Capacitors
- Thread starter Benjy_26
- Start date
ErikH
Well-known member
Anyplace that sells electronics. Small Bear Electronics is my go-to source if I need to order online but I try to go to local electronics stores if possible.
http://diy.smallbearelec.com/
https://smallbear-electronics.mybigcommerce.com/
http://diy.smallbearelec.com/
https://smallbear-electronics.mybigcommerce.com/
ehdwuld
A Ficus
get these and explore the differences in values
Frienda 840 Pieces 24 Types 50V Ceramic Capacitor Assortment Kit
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B089W1K4YS
Frienda 840 Pieces 24 Types 50V Ceramic Capacitor Assortment Kit
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B089W1K4YS
ErikH
Well-known member
Imagine my surprise when I found out my Gibson Les Paul Traditional Pro has .022uf ceramic disk caps. Nah, I wasn't really surprised at all to be honest. 
The only reason those big caps were used back in the day was due to availability. On, we're out of the little caps, let's use this one that's the same value from the amp stock.
The only reason those big caps were used back in the day was due to availability. On, we're out of the little caps, let's use this one that's the same value from the amp stock.
ErikH
Well-known member
All of those, aside from .1uf, are larger in value than what would be used in a guitar's passive tone circuit.
Chistopher
malapterurus electricus tonewood instigator
PIO tend to drift to higher values over the years though and people don't like ceramic caps for some reason.
GuitarStv
Sock Market Trader
Yep. If you want that old paper in oil "sound" pick a bigger capacitor. Still shouldn't cost more than about five cents.
Ceramic caps usually don't look as pretty as the other types (I mean c'mon . . . matte orange? Yuck) and looks matter a lot more than some folks like to admit.
beaubrummels
Well-known member
When I tested this, this was mostly true, except for the bottom of the barrel cheap-o ceramic caps. They do not measure a consistent value over real-time measurements. It seems to result in a murky, less-clear audio signal.
Imagine my surprise when I found out my Gibson Les Paul Traditional Pro has .022uf ceramic disk caps. Nah, I wasn't really surprised at all to be honest.
The only reason those big caps were used back in the day was due to availability. On, we're out of the little caps, let's use this one that's the same value from the amp stock.
Well, the flat discs do fit in control cavities easier than barrel-sized 'bee' types.
If there is, I can't hear it. Does anyone have ideas on what are the most accurate compared to the stated values?
Benjy_26
25's Nemesis
I started using Orange Drops because they were pretty accurate way back when and I thought I heard a bit smoother roll off when playing through full range/high fidelity amps. It may all have been in my head, though.
beaubrummels
Well-known member
All the variants I tested were within 5% tolerance of stated values. IME material/construction doesn't change the sound. Just the value, and quality of the construction - e.g. the cheapest ceramic caps seemed to 'leak' or not 'discharge' consistently (when I tried to measure them, the meter never settled on a value), so they did make the resulting audio a bit murky. All the rest were consistent in sound as long as the values were close.
I tested Sprague Orange Drops, Black Bees, Vitamin Q PIO, Fender polypropylene, cheap ceramic, mylar roll, and generic polypropylene.
This is one of my test boxes (can't embed images):
https://i.imgur.com/CEv5uS3.jpg
https://i.imgur.com/zbOBXDd.jpg
Last edited:
Clint 55
OH THE DOUBLE THICK GLAZE!
There is. It's up to you if you want to spend a few bucks more for a small difference, but it's significant enough to be audible over a recording, youtube, and laptop speakers.
The part after 7:40
Ashurbanipal
Well-known member
Find and old, abandoned Soviet tank and get to harvesting .
If you like tinkering/diy, might be fun to have a go at making your own pio.
I've used some Tropical Fish types in my guitars – .018µf – and like them, not too dark on 0 and fairly even roll-off. I think they were used in some wahs and organs back in the day.
. If you like tinkering/diy, might be fun to have a go at making your own pio.
I've used some Tropical Fish types in my guitars – .018µf – and like them, not too dark on 0 and fairly even roll-off. I think they were used in some wahs and organs back in the day.
ehdwuld
A Ficus
All the variants I tested were within 5% tolerance of stated values. IME material/construction doesn't change the sound. Just the value, and quality of the construction - e.g. the cheapest ceramic caps seemed to 'leak' or not 'discharge' consistently (when I tried to measure them, the meter never settled on a value), so they did make the resulting audio a bit murky. All the rest were consistent in sound as long as the values were close.
I tested Sprague Orange Drops, Black Bees, Vitamin Q PIO, Fender polypropylene, cheap ceramic, mylar roll, and generic polypropylene.
This is one of my test boxes (can't embed images):
helping out
Chistopher
malapterurus electricus tonewood instigator
I think you must have linked the wrong video, because those all sound the same.
