Tone Cap?
Hello, Jim and everyone!
Does the tone cap actually change the sound at all? I mean not the value but the type(PIO, FIlm, Disc) of it. Now, my guitar has an orange drop 715P 0.047uf.
I've never experimented in this world, so it's nice to here some practical opinions before I give it a try. Thanks!
BTW, the treble bleed cap sucks! It's the cap in between the lugs of volume pot. I just clipped it, and it made huge difference! It had way too much treble when rolling off the volume and is much easier to control now. I'm happy
Does the tone cap actually change the sound at all? I mean not the value but the type(PIO, FIlm, Disc) of it. Now, my guitar has an orange drop 715P 0.047uf.
I've never experimented in this world, so it's nice to here some practical opinions before I give it a try. Thanks!
BTW, the treble bleed cap sucks! It's the cap in between the lugs of volume pot. I just clipped it, and it made huge difference! It had way too much treble when rolling off the volume and is much easier to control now. I'm happy
Comments
I'm sure there are folks on the Campy Forum that are better equipped to answer your question with an electricians literacy, but I found a difference between the "modern" tone caps (they look like an Advil to me...) and the "old school" paper caps.
Fender installed paper caps in the Campilongo model upon my request, based on my findings after comparing the two types.
Look Tak, I'm not saying your guitar will shoot lightening and rainbows after the mod, but I felt the paper caps were a bit "warmer".
Below is a photo of what we installed.
"...the treble bleed cap sucks!..." Tak - Beautifully put and we are in total agreement on this!
The wiring I prefer has no bells and whistles and allows the player to manually dial in treble (and volume). The wiring I prefer is called "Late '67 TELE wiring". This leads me to believe that this Tele wiring combo started in "late 67" My belief is that this "Late '67 TELE wiring " is no longer "stock"... either way, check your wiring people. I think this "tone boost" feature is a real hindrance to personal tone choices and guitar control (in my humble opinion)
To eliminate the "tone boost," one need only to clip the .01 capacitor that connects the first and second lug on the volume pot of a "standard" Tele.
Thanks for your post and have a great day- Jim
Here's a video where a guy does exactly that... I realize it's a compressed youtube video, but put on a pair of headphones and see if you can hear a difference.... I have come to the conclusion (for myself) that there IS a difference in difference in tone in the different materials, altho it may be sublte. I also think some people have more sensitive hearing, because while some people can't hear any difference, others can.
The bottom line is, until you try it in your guitar thru your rig, you won't REALLY know. It's certainly a cheap and easy experiment, that will grow your knowledge about stuff, and I'm all for LEARNING & EXPERIENCE... whether it's playing, gear, listening, whatever..... just try to constantly expand your knowledge and experiences with things you are passionate about!
Also keep in mind: when it comes to TONE, "better" isn't applicable. It's all a matter of what YOU want to hear... Maybe you like paper caps, maybe you like orange drops, maybe you like bumblebees, maybe you like ceramic.... all that matters is that you are liking what you hear, it's another key to inspiration!
I agree the treble bleed cap sucks!!! I have my tele wired this way now, and much prefer it to any "treble bleed mod" I have tried (I have tried several).... this mod is easy, you simply move 1 wire. It's known as the "50s wiring" I think because this is how some of the 50s Les Pauls were wired, but it works great on a tele too!
ruger9, thanks for the video. That's the beauty of the internet isn't it. Someone has already compared what you are interested in and put it on youtube, wow. Anyway, I didn't hear any differences at all lol. My PC speakers might not be good enough though. I should try some different type of caps and see if I like it.
Yes, I also tried that wiring yesterday, which is called 50s wiring or something right? I didn't notice big tonal difference, but the volume knob acted more like B taper which I didn't like, so put it back in original wiring.
And I agree- Jim's demo of the PRRI is some of the most beautiful tone I've heard, ANYWHERE. And that sentiment is shared widely across the interwebs (not sure if you know that Jim, but that demo has turned ALOT of people onto your music, as sold ALOT of PRRIs!)