Tantalum VS. Electrolytic

[Mike Nichting]

Hey all,
I just read in another post that Tantalum caps sound better than electrolytics. Is this true?? Can electrolytics be replaced by Tantalums in all cases when it comes to effects pedals??
I bought a bunch of Tantalum caps awhile back and never used them because I headr they weren't any good for anything.

For example say in a TS808 clone, could I replace the electrolytics with Tantalum?? would it affect the tone or how the effect works??  I brought up the dreaded 808 because it is a staple in effects building,no??  ;-)

Thanks all,
Mike N.

[Doug H]

Tantalums can replace electros. Electros are cheaper than tants and will eventually dry out. I have not heard any tonal differences, but Gus mentioned a tant cap on the TS that may be significant to the tone. I'm sure he'll chime in here sooner or later.

Doug

[Gus]

It seems to my ears that the .22uf used in the lowpass section of the TS has an effect on the sound.  I tend to like tants or films in that section.

[Peter Snowberg]

My 2 cents on the sounds are that tants have a "gritty" high end while electrolytics have a "dull" high end, but no "grit". That may be good and/or bad.

Dry Tantalums (the only common type today) have the serious advantage of long life. Electrolytics have the advantage of not dying when you reverse bias them a bit.

-Peter