It is currently Mon Mar 16, 2020 12:55 pm

All times are UTC - 7 hours



Post new topic Reply to topic  [ 34 posts ]  Go to page Previous  1, 2, 3  Next
Go to page Previous  1, 2, 3  Next
Author Message
Post subject:
Posted: Thu Jul 09, 2009 9:39 am
Offline
Aspiring Musician
Aspiring Musician
User avatar

Joined: Mon Jan 19, 2009 11:47 am
Posts: 394
I know by 1975 Fender used .022uf caps, and in the 60's they used .047uf (like what they use now) but I don't know when they switched, so your 71 could be either. First step is to try and identify if it's a .047 cap or a .022.

Next you want to decide why you want to change the cap value. If you want more high end, then have a lower cap value. If you want less high end, go for a larger cap value.

If it currently has a .047uf cap, then try a .022uf if you want more high end or a .1 cap if you want less high end.

If it currently has a .022uf cap, then try a .015uf cap or maybe even a .01uf cap if you want more high end, and if you want less high end then try a .047.

Lastly, if you're looking for more high end, then you might want to replace the tone pot with a no-load potentiometer. With that pot, when you turn the tone all the way up, it doesn't lose ANY high end reguardless of the cap value (unlike regular pots which leak some high end when the pot is fully open). That way you can still get the high end you want and have a larger cap to get the warmer tone when you turn the tone control down. It's sorta the best of both worlds.


Top
Profile
Fender Play Winter Sale 2020
Post subject:
Posted: Sun Oct 03, 2010 9:39 am
Offline
Hobbyist
Hobbyist

Joined: Sun Oct 03, 2010 9:20 am
Posts: 5
I'm new here and I know that this thread is pretty old.....

But this thread is probably gonna end my capacitor search....

My quest:

I just installed a BadAss Bridge, vintage wiring harness, and some Lindy Fralin Split Coil Jazz Bass PUPS (5% overwind) in my 60th Anniversary Jazz Bass.

I didn't like the tone of stock the harness cap (.47 Sprague Orange Drop NON 715P.... I don't know what type it was really.... it has already been discarded...) so I put in a 715P .33 Orange drop. This got me ALOT closer to what my ears wanted!!!

But I still don't feel like the OD cap is complementing the $250 PUPS very well.

The Fralins are suppose to be very vintage and Jaco-ish tone, which is exactly what I'm going for...

SO.... I was wanting to try paper in oil .47 Vitamin Q

Would this be a good choice?

Thanks!


:D :D


Top
Profile
Post subject:
Posted: Mon Oct 04, 2010 7:48 am
Offline
Professional Musician
Professional Musician
User avatar

Joined: Tue Jul 28, 2009 11:10 am
Posts: 1086
i wouldn't recommend it... to my ears... the .33 would be a bit brighter compared to .47 or .5.. so if your pickups are slightly overwounded then either that or you wouldn't go back to .47s

_________________
If I Like It...
I Just Do It...


Top
Profile
Post subject:
Posted: Fri Oct 08, 2010 7:44 am
Offline
Hobbyist
Hobbyist

Joined: Sun Oct 03, 2010 9:20 am
Posts: 5
Well anyone that says that tone caps, in a bass, all sound the same and only cut the highs need to read this post... or hear my bass... either one.

After many hours of soldering, playing, and listening I have tested .22, .33, and .47 mfd values on all of the brands belows. A local tech let me have a bunch to experiment with........

Bass:
A 60th Anniversary Diamond Jazz Bass (w/brand new DR HiBeams, BadAss III Bridge, '62 Vintage Harness, and Lindy Fralin Split Coil +5% overwound pups).

Amp:
Eden WT550 (Monster SP1000 Speakon)-> Epifani PS210
All trials were done with the amp set to flat, no compression, and no Enhance. I went from my Jazz Bass ->Monster Bass cable-> WT550.

FYI:Each cap brand differentiated drastically in tone and reacted in several different ways with the EDEN EQ.

Orange Drops 715 series: All values exhibited massive booty shaking lows. Basically accentuated mostly the low-lows. (~$2 each)

Hovland MusiCap: These will make your jazz bass sound like a Modulus at any mfd value, great for that type of tone. My JB sounded like a GRAND PIANO with this in it. It accentuates the LOW lows,high-mids, low-mids. Has a profound modern sound). (~$11 each)

Jupiter Cap: Warm, Earthy, Punchy, & Organic. Smoothest response at any mfd value. Also gave the best range of tones, IMHO, to the tone pot to work with. ($21 each)

Ceramic Disc: Gave the most FLAT response of them all, prolly the best/cheapest for starters, doesn't do much for the tone knob. Prolly good for theplayer that plays with 1 tone. (.50cents-1.00)

What did I end up with?
I picked the Jupiter (.22 Wax in Paper) because of the instant "yep that's the tone" feeling in my ears & hands, with my amp set flat, immediately after installing & plugging in and playing a lick.

