Josh's 18W Tremolo TMB Builds

[JMPGuitars]

That’s been my experience as well. It’s worth checking to make sure.

I just checked 4 and they were all consistent with the foil line markers. I stopped using SoZo caps because I don't think they sound better than 150M caps (not worse either). However, for anybody who doesn't have a scope to test their caps, having that line is probably worth the extra cost for the caps. I don't know if any other new production brands are doing that.

This is from the SoZo .68µF:

SDS2504X Plus_PNG_62.png

SDS2504X Plus_PNG_63.png

[Bieworm]

The RS caps that I've been using lately also have the lines

[JMPGuitars]

The RS caps that I've been using lately also have the lines

But are they meaningful lines, or just useless graphic lines? A lot of companies have lines on them (including the Type 150 I use), but the lines don't mean anything.

Do you have a link to the caps you use?

[ViperDoc]

The RS caps that I've been using lately also have the lines

But are they meaningful lines, or just useless graphic lines? A lot of companies have lines on them (including the Type 150 I use), but the lines don't mean anything.

Do you have a link to the caps you use?

Indeed, often the lines are wrong, owing simply to being fed into the labeling machine backwards.

[JMPGuitars]

Indeed, often the lines are wrong, owing simply to being fed into the labeling machine backwards.

I've not seen a single modern brand (besides SoZo) where those lines mean anything. I think most brands just stopped caring, and SoZo saw it as an opportunity to stand out.

SoZo aren't that much more expensive than the Type 150 (aka 150M) I like to use, but it's the size of their .68µF cap that annoys me. They should make a lower voltage version in a smaller package. I'd still probably test all the caps on the scope, but only to find one that I know will eventually be wrong. lol

[Bieworm]

Owww.. I didn't know that.

Screenshot_20201226-222114_Gallery.jpg

[JMPGuitars]

Owww.. I didn't know that.

Yeah, those are Vishay. They're good caps, but the line is meaningless. Try out your new scope and see what you discover. Do you know how to do it?

[Bieworm]

Owww.. I didn't know that.

Yeah, those are Vishay. They're good caps, but the line is meaningless. Try out your new scope and see what you discover. Do you know how to do it?

Not really. Put a signal through it and measure? And then turn it around and do the same? Do you have a setup tutorial?

[JMPGuitars]

Not really. Put a signal through it and measure? And then turn it around and do the same? Do you have a setup tutorial?

No signal needed, you provide that. Aiken explains it well: https://www.aikenamps.com/index.php/whe ... capacitors

But I usually test between 500uV to 5mV depending on the capacitor value.

[Bieworm]

Can they be measured iside the amp or do they need to be free?

[JMPGuitars]

Can they be measured iside the amp or do they need to be free?

They probably need to be free. If your amp is quiet and you're happy with it, it's not worth removing them.

[BlueBoozer]

Every batch of caps I buy I run all of them through the scope. I mark them with a big black line with a sharpee. Makes the orange drops and mustards look kinda cruddy, but it’s not about looks. It’s all about sound.

[JMPGuitars]

Every batch of caps I buy I run all of them through the scope. I mark them with a big black line with a sharpee. Makes the orange drops and mustards look kinda cruddy, but it’s not about looks. It’s all about sound.

Which series Orange Drops? Aiken claims that a lot of the Orange Drops like the 716P don't actually have shielding.

[BlueBoozer]

Which series Orange Drops? Aiken claims that a lot of the Orange Drops like the 716P don't actually have shielding.

The method of manufacturing used to make a 716P would make it rather difficult to find the outside wrap. Don’t know that I’ve purchased any that have 1K voltage rating. Good info though.

Thanks for that tidbit...

[ViperDoc]

The orange drops I used in my valvestorm 18 watt build showed big differences when tested, and they were not “marked” except for their value.

[TriodeLuvr]

How are those of you who are posting about this testing the caps? I had to identify the outer lead on a large number of polystyrene caps a few years ago, but I don't think my method is what you're using. I used a RF generator (>100MHz) to drive a single-turn loop. Each cap was tested by connecting one end to ground and the other to a 50 ohm spectrum analyzer, then passing the loop over the cap body. I would reverse the cap, pass the loop over it again and then compare the amount of energy seen on the analyzer. I'd be interested to know how everyone is doing it here.

Jack

[JMPGuitars]

How are those of you who are posting about this testing the caps? I had to identify the outer lead on a large number of polystyrene caps a few years ago, but I don't think my method is what you're using. I used a RF generator (>100MHz) to drive a single-turn loop. Each cap was tested by connecting one end to ground and the other to a 50 ohm spectrum analyzer, then passing the loop over the cap body. I would reverse the cap, pass the loop over it again and then compare the amount of energy seen on the analyzer. I'd be interested to know how everyone is doing it here.

Jack

We're basically doing it the same way Aiken describes here: https://www.aikenamps.com/index.php/whe ... capacitors

I did a demo of it when I reviewed my previous scope. Here's how I do it: https://youtu.be/HI7DGjgl2tw?t=122

I mentioned peak to peak, but sometimes even that's not obvious. That's why I leave multiple measurements on screen.

Thanks,
Josh

[TriodeLuvr]

Got it, thanks! Interesting thread, especially considering I don't always test caps that are banded. Guess I'll need to do this all the time from now on.

[JMPGuitars]

Got it, thanks! Interesting thread, especially considering I don't always test caps that are banded. Guess I'll need to do this all the time from now on.

For sure. Today I'm reworking a tube mic. Neither of the 2 banded caps tested the banded side as the outer foil:

20201230_163102_2.jpg

[JMPGuitars]

My PCBs finally arrived today. They look great. Check 'em out:

TremTMBR-PCB.jpg

They're high quality, and appear well made. Specs are:
3.2mm thick FR4-TG170, matte blue
2µ" ENIG surface finish
2oz copper for all layers


So far I'm pleased with how they came out. I'm going to add some turrets and build out my 36W version of the trem tmb reverb. I'll also build an 18W version, but I'm thinking I might do that one without turrets for comparison.

Thanks,
Josh