Component Question

[fastlanestoner]

I'm learning how to build guitar effects and I'm assembling all the components for my first. I have a question about selection.

For example, capacitors. There are electrolytic, the drop kind, etc. If I get a schematic that just says C1 1uf, does it matter which kind as long as the value is correct? Are electrolytic only for C that need a polarity?

Thanks!

[henryf]

Originally Posted by fastlanestoner

I'm learning how to build guitar effects and I'm assembling all the components for my first. I have a question about selection.

For example, capacitors. There are electrolytic, the drop kind, etc. If I get a schematic that just says C1 1uf, does it matter which kind as long as the value is correct? Are electrolytic only for C that need a polarity?

Thanks!

The short answer is that lots of other factors besides a capacitor's nominal value can make a difference. A well-documented design would include, in addition to a schematic, a "Bill of Materials" that would associate each component on the schematic with one or more manufacturer's part numbers.