Re: Tone control OT

[andy butler <akbutler@tiscali.co.uk>]

Charles Zwicky wrote:
> Actually, capacitors of different types can exhibit quite a range of 
> sonic differences, even if the capacitance is matched.
> 
> Walt Jung wrote a definitive study of capacitor differences in audio, 
> and many guitar and amp folks will assert that ceramic capacitors are 
> required to get the 'best' sound out of a classic Fender tone control 
> stack circuit.  I may be of interest in this case that Walt Jung found 
> ceramic capacitors to have higher distortion than metal film and much 
> mich higher than polystyrene (favored by audiopiles)...
> 
> CZ

Interesting
Jung finds a max of 0.1%distortion  using a 3V signal.
so there's *something* in it.

I'd figure that in a guitar the cap has somewhat less voltage 
across it, and hence less distortion. (although that's a bit
of a guess)

I don't think that accounts for "essential for a vintage tone",
as is sometimes claimed.

Especially as the guitar still sounds vintage with tone at 10,
in which case the cap is shorted out!

andy
ps.
and no doubt all capacitors are a tiny bit microphonic,
those ceramics have certain similarities to a piezo p/u.