Carbon Composite Resistors

[Single Coil]

Are carbon composit resistors the highest grade in terms of durablity and tight tolerances? I realize they may not have more mojo and may be more sterile sounding...what about Carbon composite versus ceramic composition resistors? Would you use these in your pedal projects?

Would you be just as happy to use metal film resistors in everything? When would you begin to stress out over the type of resistor you would use?

Also, when searching through the Mouser offerings you can specify the tolerance. Does a lower tolerance have more mojo? Yes that's a ridiculous question! *laugh* But, it sure was fun to ask it.

OK, I found RG's article on the subject via the FAQ section...http://diystompboxes.com/pedals/rgccmp.html

Got it. Any mojo is merely peceception and not a real property of the material of construction.

[Ge_Whiz]

Are carbon composit resistors the highest grade in terms of durablity and tight tolerances? I realize they may not have more mojo and may be more sterile sounding...what about Carbon composite versus ceramic composition resistors? Would you use these in your pedal projects?

>>No, metal films are tops - but at a price.

Would you be just as happy to use metal film resistors in everything? When would you begin to stress out over the type of resistor you would use?

>>Yes. Never.

Also, when searching through the Mouser offerings you can specify the tolerance. Does a lower tolerance have more mojo? Yes that's a ridiculous question! *laugh* But, it sure was fun to ask it.

>>No, a larger tolerance has more mojo because with larger variations, you are more likely to randomly achieve a 'sweet' combination of component values - if you make 100+ pedals. With one pedal, it might sound crap, or it might sound great. The tighter the tolerances, the more likely several pedals are to sound exactly alike. Result - no mojo to be had.

OK, I found RG's article on the subject via the FAQ section...http://diystompboxes.com/pedals/rgccmp.html

Got it. Any mojo is merely peceception and not a real property of the material of construction.

[Single Coil]

Are carbon composit resistors the highest grade in terms of durablity and tight tolerances? I realize they may not have more mojo and may be more sterile sounding...what about Carbon composite versus ceramic composition resistors? Would you use these in your pedal projects?

>>No, metal films are tops - but at a price.

Would you be just as happy to use metal film resistors in everything? When would you begin to stress out over the type of resistor you would use?

>>Yes. Never.

Also, when searching through the Mouser offerings you can specify the tolerance. Does a lower tolerance have more mojo? Yes that's a ridiculous question! *laugh* But, it sure was fun to ask it.

>>No, a larger tolerance has more mojo because with larger variations, you are more likely to randomly achieve a 'sweet' combination of component values - if you make 100+ pedals. With one pedal, it might sound crap, or it might sound great. The tighter the tolerances, the more likely several pedals are to sound exactly alike. Result - no mojo to be had.

OK, I found RG's article on the subject via the FAQ section...http://diystompboxes.com/pedals/rgccmp.html

Got it. Any mojo is merely peceception and not a real property of the material of construction.

Metal film resistors are tops. Really.

No, a larger tolerance has more mojo because with larger variations, you are more likely to randomly achieve a 'sweet' combination of component values - if you make 100+ pedals. With one pedal, it might sound crap, or it might sound great. The tighter the tolerances, the more likely several pedals are to sound exactly alike. Result - no mojo to be had.

That's why I was thinking thinking looser tolerance would result more likely.

[JimRayden]

That's why I was thinking thinking looser tolerance would result more likely.

If you're after some fun by searching mojo, start building those 100+ pedals. (or save some money by placing a trimpot instead of every resistor in the pedal - fine-tune your mojo. Good luck with the BSIAB )

If you want a good sounding pedal that works, use tight tolerances. I believe the designer of the pedal was aware of what he was doing.

I personally like the boxy cylinder looks of carbon-comp and I'm trying to use them 100% in my tube projects (along with orange drops and mallorys ). Just because of the looks and mojo.

---------
Jimbo

[Single Coil]

That's why I was thinking thinking looser tolerance would result more likely.

If you're after some fun by searching mojo, start building those 100+ pedals. (or save some money by placing a trimpot instead of every resistor in the pedal - fine-tune your mojo. Good luck with the BSIAB )

If you want a good sounding pedal that works, use tight tolerances. I believe the designer of the pedal was aware of what he was doing.

I personally like the boxy cylinder looks of carbon-comp and I'm trying to use them 100% in my tube projects (along with orange drops and mallorys ). Just because of the looks and mojo.

---------
Jimbo

I would love to build 100+ pedals at a time...but I'd have to give them all away because I wouldn't be able to sell them for profit. Unless, I can develop a my own schematic. Maybe I could pioneer the new brown sound! But, I'd probably call it blue sound.  But, wow that sounds like a lot of work.

Do you always use the 1/4 watt rated resistors? There's probably no reason in a stompbox to need a higher current rating, right?

[JimRayden]

Do you always use the 1/4 watt rated resistors? There's probably no reason in a stompbox to need a higher current rating, right?

1/8W would be pretty close to what's in the pedals, so 1/4W leaves plenty of headroom. Any higher than that would start wasting space.

---------
Jimbo

[puretube]

for "mojo", click here...

[Single Coil]

for "mojo", click here...

Thanks for that link...it is indeed a great read.

[RDV]

For real Mojo click here!

RDV

[Single Coil]

What about capacitor mojo? AVX Box Capacitors for improved mojo?