Two questions. What would change tonaly in my strat iv I removed the capacitor completely and left it out?

My cap in my strat is a 1uf. why so big a cap my guitar has a very dark sometimes muffled and muddy would changing it clean rhe tone up?

That would be a good first step. If removing it brightens it up, you could try a lower value and/or paper in oil.

Are you shure for a 1 microfard ?

All Strat have 0.22 mfd or 0.047 ( 0.05 ) mfd

Remove that 1 mfd and put an 0.22 mfd. you will ear à brigter sound.

Much better. Put a Mallory Orange Drop capacitor. It's not expensive. $1.50

If you like the new value ( .022 or 0.05 ) you can buy a expensive one $15 and up

Why ?

Cool I'll try that thanks. It's big value cap because it's a 60s reverse headstock. Like a voodoo strat. I suppose it was to darken up the tone. All I know is that the tone roll off is near unusable I imagine due to the high value? I just leave the pots open

Why buying an expensive caps ? It's because you can have a better tone specialy if you use your tone pot.

That's what I read

But really, I never try those expensives caps.

Just try a Mallory , it's better than the orignal modern caps and not expensive

Also what causes the treble bleed of when rolling off the volume. How can I rectify this. I've read about a small mod ya can do to stop your tone dullng when the volume pot is rolled off??

Oh that explains it.


Go to Radio Shack, they have caps @ 2 for $ 1.49

So what do I ask for? A mallory drop capacitor or do I have to state the value aswel?
Which are the more expensive ones? it will be a permanent mod so I don't mind spending what it takes. Unless it's a complete myth that the more expensive ones are better??

TheRise

Here's what I'm using.

CLICK THIS

You can get em for around a tenner in the UK.

I dont think cap value adds or lessens bass in anyway, you cant boost without going active can you? I thought the different values affect the way the tonepot sweeps through the settings. I use a .047 in my clapton circuit'd guitar and .022 in everything else.

Normal ceramic caps are 50p a go. It's well worth buying a load of different values and trying em all till you find one you like.

Anyway them VitaminQ's have a really nice gradual sweep. I like em.

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No no and no

If you remove the tone capacitor and leave an open in the circuit, your tone control will become useless. It will do nothing.

If you remove the tone capacitor and short across where it used to be, your tone control will become a volume control.

If your tone control as is is at full (i.e. not rolled off) and you think it sounds dark or muddy it is more likely that your potentiometers are not at the right value, at least for you. As a general thumb rule, use 500's for humbuckers and 250's for single coils.

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James Burton Upgrade Telecaster
Hot Rodded Am Fat Strat Texas Special (now featuring Kinman Traditional II pickups)
Fender Blues Jr.
SWR California Blonde
Pedals Pedals Pedals

For tone caps I don't think you can buy at a local music store.

I order mine on the web : Tubes and more ( Antique Electronic supply)

You have to ask bye the value ( 0.022 or 0.05 mfd) and chose wich company you want.

Here : Mallory Orange Drop

For loosing treble when you use volume control : You can put resistor and a capacitor on you volume pot.

This will keep your treble at lower volume.

Look on the web for picture. I think Fender Telecaster early '70 use that

Here's the mod you speak of:
http://www.guitarnuts.com/wiring/volpass.php

I did the mod to a stock 2000 MIM Standard Strat that I used to have. The mod worked as described. Maybe it worked a little too well! I never got used to it and hardly ever turn my tone knobs down, so I removed the mod.

The mod is like the Fender 'greasebucket' tone circuit on the Highway 1. You could try googling greasebucket find other versions of the mod.

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Obligatory gear list: Fender, Rickenbacker, Gibson, Gretsch, Vox, Martin, and more Fender.

I would but I live in England and we don't have radio shacks. I hope I can still get them. What are the expensive ones? It's a permanent mod so I'll pay what it takes?? I don't understand the values. Is it higher value more roll off or less subtle roll off???

Your the dude. I'll try the vitaminQs I think. I've heard about the sprague caps aswel. But I'll take your word for it. I use no load pots so suppose it's not a major concerne if it bleeds to much off because there out of the circuit when the pots on 10. Thanks man I really appreciate the help