Guitar Tone Capacitors, part 2: How Tone Works, Selecting a Value

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In part two of this video on tone capacitors, I present a tutorial on how to read cap values, an explanation of how the capacitance and resistance work together as an RC filter in the tone circuit, and some audio examples to help in selecting a useful cap value for a tone circuit. The caps I play through here are all Orange Drop caps with values .047uF, .022uF, .01uF, 6800pF, 4700pF, 3300pF and 1000pF.
Correction: at 2:52, I said this incorrectly. The cutoff frequency doesn't actually change- just the amount of signal passed through the cap to ground. To change the cutoff frequency, pick a different capacitance value. This configuration of resistor and capacitor, in parallel with the guitar signal, makes this a Low Pass RC filter.
Correction at 4:21: the .022uF cap here is a 225p orange drop which is polyester film while the rest are polypropylene.
Everything is played on my Epiphone Riviera P93 with Vintage Vibe Guitars P-90 pickups, through my Vox VT30 on the Boutique Clean model, mic'd with a Rode NT1 large diaphragm microphone.
For a comparison of cap material types, see part one • Guitar Tone Capacitors...

[@Paul_Uhl_]

THIS IS THE BEST VIDEO PRESENTATION RELATED TO GUITAR AUDIO THAT I HAVE EVER SEEN. Thank you, John!

[@knightbrolaire526]

I second that.

[@thornev]

Just want to say.. EXCELLENT explanation. Should be easy for all guitarists to understand.

[@gjw45]

I stumbled across this by accident whilst browsing youtube. So glad I did, what a brilliant explanation you give of everything. You make it very easy to understand. Thank you

[@borisfogelson5225]

John, You just became my personal hero. Many people were trying to explain me RC circuit but only after I watched your video I got that understanding. Thank you. You are one of those who really can explain things.

[@davet5916]

Just want to echo the comments of others. This to me is the definitive example of what a tone circuit is, and how it works on a guitar with different values as well as how it works in general. Your efforts to bring this to the masses is truly appreciated. In just under 10 minutes you took a subject that was admittedly foggy to me and made it crystal clear. Heartfelt thank you for putting in the time to give something positive to others!!!

[@chrisrimolt3233]

4th video of yours that I've watched tonight alone - and I've learned more about how and why my guitars work as they do than I have in the past four years!!! Thanks, John.

[@johnnourse9559]

Excellent Excellent Technical explanation. I took this years ago in college in the 1960's and used it for a while in work but that was long ago and Now I am building a guitar kit and it has lousy components, your series is terrific to help me understand what I need to get. Thanks so much for your presentation. You would be better than a lot of the professors I had. Thanks again. John N

[@anthonyskellern5968]

Brilliant experiments - exhaustive, well explained and strangely hypnotic! Very useful information, I commend you for your tireless dedication to tone, John!

[@Plipas]

Respond to this video... The next step is to make another hole, very close to the bridge, to reach it when I am playing, and this is going to be the place that I am going to install a master volume pot. I do not no how to do this but I will try. Keep going John, you help us to create our sounds. Antonis

[@Chromaticwyrm]

I just started playing and getting into making my own or making pawn shop finds great guitars. I know nothing about electronics and even I got this right away. Great explanation!

[@echo8287]

Your video is very well done,simple, easy to comprehend, informative with no bs or extra unwanted music or drama, I have watched several you have done,all are good and it has helped me with my tone decisions. You Dad must have been into electronics. I used to teach electronics at a technical college. Thanks, David

[@jamesrobinson529]

This video is exactly what I needed in researching 4700 pF tone caps! I'm almost 10 years late, but thank you!

[@csabacsiszer3378]

Tone pot 10: What a different tone of different cap values even on full open tone pot! Another evergreen debate is gone with this video. Thanks!

[@dannon2010]

this is very helpful...I'm changing out pickups and refurbishing my old strat...this helped quite a bit in getting me to understand what is exactly happening, and points me in a general direction if I encounter some tone issues with my .22'ers. I have some easy and inexpensive options, thanks to your explanation of what occurs electronically and tonally. Perfect for those of us electronically challenged by the myriad of options and issues associated with something as simple as guitar work.

