Anyone see a problem with me using an "Orange Drop" 0.005 uF @ 600V poly cap in a Rangemaster (from Antique Electronic Supply)?  How about a 0.0047 uF @ 100V (from Circuit Specialists)?  Wouldn't you just round this up to 0.005, or are they that fine-tuned?

Basically, I'm down to the last component, and I forgot to order this one cap.  I'd hate to place an online order for one little part, and the two above stores are in my town!

They're basically the same value wise. Go with the .0047uf, it's smaller physically than the 600v orange drop.

Hello Hello-
   All of my serious "pedal geeks" who know much more then I do always tell me to stick with low voltage caps for fuzz or booster circuits........not sure of the reason for this.....
Brian.

I follow the 'rule', use a cap rated for at least the voltage it'll see, voltage that may be applied to it...most of the time for BYOSB's that's 16v or above.  I'm pretty sure that's all there is to it, except that larger voltage ratings mean larger size.
 I'd socket the Rangemaster incap, maybe  use an 'add the other cap' switch to tget wo 'tuning's, or some other input cap value selections method.
 Those caps you mentioned should work fine. I'd use the 100v because of it's close value to the other and it's size.

DEFINITELY socket the input cap on a Rangemaster! You may find you like a slightly higher value (i.e. 6n8), and it's fun to try different cap types. The Orange Drop is a little out of place in a Rangemaster IMO. I settled on 4n7 film, but I tried a bunch, including 6n8 ceramic that stayed in there for awhile.

Kerry M

If you can get one, you may want to try a paper-in-oil cap, as that's what the originals had. Some say it's crucial, while others say "Come on!"

I think the difference between 0.005 and 0.0047 will be all but impossible to discern.

Hello Hello-
   Yeah, the old paper and oil caps do sound better!
Brian.

where can you get those paper in oil caps that small?

I bought a couple of these from antique audio supply:

http://www.tubesandmore.com/new/scripts/silverware.exe/moreinfo@d:/dfs/elevclients/cemirror/ELEVATOR.FXP?item=C-XD0051-1200

It's the correct value but rated at 1200v...kind of goes against the "16v" rule and was difficult to fit in a small Hammond box but hopefully will sound great.  I'll know later today when I finish hooking up the input/output jacks and 3pdt on my Rangemaster clone.

Quote from: Michael P.If you can get one, you may want to try a paper-in-oil cap, as that's what the originals had. Some say it's crucial, while others say "Come on!"

I don't think the paper in oil caps were used for either the input or ouput caps , but rather the 50uf filter caps. I really doubt they would contribute much, other than increasing cost and size.

Kerry M

FWIW I built the Rangemaster with the paper/oil input cap and it sounds great.  I haven't had a chance to compare it with other caps yet, however.

I'm thinking that through an already distorted tube amp the difference in input cap construction would be pretty-much undetectable but I haven't confirmed my suspicions yet.  I CAN say that it was a major pain trying to cram a 3 position rotary switch, cloth hookup wire, the huge paper oil cap, LED indicator, and handwired terminal strip into a small MXR style Hammond box!!!...now I see why people go with PCB's, a tiny LED, and small stranded wire.