what is the mistique about bumblebee caps?

Discussions about items used in audio systems. Speakers, amplifiers, receivers, tape decks, equalizers, etc. Tube and solid state, stereo and mono.
Post Reply
User avatar
basilio
Full Member
Posts: 26
Joined: Sat Aug 07, 2021 1:07 am
Location: Rogers City, MI
Contact:

what is the mistique about bumblebee caps?

Post: # 20241Post basilio »

Honestly, I had a tiny side business when I recapped a 50's radio or shortwaves of reselling the removed bumblebee caps on ebay. No guarantee, nothing, and someone would always buy them. Out of spec, old, caps. Even an elementary electronics course would tell you there is nothing magical about them.
End Rant

Mitch
User avatar
basilio
Full Member
Posts: 26
Joined: Sat Aug 07, 2021 1:07 am
Location: Rogers City, MI
Contact:

Re: what is the mistique about bumblebee caps?

Post: # 20242Post basilio »

Oopps! Posted in the wrong spot!
User avatar
Conelrad
Hero Member
Posts: 265
Joined: Tue Feb 07, 2023 4:28 am
Location: Hidden Valley, AZ
Contact:

Re: what is the mistique about bumblebee caps?

Post: # 20243Post Conelrad »

They were fine when new, as one of the first plastic-encapsulated caps offered.

When they got old, 99.9% of them went leaky.

It makes no sense, but the .022 is still gold for electric guitar builders. Maybe 'cause there isn't any real voltage in the pickup circuits of a Strat...
User avatar
electra225
Site Admin
Posts: 8665
Joined: Thu Jul 08, 2021 7:48 pm
Location: San Tan Valley, AZ
Contact:

Re: what is the mistique about bumblebee caps?

Post: # 20244Post electra225 »

You did just fine, Mitch! Good to see you on the forum again. Please don't be a stranger..... ;)

It takes a special type of human being to successfully service guitar amps. Guitar players "hear" sounds nobody else does, apparently. Like the guys who can hear the difference in rectifiers. Or buying a certain 12AX7 because it has a "fuzzy and crunchy" tone..... ;) :roll:
Life can be tough. It can be even tougher if you're stupid.....
User avatar
TC Chris
Anchor Member
Posts: 3592
Joined: Tue Jul 13, 2021 3:50 am
Location: Traverse City, MI
Contact:

Re: what is the mistique about bumblebee caps?

Post: # 20252Post TC Chris »

Also, unlike audio fans, guitar guys like distortion. The goal of audio electronics is to reproduce recorded sound accurately. The goal of musicians is to sound good for a particular purpose. Distortion can make a device sound good--warmer, fuzzier, harsher, whatever, various additions to the source signal that we don't want in audio.

Chris Campbell
Post Reply

Who is online

Users browsing this forum: No registered users and 12 guests