Most importantly this cap worked GREAT with the notoriously picky Eden EQ... which means it ONLY gets better...

With some SLIGHT WT550 EQ adjustment I found ALL of my favorite tones at my finger tips!
Also, the hand response is so good, you could REALLY tell when your technique needs work... that will just makes me tighten my playing up even more! 8)

Other Thoughts:
I wanted to try a .22 Vitamin Q Paper in Oil but I'm stuck on Jupiter right now :lol:

Overall....
The Jupiter cap gave my JB the vintage warmth, organic, and versatility I was looking for plus much more!
I can go from Jaco-Jamerson-John Paul Jones-Victor Wooten-Bootsy Collins-Family Man Barrett, Phil Lesh, Jerry Jammont, etc....
!YAY!
8) SWEET 8)


Top
Profile
Post subject:
Posted: Sat Oct 16, 2010 5:30 am
Offline
Rock Star
Rock Star
User avatar

Joined: Thu Aug 07, 2008 3:12 pm
Posts: 6355
Location: Albemarle, NC
Those Jupiter caps, or the ones I've seen that come in guitar tone values, are 600 volters and huge compared to the Vitamin-Q's. Also the Jupiters are way more expensive. They also are less stable and not very tolerant of heat/cold. But probably worth it though if that was the tone you were seeking.


Top
Profile
Post subject:
Posted: Wed Oct 20, 2010 1:55 pm
Offline
Hobbyist
Hobbyist

Joined: Wed Oct 20, 2010 9:49 am
Posts: 10
great informative thread, thank you all so very much.

can't quite afford a set of Lindy Fralin yet, but just ordered a .033uf Vitamin Q for that instant tone upgrade.


Top
Profile
Post subject:
Posted: Thu Oct 21, 2010 6:36 am
Offline
Rock Star
Rock Star
User avatar

Joined: Thu Aug 07, 2008 3:12 pm
Posts: 6355
Location: Albemarle, NC
copacetic wrote:
I have a stock '71 Jazz bass. I am wondering if I change the capacitors what can I expect? If I do change them which of the forementioned capacitors would be appropriate? I prefer my Dean Markleys flats and use a Mark Bass rig.


What I'd do if I was you is get some alligator jump leads at Radio Shack and jumper in ever cap I could get my hands on. Once you find the ones, you'll know. Then solder them in. Done. I know what my caps are. You have to find yours.


Top
Profile
Post subject:
Posted: Thu Oct 21, 2010 6:37 am
Offline
Rock Star
Rock Star
User avatar

Joined: Thu Aug 07, 2008 3:12 pm
Posts: 6355
Location: Albemarle, NC
copacetic wrote:
I have a stock '71 Jazz bass. I am wondering if I change the capacitors what can I expect? If I do change them which of the forementioned capacitors would be appropriate? I prefer my Dean Markleys flats and use a Mark Bass rig.


What I'd do if I was you is get some alligator jump leads at Radio Shack and jumper in ever cap I could get my hands on. Once you find the ones, you'll know. Then solder them in. Done. I know what my caps are. You have to find yours.


Top
Profile
Post subject: Re: Tone Capacitors are your friend
Posted: Fri Dec 14, 2012 11:13 am
Offline
Hobbyist
Hobbyist

Joined: Fri Dec 14, 2012 11:04 am
Posts: 1
I recently bought a set of 3 Orange Drop .047 mfd caps (715P 600V) to use in my Classic 70s Jazz. The pickups I'll use will be Custom Shop 60s Jazz pups and the tonepot will be a CTS USA 250K logaritmic. But I was wondering if this is a good combo and if that 600V thing makes any sense or I'd better bought a 100V cap or so.


Top
Profile
Post subject: Re: Tone Capacitors are your friend
Posted: Fri Dec 14, 2012 2:35 pm
Offline
Rock Star
Rock Star
User avatar

Joined: Thu Aug 07, 2008 3:12 pm
Posts: 6355
Location: Albemarle, NC
rico2209 wrote:
I recently bought a set of 3 Orange Drop .047 mfd caps (715P 600V) to use in my Classic 70s Jazz. The pickups I'll use will be Custom Shop 60s Jazz pups and the tonepot will be a CTS USA 250K logaritmic. But I was wondering if this is a good combo and if that 600V thing makes any sense or I'd better bought a 100V cap or so.


The Sprague Orange Drop Poly 715p caps you have are possibly a tad larger than the 200 & 400 volt Orange Drop 715P's I'm familiar with in electric bass circuits. They will work fine but might be a tad physically larger. The 715's in 200 or 400 volt capacity are probably the most common passive bass capacitor mod.

