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Post subject: Paper-in-oil caps
Posted: Sun Oct 24, 2010 11:51 am
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Art, were you taking about... about... I forgot what I was going to say.

Anyhow, was it the PIO K40 Russian mil spec coupling caps? These are great provided you have enough room under the hood. They have a long break-in period, but sound quite vintage after 30 hours on the odometer.

Or was it the three ceramic caps in the vibrato section of many Fenders (0.01, 0.01, 0.02 mfd)? I found that the silver mica caps have the cleanest and clearest tone. But, they are now outrageously expensive. Like $15-30 EACH, at Mouser. Not worth it, unless you have a bunch on hand or into tweaking.

I've tried 600-1600VDC rated Mallories and Spragues in those positions. MAYBE, they help a bit. Prolly more placebo and/or too much solder fumes, than actual benefit.

Going try subbing the silver micas in a friend's SF PR. Will get back to you on effects.


HTH


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Posted: Sun Oct 24, 2010 5:24 pm
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Yeah Beemer, I was just wondering if you had any experiences with these, and what your opinion was. I"ve had Alessandro PIO caps(fancy K40) in the '67 Band Master and the '68 Bassman for about two years now. They're in the tone stack and coupling positions. I like them a lot, very full and clear. Noticed more of a piano like production, when playing chords, very balanced. Not as veiled as Victoria OD's and none of the Xicon grit. If I have a chance, the new Sozo Astron caps will be my next experiment, planning a build for next Spring. Also interested in your opinion on Auricaps and Solen Fast caps. Art

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Posted: Sun Oct 24, 2010 5:55 pm
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Art, I really like the Russian K40 mil specs, too. I haven't tried Solen or Auricaps in any vintage Fenders. I'm not a big fan of Auricaps in hi-fi units. I think they have a kinda "veiled" presentation. Not the 3D sound most hi-fi nuts like. 1990's made MIT Multicaps & TRT Infinicaps really sound great in DAC and preamp hi-fi units. Crazy-@ss BLACK background and 3D imaging. I've redone several Audio Note DAC and SET amps using these caps... and man they sound good. Expensive. But, then you are talking $20K+ AN units.

Problem is, when a friend built a DIY 2A3 SET guitar amp using these caps the bandwidth is so wide, that he struggled with instability and finally settled for old school Jupiters. Result was a much warmer, more pleasing guitar amp. BTW... 300B and 2A3 SET make the wickedest recording amps. If you have some good iron lying about & time to DIY one.

I've found my stash of NOS Sprague Mylars and Mallory 150's, and the recent 1980's Russian PIO's keep the vintage tone on older amps the best. For me, at least.


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Posted: Sun Oct 24, 2010 10:51 pm
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Much Thanks Man ! Art

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Posted: Mon Oct 25, 2010 8:24 pm
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Art, should say that if the amp came with Auricaps or some such "modern" wide bandwidth versions... then no problems replacing with similar stock. Many new "boutique" amps are loaded with "hi-fi" type components, as you well know.


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Posted: Mon Oct 25, 2010 10:52 pm
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Yeah, I've been experimenting with different caps in my two old Fenders for quite a while. I use the Solens(1uf) in parallel with the second NFB resistor(100ohm) to increase the presence gain. The Auricap was another experiment, a .01uf feeding the PI(in the '67 Band Master). I know that seems like a large value, but actually I'm working my way back down. But there is no gettin' around the bottom end sound of this set-up. I don't have any experience with the Jupiters, how do like them ? I should probably get the original blue molded Mallories out of the drawer and check them for leakage. What are you using for electrolytics these days ? Art

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Posted: Tue Oct 26, 2010 1:23 pm
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IMHO, if you have the $$$, these are the caps to try. The Beeswax sound very much vintage... maybe tad cleaner highs and better bass than OEM stuff. They are one of the better choices for re-doing old McIntoshes or HK Citations. I did re-do a old tweed Bassman with some of these caps--- very nice results. Vintage tone.

The Red Jupiters sound much like OEM Astrons. The Yellow sound better frm the get-go than newly made SBE's. Though, if you give the SBE a good chance to break-in, the tonal difference isn't as great. Yellows may still yield a browner tone. Yellows are very good in small SE amps.

If you try them out, post what you think:

http://jupitercondenser.com/Musician-Se ... itors.html


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Posted: Tue Oct 26, 2010 10:16 pm
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Art, BTW... a friend built a dual EL34 cathode bias DIY amp (kinda similar to a Matchless Cheiftain layout). He used Mundorf coupling caps. And all Mills resistors. Custom wound trannies. That amp is one of the best amps I've ever heard. He's running xf1 Dutch Amperex EL34's and metal based GZ34. All 1960 Mullard ECC83 and 81's. Two Celestion 12-inch Vintage-30's. Kinda has an old 1962 Marshall Bluesbreaker tone. Very sweet with swirling harmonics. So, another cap to consider:


http://www.mundorf.com/english/bauteile ... nsator.htm


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Posted: Tue Oct 26, 2010 10:29 pm
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Thanks for your opinions and info about the Jupiters. I'll have to give them a try, made in the USA-with USA materials ! That's a bonus right there. Yeah I goofed on the Solen fast cap in the presence gain position. The '68 Bassman has the Solen. The '67 Band Master has a huge cap that I got from Mark Baier(3/4"X 2 3/4")about 10yrs ago. Never paid attention to the brand, I'll have to check the next time the chassis is out. He had to go into his stash to find the 1uf, he asked me,"What the hell are you going to do with this ?"(He didn't much approve of my B Master mods) Do you know anything about the Mundorf caps ? Art---- OOPS! I was slowly typing while you posted. Yeah Beemer, the Mundorf is new to me. Do you know who carries those caps ? Art

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Last edited by aclempoppi on Tue Oct 26, 2010 10:55 pm, edited 1 time in total.

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Posted: Tue Oct 26, 2010 10:39 pm
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Thanks, got the Mundorf site. Art

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