What are the differences in Guitar Capacitor Characteristics?

[Stratman]

FROM MOJO CATALOG

We tested various caps for guitar and discovered some subtle but noticeable differences. These were all .022 caps used on the bridge position
pickup of a Gibson SG.

The various types were tested in order...

Ceramic Disc .022 @ 50v
Sterile, harsh, piercing top end and very sterile on the rollback.

Orange Drop .022 @ 100v
Warmer and rounder than the ceramic disc but slightly sterile on the top end. Not very transparent when rolled back (no sparkle).

Dijon .022 @ 630v
Nice Warmth and round tone with a smooth organic top end sparkle. Remained transparent when rolled back.

Vitamin T .022 @ 600v
Much like the Dijon but slightly warmer and spongier than the Dijon with a little less transparency on the top end.

In a nutshell the Dijons and the Vitamin Ts are a more organic sounding cap. The top end is much like a tube amps' characteristics.

The Orange Drops and Ceramic Discs were a more sterile sounding cap. The top end is much like a solid state amps' characteristics.

Please note that a certain capacitor brand in one guitar or amplifier may produce a totally different tonal quality in another guitar or amp.

If you have a question as to which brand or type of capacitor to use we recommend trying out a few different ones to see what fits your particular
set up and what sounds good to YOUR ears.

 

[Fikealox]

Re: What are the differences in Guitar Capacitor Characteristics?

IMO, the tonal differences probably come down to differences in capacitor value (due to tolerances), different impedances due to soldering, and the placebo effect. But I'm a bit of a nay-sayer on this issue

 

[super rad stuff]

Re: What are the differences in Guitar Capacitor Characteristics?

i'm perfectly happy with my orange drops....

 

[beandip]

Re: What are the differences in Guitar Capacitor Characteristics?

I really think folks need to get over "finding the perfect tone" and work more on playing and having fun. Once you start having fun, everything else falls into place. If you spend all your time trying to find that tone that a ****ing tone cap is the "missing link", I don't think you should be playing guitar and should instead spend your time scrubbing your kitchen floor with a toothbrush.

 

[ImmortalSix]

Re: What are the differences in Guitar Capacitor Characteristics?

I don't even know what kind of caps are in my modded guitars, and they all sound great.

Whatever they sell at the music store is working out really favorably for me.

This is going to turn into a minutiae bashing thread.

 

[projectx1106]

Re: What are the differences in Guitar Capacitor Characteristics?

I really think folks need to get over "finding the perfect tone" and work more on playing and having fun. Once you start having fun, everything else falls into place. If you spend all your time trying to find that tone that a ****ing tone cap is the "missing link", I don't think you should be playing guitar and should instead spend your time scrubbing your kitchen floor with a toothbrush.

haha seriously, as soon as I stopped searching for that perfect tone, I found it and became a hell of alot better guitarist.

 

[trevorus]

Re: What are the differences in Guitar Capacitor Characteristics?

haha seriously, as soon as I stopped searching for that perfect tone, I found it and became a hell of alot better guitarist.

Same here. I play mid-level guitars, and get fantastic tone. I twiddle knobs a lot less and it's been great.

 

[super rad stuff]

Re: What are the differences in Guitar Capacitor Characteristics?

haha seriously, as soon as I stopped searching for that perfect tone, I found it and became a hell of alot better guitarist.

my skill has started to deteriorate as i've found this site, though it might be due to all the solder fumes i've subjected myself in the last few months:scratchch

 

[Mark Cearlock]

Re: What are the differences in Guitar Capacitor Characteristics?

my skill has started to deteriorate as i've found this site, though it might be due to all the solder fumes i've subjected myself in the last few months:scratchch

+1, Amen bro!

 

[Got_tone?]

Re: What are the differences in Guitar Capacitor Characteristics?

my skill has started to deteriorate as i've found this site, though it might be due to all the solder fumes i've subjected myself in the last few months:scratchch

:chairfall haha that's true. Doesn't 60/40 solder contain lead?

Anyway I had some vitamin q caps that don't sound a whole lot better than my orange drops that are in a super strat. The difference is very minor and it's not like every person is going to call out my cap... I think it'll be my chops

 

[ganzosrevenge]

Re: What are the differences in Guitar Capacitor Characteristics?

agreed. I put in a bumblebee for my brobucker and a phonebook for the 2 single coils from luxe, and I swear I will NEVER change another cap again. I do think though it also comes down to the pots, what are in the SG that is being examined, and how do pots with different tapers work? (alpha vs. cts/fender vs. bourns vs. cts/rsgw vs. alessandro) It could be that the pots in the Sg are 300k and not the 500k usually used with humbuckers. I'd like to see how the subjects fare with different pots as well in order to see if the results are truly validated.

But if you like the sound you wind up with, shut up, n play yer guitar. I finally got around to it, and my chops are getting better with every practicing.