6)2x mosfet+1n34a 7) 2x uv LED symmetrical

2x blue LED symmetrical. It has 2 clip on leads (in and out) that when I'm building and feeling Randy I just stick those on and have at it. Its a bit overkill but I suppose my build style is as well.

A WAYYYYYYYY easier option is to buy a bunch of quality Berg sip sockets and put those in place of the diodes and go berserk plugging and playing. Hence the term "Socket and see"
Generally in a circuit like this with these 4x4 1n4148 I would put 2 sets on a switch, I'd just pop in 2 blue LED for roughly the same Vf and maybe just 2x2 4148 (a la Timmy) but go wild. Looks like a balls out pedal by the schem and the demos.

Have fun with it, go wild. Because when the going gets weird, the weird turn pro.

Manfred · Post by **Manfred** » 10 Jan 2018, 20:22

For the sake of completeness, here the 1N4148 and 1N914 curve traces.