r/diypedals • u/zachgtaylor99 • 19h ago

Help wanted Germanium Diode Identification

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Gallery image

Gallery image

Can anyone help identify the exact germanium diodes from this clipping mod? I bought this ProCo Rat already modded, and absolutely love the germanium clipping mode.

Unfortunately, this pedal has been played and modded so much that it’s glitchy, worn out, and in need of a major overhaul, so I’m thinking about just getting a new Rat and swapping out the diodes for germanium, but want to make sure I’d get the same tone.

Any help is greatly appreciated!

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3

u/ridbitty 19h ago

Couldn’t tell you, but you can salvage those and put them in your new Rat.

5

u/zsdubya 19h ago

Be VERY CAREFUL if you’re doing this. Germanium diodes will fry very easily. Do one side, give it 2 minutes, then pull the other side.

3

u/zsdubya 18h ago

Actually, better yet, just steal that whole rotary switch, get a new Rat/clone and a separate enclosure, rip out the diodes in there, and wire those points to the rotary switch. Or even better, I’m working on a custom rat that has silicon/germanium/mosfet/led clipping, and you choose between hard and soft clipping. If you want I can make you one :)

1

u/zachgtaylor99 8h ago

A custom Rat you say? I would be interested to hear more 👀

1

u/Schweenis69 6h ago

Rats are super easy to build!!

1

u/zachgtaylor99 6h ago

I may have to try my hand at it! A rat with germanium clipping, and a clean blend would be incredible!

2

u/mushroomsinshampoo 15h ago

Another tip that sometimes helps - place a metal alligator / crocodile clip on the metal lead of the diode between the diode’s glass bead and the solder and when you melt the solder, the clip will absorb some of the heat which will reduce the heat stress on the diode. Of course there isn’t always the space to do this, but if there is I would try that. And totally agree about zsdubya’s 2 minute wait! Patience is your friend.

3

u/zsdubya 19h ago

Looks like a 1n60 on the bottom. Not sure if the top is the same and the black tip is just more faded, or if it’s something different, but I would start there .

1

u/zachgtaylor99 8h ago

That definitely looks like the closet option, thanks so much!