Orange Drop capacitors are a type of capacitor known for their use in electric guitars, basses, amplifiers, and other audio equipment. They are manufactured by various companies, including Cornell Dubilier Electronics (CDE), and are highly regarded for their performance and reliability in audio applications.
Here are some key features and characteristics of Orange Drop capacitors:
- Material: Orange Drop capacitors are typically made from polypropylene film, which is known for its stability and low dielectric absorption. This material choice contributes to the capacitor’s excellent electrical properties and reliability.
- Tolerance and Value Range: Orange Drop capacitors are available in a variety of capacitance values and tolerances to suit different applications. Common capacitance values range from picofarads (pF) to microfarads (uF).
- Stability: They are designed to offer stable capacitance values over a wide range of temperatures and operating conditions. This stability ensures consistent performance in audio circuits, contributing to a predictable and reliable tone.
- Low Leakage: Orange Drop capacitors have low leakage currents, which means they effectively hold their charge and maintain their capacitance value over time. This characteristic is particularly important in audio circuits where signal integrity is crucial.
- Tone Characteristics: Orange Drop capacitors are favored by many musicians for their tonal characteristics. They are known for providing a smooth and transparent tone roll-off when used in tone control circuits in electric guitars and basses. This results in a gradual attenuation of high frequencies as the tone knob is rolled back, allowing players to fine-tune their instrument’s sound.
- Durability: Orange Drop capacitors are generally well-built and durable, with encapsulation materials and construction techniques that protect the internal components from mechanical stress and environmental factors.
- Availability: Orange Drop capacitors are widely available from various electronics suppliers and retailers, making them accessible to musicians and audio enthusiasts worldwide.
Orange Drop capacitors are known for their reliability and consistent performance. They are often favored by guitarists and bassists for their clarity and smooth tone roll-off characteristics. When you replace the stock capacitor with an Orange Drop capacitor, you may notice a difference in the clarity and warmth of your bass tone.
To change the bass tone capacitor with an Orange Drop capacitor, you’ll need to follow these general steps:
- Gather the Necessary Tools: You’ll need basic soldering equipment including a soldering iron, solder, wire cutters/strippers, and possibly a solder sucker or desoldering braid if you need to remove the old capacitor.
- Access the Electronics Cavity: Depending on your bass’s design, you may need to remove the backplate or pickguard to access the electronics cavity where the tone capacitor is located.
- Identify the Current Capacitor: Locate the current tone capacitor in the electronics cavity. It’s usually connected to one of the tone potentiometers.
- Remove the Old Capacitor: If there’s an existing capacitor, desolder it from the circuit. Be careful not to damage any surrounding components.
- Prepare the New Capacitor: If necessary, trim the leads of the new Orange Drop capacitor to an appropriate length for installation.
- Install the New Capacitor: Solder the new Orange Drop capacitor into place, ensuring that it’s connected correctly according to the bass’s wiring diagram. Typically, one lead of the capacitor will connect to the middle lug of the tone potentiometer, while the other lead will connect to the lug connected to the signal output.
- Test the Installation: Once the new capacitor is soldered in place, test the bass to ensure that everything is functioning correctly. Roll the tone knob back and forth to confirm that the capacitor is affecting the tone as expected.
- Secure the Wiring: Once you’re satisfied with the installation, secure any loose wiring and reassemble the electronics cavity if you had to open it up.
- Play and Adjust: Spend some time playing your bass with the new capacitor installed. Experiment with different tone settings to explore the range of tones available with the Orange Drop capacitor.
By following these steps, you should be able to successfully change the bass tone capacitor with an Orange Drop capacitor, enhancing the tone and versatility of your instrument.