[@fenderstratguy]

This whole thing was extremely interesting and you're a very effective explainer.

[@hvrock13]

Wow, before I watched this I had NO clue what capacitors did in the amp I'm building.. I just thought they held back current or something to effect the output of the amp. But now I can actually kind of get it.. I just thought it was hopeless for me to understand this stuff. I want to be something like an amp tech after college, and now that I kind of understand this I feel a lot more confident about it. Thanks for the great explanations man!

[@luckylicks3497]

Cool! Can't believe how easy you've made this to be understood.

[@christopherchristopher4482]

Really good explanation of a tone pot with its cap. Appreciate that!

[@donlessnau3983]

Outstanding. Best explanation I've come from across. Well done. Thanks a lot.

[@TheBillStickers]

this video is genius! You, sir, deserve a medal! I have been research with a stupid amount of misdirection, this video is the best thing on the internet for this subject. I would hug you but this is the internet... thank you, it's much appreciated.

[@jamblam]

How incredibly useful this info is. I work on guitars and instead of trying to explain this type of stuff to people I can just refer them to this video! I worked on a Gibson varitone just the other week for the first time. Cool guitar but man what a bunch of knob turning ridiculousness that was! One of the most useful things I've ever used to get the right "boxy" sound I prefer is by leaving a wah pedal engaged wherever my foot decides it sounds best. I'm surprised more people don't do this! Again, great video. KUDOS

[@ZoD1ACBeA5T]

Your videos have helped me immensely with understanding my guitar! You are amazing and I hope you enjoy life knowing you've done things to better the world!

[@JymeBale]

I agree the more you understand the electronics in your guitar and amp the more you can do with them as far as mods go.

[@rankay8176]

John, you are an excellent teacher. You are organized, stay on point, and great pacing. Clearly, you understand that great teaching requires preparation. Thank you

[@agateenchantmentrockwizard5969]

In my opinion 3300 pf seems to be the best value for p90 pickups on this guitar but then that begs to differ on what a single coil verses a humbucker would be?

[@mboyer68]

One of the reasons I love and am addicted to guitar, is that I'm always learning. It's been said that it's easy to learn to play guitar, but it takes a lifetime to master guitar. I like playing them, cleaning them, working on them, even just holding a guitar is better than being empty handed. I never imagined that is be learning how capacitors work! I'm a manufacturing engineer and had to take electronics courses, but that was a long time ago and I forgot, so thank you for the very thorough explanation of capacitors and how they create a working tone system on a guitar! The high signals are bled off to ground..crazy! Is that part of why they need shielding? Thank you:)

[@caribbeanchild]

Just got to the part with the metering/graphing of the signal. It's about time somebody did this. I was thinking of using an oscilloscope... but you just did it there for me. Thank you again.

[@michaelallenyarbrough9503]

Absolutely GOATed video, so helpful, thank you!!!!!

[@The_Klystron7]

This explains it very well. Ultimate guide to tone capacitors !!

[@joelstolarski2244]

That was very interesting and informative. Thank you for making that easier to understand. Didn't think there would be so much difference.

[@existingcondition]

Excellent presentation! Thanks for the info. For about six months in 2012 I had a severe case of "Ebay Teisco Fever". (Also known as Guyatone gout, Harmony hepatitis, Tulip Tuberculosis, etc.) By the time the "fever" broke, I had acquired an array of 60's Japanese electric guitars. Of course, some of them had no redeeming tonal qualities, so they became wall decorations. Eventually, I began pulling various parts from them to make one extremely unique Frankenguitar. This is when I began to wonder how the cap/resistor values affected tone. Now I know! And knowing is half the battle! Now all I have to do is wait for a perfectly positioned bolt of lightning . . . I will let you know how it turns out. Hopefully!

[@larrburd]

Excellent video(s). I now know the difference between Log and Linear Pots without reading descriptions that fall way short of actually hearing the difference. Thank you.

[@dagnalldrake]

John, vous avez réalisé un travail formidable. Merci.

[@brianknickerbocker8518]

You are extremely helpful, but as usual the more I know the more I need to know. Thank you, enjoy all of your vids

[@donepearce]

On my Tele, I have put a rotary switch between the volume and tone pots. It is a six-way switch, and allows me to select my cap from values ranging from 680pF to 100nF. The small values particularly do interesting things to the tone, rather than just muffling it.

[@koffeekage]

well now i know how it works i couldnt understand for the life of me how capacitance in a guitar could be useful but the grounded frequency explanation covered it pretty good.

[@JymeBale]

I agree, excellent presentation, too many long time techs don't think there is a lot of difference in the sound but this sure proves them quite incorrect. Thank you.

[@filmmakingjoe]

This is a very useful video. Guitar modeling processing typically ruins the tone by adding very high frequencies and most multi-fx processors do not have a way to cut down the annoying frequencies, which are usually 10k and above. Changing the capacitor value and then lowering the tone control all the way down may help with this. I did say "may" help. Not sure if the modeling processor would still somehow "create" the nasty frequency after the fact. I will have to try this out. THANKS!!

[@tedk2814]

what a great demonstration, I know that took lots of time to plan and do and I appreciate it. You have helped me understand the components but better yet, listen to how they change they affect high frequencies .Oh yes, the audio and linear taper demonstration, very good, Thanks so much

[@VideOrganizer]

John for these interesting videos. You compiled in some minutes a lot of sounds from differents capacitors. I understood a lot of things with your explanations. Thank you.

[@rigidarm1]

Everyone that plays needs to see this. Thanks Again!

[@MrBallynally2]

After years of using standard value tone caps im now using .0022 as i like to retain 1-3 kHz in my signal as i roll down the tone, otherwise the tone thins out too much, especially on the B and high E string. In other words, if u don't really use a really dark tone this is just great f shaving off just the top. I got the tip of a Lindy Fralin vid..

[@caribbeanchild]

Well done man. Thank you for that great explanation. It's a simple circuit but others make out like it's "electronics". No transistors or circuit board anywhere in sight but somehow it's "electronics". Makes them feel smart I guess!! LOL.

[@pieface1726]

0.022 mylar here i come. you are a legend by the way, who would have thought that a capacitor makes such a huge difference to a guitars sound.

[@fequalsma8428]

So impressed with your videos! I am glad I subscribed

[@johnplanetz]

@DamageIncM- what you're describing is basically a Varitone- a multi-position switch with a different capacitor at each switch position. Famously used on BB King's Lucille, but easy enough to retrofit in any guitar. Search for Varitone

[@sonicwingnut]

I have one of these on a Revelation Bass VI guitar, I believe all their jazzmaster copies have this built in.

[@curtzblues]

Well done!! Your demonstration of what a tone circuit is doing was well explained and the frequency spectrum was a class move; a picture is worth a thousand words. You were insightful not to characterize any of the data. Though the "eyes have it", the ears will buy it. Preference for the effect of any cap value is only found by playing one's own chops, on one's own guitar, thru one's own rig. Ah, Lord, the search for tone goes on!

[@goatsinpanama]

Very very professionally done, I really appreciate how well-made these videos are, they've been a big help. Thank you very much.

[@michaelinglis8516]

.015 has been great in my schecter with 500k pots an a JB bridge 59' neck. Still get roll off but not too much so as you've said the taper is much more usable. Personally I think the ideal range is between 7700pf - .022uf Seymour duncan recommends .047uf still even with 500k pots but if I wanted a guitar that could get really really dark is still only go to .033 at the most. It's really strange we've landed on .047 an .022 as standard. Active pickups are even higher though, considerably lol. As in if I ever need caps for my active pups tone control I can grab some out of recycled electronics very easily. Another great video btw. I wish I'd seen this a long time ago.

[@markknight6445]

Brilliant. Thank you. The definitive vid on this subject. 🖖🏼🙏🏻😎

[@3fitzgrld]

@johnplanetz OK so I decided on the .022uf orange drops for both tone pots. All I can say is wow. The Seth Lover (neck) now has its badly needed treble. And the stock pup in the bridge reduced from very ear shrilling highs, to something actually desirable. I can dial in alot of tones now. Also thanks for posting the other video on how to safely remove and install the electronics. I wouldve never tried to install it myself had it not been for your videos. You saved me money! Thanks again.

[@rhoddity]

Ow wow, you just cleared up something I've had difficulty understanding for two years! =D Thanks!

[@PatrickWard4]

By far the best explanation of capacitors I have ever seen. Thanks man!

[@bongocorral]

I have a G&L s-500, which i purchased a pre-wired pickG with Fralin Vintage Hot pups in all positions, wired as a modern strat with the mini toggle still active. 250k pots in all positions. It sounded terrible, i was ready to sell the guitar because the tone was thin and muddy, always in tune, I kept the Fralins and rewired back to G&L specs What a great difference. The pots are used differently and also get assigned different cap values, also all my caps are much smaller physical than O-Drops.

[@jelly8594]

Excellent stuff! Even with on screen EQ and animations. Loving it! Subbed!

[@atta1798]

Cool! it makes sense now.....I am aware of the Physics theory involved...I got confused since I never saw the complete circuit (ground/going to amp to etc.....to get the whole picture.....I do appreciate your time!...Thank you for your feedback!!!.....

[@mixolydian2010]

Excellent work thank you very much. I preferred the 6800 with your setup as i was hearing some nice resonances as the frequencies were reduced and was a nice subtle taper to my ears. Love the cap rig, shows how important it is, if you can to customise your caps.

[@incantatis]

Thank you very much for such great and in depth work! Your tutorials are superbly made, easy to understand and leaves no stone unturned!

[@JeffStarr]

FANTASTIC video. This is great. Thank you.

[@andreyzhuk1681]

Amazing video. Thank you for making it.

[@dfdavis32]

Thanks!!! Answers lots of questions.... Like the old saying picture worth a thousand words. A lot of internet advice about this is in written words. How do you explain tone to someone.... Excellent demo! THANKS!

[@ericohman]

Wow, what a video! I noticed for the tapering that a noticeable difference in sound didn't start before 4th or 5th "rotate". I'm sure it was a little random when you where rotating the pot while strumming. However, to get an idea. I'd like to ask, was this a linear or logarithmic pot?

[@AndrewZeleno1]

John, When all knobs on 10 is there any difference in sound with different capacitors? And Does different Potentiometers on 10 make sound different?

[@johnplanetz]

Yes it does make a difference. The total resistance of the volume pot, even on 10, loads the pickups. Lower resistance is more load to ground, which causes more treble rolloff. If your guitar is too bright, lowering the volume pots' resistance (e.g. from 500k to 250k) will warm up the sound by rolling off some high end. The tone cap on 10 only has a subtle impact (but it is there and audible- see my video on No Load Tone pots for an example).

[@AndrewZeleno1]

***** Thanks, man. I appreciate your answer. How about capacitors? When my pots on 10 if I change my capacitor from ceramic to Orange Drop will I hear the difference?

[@lamborn55]

Andrew Zeleno Hi Andrew, just passing on some hearsay to you! Having built around 85 pedals I have read comments on DIY forums saying that the biggest sound difference they know of with different types of same value capacitors, was that the ceramic ones sound harsher. Those are the ones I've seen included with CTS pots when you buy them...the round orange, or light brown colored ones. Other than that, for guitars I've heard that the orange drops have a very smooth taper...I've used them in builds and have no complaints. I don't think you can use polarized, such as tantalum, or electrolytic, but I may be wrong. I think I can at least assure you that if you go from ceramic to orange drop, and you do hear a significant difference, it'll be for the better most likely, and at a tiny investment!

[@AndrewZeleno1]

lamborn55 Sorry for my English but I didn't understand. You meant that orange drop can have apperiance lice Ceramic? I have like this one 0:30 watch?v=ZYH9dGl4gUE&list=PLsOiMub4y7vBrgXEoob1jOWKvVzZ2eT2w&feature=c4-overview-vl

[@tonybvw528]

Hey John thank you for responding. In next day or two have 500ohm CTS pots coming, Switchcraft jack, the better shielded wire and four different values, .o22, .068, .047, and .01. Just wondering if they messed up at the factory. I had written customer relations person Marcy at Danelectro and she checked with the main guitar tech. He swears that was supposed to be .022 in that guitar and there's a treble bleed in there also. Anyway, love your video, very informative and helpful!!

[@spaghettibender7607]

Does it matter what side goes to where? I have orange drops to wire in my lespaul, (50's style) wiring update.

[@johnplanetz]

These caps have no polarity. Either way is fine.

[@L5man]

Woooowwwwwoooowwwww!!!!! thank you thank you thank you thank you dude!!! After 40 years I understand what that knob does......

[@TimKaseyMythHealer]

Great video! I do wish to add: ... "we want to remove the high frequency..." You should include a 70Hz roll off cap to reduce 60Hz hum. I have some ideas for bass guitar, and proper placement in recoding/mixing. If you set the caps at the bottom & top of the frequency range (install them into the bass) .. you will have a tailored recording, and the mix will come together much cleaner. You need to have an ear for producing in order to get it right.

[@steveshadforth]

Hi I know, and I commented on that, great trick, I guess a thin smear of epoxy on the track start would also do it. Only this is, that as your removed some from the beginning, there'll be a big change from off to on, I had on in my tele, can't remember maker, but the slider actually lifted off in the null position. Keep up the good work, have a rockin weekend!

[@MrMacrun]

radio shack has a big selection of caps. and cheap too. i started messin with differnt caps to get what i want. like two orange drops were like a buck and a half. so i was able to get 4 diff kinds and a solder iron for 15 bucks. just thought i would put that out there. great vid by the way.

[@endtropi]

Great tutorial man! You are an excellent teacher.Thank you for the knowledge. Now i am gonna make my guitar more brighter using a smaller value capasitor

[@Plipas]

Respond to this video... And I was wondering if I could change the amount of the potentiometer with an extra resistor when I switch it to the humbugger position , if the full amount of the potentiometer is 250k. But I want to thank you anyway, because your videos help me a lot, and yesterday I fixed my electric guitar. It is like a gibson with four pots, and I install three pickups, one humbugger and two single coils, (three volumes and one master tone).

[@ptjww9455]

Great vid, very clear and easy to understand. Great job. IMO, the 3300 pF cap is the one that provides the more usable range. Just IMHO, to each his own.

[@51MontyPython]

Thank you for clarifying what was meant by, "pass through," as in, pass through to _ground,_ as opposed to through to the _output._ When that clarification isn't made, it makes it very confusing and difficult to understand the actual working concept. Now, John, could you help me to understand something that has been dogging me ever since I started trying to understand how guitar circuits work? Do the pickups pass signal coming out through _BOTH_ wires (hot and ground), or is there rather signal going into one (e.g. ground, namely) and out the other (e.g. hot)? or are both of these incorrect?

[@sergiofd7855]

Thank you for the info, great video/comparison. It really helped

[@skunkproductionsMLA]

I don't know if anyone notices it, but as the cap value gets lower, when the tone pot is on 10, the frequency response and range becomes much wider. The frequency bands on the right can show it clearly, and is noticeable to the ear.

[@kjv444]

Good videos. I'm considering replacing the electronics on my guitar. These videos have been very helpful for me.

[@ThaLegendaryNoob]

Incredibly easy to understand video, thank you so very much.

[@rodscoelho]

Your videos are great! You could have it all published! Thank you very much!

[@3fitzgrld]

wow man. This may be the answer 2 my tone problem. I never knew caps make a difference. I have an epi sheraton 2. I have a stock pup in the bridge and a seth lover in the neck. What cap would you recommend for this setup? I play mainly blues but I like to play clean stuff too. Also what caps are you using? Thanks for posting such an easy to understand vid. BTW, very nice guitar you have there.

[@klepetar]

thanks for going throught the trouble to do these things..i actually have more understanding in capacitance

[@ScarTubeAmps]

You´ve made my search a lot less complex, thanks man. Great vids by the way...

[@MountainViewStudio]

Cool vids! Hey, I have a question- do you think that the capacitors affect the overall pickup sound when the tone or volume knob is all the way up? I found people online say yes and some say no

[@johnplanetz]

Yes, the tone cap does still affect the signal even with the knob all the way up, but it's very subtle. I demonstrated an example of this here: kzbin.info/www/bejne/mn-WhJ9-Ysh4d8k

[@MrGuitarbike]

I love you man. You teach me so much. Why do I even go to school?

[@gnireig]

This is a great and concise explanation. Thanks for posting this.

[@ivenstein]

Thank you for this helpful and a great tutorial. For me the 1000pF loses nearly no treble - especially at the last test. I think i will give this one a try in my Superstrat.

[@avispasentuass]

NICE REVIEW AND HELPFUL.I'M GETTING A .047UF CAP FOR MY 250 K POT.OF MY VINTAGE PROJECT STRAT.

[@Dirtyharry70585]

great job john, as the higher caps tend to cause almost a ringing or second, third harmonic

[@jack002tuber]

Exactally what I was looking for. I was gonna try this, I see you did. Saved me the trouble.

[@Plipas]

Thank you very mach for your video, it is amazing and absolutely helpful. I have also a question. If I use a pus/pull potentiometer of 250k to link two single coil pickups to one humbugger, how it could be possible to change also the amount of the resistance of the potentiometer from 250k (for single coil) to 500k (for humbugger)? Thank you for your time

[@cristianrodriguez1859]

I have SH-4 Seymour hambucker, what capacitor you recommend for me? thanks

[@TomMilleyMusic]

im assuming this applies to tone pots on anything? i have two boss OD-3 pedals which i love but i keep one with the tone all the way down and the other almost down. i find it can get pretty bright with it all the way up. even at 12 o clock its to much for me. would changing the cap give me more warmth/ usable range for this thing?

[@EzyoMusic]

Great video. I'm just starting to learn to understand how electrical components influence tone in both guitar and amplifier circuits. I wonder though, how can you achieve resonance around the corner frequency of the capacitor? My guitar's tone circuit does some of that but I have no idea how they do it.

[@brennociuffo]

I would like to thank you. Your videos are amazing , and helped me a lot. Greatings from Brazil.

[@Damaraja]

Thanks, man. Very helpful 🤙

[@michaelsantino01]

Thanks you! If you are using a 250k pot and go through this process with the tone pot on 10, do all the different capacitor values sound the same when the pot is totally open (on 10)? Example: If I have a telecaster with a .022 cap on a tone pot on 10, will it sound the same as the same tele with a .047 on the tone pot on 10 as well? thanks!

[@JymeBale]

No, it should not as there are two different values of caps you are using, I just changed to CTS pots on my Strat copy and supposed to use a .047 with them but I've been using a .022 with the other Alpha pots and I like the sound so I'm continuing to use the smaller cap.

[@pjfadriquela]

Nice, i never though of doing a comparison test. I'm an electrical engineer and I am impressed. I switched to a linear 250k pot, it's easier for me dial in

[@someone972s]

That's the exact same thing I thought! I didn't realize it until you pointed it out just then.

[@dmthandmade5674]

I'm planning a tone switch which I'n integrating into an SG scratchplate to have something similar to a Jaguar's rythym circuit (with switches going to a fixed resistance instead of a volume control because I have to fit everything in an extra thick scratchplate so can't use pots. Maybe I'll use a trimpot inside the guitar but I'll probably try resisors with a similar rating to the values I measure at different points on my volume pot). looks like I have an afternoon in the company of a sheet of carboard, crocodile clips and a variety of capacitors and resistors in my future.

[@atta1798]

Nicely presented! if you can show where the plus and minus are ( battery terminals) with respect to the switch and the rest of the circuit ( i.e., low/high pass filter)....it would be perfect!!

[@alexgeary3302]

Great job, I will share this with my physics students. Thanks

[@MrRadioman64]

how do you tell on the older orange drop capacitor the foil side>?? when it's not marked?any help is greatly appreciated Thank you