Diode question

If you have a diode in a circuit and you jumper a wire across the two terminal points, does a signal always opt for the wire route instead of the diode route?

If you short out the diode, yes, the signal will not travel through the diode...or any other component you short out...assuming of course that the wire doesn't have a substantial resistance of its own.

-Zach Omega

So you could use a dpdt switch to punch in two diodes to a circuit in one go?

I suppose. What exactly are you trying to do? And you could probably use an DPST switch which is probably cheaper.

-Zach Omega

There's a mod for the DS-1 where you remove 2 diodes for more of a boost. I figured I could put them on a switch, so when the switch is active, the signal bypasses the diodes.

Well removing and jumpering/shorting the diodes are two separate things.

Removing them creates an open circuit while jumpering creates a short circuit.

Do you have a link to the mod you are looking to perform?

-Zach Omega

It was something someone said in another thread. Basically you remove D4 and D5 (not sure if they're the right values). I just figured you could still use a switch for that. Connect one end of the diodes to some lugs, then connect the remaining lugs to where the diodes would have met the board.

That sounds correct to me...Although as I mentioned before, that isn't quite the same as shorting out the diodes with a piece of wire.

-Zach Omega

you should never short out a diode unless you know why it is there. Diodes are put in to do oneof two jobs. either to block current in one direction, or to set a voltage reference for lots of other components if it is a zener diode. either way it is there for a reason. Good luck if you do decide to short it as you may destroy much more than the wire link. cheers Terry

for the mod you want to do, you have to remove the diodes or put them on a switch that takes them out of the circuit, NOT jumper them. if you jumper them, you'll send the signal to ground and just shut the pedal off!

i would recommend adding a switch if you can. sometimes it's nice to have a stock DS-1.

while you're in there, fool around with some of the smaller cap values to get some bass back in that thing!

and yes, terry is right, diodes should only be altered if you are 100% sure of what they do. these are NOT related to the power supply so you're good.

Thanks again for the answers guys. I did kind of got the difference between shorting and jumpering (eventually) and that I can use a switch to short the diodes out of the circuit.