KGB Kaps test (Jonesy's new Russian Caps)

[dwagar]

I finally found a bit of time to run a quick test of Jonesy's new Russian kaps, er, caps.



I found them both (the top 2, silver and green) to be very vintage sounding, what we're looking for in a really good PIO caps. If you don't look at them, I think they'll fool you into thinking they are vintage caps.

If I was going to put one of the two in my R9, I'd pick the silver one. I found it a tiny bit less harsh on full treble, and a tiny bit more hollow sounding on full roll off. BUT, that could simply be that the silver is +/- 20% and the green is +/- 10%.

A quick caveat, I prefer .015s and these are the "normal" .022s. I know Greg prefers .010s, maybe his ears are more toasted than mine are . So, especially on full roll off, I don't like to get too dark. That could explain why I like the Silver better, if it's say .022-20%=about .018. [yeah, I broke my meter] If you prefer .022s, either one would probably satisfy your ear.

I also tested that brown beauty that Jonesy sent me quite some time ago. And of course, a real Bee.

My order of preference in this batch is Bee, Beauty, Silver, Green.

But, I seriously doubt if I'd be able to tell the difference, even in my own guitar, without having them on a test bed that I could switch instantly to compare them. They are all that good.

With caps, I think you have to find your comfort zone, as I said above, Greg has his zone, I have mine, others are different. Guitars are different. And if you are chasing that PIO tone, I think you can get into Russians far cheaper than Bees.

I'm not sure, but I think these Russian PIOs are the basis for Luxe caps. I've never tested a Luxe, but if these are the base, I can see why they are so highly recommended.

If you want PIO tone, and don't want to drop the bucks on Bees (especially .022 Bees), I'd say go for these Russians and keep the rest of the money for something else. Like strings. Or picks.

[jonesy]

Hey Don Thanks for taking the time to test those caps and give your thoughts. I think your ear is right between the silver K40 series and the green K42's, that's the way I heard it. When I tested these Russian .022's on my meter I found that the K40's read like 19.0-19.8 and some that I got were 10% & some were 20% tolerance??
The green K42's are mil spec enamel coated high heat range 630v caps that read down around .018-ish, they have a sharper mid curve and a little more bite. I have a pair of the K42's now in my 99' LP Special and they have crunch, and I like the roll off on them, closer to .015 than .022 You know I thought the Silver K40's were a bit warmer and vocal as well. Thanks again Don!

[5F6-A]

very interesting!!



How they compare to NOS Vitamin Qs??

[dwagar]

To my ears, they are so close to Qs that it'd be hard to tell them apart. There are tiny differences you can discern on a bench, if you're as anal about cap tone as I am. But these really have that good PIO tone. Once in the guitar, I don't think you'd notice any difference between these and a Q.

[Beerdog80]

I just put the K42's in my Gibson SG Standard with the RS Superpot/CTS pots to replace the crap stockers and even with the lousy 490R/498T still in it (waiting for another forum member to get back to me so I can get some Burstbuckers!) and they sound great. Very crisp and clear without too much low end getting in the way.

[5F6-A]

pulled the trigger and I'm getting a couple of bees from jonesy. One is going in my Lp (bridge) along with my VQ (neck).

[jodymauk]

jonesy' hookin me up with some caps also..Im gonna be a test subject.getting some .022 PIO caps to put in my LP with EMG's 81/85..so I may be the first (here) to try 'em with active pups....lookin forward to it....I love tinkering

[jonesy]

Originally Posted by Beerdog80

I just put the K42's in my Gibson SG Standard with the RS Superpot/CTS pots to replace the crap stockers and even with the lousy 490R/498T still in it (waiting for another forum member to get back to me so I can get some Burstbuckers!) and they sound great. Very crisp and clear without too much low end getting in the way.

Hey sounds great bro, Thanks! Did you notice any type of ""break-in" period with those green russian caps? I did not but someone else had mentioned it and I was just wondering your thoughts on that?

[Beerdog80]

Originally Posted by jonesy

Hey sounds great bro, Thanks! Did you notice any type of ""break-in" period with those green russian caps? I did not but someone else had mentioned it and I was just wondering your thoughts on that?

