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SurfGuitar101 Forums » Gear »

Permalink Stratocaster tone cap values

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I was wondering what's the capacitance of the tone caps in your strats. I moved from .1uF to .022uF and my strat sounds way too trebley. After 2-3 weeks of playing the guitar like this I can't get used to the .022uF, the sound is still too thin. I'll try a .047uF and see what happens.

I also get the impression that even by messing with the tone control, I can't get the guitar to sound as it did before, I think it's frequency response has changed and that even with the tone pot I am not able to find the previous curve. But maybe it's just my imagination.

As a (bad) side effect the treble loss when lowering of the volume knob increased greatly, making a treble-bleed mod mandatory with the .022uF cap.

Have you guys experimented with the tone cap value?

In your experience, does the brand of the cap affect the timbre of the guitar?

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I'm surprised no one has chimed in yet. Maybe a bump will generate some interest. Where Doug when you need him? I'll let him know tomorrow. he's a TONE hound and has tried all kinds of set ups.

I've been using .047 Orange drops in everything I own (singles or HB's) for the last few years so I guess I'm not much help, but I can certainly tell you that the OD's were waaaaay smoother than the cheapo little ceramics that come stock in a lot of guitars. Good luck with the search!

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so1om wrote:

I'm surprised no one has chimed in yet. Maybe a bump will generate some interest. Where Doug when you need him? I'll let him know tomorrow. he's a TONE hound and has tried all kinds of set ups.

Doug here, first of all... what kind of Strat are we talking about? Fender, Squier etc... Plus are we talking about AlNiCo III, V's it does make a difference. The .47uf tend to smooth out the highs on just about all pups, though the wiring configuration can make a big difference as well. In Squier Strats, if you move the lead on the tone pot of the middle and 4th position over to the left lug with the wiring side facing you. Then run the tone cap to the center lug on that pot to the right lug of the 1st and 2nd position pot, plus grounding to that pots casing. You get better frequency control out of all pups. I don't understand why they don't wire them up this way. It's the American Standard wiring spec. I guess that justifies the price difference?

Also, better pots offer a better tone, say CTS for example. Their resistance is more precise, and build quality is better than, let us say Alpha. If you check out Guitarpartsresource.com , they have kits available with everything you need to wire up your guitar. I have a parts guitar that I went that rout on, and it's the best Strat I own!

Treble bleed curcuits are simple enough, tone cap and resistor tied together. I did it to my Gretsch master volume. I generally dime everthing, and use my EQ on the amp end. If your looking for volume swells, your best bet is to install a linear pot for your volume ala' Jeff Beck. Audio pots don't work as well for swells.

If you find a particular Strat that you like, look up the wiring diagram on Fender Support. Then just wire up accordingly...

Did a recent blind test of different values, not composition, and was just listening to the sweep, roll off, and picked the .047, perhaps not suprisingly, FWIW

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Speaking of Strat's, my new Squier Affinity HSS Strat in burgundy mist, with ALLPARTS moto pickguard.

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Last edited: May 29, 2013 14:17:53

I like the .1 value as long as its a 100 volt or so like a mallory 150. I tried the fender tbx with this stuff and I like that too......

Do the volts matter at all?

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