Film instead of electrolytic

[andrew]

Does anyone have experience using a film cap rather than an electrolytic in the preamp? Thanks!

[tubeswell]

Electrolytic caps are 'popular' because of their smaller relative physical size:capacitance ratio (whereas other caps - like film caps, are bigger for the same capacitance value), and it is harder to find film caps in values above 1uF. But the main cons with e-caps are that; they have a shorter life than film caps, and they have to be operated with regard to their polarity. Where you are only needing caps with (say) under a 1uF rating, then it is easier to use film caps anyway.

But if you can obtain film caps in the requisite values, and (bearing in mind they will be bigger than the same value e-caps) if you can physically fit them in where you want them to go, then go ahead and use them by all means.

[funkmeblue]

and they will last "forever".....anyone use the caps at angela...the acs polypropolene and oil caps? Thinking of a off the wall tweed type build with them.

[Structo]

Yeah there was an article, I think in Premier Guitar where their amp guru talked about replacing all the filter caps with high voltage motor film caps.
I can't remember all the details but supposedly you would never need to replace them.
But they are spendy.

[David Root]

I agree that wet electrolytics have limited life, although they are a lot better than they were years ago.

Dry electrolytics like the Black Gates (still available) are an alternative which I use as bypass caps. Aren't BGs really expensive? Not these little low voltage ones, and I'm sure they will last longer. Low ESR too. They are radial and and not axial leads, but in a Fender or Dumble board that's not an issue.

[roberto]

I've tried some motor run caps, but this way you change the feel of the amp. Maybe a good idea for knocking high gain amps, but you loose part of the "roundness" of a clean channel at high volume levels.