capicitors

[faiakeima]

Is it okay to use a .100 mf capacitor when the manufacturer suggests using a .050 mf. I'm building a jazz bass if it matters.

[bongomania]

Are you talking about the tone pot? It totally depends on what you're using the cap for.

[tjclem]

I do it all the time. Try it if you don't like it switch back.......t

[The Penguin]

Originally Posted by faiakeima

Is it okay to use a .100 mf capacitor when the manufacturer suggests using a .050 mf. I'm building a jazz bass if it matters.

On a tone pot this would double the caps value which will move it's frequency point down one octave, so it will work but your tone knob will cut one octave deeper than the .050 would. Which you may or may not like and of course can change easily at a later point.

[PilbaraBass]

Originally Posted by The Penguin

On a tone pot this would double the caps value which will move it's frequency point down one octave, so it will work but your tone knob will cut one octave deeper than the .050 would. Which you may or may not like and of course can change easily at a later point.

the shelving frequency on a passive tone control actually moves as you dial it in...

it depends on where you like to run your tone knob...if you find that you're never dialing your tone knob on your basses more than 1/2 way down, try the 0.050 to give you more control and a more "open" sound.

buy one of each, these things are just about the easiest things to change on a bass.

[Captain_joe6]

I've gone so far as a 1.0mfd capacitor on my franken-precision. Its like instant reggae when I turn the tone knob even a little bit. And its stupendously large, so it has a bit of a wow factor whenever I open up the cavity to show it off.

[PilbaraBass]

Originally Posted by Captain_joe6

I've gone so far as a 1.0mfd capacitor on my franken-precision. Its like instant reggae when I turn the tone knob even a little bit. And its stupendously large, so it has a bit of a wow factor whenever I open up the cavity to show it off.

1 micro-Farad?!?!

What's it sound like when you turn your tone knob fully? You probably can't even hear your D and G strings...

I'm actually going the OTHER way...I'm going V/T/V/T with stacked tone knob and 0.022 caps

[Scottgun]

Alternatively, if you are like me and leave my tone knob open all the way all the time, don't even put it in the circuit.

[Captain_joe6]

Yes indeed, 1 whopping micro-Farad. When I crank down the knob it cuts out so much trebble that I have to turn up my amp (mesa 400) another 2 or 3 points. Its like playing through a PA that has only subwoofers, just this deep, gloopy, syruppy bass. The only problem I have with it is that its connected to a linear-taper pot right now, so its less of a gradual change and more of an instant on-off sort of thing.

Soon enough, though, I'm going to replace both the volume and tone pots, and also the pickups (possibly SD 1/4 pounders), so that should give it a little more versatility and tunability.