EVH III EL34 50w - C137 Mod Replacement Capacitor

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The Filth

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Hey everyone,

I recently performed the popular "C137" mod on my EVH III EL34 50w head. I think it sounds good with the mod, and makes it better suited to some more extreme styles, but the stock version with the C137 capacitor sounds good too. They just sound different, with the stock being a bit darker and more old school sounding.

I've decided I want to put it on a toggle switch so I can have the best of both worlds. I did the mod myself and it kinda worked, but the soldering iron I used was a bit much for such delicate work, and I believe I damaged the capacitor. It still effects the sound, but not quite like it did before. It's not the end of the world but I'd like to get it right.

The capacitor says "Y5F 102k 1KV" on it. I'm having trouble finding the correct capacitor anywhere. Does anyone know where I can find the right capacitor? If not, is there anything else that would be suitable for this purpose?

Thanks for your help.

M
 
Is that a ceramic disk capacitor? I think 102k would be a 1,000 pF capacitor (10 with 2 zeros after it).
 
cardinal said:
Is that a ceramic disk capacitor? I think 102k would be a 1,000 pF capacitor (10 with 2 zeros after it).
Click to expand...
Yes it is- I should have added that. It's a ceramic capacitor and yes, it is 1,000pF. But there are other relevant factors, yeah? Or is it that easy? I don't know what all the other values written on it are for.
 
Oh god...this again.

Sorry. I know I should probably post this in the Unpopular Opinions thread but I'll lay this golden egg here. This mod HARDLY does any difference to the stock blue channel . Like maybe 20% difference in tone/tightness. Amazing what influence has on people. YT internet assholes spread this folklore. Even Kyle Bull, whom I actually like a lot or at least the content he puts out.
 
Purity said:
Oh god...this again.

Sorry. I know I should probably post this in the Unpopular Opinions thread but I'll lay this golden egg here. This mod HARDLY does any difference to the stock blue channel . Like maybe 20% difference in tone/tightness. Amazing what influence has on people. YT internet assholes spread this folklore. Even Kyle Bull, whom I actually like a lot or at least the content he puts out.
Click to expand...
Dude, you just a full on hallucination. It's like you saw "C137" and ran program, "some asshole who reads too many forums swears this mod SAVED his amp and SO MUCH better."

Read what I said again. Not what you wish I said so you can feel like you're above all the trend jumpers all over the internet.

I said both sound good and the stock one is a "tad darker and more old school sounding". So, in other words a subtle but noticeable difference - kinda like a "20 percent" difference in "tone/tightness" you might say...? Is this mod over-hyped like so many things on guitar forums? Of course. Is it worth having fun tinkering with your amp and getting to sprinkle a slightly different seasoning on your steak? Yes, it is. That's why I brought it up.
 
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The Filth said:
Read what I said again. Not what you wish I said so you can feel like you're above all the trend jumpers all over the internet.
Click to expand...

I'm well aware of what you claimed and what I read. Cool beans bro if you like it both ways and feel its enough to warrant the mod. Knock yourself out. I'm certainly not trying to be the "cool guy" going against the grain of the other YT lemmings looking for clicks/likes regurgitating bullshit.
 
The Filth said:
Yes it is- I should have added that. It's a ceramic capacitor and yes, it is 1,000pF. But there are other relevant factors, yeah? Or is it that easy? I don't know what all the other values written on it are for.
Click to expand...
Y5F is the dielectric type, but the 1KV is important; the capacitor needs to have a 1000 Volt rating.

Here's an example of the type of capacitor with a 25V rating:
2300967.jpg


Source:
slide25-l.jpg
 
Purity said:
Oh god...this again.

Sorry. I know I should probably post this in the Unpopular Opinions thread but I'll lay this golden egg here. This mod HARDLY does any difference to the stock blue channel . Like maybe 20% difference in tone/tightness. Amazing what influence has on people. YT internet assholes spread this folklore. Even Kyle Bull, whom I actually like a lot or at least the content he puts out.
Click to expand...
Don't know about anyone else, but 20% is quite significant. I'd love doing a simple change and getting a measly 20% increase in life span, or vision, or hearing or an additional 20% return on my money.... :LOL:
 
Speeddemon said:
Y5F is the dielectric type, but the 1KV is important; the capacitor needs to have a 1000 Volt rating.

Here's an example of the type of capacitor with a 25V rating:
2300967.jpg


Source:
slide25-l.jpg
Click to expand...

Ahhh okay... sorry for the late reply. This is really good info. Many thanks to you, sir!
 
The Filth said:
Hey everyone,

I recently performed the popular "C137" mod on my EVH III EL34 50w head. I think it sounds good with the mod, and makes it better suited to some more extreme styles, but the stock version with the C137 capacitor sounds good too. They just sound different, with the stock being a bit darker and more old school sounding.

I've decided I want to put it on a toggle switch so I can have the best of both worlds. I did the mod myself and it kinda worked, but the soldering iron I used was a bit much for such delicate work, and I believe I damaged the capacitor. It still effects the sound, but not quite like it did before. It's not the end of the world but I'd like to get it right.

The capacitor says "Y5F 102k 1KV" on it. I'm having trouble finding the correct capacitor anywhere. Does anyone know where I can find the right capacitor? If not, is there anything else that would be suitable for this purpose?

Thanks for your help.

M
Click to expand...
It’s probably not damaged. When you can’t and don’t A/B, psychoacoustics come into play and you will perceive a larger difference than there really is. Now that they’re on a switch and you can A/B you are now hearing the real difference vs the perceived difference, which is quite often less.
 
scottosan said:
It’s probably not damaged. When you can’t and don’t A/B, psychoacoustics come into play and you will perceive a larger difference than there really is. Now that they’re on a switch and you can A/B you are now hearing the real difference vs the perceived difference, which is quite often less.
Click to expand...

I hear you, that is definitely a real phenomenon, I'm not immune to it, but in this case the capacitor does appear to be significantly damaged. I clipped off a good third of it.
 
The Filth said:
Hey, just to be clear, does the dielectric not matter so much then? I don't know what that is really to be honest... So, would something like this work? https://www.ytfcapacitor.com/ceramic-capacitor/Ceramic-Capacitor-102K-1KV.html
Click to expand...
Indeed, the dielectric won't make much if any difference.
Maybe for guys like Eric Johnson, who apparently can hear the difference between a 9V Duracell alkaline battery and a 9V Energizer in a wah...:p

I'll be the first to admit I hear a major difference between a fully charged 9V battery and one that's clinging on to his measly 6V... in wahs, fuzz pedals or a phaser, but different brands? Nah.
 
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