No, but I 'break in' caps before I put them in anything. I'll buy some more of these for the rest of my guitars shortly. Found a cap in my beater tele that I have no idea what it is or where I got it. I'll post a picture of it later on.

[jonesy]

Originally Posted by Beerdog80

No, but I 'break in' caps before I put them in anything. I'll buy some more of these for the rest of my guitars shortly. Found a cap in my beater tele that I have no idea what it is or where I got it. I'll post a picture of it later on.

Cool dog, thanks for the feedback

[5F6-A]

that's peculiar... some people claim caps for the tone control sound better not broken in

[Beerdog80]

Originally Posted by 5F6-A

that's peculiar... some people claim caps for the tone control sound better not broken in

everyones ears hear different things I guess. I only do a break in period on caps so I know can figure out if they will drift or fail.

On the side note, figured out what the cap I pulled out of my Tele was. An old Cornell PIO cap. Patented in 1930...and this thing looks about that old.

[5F6-A]

it does!

[jonesy]

Originally Posted by Beerdog80

everyones ears hear different things I guess. I only do a break in period on caps so I know can figure out if they will drift or fail.

On the side note, figured out what the cap I pulled out of my Tele was. An old Cornell PIO cap. Patented in 1930...and this thing looks about that old.

Here is my version of the PIO wax potted caps

[Beerdog80]

Originally Posted by jonesy

Here is my version of the PIO wax potted caps

Much nicer and WAY smaller. This thing was taking up most of the control cavity! It does sound pretty cool though. Too bad its a .03

[dwagar]

old doesn't always mean good. Here's my oldest pair I think, .02 Nationals.



They're okay, smooth and warm tone, and they do look cool. But, I'm not in the habit of pulling the cover off the cavity to show it off anyway. They don't deliver what I consider that vintage tone though. They miss that bit of hollowness I look for. I'd put the new Russians in anyday before these.

[5F6-A]

right....
don you've got a PM

[dwagar]

and answered. I'm waiting for the tone report on those Bees man.

[jonesy]

Originally Posted by dwagar

and answered. I'm waiting for the tone report on those Bees man.

I am putting wings on them as soon as I finish my lunch

[dwagar]

What?!
these are real bees man, lunch can wait.

[5F6-A]

Originally Posted by dwagar

What?!
these are real bees man, lunch can wait.

[jonesy]

Originally Posted by dwagar

What?!
these are real bees man, lunch can wait.

Sorry Don, Tonemojo Rule #1, I never wire up harnesses or ship Bee-Mojo on an empty stomach. They just left for the post offices 5 mins ago and are on the way to our friend in Spain

[5F6-A]

cheers mate!! you rock!

[jonesy]

Thanks Man, I gotcha covered

[scoobyzjr]

I finally got a chance to put in the K40s I got from Jonesy. Wow! The difference in the tone controls is appreciably better. I was never one for using the tone control much before because my tone would get muddy and you had to roll the tone control down a bunch to get any real variation. These new caps from Jonesy do the trick. It has opened up a new level of tone mojo from my LP. I am not the only one who believes it. I took my LP to a friend's house and let him hear the difference. He was not a believer in changing caps until he played my LP. Now, he is sold and can't wait to get his hands on some caps as well.

Thanks Jonesy.

[jonesy]

Awesome bro, a lot of people don't really start using their tone controls until they get a good set of PIO caps installed. I am glad they are working out for you
I have some .033's and .047's on the way that are same series Russian .022's that you have and I will be testing them out as well.

Thanks, jonesy

[5F6-A]

caps do make a difference. whether you choose to accept the fact or not it's up to you.

[LEFTY LES]

Originally Posted by 5F6-A

caps do make a difference. whether you choose to accept the fact or not it's up to you.

Im with you. I dont understand guys who dont get that. It is fact no???? Oh well

[scoobyzjr]

Quick question - I see some caps are 100 volts, some are 200 volts and others are 400 volts. Does this matter? What difference does the DC make on caps of the same value (ie .022)???

[jonesy]

Originally Posted by scoobyzjr

Quick question - I see some caps are 100 volts, some are 200 volts and others are 400 volts. Does this matter? What difference does the DC make on caps of the same value (ie .022)???

Voltage matters a lot with amps, but very little for Guitar Tone caps. The voltage size does have a little bit to do with the size of the filter.