A quick capacitor question/recommendation/advice. . .

[thearabianmage]

I'm looking up some different capacitors to put into my new 335-style guitar and was wondering if anyone had any experience with a few different caps. . .

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Guitar-Tone-Capacitor-cap-4-fender-stratocaster-0-047uf_W0QQitemZ290282177817QQcmdZViewItemQQptZGuit ar_Accessories?hash=item290282177817&_trksid=p3286.m63.l1177

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Silver-Mica-Amp-Guitar-Capacitor-500-PF-500-V-3-Pack_W0QQitemZ180297780613QQcmdZViewItemQQptZGuita r_Amp_Accessories?hash=item180297780613&_trksid=p3286.m63.l1177

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Allparts-Vitamin-Q-Oil-Paper-Capacitor-047uF-400V-4158_W0QQitemZ190269925568QQihZ009QQcategoryZ47076 QQtcZphotoQQcmdZViewItemQQ_trksidZp1742.m153.l1262

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Xicon-Guitar-Amp-Capacitor-0047-F-630V-3-for-2_W0QQitemZ180291343876QQihZ008QQcategoryZ43375QQt cZphotoQQcmdZViewItemQQ_trksidZp1742.m153.l1262QQ_ trksidZp1742.m153.l1262

My idea for the 335 is to get as warm, smooth, and mellow a tone as possible. I was wondering which size and type of cap would be best for this. I've read that article about 'auditioning capacitors' but was just curious about other fretter's opinions.

I guess another good thing to mention is that I will be using a P90 in the neck and a humbucker in the bridge, both alnico 5's, and 500K pots.

Cheers, y'all!

Joe

[Ch0jin]

OK I have to say it.

$12 USD for a freakin cap? What is that, like 1000% markup!!!!

Some advice.

The value of the cap (and the pot for that matter) makes far, far, more difference than the construction, so select values first, then audition construction types.

Even at the truly absurd price of 8-12 USD, if you're in the USA then I guess thats a pretty cheap upgrade, and probably worth auditioning a few types when you know what value you want.

And of course, let us know how it all works out :)


edit: Oh you're in the UK, so 12 USD is what, 50p? haha. Go nuts man, order them all and let us know how they sound :)

[duhvoodooman]

Suggest that you read through THIS ARTICLE (http://www.premierguitar.com/Magazine/Issue/2008/Apr/Auditioning_Tone_Capacitors_Part_II.aspx) and go with the cap type whose description is the closest match for what you're looking for. If you're going for clean & clear, I'd tend to recommend oil & paper if you don't mind dropping a fair chunk of change, or silver-mica or styroflex caps if you want something more moderately priced.

[Teleblaster]

I would just get some mallory's from guitarpartsresource.com and move on. Capacitor makes are really the last thing I worry about in the tone equation.

[Bloozcat]

I would just get some mallory's from guitarpartsresource.com and move on. Capacitor makes are really the last thing I worry about in the tone equation.

I used to feel the same way. But that's because there isn't that much difference to my ear between most of the new manufacture caps that are generally available (at least to the good). Of these new production caps I settled on Mallory 150's for humbucker applications, and Sprague/Vishay 615P Orange Drop 200 volt caps for single coil use. Best I'd found to my ear...at reasonable prices. I never really messed with neuvo-retro-vintage type new production like the Haviland Music Caps and the like, because the slight advantage over what I was using was overshadowed by the price of these caps.

BUT...and there's always a but....

After trying several NOS and NOS type paper-in-oil caps, I have found that there really is a difference between these and the new stuff. It isn't just mythical mojo nonsense, there is a difference in tone.

For the guitar thearabianmage mentioned, a 335 style semi-hollow body from which he wishes to get a warm and mellow tone, I'd suggest the following caps:

Bumble Bees
Black Beauties
Vitamin Q's
Military surplus PIO's (like the Russian Military that are seemingly everywhere).

There's a lot of debate as to which of the above sound best, but I think that if one can get any of these caps at fairly reasonable prices, he'd most likely be pleased with the tone.

Prices will vary with many being in that upper range of $7.00-$15.00 ea., but they do deliver the kind of tone mentioned. Shop around for the best price.

Now for the caveat: The views expressed here are my opinions based on my own personal experience. YMMV...

[thearabianmage]

Wow, thanks for the replies all.

That was a great article, DVM. I remember reading a fair few months ago but forgot it all. It was a good re-cap. . . pun mildly intended. . .

Anyways, my penultimate question is on mixing capacitors. I found a single company that sells caps, so I've decided on either of these for the P90 neck:

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/NOS-Sprague-Bumble-Bee-01-400V-capacitor-Marantz-tube_W0QQitemZ360113316542QQihZ023QQcategoryZ4664Q QtcZphotoQQcmdZViewItem

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/NOS-Sprague-Black-Beauty-01-600vdc-DIFILM-capacitor_W0QQitemZ360113316527QQihZ023QQcategoryZ 4664QQtcZphotoQQcmdZViewItem

And this for the bridge:

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/NOS-Sprague-118P-type-47-400vdc-tube-amp-capacitor_W0QQitemZ270307039402QQihZ017QQcategoryZ 4664QQtcZphotoQQcmdZViewItemQQ_trksidZp1742.m153.l 1262QQ_trksidZp1742.m153.l1262

The reason I ask is that I remember fixing a guitar for someone and I thought that I'd use different caps that were more suited to the pickups' positions. I used a vintage paper-and-oil cap for the neck and a Sprague Orange Drop for the bridge, and after wiring it all up I noticed a very distinct inconsistency in volumes of the pickups. Could that have been due to the mixture of caps?

And the last question is what difference between DIFILM and Marantz is - as with the two black beauties aforementioned. . .

Cheers, y'all!

Joe

[thearabianmage]

Right, after many hours of searching, I finally decided on these two. I guess there's something cool about putting real USSR military caps in my guitar.

This one is for the P90:
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&ssPageName=STRK:MEWNX:IT&item=290266008425

This one is for the humbucker:
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&ssPageName=STRK:MEWNX:IT&item=290277057325

Thanks for the advice everyone. It'll be a while before I put them in because I need to replace the rest of the electrics as well. . . which means buying them :/

Why can't 500k CTS pots grow on trees? :D

Joe

[monradon]

I do one simple thing I test both pots and caps to make sure they are what they say they are. I find alot of mistakes on both items. Local friends ask me where I get my pots etc. because they sound so good but all I do is make sure they are what they say they are. It bums them out when they find out I buy from the same place but I am fussy and people notice the sound difference. So what ever size you end up with likeing let us know and have fun.