Hey Truth.
I'm going to chime in. As a former Egnater modular user, I did tons and tons of modding and component swaps.
Here's my words of wisdom that I pass on to you, or anyone else trying to mod a module.
DISCLAIMER: If you were bad at the game "Operation" as a kid, turn back now. Don't even bother.
1. Use the right tools. Get a low wattage, pencil tip soldering iron. I use a 15W Radio Shack Iron. Buy some extra replacement tips, keep them on hand. Get some good mini clippers for trimming off ends of caps, and make sure that you use the SKINNY solder - it melts faster. All of these can be purchased at Radio Shack.
2. Make sure your soldering skills are up to par! Use a clean tip iron, wet it often on a sponge, make sure you know how to solder properly. REMOVE COMPONENTS THE RIGHT WAY with a desoldering wick copper braid. Learn how to use it properly. Don't experiment on a $400 module.
3. Cap Voltage. Make sure you ALWAYS use caps that are 500V or above. Per Bruce's direct orders to me, when I inquired. (there are a FEW exceptions to this rule...)
4. Component Size. There are many different types of capacitors out there - true. The problem is real-estate inside the modules. The old fashioned vintage Sozo and Mustard caps, etc, etc, just plain ol' don't fit inside on the boards. I would reccomend 716P over 715P orange drops. They're squarer, and fit in better.
5. Resistors. Each type of resistor has it's own type of tone. Carbon Comp is the smoothest and most vintage. Carbon Film is in the middle. Metal Film have a very precise, "Square" tone if that makes any sense. Combinations of resistors sound cool. I reccomend against ALL metal film - sounds grainy. Stick with 1/2 Watt. 1/4 Watt are too small, and 1 Watt are too big, and in the modules, are just overkill.
6. Learn from my mistakes. I learned many things along the way while modding modules. Don't even bother changing out the midrange and bass caps by the mid and bass caps - they will only cause microphonics and oscillation. Don't bother swapping the bright caps unless you have extremely tiny fingers. It's a very tough procedure in very tight spaces.
7. Dissasemble the module completely. Solder from the bottom, NOT the top.
8. Be GENTLE. Working on the modules isn't rocket science, but it *IS* like brain surgery, in it's delicate nature. When you take the module apart, your gain and volume pots will be dangling in the breeze. Make sure to secure them with some blue painters tape so that the ribbon cables don't tear. If they do, you have a REAL problem on your hands. Work on a clean workbench. And of course, don't drop em!
Final Words of Wisdom:
Upgrading caps and resistors in the modules (with the same VALUE, but different type) will not result in a night and day difference. You can expect a 5-10% difference in tone. Max. You can decide if the hassle is worth the payoff.
Changing VALUES of components can make more of a noticeable difference. Adding in caps for the X mod, swapping out the bright cap on the tube board, changing the value of the bass caps. These will definitely alter the tone in a noticeable way.
Hope some of this, or all of it, helps.
