newbie here…. Can I get recommendation for a .0047uf cap

[chrisrowell]

I want to to do the Eldred 3-way switching mod on an Esquire
(modifying either my 2012 Fender American Vintage ‘58 or ‘64 Telecaster)

Would like to keep the components as era authentic looking as possible
but seems 0.0047 uf caps were not used in 50’s and early 60’s
Teleaster’s and Esquires

I can get the 0.047/0.050 appropriate caps from LUXE…

BULK 1957-1960 .05mF Tubular: Wax Impregnated Paper & Foil .05mF Capacitor

One (1) Luxe .05uF Tubular Capacitor.Identical in Appearance and Performance to Original Components used from 1957 to 1960 (and possibly early '61) in the Telecaster, Duo-Sonic and Esquire.These are brand new, made in the U.S.A. in the Luxe Radio workshop, to Vintage Specs.Each cap is hand wound...

luxe-radio.com

what about the 0.0047 uf …. any suggestions ?

 

[Archtops]

Welcome aboard! I’m sure some of our tech gurus will have an answer for you soon.

 

[Fenderbaum]

You wont hear a difference on any brands. Regular Dime or Orange drop would do.

Their early 50s choices is there. Pick and choose

 

[chrisrowell]

You wont hear a difference on any brands. Regular Dime or Orange drop would do.

Their early 50s choices is there. Pick and choose

yes I totally understand I won’t hear a difference…
my question was is there something that is aesthetically era appropriate
in a .0047 mf

 

[Billy3]

Leo did not care. What? Here is the deal. Fender used what they had when they had it. And bought what was cheaper for production costs back then. Pretty common practice for anything out of fender shop, and or anything produced back then. Were not as many options. There's also a lot of advancements in the tech world, as we all should know. But if you really want a 50s/60s era cap, go for it. As well as getting a good meter and some gator clips to measure it's capacity. I'm sure they used those in the factory back in the day.

 

[Blue Bill]

Hi Chris, Are you meaning to write .0047? Be aware that this is one-tenth the capacitance of a .047, which is standard issue for Strats and Teles. I have tried an .0047 in a Tele, to me it gave such a small change of tone that I thought it wasn't useful, I much prefer the dramatic roll-off of high frequencies the .047 gives.

As others are telling you, the type, color, shape, age, cost, and manufacturer, will have virtually zero difference in how they sound, at the same capacitance. You can't go wrong with ceramic disk caps, for vintage appeal. You can spend a pile on genuine vintage and vintage-looking caps if you like, some people do. The expensive ones sound just as good as the cheap ones.

 

[Tuxedo Poly]

The Eldred mod capacitor is usually 0.0047uF (4700pF). It is not the same as the main tone capacitor.
Period correct appearance would probably mean ceramic. There a quite a few sellers of 0.0047uF ceramics on Ebay.

 

[CCK1]

Ceramic disc would probably be the most authentic. Voltage rating does not matter.

As well as getting a good meter and some gator clips to measure it's capacity.

This advice from @Billy3 is very important, always verify that the actual capacitance is what it should be.

 

[nathan5782]

These old NOS RMC caps would give you something period correct which sounds like what you're looking for.

RMC 0.0047 MFD Z5U Ceramic Disc Capacitor LOT of 10 NOS | eBay

Capacitor thickness: 0.2".

www.ebay.com

 

[chrisrowell]

Hi Chris, Are you meaning to write .0047? Be aware that this is one-tenth the capacitance of a .047, which is standard issue for Strats and Teles. I have tried an .0047 in a Tele, to me it gave such a small change of tone that I thought it wasn't useful, I much prefer the dramatic roll-off of high frequencies the .047 gives.

As others are telling you, the type, color, shape, age, cost, and manufacturer, will have virtually zero difference in how they sound, at the same capacitance. You can't go wrong with ceramic disk caps, for vintage appeal. You can spend a pile on genuine vintage and vintage-looking caps if you like, some people do. The expensive ones sound just as good as the cheap ones.

yes… .0047/.0050

See Eldred Esquire wiring mod…

 

[chrisrowell]

Ceramic disc would probably be the most authentic. Voltage rating does not matter.


This advice from @Billy3 is very important, always verify that the actual capacitance is what it should be.

thanks! I was going to ask if voltage rating mattered..
they are all over the map

yes… .0047/.0050

See Eldred Esquire wiring mod…

yes… .0047/.0050

See Eldred Esquire wiring mod…

thanks Bill..
I just want it to “look” appropriate
I’m not trying to fool anyone or myself that it’s a vintage instrument
just trying to make it look vintage appealing

 

[Blue Bill]

yes… .0047/.0050

See Eldred Esquire wiring mod…

If you need a .0047, I have a bunch. I'd be happy to send you a couple. PM me if you like.

 

[SnidelyWhiplash]

You shouldn't have to pay a premium for caps. The " cheap " ones will work & looks shouldn't matter. No one is going to see it anyway. Hidden by the control plate.

 

[chrisrowell]

If you need a .0047, I have a bunch. I'd be happy to send you a couple. PM me if you like.

Hi Bill,

What do they look like ?

I was going to buy some NOS .0047 Centralab ceramic discs…
seems appropriate if you were doing a mod in the 60’s on one of your 1950’s
Telecasters… you think ?

 

[Blue Bill]

I have a couple Mullard tropical fish, with the stripes, and some maroon ones, mylar film, I think. Similar to these:



I would think that the teeny ceramic disks would look more period authentic than these.

 

[chrisrowell]

You shouldn't have to pay a premium for caps. The " cheap " ones will work & looks shouldn't matter. No one is going to see it anyway. Hidden by the control plate.

hmmmm ?
I guess you’re not reading my post or getting my goals for this modification

 

[Timbresmith1]

Cornell Dubilier silver mica would work

 

[old wrench]

The best recommendation I can give you for a .045/.050 cap is a .022 cap

More usable tone range

.

 

[archetype]

It seemed so simple when the OP posted:

- The OP wants the cap to look period correct
- The cap is for the Eldred cocked wah mod

 

[chrisrowell]

It seemed so simple when the OP posted:

- The OP wants the cap to look period correct
- The cap is for the Eldred cocked wah mod

thank you !!!!!