Hello everyone, I’m about to take my sire p7 in soon for some upgrades. The one most people talk about is the weak tone cap. It won’t close all the way down when you roll the tone off. If someone could leave a link to an orange drop cap that would be better suited and fit inside the cavity, I would greatly appreciate it!!
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Help with new tone cap for Sire p7
- Thread starter joshua marcus
- Start date
Don’t know what Sire uses (link?) but it sounds like a resistor might be hardwired on the tone control. Removing it would allow to fully close the tone control.
if it’s cap issue, you probably just want one with capacitance between .o47 and .1 uF. Orange drop, or any other with these specs and good tolerance… whoever will work on it probably has one in stock..
if it’s cap issue, you probably just want one with capacitance between .o47 and .1 uF. Orange drop, or any other with these specs and good tolerance… whoever will work on it probably has one in stock..
Thank you!
These look like what I’m looking for?
CDE Sprague .047uF 418P 473K 400V Orange Drop Capacitors Tone Caps for Electric Guitar or Bass, Short foot (Set of 2) https://a.co/d/71u7q2d
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Ok thank you ! Is there a site that sells smaller caps? Sorry but I’m terrible with this stuffYeah, just overpriced (and I believe also quite oversized)
then again, so is coffee these days, and that only lasts 15 minutes…
While certain capacitors may be “traditional” pretty much any capacitor that’s the value you want is going to produce essentially the same tone roll of. Those orange drops are rated at 400 volts which is wild overkill for a circuit that will only ever see millivolts. Try any of these. If the link loads correctly you should be able to select the value you want and they probably even let you select for guitar use. However, as stated above, if you’re taking it to someone they’ll probably have a suitable capacitor. You’ll pay more in shipping then the cap if you order a single. Invalid Link Removed.
Also, if the tone isn’t rolling off all the way it sounds like it could be an issue besides the capacitor. Changing that will only change the frequency the tone rolls off at once it’s most of the way down.
Also, if the tone isn’t rolling off all the way it sounds like it could be an issue besides the capacitor. Changing that will only change the frequency the tone rolls off at once it’s most of the way down.
LoveThatBass
Supporting Member
I've installed this 0.082 uF (63V) cap in my Pbass, I think it is made by Philips, it is tiny and costs nothing. The one on the left is the stock Fender cap.
A change in capacitor type (from ceramic to a poly cap like an orange drop) will not result in an audible change if they're the same value - the voltages in basses are small enough that none of the differences will show up. What might show up is that Fender's stock capacitors are often ceramics with dielectrics that change over time - a .047 X or Z series capacitor is only .047 uF when it's made. It's value actually goes up a bit when it's soldered in, then decreases over time (albeit slowly), so a bass made in the 60's no longer has a .047uF capacitor - it's less. You may like the sound better, you may not.
An Orange drop or other poly film capacitor doesn't do this. There are lots of poly film capacitors that work just as well as Orange drops, but don't cost as much. Mouser carries a lot of them, in lots of different values - there's nothing magical about .047 uF.
An Orange drop or other poly film capacitor doesn't do this. There are lots of poly film capacitors that work just as well as Orange drops, but don't cost as much. Mouser carries a lot of them, in lots of different values - there's nothing magical about .047 uF.
LoveThatBass
Supporting Member
Link Removed
Here is an inexpensive .047uf poly film 63V small diameter cap with good spec.s
Here is an inexpensive .047uf poly film 63V small diameter cap with good spec.s
LoveThatBass
Supporting Member
400v rating is excessive and is what accounts for it being oversized. Even 10v is more than enough.
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LoveThatBass
Supporting Member
Yep, that is correct but try finding a non electrolytic non polarized capacitor less than 50-63v is hard to do. I wish they had 5-10v ones. 
I replaced the volume and tone pots in my Fender Player Precision with " CTS Original Potmeter 250K Log " pots and also the Capacitor: " Orange Drop 716 0,047uF @ 600 V ".. I don't know if it's caused by the new pots or the new capacitor, but the tone control response is really different now, much more mids and low mids, much more useable.
(yes the 600v is a crazy rating, it was the only one in stock in the online-shop)
I must warn you, this capacitor is quite big, it's size is half the CTS Original tone-pot. I struggled it put it in there: because the thickness + i wanted to put it on the back of the pot.. the pickguard couldn't close at my first attempt.. But i managed in the end.. I don't have a picture of it, so i've drawn it for you, it's this size compared to the pot:
(yes the 600v is a crazy rating, it was the only one in stock in the online-shop)
I must warn you, this capacitor is quite big, it's size is half the CTS Original tone-pot. I struggled it put it in there: because the thickness + i wanted to put it on the back of the pot.. the pickguard couldn't close at my first attempt.. But i managed in the end.. I don't have a picture of it, so i've drawn it for you, it's this size compared to the pot:
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LoveThatBass
Supporting Member
Whoever has a second Generation Sire Active bass I need help. I got the new P7 bass in and looked in the battery box (haven’t plugged it in yet) after I got it out of the box and noticed the batteries had clear celophane plastic still on it so thought they hadn’t removed it. I went to get them out and dropped them now do not know which way they go back in. I looked on Sire and they have lots of stuff including the preamp operation but NO WHERE is there information about battery placement, no markings I could see in the battery box, tried looking on line. Nothing. Can someone please enlighten me as to which way to install. I have Never seen where no information comes with the bass, no markings and nothing on a company site before. HELP, I would like to finish checking it out.
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LoveThatBass
Supporting Member
DISREGUARD. . Don’t know why I didn't think of this before after 42 years as Electronic tech at DFW Airport lol. I took 4 screws from battery box and saw where the wires connected installed and measured voltage on the black and red wire ( +9.29vdc) I am good now
Seems like you panicked a bit. Its hard to think clearly when you feel like that . Nice you fixed it.
Now take the battery out and use a white marker in the battery box noting + and - for next time too.
Is the Sire p7 an active?
If it's active then the cap may be on a circuit board. If that is the case, then just tell the tech that you want more tone cut available.
If it's active then the cap may be on a circuit board. If that is the case, then just tell the tech that you want more tone cut available.
LoveThatBass
Supporting Member
Definitely did as We were taking care of 2 year old grandson and only had minutes to unpack and check it out without connecting to ampSeems like you panicked a bit. Its hard to think clearly when you feel like that . Nice you fixed it.
