I found a box of Sangamo Type 33 and 33M capacitors that Dad had bought from Olson Electronics in Akron, OH back in the 60s. They were very inexpensive and spot testing of them confirmed my suspicion that they were leaky. Well, today I looked a little closer. I also checked an Allied catalog and it says that the type 33 are paper.

Testing them, what a surprise, any of the type 33 were leaky. "But wait, there's more!" Many were marked type 33M. My guess is that those marked with the "M" were Mylar. They all test good, no leakage! I was going to toss the whole box. But I just may list them on.... The Auction Site! Some of type 33M are being sold. But the ones that I have have full length leads, NOS.

Comments? (And no, I am not putting them in my stuff!)

Hohoho ... merry Christmas !!

Make sure you advertise them as "audio gold", "once in a lifetime find", "for the discerning electric guitar aficionado". Talk about the "sonic excellence" and the "increased value of the sound" that the guitar will deliver to any amp.

LOL

You've missed your calling in life.

Curtis Eickerman

Absolutely, John! And to think, I almost tossed them into the bin yesterday!!!

John,

You should write reviews for "Wine Spectator!" My favorite review was for a poorly-ranked white wine that the reviewer compared to cat urine. I wonder how he knew?

Rich

Darn you, Rich!!!

Thank goodness I did not have a sip of my favorite beverage in my mouth. As mentioned before, I get tired of wiping down the monitor.

I too wonder how he knew???

On another note, the cork sniffers would probably scoop up these capacitors if I put "Audiophile" or "Guitar" in the listing.

I remember when Olson's was selling boxed assortments of those back in the 60's. The paper ones were leaky then........ I checked a bunch of them using a VTVM and power supply, and threw a bunch of them out.

There were also rumors that some of them were accidentally mismarked at the factory and may not be the value or voltage rating that is marked on them.

I'd bet there are buyers on eBay who think that any NOS capacitors from that era are great stuff.

When you list them, be sure to use a heading with the words "Tone Capacitor" somewhere in there. The green ones are especially velvety smooth, leading up to an attack crescendo that only the true artist can appreciate.

You can probably buy an entire assortment of our favorite yellow mylar caps for the sale of one or two of these 'tone caps'

I've got a bagfull or two of these as well. I'll have to check them for the M type now. Thanks for the tip

Not much demand in the radio or audiophile community for 200 volt capacitors. 600 volt caps seem to be the desired standard these days.

Michael, it's not so much that 600 volts is the "desired standard", it's the fact you don't save enough to make a lower voltage part worthwhile - at least for vacuum tube gear.

John

I pulled the electronics from an old Baldwin tube organ which was inhabited.
These caps are in the divider circuits, and I was wondering about them until I read this post!


Bob

Bob, if I am reading them correctly, they appear to be 33M which denotes Mylar. Could be good to keep! Used as a tone divider, they may not have had much voltage on the.

Hold on, there's something here you're missing.

The folks paying big money for these types of capacitors actually WANT leaky ones! The way I understand it, the ones with just the right amount of leakage are the best tone monsters.

So separate them up before you auction them, and in the description be sure to describe the paper ones as leaky. I'll bet you get more for them than the mylar ones!
-Phil

If vintage capacitors have value.... then vintage men's briefs must be worth a lot too.... say $399.99 !!
(hopefully not leaky)
https://www.ebay.com/itm/202967294412?h ... 5&LH_BIN=1

Years ago I stumbled on high prices for this kind of stuff... and wondered why?
Who collects these... and why?
I'll never know.
So.. now my curiosity tells me every now and then to check Ebay's vintage men's undies... and sure enough HIGH prices.
Very curious indeed.... no?