Why mylar or ceremic capacitor on tone control???
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Re: Why mylar or ceremic capacitor on tone control???
I think cost-cutting may be the major issue here... IMHO, the difference between decent capacitors and great capacitors can be quite subtle while the price difference between these two categories can be quite large...
Therefore, I think the manufacturers/builders use standard caps since a cost increase for caps may not lead to such a big tone/quality improvement...
I think cost-cutting may be the major issue here... IMHO, the difference between decent capacitors and great capacitors can be quite subtle while the price difference between these two categories can be quite large...
Therefore, I think the manufacturers/builders use standard caps since a cost increase for caps may not lead to such a big tone/quality improvement...
frankfalbo
In Fluence Y'all
Re: Why mylar or ceremic capacitor on tone control???
Theoretically, those caps are subtractive in nature. When the pot is full on, you're technically not hearing the cap at all, minus the value of the potentiometer. It's far more important in amps and pedals, where you have actual signal passing through the caps, and you're using many multiples of them along the signal path. A fistful of ceramics in the signal path would have a cumulative effect on the tone. I hear about guys upgrading the caps in guitars, but you know lots of guitarists leave their tone on 10 all the time anyway. I do use my tone pot, and can't see any reason to upgrade.
Theoretically, those caps are subtractive in nature. When the pot is full on, you're technically not hearing the cap at all, minus the value of the potentiometer. It's far more important in amps and pedals, where you have actual signal passing through the caps, and you're using many multiples of them along the signal path. A fistful of ceramics in the signal path would have a cumulative effect on the tone. I hear about guys upgrading the caps in guitars, but you know lots of guitarists leave their tone on 10 all the time anyway. I do use my tone pot, and can't see any reason to upgrade.
idsnowdog
Imperator of Indignation
Re: Why mylar or ceremic capacitor on tone control???
I like radio shackmylar caps. They tend to be even sounding and fairly transparent. I also use orange drop caps. Radio Shack doesn't stock enough variety in values so I use the orange drops because I can get them in the values I want.
I like radio shackmylar caps. They tend to be even sounding and fairly transparent. I also use orange drop caps. Radio Shack doesn't stock enough variety in values so I use the orange drops because I can get them in the values I want.
ErikH
Well-known member
Re: Why mylar or ceremic capacitor on tone control???
I use either the green "chicklets" from Radio Shack or red Panasonic film caps. In a guitar circuit it's retarded, IMO, to use those big orange or yellow caps that are for high current/voltages. Save those for amps and such where the difference can actually be heard. The reason they were used way back when was because that's what was available. Today, those smaller caps are handy. They take up much less room and are cheaper to acquire.
I use either the green "chicklets" from Radio Shack or red Panasonic film caps. In a guitar circuit it's retarded, IMO, to use those big orange or yellow caps that are for high current/voltages. Save those for amps and such where the difference can actually be heard. The reason they were used way back when was because that's what was available. Today, those smaller caps are handy. They take up much less room and are cheaper to acquire.
Re: Why mylar or ceremic capacitor on tone control???
+1
Some folks think that they can hear a difference and might post in support of expensive caps.
Dave
+1
Some folks think that they can hear a difference and might post in support of expensive caps.
Dave
devastone
Well-known member
Re: Why mylar or ceremic capacitor on tone control???
This deserved to be re-posted. Guitar Tone controls are SUBTRACTIVE, the signal does not pass through the cap, the signal going through the cap is just being directed to ground. The green chicklets are actually good caps, more than good enough for guitar tone controls, ceramics are fine too.
The only place really good caps make a difference are, as Frank stated, when they are in the direct signal path. And still, $125 for a pair of signal caps, that's seriously insane.
This deserved to be re-posted. Guitar Tone controls are SUBTRACTIVE, the signal does not pass through the cap, the signal going through the cap is just being directed to ground. The green chicklets are actually good caps, more than good enough for guitar tone controls, ceramics are fine too.
The only place really good caps make a difference are, as Frank stated, when they are in the direct signal path. And still, $125 for a pair of signal caps, that's seriously insane.
