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What Size Capacitor Do I Use in My Guitar?

A guitar capacitor, or tone cap, serves as a passive electronic component that has an electrostatic field. A capacitor also stores energy. Applied to guitars, a tone cap capacitor changes the tone frequency in the sound by causing resistance. When the tone is turned down, the high frequencies are temporarily stunted and the effect produces a warm, low-end tonal quality. Turning the knob clockwise produces a clearer sound. Replacing a tone cap capacitor involves a process of experimentation until personal preference is achieved.

Farad Number
- Once you have the guitar plate off and access to the capacitor, you will need to read the stamps on the capacitor body. The uF number stands for the farad value, or resistance, and the other letters and numbers will denote voltage. The uF range can be anywhere from .0068uF on up to .1uF. Your capacitor should fall somewhere within this range.
Voltage and Size
- The capacitor will have a voltage designation, expressed in millivolts. The millivolts do not have a great effect on the performance of the capacitor, since the voltage signal is so small. If the guitar has a modified, very high-voltage pickup, then the capacitor will have to mate with the pickup voltage, or be very close. Many higher-voltage capacitors will not physically fit in the guitar, due to their larger size.
Brands
- Tone cap capacitors come in numerous brand name configurations. Such brand names include Orange Drop, Jensen, Bumblebee and Hovland. Some capacitors are also available as ceramic discs. You may wish to stick to the current brand name capacitor that came with your guitar. You can experiment and change the brand, since the voltage and uF number will not be affected, unless you want to change those. Some brand names have their own distinct sound, but the variations are very small.
Dark and Warm Tones
- The larger the capacitor tone cap value, the darker or warmer the tone will be. Turning the tone knob counterclockwise, or down, will result in increased lower-end sounds. Some guitar players who prefer jazz will appreciate the more subdued, warm quality of higher uF numbers, which begin at the top end with .1uF.
Medium Tones
- For medium tones, which retain the warm jazzy tone but add a slightly higher frequency range, a .047uF capacitor is a good choice.
Higher End Tone
- Decreasing further to a smaller .022uF number will produce a sort of nasal sound, but in a pleasant way. The warm jazz sound will diminish more, but will still be evident. The .022uF capacitor does well for blues, rock and roll and familiar pop styles, since it adds a clearer punch to the tone. It also offers a wider range of tones, and works quite well with overdrive. If you play rock or pop, this choice will deliver the range you need.
Vintage Guitars
- For the older and vintage style guitars, you should determine if you will replace the "stock" capacitor that came with the instrument. For example, Fender used .1uf or .05uF capacitors in early classic models, while Gibson commonly used .026uF. You can read this uF value on the capacitor body, so make sure you check it.

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