Blue resistors, brown resistors

[Danny G]

Here's a question:

I did the R28 mod to my Phase 90, but wanted to go back.  I went to the store to replace the resistor--I asked the guy what's the difference between blue and brown resistors? (All the Phase 90's were blue).  He said, "Just different manufacturers."

Just thought I'd make sure--I was just looking at a pic of a modded pedal, where some of the resistors were exchanged for "metal film resistors,"  and noticed some of those little blue guys in the pic, the same # that were swapped.

Are the blue ones "metal film," or just a different make.  And if they're "metal film," what's the difference?

Thanks

[soundcollage]

Do a search in the archives, but from my experience the blues are metal film and more importently 1% tolerence as opposed to the browns which are carbon film and are 5% tolerence. Either should work fine in electronic projects especially if you are using a DMM to check their values. Were you at a radio shack? They seem notoriously oblivious to anything not related to cell pones or remote controlled cars. They also seem more than willing to spread misinformation if it means a sale.

[Fret Wire]

The blue resistors are metal film. The tan looking ones are carbon compostion. Metal film are usually quieter than carbon comp resistors. Their tolorance from the indicated value is generally 1% vs. 5% for carbon comp. In your case, either will work ok for R28. BTW, you didn't like the sound with R28 removed?

[Samuel]

If it is a metal film 1% resistor, though, you'll notice that it has five color bands instead of three. (And the last band will be brown to denote the 1% tolerance). I have actually seen (and purchased) blue resistors that only have four color bands, and were 2% tolerance (red final band) - not 100% sure what material they were made out of - bt I'm guessing metal film.

[puretube]

you also often find (older) carbons with 10 or even 20% ...

[Danny G]

It sounded good, but I also liked the "over the top" aspect of it with R28.  I heard of someone rigging a toggle switch to it and thought it was a cool idea--go for both sounds and switch back and forth.

Not a HUGE difference in sound, but it's there.  And it was a cool practice project.  Never rigged a toggle switch to a pedal before \m/