The type of tone capacitor matters more than the voltage capacity. I'm not a big fan or Orange Drop 715 Poly caps, but some people love them! I prefer the 225P Mylar Sprague Orange Drops in a bass. The 225P Mylar caps sound less brittle, less harsh. You will notice more difference on a cab with a horn between them than on a cab with no tweeter or horn.

As a general rule I use the lowest voltage capacitors since they are smaller and easier to fit in the control cavity.


Top
Profile
Post subject: Re: Tone Capacitors are your friend
Posted: Sat Dec 15, 2012 1:57 pm
Offline
Hobbyist
Hobbyist

Joined: Fri Dec 14, 2012 5:40 pm
Posts: 36
Something I've been thinking about is getting vintage tones without buying vintage instruments, by understanding the values and types used in different periods. Much less expensive that trying to find an original 70's Jazz bass.:)

So, I would like to move my cheaper Squier Jazz bass towards a more vintage 70's sound.
I already replaced the stock 500k mini pots with full size 250k CTS pots, as the original pots were quite worn. It was a used instrument.

So, if I next went to a .022 Fender style tone cap and down the road put in vintage style pick-ups, is it reasonable to assume I would get fairly close to a more vintage 70's sound?


Top
Profile
Post subject: Re: Tone Capacitors are your friend
Posted: Sat Dec 15, 2012 2:48 pm
Offline
Rock Star
Rock Star

Joined: Fri Apr 08, 2011 5:14 pm
Posts: 3169
Location: Linningrad
A very good read indeed. I need to have my '76 Precision re-worked. In '85 I had it modified with two pairs of what were then brand new hot-shit (much bally-whoo'd) Seymour Duncan Quarter-Pounders. All new pots; a Badass bridge and a stainless steel nut. Oh yes it ROCKED Big Time, and still does. I have NO idea what tone controls or tone caps are in it. Now that I've made this my 'flatwound bass' new tone controls and new tone caps are called for. Yes.

_________________
2012 Lefty American Standard Jazz
2017 Lefty American Professional Precision
2018 Rumble Studio 40 Combo
2016 Rumble 200 Combo
One day they shall name a GREAT city after me, and they shall call it LINNINGRAD


Top
Profile
Post subject: Re: Tone Capacitors are your friend
Posted: Sat Dec 15, 2012 5:45 pm
Offline
Professional Musician
Professional Musician
User avatar

Joined: Sun Aug 05, 2012 9:50 am
Posts: 1399
Great thread. Glad I found it. Now to begin my thought processes around this treasure of information.

_________________
I have some Fender gear.
(Telecaster, Jaguar, Villager 12 String. Mustang l, Bronco, SCX2, Rumble 350, HRDIII, Rumble 2x8 Neo Cab)
http://www.reverbnation.com/modwiz


Top
Profile
Post subject: Re: Tone Capacitors are your friend
Posted: Sun Dec 16, 2012 6:24 pm
Offline
Rock Star
Rock Star
User avatar

Joined: Thu Aug 07, 2008 3:12 pm
Posts: 6355
Location: Albemarle, NC
FenderJazz72 wrote:
Something I've been thinking about is getting vintage tones without buying vintage instruments, by understanding the values and types used in different periods. Much less expensive that trying to find an original 70's Jazz bass.:)

So, I would like to move my cheaper Squier Jazz bass towards a more vintage 70's sound.
I already replaced the stock 500k mini pots with full size 250k CTS pots, as the original pots were quite worn. It was a used instrument.

So, if I next went to a .022 Fender style tone cap and down the road put in vintage style pick-ups, is it reasonable to assume I would get fairly close to a more vintage 70's sound?


Yes so far as the electronic tone is concerned, however the wood impacted tone will be basically the same as before. I don't know if locking yourself into a 0.022 is a good idea yet.

I'd suggest using the Jaco circuit for it. My fave passive Jazz circuit.


Top
Profile
Post subject: Re: Tone Capacitors are your friend
Posted: Sun Dec 16, 2012 8:18 pm
Offline
Hobbyist
Hobbyist

Joined: Fri Dec 14, 2012 5:40 pm
Posts: 36
Quote:
I'd suggest using the Jaco circuit for it. My fave passive Jazz circuit.


I'm not familiar with that one yet, but I'll be looking it up. Thanks.
What I would be looking for would be tone similar to(I know it likely won't be exact) a '72 Jazz bass.


Top
Profile
Display posts from previous:  Sort by  
Post new topic Reply to topic  [ 34 posts ]  Go to page Previous  1, 2, 3  Next
Go to page Previous  1, 2, 3  Next

All times are UTC - 7 hours

Fender Play Winter Sale 2020

Who is online

Users browsing this forum: No registered users and 1 guest


You cannot post new topics in this forum
You cannot reply to topics in this forum
You cannot edit your posts in this forum
You cannot delete your posts in this forum

Search for:
Jump to: