Check those new filter caps, guys

[OlAndrew]

Just did a filter cap job on an old Gibson amp. Tried it out, to find a horrendous hum. Went nuts chasing it down, almost didn't believe my scope. To make a long story short, 2 out of four NEW Sprague Atoms had open circuits, right out of the bag.

Check 'em BEFORE ya put em in, its a whole lot easier. I learn something every day.

[Jade]

Thanks for the tip! Always a good Idea to check, and to be honest I rarely if ever do check Lytics before putting them in. I should probably start before it bites me in the behind, and costs me a transformer.

Personally though, I've given up on using Atoms. They're big, they cost too much, and I honestly dont think they work any better than most any of the Modern design caps. Of course that's just my opinion. I've been known to be wrong....Once. :jo:)

Jade

[RussB]

Sprague has dropped the ball. There was a fellow who bought some that had the shrink wrap installed backwards...plus side over the ground end. Oops!

[Jade]

Sprague has dropped the ball. There was a fellow who bought some that had the shrink wrap installed backwards...plus side over the ground end. Oops!

Did he catch it before putting them in? or did they go BANG!!! ?:eek:

[RussB]

No. They were installed, and it took a while to figure out what was wrong. Sometimes you have to check the basic stuff...

Here's a pic the fellow posted (originally at the FDP)

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v432/RussBert/BadSpragueAtoms-1.jpg

[Jade]

Holy Crap!! That's just rediculous.

Could Spragues new motto be "4 outta 6 aint bad" ?:jo

[RedRock]

Spragues provide a nice percussive sound to the attack of each note.
Other caps have a smoother attack. They are all tone-tailoring devices.
I hope Spragues have better quality control in the future. I use other caps
as well, but I would hate to see them disappear from the market.

[SatelliteAmps]

Nothing quite as exciting as having a 16uf 500v cap go off a few feet away.

[RussB]

Spragues provide a nice percussive sound to the attack of each note.
Other caps have a smoother attack. They are all tone-tailoring devices.
I hope Spragues have better quality control in the future. I use other caps
as well, but I would hate to see them disappear from the market.


I can't tell a bloody difference between Spragues of F&T's. Neither can most.

[brad347]

No. They were installed, and it took a while to figure out what was wrong. Sometimes you have to check the basic stuff...

Here's a pic the fellow posted (originally at the FDP)

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v432/RussBert/BadSpragueAtoms-1.jpg

that is just terrible! :jo

[Jade]

I can't tell a bloody difference between Spragues of F&T's. Neither can most.

I'm with you Russ. Usually the only people who can hear a difference between filter caps are the people who "Sell" filter caps LOL.

Or maybe I just don't hear very good anymore LOL

Jade

[RedRock]

I can't tell a bloody difference between Spragues of F&T's. Neither can most.
__________________________________________________ __________

Condolences.

Research survey stats, please.

Quite duff; it may be best to belt up.
Cheers.

[topbrent]

Spragues provide a nice percussive sound to the attack of each note.
Other caps have a smoother attack. They are all tone-tailoring devices.
I hope Spragues have better quality control in the future. I use other caps
as well, but I would hate to see them disappear from the market.


I see you are a disciple of Gerald Weber.....





:messedup

[RedRock]

Nothing quite as exciting as having a 16uf 500v cap go off a few feet away.

__________________________________________________ _________________


The shrink wrap mis-match was obvious. They should have been returned
to the vendor, rather than soldered in.

I have used them for years with no problem.
Just check them before you use them, as you should do
with all caps.

[RedRock]

I see you are a disciple of Gerald Weber.....





:messedup
__________________________________________________ ______

If Ralph Nader likes ice cream and I like ice cream, am I a disciple
of Ralph Nader?

No. We just happen to like the same thing.

:)

[Groovey Records]

__________________________________________________ ______

If Ralph Nader likes ice cream and I like ice cream, am I a disciple
of Ralph Nader?

No. We just happen to like the same thing.

:)

driving ice cream over 40 mph is dangerous and wasteful:banana:messedup:jo

I'm running for president

[RedRock]

Especially at a temperature of over 32 degrees F.

[mooreamps]

Nothing quite as exciting as having a 16uf 500v cap go off a few feet away.


Oh ya baby !! Your not kidding on that one buddy...

-g

[VikingAmps]

I have installed 1000's of them and have never seen a new one bad. If they were installed backwards like the obvious mistake in the picture they'll be bad in no time even if they are new. I use other caps as well but most people want Spragues in thier vintage amps.

[1guitarslinger]

__________________________________________________ ______

If Ralph Nader likes ice cream and I like ice cream, am I a disciple
of Ralph Nader?

No. We just happen to like the same thing.

:)


;-)

[HipKitty]

Nothing quite as exciting as having a 16uf 500v cap go off a few feet away.


Word to that!!

[RedRock]

If and when that happens, it's usually an error by ...solderironman!

[killer blues]

No. They were installed, and it took a while to figure out what was wrong. Sometimes you have to check the basic stuff...

Here's a pic the fellow posted (originally at the FDP)

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v432/RussBert/BadSpragueAtoms-1.jpg

any good tech would know the crimped end is positive. I don't even look at the + or - just the crimp.

[VikingAmps]

any good tech would know the crimped end is positive. I don't even look at the + or - just the crimp.

You got that right.

[RussB]

any good tech would know the crimped end is positive. I don't even look at the + or - just the crimp.


True that, but in this case it was a fellow doing his first cap job on a Fender he recently aquirred. Stuff happens

[RussB]

You got that right.


You're just trolling for fight, aren't you? Let it out, RedMan

[RedRock]

Right back at ya.

Electricity doesn't care if a job is your 1st or if you already have
done 1000. Do it right or don't do it.

[RussB]

Good point. You gotta check the small stuff

[pfrischmann]

Please,
Every one has to learn somewhere....Pretty condescending talk if you ask me.

The mis-label should have never happened.

[RedRock]

[quote=pfrischmann;4499855]Please,
Every one has to learn somewhere....

__________________________________________________ ___


Famous last words.

[VikingAmps]

You're just trolling for fight, aren't you? Let it out, RedMan

Sorry if you thought that, I was just agreeing with looking at the cap physically first to see if you were putting it in right. Didn't mean to offend, sorry you took it that way. I must confess I am fairly new to this forum and am now realizing that there are a lot of newbies here. The other ones I frequent are a quite a bit different. So just :BEER and everyone will be happy.

[jzucker]

[quote=pfrischmann;4499855]Please,
Every one has to learn somewhere....

__________________________________________________ ___


Famous last words.

Makes me mad when amp techs try to play guitar too. ;)

[RedRock]

If a guitar-playing amp tech has a guitar plugged into a hot chassis
to hear his tweaks on the amp immediately, he should not be touching his guitar
strings when he is attaching those jumper wires. He may go from being
a player to being a conductor.

[donnyjaguar]

Brutha, I always test 'lytics up to their design voltage before I put them in.