Fuzz Face input cap - does it need to be polarised?

[m7b52000]

I have been in the habit of using a polarised electrolytic cap (.22 - 2.2 uf ) for the input cap both Ge and Si versions but have just noticed that it is sometimes shown in schematics as a non polarised cap e.g the Axis Fuzz (Si) schematic on Fuzzcentral. Does it not matter for Si Fuzz Faces or does it not matter for Ge as well?

cheers,

Tony

[11-90-an]

When you don't have the non-polarized caps, you have no choice but to use the polarized electrolytics, no matter the pedal...

https://www.diystompboxes.com/smfforum/index.php?topic=125313.60

Go to reply #86, on page 5, you can get lots of info there

[willienillie]

It never needs to be polarized.  It only matters that it's oriented correctly when it is.  I have a 2.2uF film input cap on my fuzz face.

[m7b52000]

It never needs to be polarized.  It only matters that it's oriented correctly when it is.  I have a 2.2uF film input cap on my fuzz face.

Thanks, this is clear and unambiguous. Are there any dissenting views?

How about the 22uF cap between the Fuzz pot lug 2 and ground? I assume that must be polarised.

[willienillie]

How about the 22uF cap between the Fuzz pot lug 2 and ground? I assume that must be polarised.

No, it would be difficult to find a 22uF film cap that isn't huge, but you could use a non-polar electrolytic.

[11-90-an]

As what willienillie said, no caps have to polarized or not. It's just that it would be sometimes impractical to buy non-polarized 22uF caps... (or any bigger values)

https://www.parts-express.com/22uf-100v-electrolytic-non-polarized-crossover-capacitor--027-348

[m7b52000]

Thanks, I have learnt something!

[antonis]

There are commercially availaible bipolar (non-polarized) electrolytic caps, up to 100μF or so..
(much more expensive, of course..)

[Steben]

non polarized electrolytes are usually if not all a combo of two polarized ones in one.

On topic: no as mentioned by many already. 
A very interesting question is whether the cap needs to be electrolytic, because those age much faster than the others. Problem is, it is cheap and space saving to use electrolytic method to achieve big capacitance.
1µ - 2.2µ is a region where non - electrolytic options are still plenty.
22µ is hard for the wallet and the highest in film caps (>5-6$ per piece)
+100µ completely masochistic for your wallet. You can buy a ceramic 470µF 25V for +30$.... 470µF 25V in electrolytic is like ... 0.2$
That's why they are used and swapped after 10 / 15 / 20 years with another 0.2$ ....