TS808 Resistors --> metal/carbon film ?!?

[chieljan]

Hey people, little beginners question, I'm gong to build a tubescreamer clone, and wondered: what is the differende between 0.6W metal film resistors and 0.25W carbon film resistors? What difference do they make to the sound? And is one kind better then another? Thak you in advance for your replies!  Chieljan

[chieljan]

Whoops, should have read a little in the forum, this has been asked many times before But hey, still leaves me with these questons: What should I use in the TS808, and what's the difference between the 0.25 and 0.6 watt rating?

[R.G.]

First of all, there are no common 0.6W resistors. 0.5W is the next common size up from quarter. Half watt resistors are actually fairly uncommon today. Most commercial pedals use quarter watt resistors, which have a body about 0.25/6mm long. The next size down is 1/8 or 0.125W resistors. These are about the size of a small signal diode like the 1N4148.

Most people use 1/4W (0.25W) resistors for all of their pedals.

The watt rating is a rating for how much power you can dissipate in the resistor before it burns up. In pedals, it is unusual for any resistor except perhaps an LED current limiting resistor to get more than 1/8W.

If your question is about any difference in sound, there is no consistent difference in sound based on the resistor dissipation unless you're overdissipating it.

[bancika]

Actually, they have only 0.6W in local stores around here. I'm not sure about carbon, but for metal film. Also, Banzai carries 0.6W metal film resistors. I've used those for all three TS808 I build without any problem...they should be better than carbons

[d95err]

0.6W is the standard small metal film resistors in my local shop too.

Get the cheapest resistors you can find with the appropriate power rating. The difference between metal film and carbon comp is extremely small, most people would never hear any difference.

Except perhaps in pulldown and bias resistors near the input stage of a distortion pedal or amp. Metal films are slightly less noisy, and since the input stage is most sensitive to noise, it makes sense to use metal film there.

[chieljan]

Allright, thanks very much! Indeed, I'm going to buy resistors from banzai, and they have 0,6 watts. Thank you all!