Importance of capacitors/resistors...

Torbjorn 66 · Post by **Torbjorn 66** » 27 Jun 2010, 23:55

What difference is there in sound between different types of resistors and capacitors?

At the moment I use carbon film resistors and polyfilm box capacitors for my pedals and i'm wondering what effect this has?

Thanks!

jgmcd · Post by **jgmcd** » 28 Jun 2010, 01:41

You can start an internet war asking this question. The scientifically minded say for the most part no, although some types of capacitors are the exception. Then there are the players who like to believe in MOJO!

Here's a thread on RG Keen's site about carbon composition resistors and MOJO:

http://www.geofex.com/tubeampfaq/TUBEFA ... arbonComps

I asked the question about caps on the Music Electronics Forum - here is the thread:

http://music-electronics-forum.com/t18523/

Hides-His-Eyes · Post by **Hides-His-Eyes** » 28 Jun 2010, 10:12

Jesus christ that was a painful read. An entire thread of people proposing reasons why a cap or set of caps might sound different while someone screams "BUT I DID HEAR A DIFFERENCE!!!" when everybody makes a point of saying they believe him.

IvIark · Post by **IvIark** » 28 Jun 2010, 10:25

I think that thread is a perfect example of why you really shouldn't seek out other peoples' opinion on it and just do the experimenting for yourself. If you don't hear any difference then you can just use the cheapest components you can find and be happy with your pedals. If you do then there's no point in trying to convince someone who can't that your ears aren't defective. Just experiment and use what you like and don't worry about what other people can or can't hear, they don't get to choose what car you should drive or girl you should marry either.

Greg · Post by **Greg** » 28 Jun 2010, 11:17

You know what I noticed in that thread.. as soon as someone pointed out that on some silver micas the marking for 47pf can be misread as 470, and that if you hold the leads when you measure it, a 47pf will give a reading around 500pf.. the guy making the fuss didn't post in the thread again ??
Guess what.
He'd already said that it sounded like using a 50pf... so I bet that's what happened, he was comparing a 47 to a 500.

IvIark · Post by **IvIark** » 28 Jun 2010, 11:21

For sure. And I can confirm that the capacitance can jump up like that. I measured some 47pF multilayer ceramics the other day, and they jumped up to over 300pF when I squeezed gently on the cap body.

Torbjorn 66 · Post by **Torbjorn 66** » 28 Jun 2010, 20:48

Thanks alot then! I won't worry about buying expensive capacitors ^_^

RnFR · Post by **RnFR** » 28 Jun 2010, 23:43

Torbjorn 66 wrote:Thanks alot then! I won't worry about buying expensive capacitors ^_^

nope. just make sure you can read them properly!

bigmufffuzzwizz · Post by **bigmufffuzzwizz** » 27 Mar 2011, 18:49

So ceramic disc aren't responsible for the "classic" big muff sound? My heart is broken

Hides-His-Eyes · Post by **Hides-His-Eyes** » 27 Mar 2011, 19:01

The classic big muffs were so inconsistent when it came to component values that you're chasing rainbows anyway

DrNomis · Post by **DrNomis** » 27 Mar 2011, 19:11

I've used bog-standard parts to make a Big Muff, and it did sound good too....

DaveKerr · Post by **DaveKerr** » 27 Mar 2011, 19:47

Greg_G wrote:You know what I noticed in that thread.. as soon as someone pointed out that on some silver micas the marking for 47pf can be misread as 470, and that if you hold the leads when you measure it, a 47pf will give a reading around 500pf.. the guy making the fuss didn't post in the thread again ??
Guess what.
He'd already said that it sounded like using a 50pf... so I bet that's what happened, he was comparing a 47 to a 500.

It's kind of funny to see this recent thread started by the same guy - makes you think that it's directly related to the cap thread, and causes me to think more seriously about consistently keeping that fan on in my work area:
http://music-electronics-forum.com/t23759/

Hides-His-Eyes · Post by **Hides-His-Eyes** » 27 Mar 2011, 20:02

Not a great listener is he?

bigmufffuzzwizz · Post by **bigmufffuzzwizz** » 27 Mar 2011, 20:27

Hides-His-Eyes wrote:The classic big muffs were so inconsistent when it came to component values that you're chasing rainbows anyway

I have to admit I've done the same and it sounded amazing!!!