Direction of tone caps in guitar? does it matter?

[JPW]

I am putting some SD pickups in my Firebird. I have some Sozo 223k caps I'm gonna use. 223k = .022? Anyways, just wondering if it matters which direction they go? Thanks

[Jef Bardsley]

Yes, 223 = .022

No, it doesn't matter which way they go.

[EADGBE]

I've never heard anyone say that it does. Basically caps in a tone circuit only allow frequencies above or below a certain level to pass through them. So theoretically they should behave the same way no matter which direction they're wired.

[JPW]

Thanks

[CharlyG]

When it matters they(the leads on capacitors) are labelled pos and neg.... If not, have at it.

[fumbler]

Originally Posted by CharlyG

When it matters they(the leads on capacitors) are labelled pos and neg.... If not, have at it.

That might matter in a DC circuit where the current flows in one direction. But guitars (at least passive ones) are AC with no DC component so it doesn't matter at all.

[veldt666]

I'm sure, the late Ken Fischer, had a different opinion.
I remember him stating in an Interview somewhere, "Try changing them around, you'll be surprised".

I have no verification on this statement, sorry.

[ChorusCrackpot]

Originally Posted by JPW

I am putting some SD pickups in my Firebird. I have some Sozo 223k caps I'm gonna use. 223k = .022? Anyways, just wondering if it matters which direction they go? Thanks

It depends if they are electrolytic capacitors or not. Electrolytic capacitors are polarised.

[CharlyG]

Chorus has it right. That is what I was pointing out without using the term.

[earthtonesaudio]

One should not use electrolytic caps in a guitar. Since the signal is AC the cap will be reverse-polarized half the time for an AC signal, regardless of which way you install it.

[mojo69]

if they have a mark/line on one of the leads - (old spragues/bumble bees ..) then attach the side with the mark to the pot. don't use a polarized cap - you can use a non-polarized electrolytic etc (like used in a speaker cross over).

[CharlyG]

Jeez guys,no one is saying to use them, we were just tryin to educate!

[Structo]

There is a school of thought that the outside foil end should be towards the lower impedance side of the circuit.
But since this is an AC circuit it most likely won't matter but if it were me, I would put the side with the line towards ground.
Caps are just quieter that way.

[macula56]

it has made a noticeable difference in 2 of my strats. in the rest it has had no effect.

[korus]

I just wonder what Mr. Eric Johnson's would hear/say ...