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Post new topic Capacitors For Lap Steel Pickup Wiring: Question
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Author Topic:  Capacitors For Lap Steel Pickup Wiring: Question
Ron Yarboro


From:
USA
Post  Posted 7 Jul 2010 12:00 pm    
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Hey everyone,

How does one go about selecting a capacitor (#) for a pickup for a lap steel guitar? I ordered a "GFS Pro-Tube Lipstick Humbucker Pickup" from guitar fetish which I plan on splitting, and wiring to a tone and push pull pot, if any of that is relevant.

Also, since I failed to order capacitors when i placed my order for the pickup, can capacitors be purchased locally?

Your help is appreciated.

Thanks
R.Y.
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Nicholai Steindler

 

From:
New York, USA
Post  Posted 7 Jul 2010 12:20 pm    
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I'd call your local music stores and ask. Depends on where you are. I'd get a couple of values of orange drops or some vintage something (caps are cheap) and see how they sound, alligator clips to try them out is handy. Caps are caps, you can source them from anything really, but proven sound is nice.

http://www.premierguitar.com/magazine/issue/2008/Mar/Auditioning_Tone_Capacitors.aspx

http://www.premierguitar.com/Magazine/Issue/2008/Apr/Auditioning_Tone_Capacitors_Part_II.aspx
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Tom Pettingill


From:
California, USA (deceased)
Post  Posted 7 Jul 2010 1:12 pm    
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General rule of thumb is 500k pots and .022 caps for humbuckers. Depending on the voicing of the pickup, you may want to play with those values.
For pots, the lower the number, the less highs come through, or, a 500k pot is brighter than a 250k.
For caps, the higher the value, the brighter it will be, or, a .022 cap is brighter than a .047.
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Ron Yarboro


From:
USA
Post  Posted 7 Jul 2010 1:36 pm    
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Hi Nicholai,
Thanks for the info, and the article links, much appreciated.

Hi Tom,
I purchased 500K pots so I'll try the .022 caps for starters. Thanks again for your help past and present.

R.Y.
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