[quote="thernohn"]The Tone capacitor upgrade is huge, and even someone who is just getting into the music will notice the difference when messing with there tone knob. The range is so much larger with better defining tones.[/quote]

Well, I may take your advice. I'm not at all happy about the HotRails on my Mustang, but I guess I need to find out whether they are wired properly before I pass judgement, and I have NO confidence in the last "guitar technician" that soaked me for big bucks to do a few things. This time it'll be ME in there with a soldering iron.

I think the Orange Drops are mylar caps that were introduced by Sprague during the early 60's transition from vacuum tubes to solid state electronics, and they are made for much higher working voltages (600V)than you'd need now. Consequently, they are likely to be either harder to find or go for boutique prices. But I supposed you know of a source; the only thing I'm dreading is busting into the guitar and replacing them only to find out that the HotRails still sound like HotCrap and I need to pull the trigger on stock Fender or at least different pickups....

[quote="Lepton"]But I supposed you know of a source[/quote]

Ebay is the way to go.

[quote="Lepton"]the only thing I'm dreading is busting into the guitar and replacing them only to find out that the HotRails still sound like HotCrap[/quote]

Well, Hotrails sound like crap imo. You should go with Seymour Duncan Antiquities or get some vintage 60’s mustang pickups. I prefer the Seymour Duncan’s as I am not to much into looking for vintage parts unless its NOS electronic components. Also another Huge factor (if not the main) in your sound would be your amp. Solid State = TOTAL CRAP. You MUST purchase a Tube amp to appease the full potential of your guitar. Now what ever amp you choose, Through away your damn Groove Tubes, they are total shit. Go to www.eurotubes.com and get yourself some JJ’s since there is no better tube on the market, they are even better than NOS tubes imo. If you hurting for cash there are still nice Tube amps out there for the budget buyer. I use a Fender Deville and love it.

Also when it comes to tube amps, remember, more speakers does not mean its louder. You can purchase a 1x12 Tube amp that will blow away a 4x12 Solid State amp in ever single respect.

I'm holding out for an Orange (although, strangely enough, I have an old Silvertone 15W tube amp that kicks massive ass... and just needs a new cabinet...)

[quote="Lepton"]I'm holding out for an Orange.[/quote]

If your going to get an Orange. Get a OR120 or an OR120 Overdrive from ebay. They are the late 70's models. Those are the only ones worth purchasing. The new Oranges suck ass. Well, every single one I have played through can't even compete to many of the other boutique amps out there. If you looking into Boutique amps.

Anderson - This would by my first choice If you know what you want and are patient.
[url]http://www.andersonamps.com/[/url]

Bogner - The bogner Shiva is totally kick ass, and I want one some day.
[url]http://www.bogneramplification.com/[/url]

Dr.Z- MAZ 18 Jr, MAZ 38 Sr. (What Death Cab for Cutie uses), or Route 66 are all wonderful amps if you have the cash for it.
[url]http://www.drzamps.com/[/url]

Thanks for the advice. I wanted an older one, but hadn't really done my homework yet. I do know that Yoshiaki doesn't tour with his outside of Japan and that he's had so much trouble with variations due to temp and humidity changes that he's about given up on it.

I immediately suspected- you got it- the lousy British capacitors, and I was about to advise him to replace them with- again, you got it- mylar caps.

He said next time I make it over that he wanted to jam with me, but I had to tell him that I'm so far below his skill that it would be an embarrassment for both of us. (I think he was serious but also just being nice, but I DO have some friends I'd like to hear him play with.)

Anyway, I think that's about when I'm going to offer to do exactly that: swap out his caps in his Orange amp.

Now you and I both know he's got people to do that; I'd have thought HE would have done it himself, but then he made a comment that makes me think he's actually a novice when it comes to soldering and otherwise getting under the hood. I mean, with all the other stuff he does, I thought he had some EE background, but no. (I was about to tell you what he studied in college, but I have to keep stopping myself from blabbing about personal details. I just creep myself out when I find myself talking about stuff that he might not want known for "image" reasons- or more precisely, what the managers might think would change the way people think about the band members.)

Besides- upgraded caps would probably change the sound until it no longer sounds like an Orange...although I can NOT believe that the crappy ones you heard don't suffer from the same problem.

Anyway, I intend to get an old lower power Orange tube amp, and settle the issue for myself by going through it and upgrading all those electrolytic and paper caps with modern stuff. And then we'll see. I do know that most of the problems with temp and humidity changes would go away; hell, mylar caps were developed for the computer industry for that very reason in the first place!