Buying capacitors

[Edalicious]

I'm looking to buy a selection of capacitors to have on hand so I don't have to order them individually. Could somebody recommend me somewhere cheap (in Europe) to order from? And if you could recommend a particular kit, that would be awesome 

[slacker]

I've used these, good range of useful values
http://www.rapidonline.com/Electronic-Components/Capacitors/Polyester/Miniature-polyester-capacitor-kit/62509

They do these as well, which also have common stompbox values
http://www.rapidonline.com/Electronic-Components/Capacitors/Polyester/Metallised-polyester-capacitor-kit/200045
http://www.rapidonline.com/Electronic-Components/Capacitors/Radial-Electrolytic/120-piece-Electrolytic-capacitor-kit/74261
http://www.rapidonline.com/Electronic-Components/Capacitors/Ceramic/224-piece-Ceramic-capacitor-kit/74260

[Electron Tornado]

I'm looking to buy a selection of capacitors to have on hand so I don't have to order them individually. Could somebody recommend me somewhere cheap (in Europe) to order from? And if you could recommend a particular kit, that would be awesome 

Good idea to buy several of the same value of caps and resistors. It will save you money in the long run. Here's an article about another way to get some cheap spares:   http://guitarkitbuilder.com/content/spare-parts-save-more-money


As for a kit, if you are new to building, the Fuzz Face, MXR Distortion + (or DOD OD250) are very simple.

Have fun, and tell us about what you build. 

[Edalicious]

I'm looking to buy a selection of capacitors to have on hand so I don't have to order them individually. Could somebody recommend me somewhere cheap (in Europe) to order from? And if you could recommend a particular kit, that would be awesome  

Good idea to buy several of the same value of caps and resistors. It will save you money in the long run. Here's an article about another way to get some cheap spares:   http://guitarkitbuilder.com/content/spare-parts-save-more-money


As for a kit, if you are new to building, the Fuzz Face, MXR Distortion + (or DOD OD250) are very simple.

Have fun, and tell us about what you build.  

Ha, yeah I've stripped out a VCR for parts already! And I've made both a Distortion + and some kinda fuzz box already. I've just finished a Valvecaster which just needs to be boxed and my next project is probably going to be some kind of Tube Screamer clone. I've also modded all of my old Boss OD and Distortions. That was probably the most satisfying! Sorting out little things that have been annoying me since I bought them. I am new to DIYing but I've got a lot of spare time on my hands at the moment  

I've used these, good range of useful values
http://www.rapidonline.com/Electronic-Components/Capacitors/Polyester/Miniature-polyester-capacitor-kit/62509

They do these as well, which also have common stompbox values
http://www.rapidonline.com/Electronic-Components/Capacitors/Polyester/Metallised-polyester-capacitor-kit/200045
http://www.rapidonline.com/Electronic-Components/Capacitors/Radial-Electrolytic/120-piece-Electrolytic-capacitor-kit/74261
http://www.rapidonline.com/Electronic-Components/Capacitors/Ceramic/224-piece-Ceramic-capacitor-kit/74260

Thanks, that's exactly what I was looking for! Would you guys recommend the miniature polyester caps or the metallised polyester ones for audio path use? I already have a pack of the ceramic caps but i'm under the impression that they might not be quite as good for use in the audio path.

[IvIark]

These are good value:

http://www.bitsbox.co.uk/polyfilm.html#pbk1

[LucifersTrip]

1 cent each & inexpensive worldwide shipping
http://www.taydaelectronics.com/servlet/the-Capacitors/Categories

takes only 10-20 days to get to the US

[dromilious]

I want to know what is the difference between ceramic and polyester film capacitors.
For example if i use a 100 nf ceramic capacitor instead of a polyester will this affect my circuit to worst or best results ?
I got a pack of 2500 ceramic capacitors from 1 pf to 100 nf and i dont know if i have to buy polyester film for nanofarad values for better results.
What is your opinion ?

[Joe Hart]

I want to know what is the difference between ceramic and polyester film capacitors.
For example if i use a 100 nf ceramic capacitor instead of a polyester will this affect my circuit to worst or best results ?
I got a pack of 2500 ceramic capacitors from 1 pf to 100 nf and i dont know if i have to buy polyester film for nanofarad values for better results.
What is your opinion ?

It is believed that ceramic caps sound "grittier" that film caps (which may be a good thing, or may be a bad thing). But the real bottom line is to try them out and see what you like. Generally, people use ceramics for stuff in the "pf" range and film caps for larger values.
-Joe Hart

[amptramp]

I want to know what is the difference between ceramic and polyester film capacitors.
For example if i use a 100 nf ceramic capacitor instead of a polyester will this affect my circuit to worst or best results ?
I got a pack of 2500 ceramic capacitors from 1 pf to 100 nf and i dont know if i have to buy polyester film for nanofarad values for better results.
What is your opinion ?

Ceramics are quite non-linear and they can also be microphonic.  If you are using them for an effect you just use in your bedroom, the microphonics shouldn't matter.  If you are in a metal band that plays at 115 db, test before using.  As Joe Hart mentioned, large values should be film and small values are most easily available in ceramic.  The performance differences are shown here:

http://greygum.net/sbench/sbench102/caps.html

[digi2t]

Thanks, that's exactly what I was looking for! Would you guys recommend the miniature polyester caps or the metallised polyester ones for audio path use? I already have a pack of the ceramic caps but i'm under the impression that they might not be quite as good for use in the audio path.


I've used ceramic caps in every project, except for my Axis Face where a silver mica was recommended for hiss reduction. Just for fun, I swapped it out for an equivilant ceramic, and there was no difference to my ears. i say go with ceramics. They're cheap, and multi-value kits are dirt cheap.

Cheers,
Dino

[dromilious]

Thank you all for your answers.
I want to make a project twice someday.
The first using the cheapest resistors-capacitors and the second using the best ones to see if it worths the difference at the cost.

[Joe Hart]

Thank you all for your answers.
I want to make a project twice someday.
The first using the cheapest resistors-capacitors and the second using the best ones to see if it worths the difference at the cost.

Just breadboard it and switch out components. It's easier AND you would lessen any other variables (tolerances, etc.). I mean, if you build a circuit twice, chances are that the components will all be slightly different values and that would make much more of a difference in sound than capacitor types. And for that matter, switching a capacitor type with a different value would make more of a difference than the type would. So you would have to measure each capacitor and switch them for an exact value of the other type. Many caps can vary plus or minus 10% (a ".01" cap could actually vary by as much as 20%).
-Joe Hart