Orange Drop caps: Good? & Where to get?
- Thread starter thor666
- Start date
Btw, thor, there was a guy who actually when to test the different types of capacitors... by measuring some value or something... Its on the web but I can't rem the URL...
It was a pretty interesting find that there was little difference between the caps... and the fabled oil paper caps were tested too...
I'll try to find that article...
It was a pretty interesting find that there was little difference between the caps... and the fabled oil paper caps were tested too...
I'll try to find that article...
mudmechanic
New member
The 'orange drop' caps are one step up from normal mylar film caps that are used in amps. Fender used very cheap ceramic caps in their guitars for ages and these were the lowest quality possible.
From my experience, the best caps for guitars and amps (in the coupling stages) are Mallory 150's which are polyester or polyethylene caps and are very close to the oil/paper caps mentioned. I found one in a 1959 Strat that I did setup work for in the past and they are equivalent to the fabled 'bumble bee' caps that were used in Gibsons in the past. I now replace the caps in all guitars that I rewire with these caps.
I have some stock here and can sell you the 0.022 (Gibson) or 0.047 (Fender) type for $2.50 a piece if you are interested.
cheers,
Mark.
From my experience, the best caps for guitars and amps (in the coupling stages) are Mallory 150's which are polyester or polyethylene caps and are very close to the oil/paper caps mentioned. I found one in a 1959 Strat that I did setup work for in the past and they are equivalent to the fabled 'bumble bee' caps that were used in Gibsons in the past. I now replace the caps in all guitars that I rewire with these caps.
I have some stock here and can sell you the 0.022 (Gibson) or 0.047 (Fender) type for $2.50 a piece if you are interested.
cheers,
Mark.
mudmechanic
New member
Mallory's are metallised polyeseter and the film has a better capacative performance than mylar or ceramic used in cheaper caps. The reason makers do not use them is simply cost - mylar and ceramic can be as low as one tenth the price.
The diference is seen more in amps as the signal moves faster through these caps making a more dynamic response. In the guitar and bass (both can use these caps but different values) you are looking at better production quality as well as the signal being bled off more cleanly with less muddying for another cap of the same value (say mylar).
With one tone control per pickup you can either use one 0.047 cap shared between the two tone pots (Fender) or one 0.02 cap for each pot. The fabled bumble bee caps in early Les Pauls (these now sell for up to USD50 a piece on Ebay) are meltalised polyester like the mallory. Early Fender amps used the oil/paper caps which perform the same way as the Mallory. The Orange drop caps were introduced later in the Silverface amps.
cheers,
Mark.
The diference is seen more in amps as the signal moves faster through these caps making a more dynamic response. In the guitar and bass (both can use these caps but different values) you are looking at better production quality as well as the signal being bled off more cleanly with less muddying for another cap of the same value (say mylar).
With one tone control per pickup you can either use one 0.047 cap shared between the two tone pots (Fender) or one 0.02 cap for each pot. The fabled bumble bee caps in early Les Pauls (these now sell for up to USD50 a piece on Ebay) are meltalised polyester like the mallory. Early Fender amps used the oil/paper caps which perform the same way as the Mallory. The Orange drop caps were introduced later in the Silverface amps.
cheers,
Mark.
thor666
New member
all right. i've been pretty confused with the orange drop hoo-haa at the SD forums, but i guess i've reached the conclusion that most of the non-ceramic/mylar caps are better. (or maybe it's people having bias again? ha.)
Mark, will you be still around during December? Or is it inconvenient for you around that time? My exams are coming up soon so I wish to set aside my guitar obsessions for this month. Will drop by eventually - I'd like to try out the better caps and listen for myself... see whether it makes a difference on a tone circuit.
Mark, will you be still around during December? Or is it inconvenient for you around that time? My exams are coming up soon so I wish to set aside my guitar obsessions for this month. Will drop by eventually - I'd like to try out the better caps and listen for myself... see whether it makes a difference on a tone circuit.
mudmechanic
New member
No problem. Will have time in Dec.
cheers.
cheers.
edder
New member
$2.50 is great price for a relatively hard to find part to mod and improve tone or satisfy the curiosity, Mark you're providing a great service here.
The important thing is, how often do you use your tone controls? Cos at full, I'd be hard pressed to say that the cap will make a difference. Even if it does, it may be due to the capacitance tolerance of one capacitor vs the other.
Secondly, IMHO the difference isn't like night or day. Subtle will be more like it.
And those of you with recording capabilities at home. Do an AB recording test before and after under the same conditions sans the cap change. Listen to it blindfold. Then decide if the change is <fill in the blanks>.
I've fallen into the trap of the emperor's new clothes many times when I do modding of stuff and I think most peopl do too once in a while.
The important thing is, how often do you use your tone controls? Cos at full, I'd be hard pressed to say that the cap will make a difference. Even if it does, it may be due to the capacitance tolerance of one capacitor vs the other.
Secondly, IMHO the difference isn't like night or day. Subtle will be more like it.
And those of you with recording capabilities at home. Do an AB recording test before and after under the same conditions sans the cap change. Listen to it blindfold. Then decide if the change is <fill in the blanks>.
I've fallen into the trap of the emperor's new clothes many times when I do modding of stuff and I think most peopl do too once in a while.
thor666
New member
agreed. in fact the SD forum peeps have actually used a pushpull pot with different brand caps (Hovland vs Orange) to switch -immediately- and came to conclusion that the difference is inaudible.
In fact, part of me suspects other material caps and ceramic cap in a shootout will bring very little audible difference as well.
like what a forummer on SD has said, he uses Orange Drops because they're cheap (in USA) and it gives him the psychological feelgood that he's using a better cap than ceramic material... not exactly for audio reasons but more for quality reasons. for amps yes, for a tone circuit draining the (audio) freq away... possible?
well will find out when i get my hands on those caps! :lol:
In fact, part of me suspects other material caps and ceramic cap in a shootout will bring very little audible difference as well.
like what a forummer on SD has said, he uses Orange Drops because they're cheap (in USA) and it gives him the psychological feelgood that he's using a better cap than ceramic material... not exactly for audio reasons but more for quality reasons. for amps yes, for a tone circuit draining the (audio) freq away... possible?
well will find out when i get my hands on those caps! :lol:
mudmechanic
New member
Was going to suggest the DPDT switch that Thror suggested, but he beat me to it!
Must be careful when wiring the switch to make sure that the cap is completely removed from the circuit. Also the effect of the cfap seems more when you are adjusting the tone pot, not having it at full or off. At least that's what I've found. The Hovlands mentioned are the audio grade of polyester film and are up to USD20 a piece.
Drop me a line if you want the caps in the future and I will keep some for you.
cheers,
Mark.
Must be careful when wiring the switch to make sure that the cap is completely removed from the circuit. Also the effect of the cfap seems more when you are adjusting the tone pot, not having it at full or off. At least that's what I've found. The Hovlands mentioned are the audio grade of polyester film and are up to USD20 a piece.
Drop me a line if you want the caps in the future and I will keep some for you.
cheers,
Mark.
