Amp builders, capacitor question

[Mudder]

So I'm looking to change out a couple caps in my amp, and looking over mouser's website there are a ton of different materials and construction types. Just what is the difference between the types? I mean, a capacitor of the right value should do the same thing regardless the material right? Is there a type to avoid? I think I might have ordered a tantalum cap, for example.

 

[jerrydyer]

depends on what your changing. I use mallory 150, sozo, cedist regular mallory copy, orange drops, .......I dont think tantalum is what you want. Ive seen those in little low voltage effects units and such

whatcha doin?

 

[Mudder]

There's a 22uf cap in my Jet's circuit that makes the bass too much, it's all flubby and farty at high volumes. To balance that you turn up the tone and the treble gets spiky. I read if I change that out to 4.7uf it will lower the bass and balance out the tone.

 

[jerrydyer]

where is that cap sir. Ill help you mod it just right. In answer to your question prob so if you want to just give it a shot. Cathode bypass or output coupling. ?

 

[Mudder]

It's the cap at the very end of the board near the input jacks. There's a subtle circle and arrow pointing at it.

 

[MrDan666]

Replace that with the same type (electrolytic) or a non-polarized 4.7uF cap (Polyester is fine).

 

[jerrydyer]

that is a decoupling cap off the b+, leave it... the big 22 uf that is... you can play with the 25 but hhhmmm? do you have a schem I can help you get rid of some bass but we need to do it in the right spot

 

[jerrydyer]

didnt see the arrow sorry you can play with that but beleive it or not some of the highest gain amps use that cap there and have perfect bass response. .

 

[stratotone]

That's a cathode bypass cap - the smaller it is, the less bass is amplified. Caps are cheap - I would buy a few different values - .68uf, 2.2 uf, 4.7 uf and try them. In that location you can get away with a 25 or 50 volt cap no problem. Be sure if you use an electrolytic cap that you maintain the polarity - in other words, if your new cap has a + and - terminal, make em match what you remove.

Pete

 

[Mudder]

OK. I'll go get an electrolytic cap. Do you guys just use local sources or is there "the place" to get parts? I looked over Mousers site for nearly an hour, and there's just so much stuff on there with curt descriptions, it's hard for the newb to figure out.

If you guys are wondering where I came up with the idea, I'm using the mod list from Hasserl. He has done some fooling with this amp, it's a lot like a brown face Deluxe. He suggests changing the standby as well, but I'm not too worried about that. I am going to change out the bias resistor to make bias adjustable though. Seems pretty easy, and stock it seems this amp runs the tubes hot.

 

[stratotone]

You can probably get what you're looking for at the local radio shack. Just don't go below 25 watts on your parts. I think they sell a 'assorted' box of caps for something like $5, or used to.

Pete

 

[guitarslinger]

caps are overrated.

You don't really need them.

 

[kannibul]

So I'm looking to change out a couple caps in my amp, and looking over mouser's website there are a ton of different materials and construction types. Just what is the difference between the types? I mean, a capacitor of the right value should do the same thing regardless the material right? Is there a type to avoid? I think I might have ordered a tantalum cap, for example.

You don't want to use elctrolytic (canister) caps for coupling caps. Something about them being more directional than the mylar types (sozo, mallory, orange drops).

On the flip side, you do want to use them for your cathode "bypass" caps.

If there's signal, mylar. If there's voltages or ground references, electrolytic.

Circled cap is a cathode bypass cap, and is an electrolytic. 25v or 50v would do fine there.

 

[stratotone]

So I'm looking to change out a couple caps in my amp, and looking over mouser's website there are a ton of different materials and construction types. Just what is the difference between the types? I mean, a capacitor of the right value should do the same thing regardless the material right? Is there a type to avoid? I think I might have ordered a tantalum cap, for example.

You don't want to use elctrolytic (canister) caps for coupling caps. Something about them being more directional than the mylar types (sozo, mallory, orange drops).

Think about what size most coupling caps are... it's really hard to even FIND electrolytic caps in those values. (.022uf is most common IMHO)

Pete

 

[kannibul]

So I'm looking to change out a couple caps in my amp, and looking over mouser's website there are a ton of different materials and construction types. Just what is the difference between the types? I mean, a capacitor of the right value should do the same thing regardless the material right? Is there a type to avoid? I think I might have ordered a tantalum cap, for example.

You don't want to use elctrolytic (canister) caps for coupling caps. Something about them being more directional than the mylar types (sozo, mallory, orange drops).

Think about what size most coupling caps are... it's really hard to even FIND electrolytic caps in those values. (.022uf is most common IMHO)

Pete

It's been a while...

 

[sled]

[Deleted]

 

[MOAAH]

So I'm looking to change out a couple caps in my amp, and looking over mouser's website there are a ton of different materials and construction types. Just what is the difference between the types? I mean, a capacitor of the right value should do the same thing regardless the material right? Is there a type to avoid? I think I might have ordered a tantalum cap, for example.

You don't want to use elctrolytic (canister) caps for coupling caps. Something about them being more directional than the mylar types (sozo, mallory, orange drops).

Think about what size most coupling caps are... it's really hard to even FIND electrolytic caps in those values. (.022uf is most common IMHO)

Pete

Electrolytic caps start at ~.5uf up to several thousand. They are directional and it is very important to observe polarity.(although you can buy bipolar or nonpolarized for some applications)
Common coupling caps start at ~4.7uf and go down to maybe .001 depending on the brand, mylar being very popular but I prefer poly prop. Polarity is not an issue with most brands, although some have an outside foil.
Smaller caps can be found in ceramic, which are very cheap but have a wide tolerance, I much prefer silver mica, no polarity concerns with either of these types.

 

[stratotone]

So I'm looking to change out a couple caps in my amp, and looking over mouser's website there are a ton of different materials and construction types. Just what is the difference between the types? I mean, a capacitor of the right value should do the same thing regardless the material right? Is there a type to avoid? I think I might have ordered a tantalum cap, for example.

You don't want to use elctrolytic (canister) caps for coupling caps. Something about them being more directional than the mylar types (sozo, mallory, orange drops).

Think about what size most coupling caps are... it's really hard to even FIND electrolytic caps in those values. (.022uf is most common IMHO)

Pete

Electrolytic caps start at ~.5uf up to several thousand. They are directional and it is very important to observe polarity.(although you can buy bipolar or nonpolarized for some applications)
Common coupling caps start at ~4.7uf and go down to maybe .001 depending on the brand, mylar being very popular but I prefer poly prop. Polarity is not an issue with most brands, although some have an outside foil.
Smaller caps can be found in ceramic, which are very cheap but have a wide tolerance, I much prefer silver mica, no polarity concerns with either of these types.

Not arguing with you Rob, but what are some amps with 4.7uf coupling caps? Are they HiFi tube amps or guitar amps?

Pete

 

[MOAAH]

Not arguing with you Rob, but what are some amps with 4.7uf coupling caps? Are they HiFi tube amps or guitar amps?

Pete

I doubt you'd ever find a coupling cap inside a guitar amp larger than .047, the most common being .02, Bass guitar amps maybe up to .1 and yes, rarely in HiFi, even larger.

PS: I try to keep my arguments OT, besides, we've had enough IMO to last a few life times