Are Bumble Bee Caps Worth it?

[axehandler]

I've change my caps many times, but never have I put in Spragues. I recently put in some paper/oil ones from ebay, and I actually noticed a nice smooth, warm tone improvement. Now I'm thinking of trying some .022/400V bumble-bees, but not sure if they are worth the $ or just hyped-up because they were original. Give me your opinion if you have them or you've sampled them.

[J-Man123]

I think they are worth it. When you put them it it sounds like you've taken a blanket off of your amp. Each note rings out in clarity.

J-Man123

[dwagar]

IMO yes and no.

Yes, Bumblebees are my favorite cap. Both of my LPs have real bees in them. However, good PIOs will get you almost there. Vit Qs, Russians, Luxe. Very close to a real bee. You can search for an old thread where I tested some Russians for Jonesy, search 'Jonesy KGB Kaps', it was called something like that.

===
here it is
KGB Kaps test (Jonesy's new Russian Caps)
===

No I wouldn't ever pay the price that .022 400v is worth unless I was restoring old wood. You can buy other values much, much cheaper. Besides, IMO .022 is a touch dark anyway. I prefer .010, .015, .018

[axehandler]

I bought the russian caps for $13., and I was very impressed. I want to try the bees, but don't feel like spending $70 unnecessarily. Sometimes the "hype" outweighs reality. I own four real paf's and have played many. They are considered the Holy Grail of pickups, but the truth is, there are many that are mediocre, at best (Some are great though). I appreciate the honest evaluation...

[axehandler]

Thanks for the link. Your test helped me make a decision to buy a few more of the russians. I'm strictly looking for tone, and I think the russians deliver. Some day I'll try the bees though...

[refin]

To "bee" honest,I've got original Bs in my '50s Lester,sound great......but I've gotten great results with $1.29 caps from Radio Shack.
It's a marriage,folks...........between the cap,the pots,and the pups (3 in a marriage?).

[5F6-A]

Originally Posted by dwagar

IMO yes and no.

Yes, Bumblebees are my favorite cap. Both of my LPs have real bees in them. However, good PIOs will get you almost there. Vit Qs, Russians, Luxe. Very close to a real bee. You can search for an old thread where I tested some Russians for Jonesy, search 'Jonesy KGB Kaps', it was called something like that.
I prefer .010, .015, .018

exactly my opinion....

[RCCola]

I bought 10 a few months ago of 0.010 uF for $50. Measure between 0.010 and 0.018 so I can use on neck and bridge. Some of them sound better than others within the group.

Are they worth $5 each? sure. I wouldn't pay the $40/cap some of these eBayers are paying.

I think PIO caps can be a bit too warm for some guitars though.

[ozone]

I bought some grey tigers (LUXE) from RS. Which are the same as the Luxe B's. I love them for my guitar. I had sprague Q's in it before. Those were good also, but for my guitar the Tigers work better.
Jonesy has great stuff. You'll never go wrong with jonesy. But if you have some extra cash (yeah, right) Try the LUXE B's at RS guitarworks.

[BCRGreg]

I have a bunch of bumbles, I have replaced them in my old guitars with .01 caps.

Anyone need any Bees?

[GS STRINGS]

I've been chaseing that PIO tone myself, I got a couple of the russian .22 caps on ebay for 3 bucks a pc.I did a google search and found the same russian caps as shown in dwager's link he provided. I think they are coming from russia .25 cents a pc. I don't know how reliable the seller is but I ordered 20 of them and with shipping it only came to $13.Like I said not sure on the reliability only ordered them 3 days ago,I used paypal so I don't think I will get screwed.

[Liam]

I've got them in a few of my guitars. They are worth it to me. However if you buy close values to 0.022 (like 0.020 or 0.018) or get a different voltage rating, they sound just as good and cost a heap less.

Liam

[Curt1lp]

I've compared the vintage bees to other PIO of the same rating using a switch wired in so you can flick between two caps in less than a second. There is hardly any difference and to be honest I had an 0.025 russian cap that sounded a bit better. As long as the cap is PIO you are pretty much there IMHO. So my opinon is no - not worth it as the Russian caps are plentiful and even american made sprague vitamin Qs are easy to get and much cheaper. If you want the look get Luxe.

[Curt1lp]

PS if you are buying Bees do make sure you get the ones with the solder blobs indicating an oil filling tube - otherwise you are not getting PIO, and are wasting your money, you are getting something more akin to an Orange drop capacitor - I think they were marketed as DIfilm like the Black Beauties

[oops]

I have bumble bees in my SG. Haven't noticed a difference. but that could be cause my amp sucks.

[Leo]

Originally Posted by dwagar

IMO yes and no.

Yes, Bumblebees are my favorite cap. Both of my LPs have real bees in them. However, good PIOs will get you almost there. Vit Qs, Russians, Luxe. Very close to a real bee. You can search for an old thread where I tested some Russians for Jonesy, search 'Jonesy KGB Kaps', it was called something like that.

===
here it is
KGB Kaps test (Jonesy's new Russian Caps)
===

No I wouldn't ever pay the price that .022 400v is worth unless I was restoring old wood. You can buy other values much, much cheaper. Besides, IMO .022 is a touch dark anyway. I prefer .010, .015, .018

+++1,....i love the ones i bought on ebay that were nos copper foil caps and lovem in the gtr's i put them in smooth and sweet.

[asher67]

I put Sprague Vitamin Qs in my LP, and it opened up the tone of the '57 Reissue pickups. Changing the pots to CTS 500k audio tapers improved them more. I like J-Man123's description of taking a blanket off of your amp - very accurate.