High Z-Mode Capacitors for a Z-Mode Series Preamp

What changes do the High Z-Mode Capacitors make?

Players often ask if this is like a high frequency roll off cap - no, this is a completely different concept.

Pickups have a peaked response in High Z-Mode. The frequency location of the peak can be changed to a lower frequency by adding external capacitors.

We per-installed what we think are optimal values for most pickups, a 680 pF cap to load the Neck Pickup and a 330 pF cap for the Bridge Pickup.

The graph shows the change in the magnitude and location of the Peak when loaded with 2200 pF down to 0 pF for a standard single coil Traditional AlNiCo Jazz Pickup.

The actual caps used were 2200 pF, 1500 pF, 1000 pF, 680 pF, 470 pF, 330 pF, 220 pF, 100 pF, none or 0 pF which is the values in our Cap Kit.

While adding the extra capacitance will reduce the peak frequencies location the lower frequency peak may make your bass setup sound brighter in cases where your speakers do not have a tweeter.

Where are the caps in a Pro JZx Preamp?

There are two caps, one for each pickup.

How to Extract and Install different High Z-Mode Capacitors?

A strong wooden toothpick is a good tool to help remove the capacitors.

Slide the toothpick under the capacitor.

Push down on the toothpick free end to leverage up the Capacitor. It will take very little force.

Installing new Capacitors is very easy - push down on the top of the Cap when the Cap Leads are in the Gold Sockets on the Preamp Board. Be sure there are no burrs on the capacitor leads.

Where are the caps in a Pro Z Module preamp?

There are two caps, one for each pickup.

How to Extract and Install different High Z-Mode Capacitors?

A strong wooden toothpick is a good tool to help remove the capacitors.

Slide the toothpick under the capacitor.

Push down on the toothpick free end to leverage up the Capacitor. It will take very little force.

Installing new Capacitors is very easy - push down on the top of the Cap when the Cap Leads are in the Gold Sockets on the Preamp Board. Be sure there are no burrs on the capacitor leads