Build Your Own Clone Message Board

I'm looking around for parts for a Distortion + build I'm working on, and I've noticed that it's hard to find the classic 1n34A Germanium diode. From a few suppliers I've looked at, it looks like they're completely out of stock. Did they stop making them? I also noticed the 1n270 is out of stock too.

I did notice that a Germanium diode that I've never used before is cheap and available, the 1n60P. Anyone ever used these? Looking at a data sheet, they seem like they're very similar to a 1n34A.

1N60s, while I haven't used them, I've seen them called for in a few builds. So yeah I'd say go for it. When you're looking at the data sheet for diodes the most important piece is the forward voltage drop.

Pedal Parts Plus has 1N34As in stock
http://www.pedalpartsplus.com/mm5/merch ... y_Code=DIO

mammoth has both in stock in large quantities
http://www.mammothelectronics.com/category-s/79.htm

smallbear has a NOS workalike for the 1n34a
http://www.smallbearelec.com/Detail.bok?no=322
and the 1n270
http://www.smallbearelec.com/Detail.bok?no=323

I still have a few 1N34A diodes left. I sell them in quantities of 10. You might also check out 1N100A's that are pretty good.

Johnny

I bought 100 for 12$ with shipping on the bay....

I can recall the seller if you wish

mouser has 11k
http://www.mouser.com/ProductDetail/NTE/1N34A/?qs=sGAEpiMZZMvxO7XFMojgsEklPvjUd8c6

you say 'classic', is there a NOS version that is supposed to be better than whats in current production?

This must be the Mojo one. I see this listed in the Mouser info:

"NRND: Not recommended for new designs"

That's awesome!

Just clear a few things up:

The classic 1N60 germanium diode is NOT the same thing as the modern 1N60P diode, which is a shcottky type diode.

The great thing is that the 1N60p (new stock) has pretty much the same forward voltage drop as the old one, and that's really what counts in a clipping diode.

The way to tell them apart visually is pretty easy. The old ones are larger, with clear glass and either one or two black stripes painted on. The new ones are very small, orange glass with one a single black stripe. The new ones look sort of like 1N914/1N4148 diodes.

Here is what the older style look like, generally (although there are difference from one maker to another):




The newer ones look like this:

I'll add my own diode question:

the ones on the right, i ordered as 1n34a, how do you tell? and what are the green ones on the left? furthermore, i have no clue on the bottom ones.

What CJ said, different manufacturers have different appearances.. I'd say those are both 1N34a's you have there. The ones I received in some BYOC kits a couple of years ago were of the green stripe variety.

Germanium diodes used to be more easily attainable, but many were lost to dcountry's foot/dining room floor a while back. Demand has steadily increased ever since.

so the 1n34a is the only one that looks like this, how would you tell it apart from say a 1n60 since its been mentioned? would you have to measure the charactoristics to figure it out? i had the green ones in a byoc kit myself and it got me second guessing the black ones, though i was positive mouser wouldn't goof me. sorry for thread hijack, been wondering this for a while and never got around to asking.

I have both black and green bands on mine! I put in one of each in a 250 clone, no difference at all. Just manufactures as mentioned

As far as I've ever seen, 1N34A always is the large glass package with a green stripe. Never seen any other part number that looks like that.

Also, I believe that there is at least one factory that is making new 1N60 germanium diodes to the old spec. I bought some on ebay, and they came in the "ammo pack" style of packaging (see diagram below). I do not believe that when the bulk of germanium diodes were produced that this style of packaging existed, and so I think the 1N60s I got were actually made in the last few years.

Most NOS diodes and transistors are sold in "bulk", which means loose. New stuff is sometimes bulk, sometimes in the ammo pack / tape-and-reel style. Especially if you buy in larger quantities.

I should write an ebook on how to source parts. The one big thing I miss about running a pedal parts shop is hunting down lots of cool parts.


Here's what ammo pack / tape-and-reel package looks like:

got any ideas on the two goofy ones at the bottom?

As a matter of fact, I do.

The top round one is H114B:
http://www.cascadesurplus.com/catalog/p ... ts_id=1163

I believe the bottom one is a 0-ohm jumper "resistor".

word to the turd, thanks a bunch.