RS Guitarworks electronics/kits?

[Ray K.]

Anyone have any experience with RS Guitarworks and their electronics kits or products?

I was talking with Jim Wagner (WCR pickups) and he was really "suggesting" that I ought to put one of the RS kits in my LP. He told me I would be able to "hear the difference."

Now, using good electronics in any guitar is a good thing, IMO. I use CTS pots, good caps (Spraque, etc.), Switchcraft and Oakley switches and jacks...

But, I'll admit to being skeptical to all the claims I've heard/read so far about RS. I've been around the block a few times over the years, and while there are well known folks who claim they can tell what brand battery is in there effects pedals, I just don't have that kind of "talent." Thank goodness! I'm obsessive enough about my tone. ;)

So, their CTS pots have brass shafts. I can see that might help them last longer over aluminum shafts. The taper is different on their Super-Pot volume pots. Okay, this might be helpful, but is it really that big of a deal? Are the Hovland caps going to give me that much greater tone over any good quality cap of the same value?

Any comments would be appreciated!

Thanks,
Ray K.

[olectric]

I've got an RS kit in my Historic LP, and it sounds great. I will tell you that I bought it this way, so I haven't heard the difference firsthand. From what I understand, the biggest difference is supposed to be your tone as you roll the volume down on the pickups. This is where the kit really shines. If you ride your volume knobs on your LP, an RS kit will keep your tone from becoming darker when you turn it down like it does with Gibson's stock electronics. You can retain clarity at all positions of the volume knob(s). RS states on their website that this kit is for those who want to use the controls on the guitar more effectively. If you leave everything at 10 and use pedals to manipulate your tone, you might not get that much out of the kit.

The stuff Gibson puts in there really is crap, IMO. And pots/caps can make a huuuuge difference in the way your pickups work. I don't think it's hype at all, but I know of some folks who just buy the Hovland caps and call it good.

[Ray K.]

Thanks for the reply, olectric.

If I'm not mistaken, at least the later model Gibson Historics come with CTS pots and Hovland caps from the factory. I almost wound up with an '03 R7 Goldtop about a month ago, and this was the case.

Anyway, my thinking is adding a treble bleed (aka volume kit) to each volume pot is what is really doing the trick as far as keeping your tone while rolling off the pot. Assuming the pots are already of good quality.

I use top grade CTS pots in all of my guitars. I've been getting mine for some time from George at Acme. Check his site and you'll see his claims about his pots being custom made just for him straight from the manufacturer, etc. Hard to know who to believe. Paul at Specialty Guitars is another good source, btw.

See, that's where I'm coming from. I'm not talking about changing from stock electronics. I agree, must of the production companies get slack in this area.

So, this thread isn't meant to be a put down on RS. I've never dealt with them. I'm just having a hard time understanding where the real difference is.

I'm not sure I buy into the Hovland caps being that much better than a good Orange Drop, for example.

Oh yes, I do use my volume and tone knobs! I realize a lot of folks don't, and I think they're really missing out on a lot of tonal options right at their fingertips.

Anyway, those are my humble thoughts and opinions. :)

Thanks,
Ray K.

[Barry]

Thanks for the reply, olectric.

If I'm not mistaken, at least the later model Gibson Historics come with CTS pots and Hovland caps from the factory. I almost wound up with an '03 R7 Goldtop about a month ago, and this was the case.

Anyway, my thinking is adding a treble bleed (aka volume kit) to each volume pot is what is really doing the trick as far as keeping your tone while rolling off the pot. Assuming the pots are already of good quality.

I use top grade CTS pots in all of my guitars. I've been getting mine for some time from George at Acme. Check his site and you'll see his claims about his pots being custom made just for him straight from the manufacturer, etc. Hard to know who to believe. Paul at Specialty Guitars is another good source, btw.

See, that's where I'm coming from. I'm not talking about changing from stock electronics. I agree, must of the production companies get slack in this area.

So, this thread isn't meant to be a put down on RS. I've never dealt with them. I'm just having a hard time understanding where the real difference is.

I'm not sure I buy into the Hovland caps being that much better than a good Orange Drop, for example.

Oh yes, I do use my volume and tone knobs! I realize a lot of folks don't, and I think they're really missing out on a lot of tonal options right at their fingertips.

Anyway, those are my humble thoughts and opinions. :)

Thanks,
Ray K.
I absolutely use my volume and tone knobs all the time . Thats why they are there . I suppose some people think they are there for some cosmetic purpose .

[olectric]

http://www.thegearpage.net/board/showthread.php?t=127352

http://www.thegearpage.net/board/showthread.php?t=125313

http://www.thegearpage.net/board/showthread.php?t=122507

http://www.thegearpage.net/board/showthread.php?t=122507

well, here's a lot of info. there's not really a general consensus. i think that if you can hear the difference, $10-20/cap is really not that much to pay when we're playing $3k guitars and such. all i've known in my LP are the Hovlands...i think they're great, but i wonder how much i would be missing if i replaced them with Orange Drops or something else.

[Ray K.]

Thanks for the links. Yes, I've read many of these. I guess it's like a lot of things, it comes down to your own personal taste and ears.

I'm coming from a different approach. I've had green film caps ("chicklets") to Orange Drops. I really don't hear a night and day difference, personally. And remember there are two caps so it's more like $20 - $40, plus their Super Pots. ;)

Oh well, I may get around to trying them out some time and find they do make a difference.

Btw, I wonder if anyone has bothered to upgrade the electronics in their TAG?

Ray K.