"NOS" resistors and caps

Marky D. · May 6th, 2004, 03:45 PM

I bought 3 organizers full of resistors and caps at a garage sale. There’s a lot of brown resistors (carbon comp?), disc caps, and axial lead caps. Orange drops, Spragues, etc. and most rated for high voltages. Looks like some leftover inventory left from an Radio/TV shop.

My question: does this stuff get old or am I better off buying fresh resistors and caps for my amps?

Stan Martin · May 6th, 2004, 04:27 PM

the resistors may be alright, but if they were kept in a damp area they could be a wee bit noisey.

The electrolytics may not be okay. If they are very old the dielectric material may have dried up. you could try to reform them but I suspect they are too old.
The Orange drops and disc caps are probably good.

Sorry to be vague.

Silverface · May 6th, 2004, 04:56 PM

Pretty much what Stan said...

If the electrolytics are current types they're probably OK, but any paper-covered ones or used ones should be tossed.

Disc caps and orange drops should be fine.

Resistors should be fine, but as Stan said may...or may not...be noisy. Nice to have for resotration of vintage amps that use carbon comps...otherwise not worth hassling with. Be sure to test all resistors before using them...they tend to drift.

May 6th, 2004, 03:45 PM	#1 (permalink)
Marky D. Tele-Meister Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Minneapolis, MN Age: 48 Posts: 314	"NOS" resistors and caps I bought 3 organizers full of resistors and caps at a garage sale. There’s a lot of brown resistors (carbon comp?), disc caps, and axial lead caps. Orange drops, Spragues, etc. and most rated for high voltages. Looks like some leftover inventory left from an Radio/TV shop. My question: does this stuff get old or am I better off buying fresh resistors and caps for my amps?

May 6th, 2004, 04:27 PM	#2 (permalink)
Stan Martin Tele-Holic Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Pepperell Posts: 818	yes and no the resistors may be alright, but if they were kept in a damp area they could be a wee bit noisey. The electrolytics may not be okay. If they are very old the dielectric material may have dried up. you could try to reform them but I suspect they are too old. The Orange drops and disc caps are probably good. Sorry to be vague.

May 6th, 2004, 04:56 PM	#3 (permalink)
Silverface Tele-Afflicted Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Hermosa Beach CA Age: 56 Posts: 1,934	Pretty much what Stan said... If the electrolytics are current types they're probably OK, but any paper-covered ones or used ones should be tossed. Disc caps and orange drops should be fine. Resistors should be fine, but as Stan said may...or may not...be noisy. Nice to have for resotration of vintage amps that use carbon comps...otherwise not worth hassling with. Be sure to test all resistors before using them...they tend to drift. __________________ “No Chops – Great Tone” ©