Guitar Tone Capacitors, part 2: How Tone Works, Selecting a Value

In part two of this video on tone capacitors, I present a tutorial on how to read cap values, an explanation of how the capacitance and resistance work together as an RC filter in the tone circuit, and some audio examples to help in selecting a useful cap value for a tone circuit. The caps I play through here are all Orange Drop caps with values .047uF, .022uF, .01uF, 6800pF, 4700pF, 3300pF and 1000pF.
Correction: at 2:52, I said this incorrectly. The cutoff frequency doesn't actually change- just the amount of signal passed through the cap to ground. To change the cutoff frequency, pick a different capacitance value. This configuration of resistor and capacitor, in parallel with the guitar signal, makes this a Low Pass RC filter.
Correction at 4:21: the .022uF cap here is a 225p orange drop which is polyester film while the rest are polypropylene.
Everything is played on my Epiphone Riviera P93 with Vintage Vibe Guitars P-90 pickups, through my Vox VT30 on the Boutique Clean model, mic'd with a Rode NT1 large diaphragm microphone.

[Paul_Uhl_]

THIS IS THE BEST VIDEO PRESENTATION RELATED TO GUITAR AUDIO THAT I HAVE EVER SEEN.

Thank you, John!

[thornev]

Just want to say.. EXCELLENT explanation. Should be easy for all guitarists to understand.

[gjw]

I stumbled across this by accident whilst browsing youtube. So glad I did, what a brilliant explanation you give of everything. You make it very easy to understand. Thank you

[davet]

Just want to echo the comments of others. This to me is the definitive example of what a tone circuit is, and how it works on a guitar with different values as well as how it works in general. Your efforts to bring this to the masses is truly appreciated. In just under 10 minutes you took a subject that was admittedly foggy to me and made it crystal clear. Heartfelt thank you for putting in the time to give something positive to others!!!

[borisfogelson]

John, You just became my personal hero. Many people were trying to explain me RC circuit but only after I watched your video I got that understanding. Thank you. You are one of those who really can explain things.

[chrisrimolt]

4th video of yours that I've watched tonight alone - and I've learned more about how and why my guitars work as they do than I have in the past four years!!! Thanks, John.

[Plipas]

Respond to this video... The next step is to make another hole, very close to the bridge, to reach it when I am playing, and this is going to be the place that I am going to install a master volume pot. I do not no how to do this but I will try. Keep going John, you help us to create our sounds.
Antonis

[michaelallenyarbrough]

Absolutely GOATed video, so helpful, thank

[anthonyskellern]

Brilliant experiments - exhaustive, well explained and strangely hypnotic!
Very useful information, I commend you for your tireless dedication to tone, John!

[johnnourse]

Excellent Excellent Technical explanation. I took this years ago in college in the 1960's and used it for a while in work but that was long ago and Now I am building a guitar kit and it has lousy components, your series is terrific to help me understand what I need to get. Thanks so much for your presentation. You would be better than a lot of the professors I had. Thanks again.

John N

[Chromaticwyrm]

I just started playing and getting into making my own or making pawn shop finds great guitars. I know nothing about electronics and even I got this right away. Great explanation!

[christopherchristopher]

Really good explanation of a tone pot with its cap. Appreciate that!

[echo]

Your video is very well done, simple, easy to comprehend, informative with no bs or extra unwanted music or drama, I have watched several you have done, all are good and it has helped me with my tone decisions. You Dad must have been into electronics. I used to teach electronics at a technical college. Thanks, David

[jamesrobinson]

This video is exactly what I needed in researching 4700 pF tone caps! I'm almost 10 years late, but thank you!

[luckylicks]

Cool! Can't believe how easy you've made this to be understood.

[fenderstratguy]

This whole thing was extremely interesting and you're a very effective explainer.

[dannon]

this is very helpful...I'm changing out pickups and refurbishing my old strat...this helped quite a bit in getting me to understand what is exactly happening, and points me in a general direction if I encounter some tone issues with my .22'ers. I have some easy and inexpensive options, thanks to your explanation of what occurs electronically and tonally. Perfect for those of us electronically challenged by the myriad of options and issues associated with something as simple as guitar work.

[donlessnau]

Outstanding. Best explanation I've come from across. Well done. Thanks a lot.

[rankay]

John, you are an excellent teacher. You are organized, stay on point, and great pacing.  Clearly, you understand that great teaching requires preparation. Thank you

[The_Klystron]

This explains it very well. Ultimate guide to tone capacitors !!