If I stuck CTS pots and bumble be caps in my guitar, would it sound like a 59 RI?

[Jimbo]

Just wondering cos i so want a 59 RI, but here in the UK its £4199 for - Gibson 1959 Les Paul Standard and £3699 for - Gibson 1959 Les Paul Standard V.O.S.

Cant afford it even if. Even if i threw in my classic antique and standard faded, id still have to pay off a couple of grand no doubt.

So what about these CTS pots and bumble bee capacitors thats in these guitars? if i did that to my classic antiue, would i get close? sounds a cheaper option.

[twinrider1]

There are aftermarket pots and caps that, many feel, greatly improve the tone and versatility of a guitar. RS Guitarworks, WCR, Dr. Vintage, and Jonesy right here on MLP all offer these. They are considered to be better than the stock '59RI pots/caps.

[Jimbo]

Really? wow many thanks, i think i better do some research into these. I could save a fortune.

[dwagar]

run through the usual suspects of upgrades, pots, caps, pickups, lw tailpiece, new nut, etc. It won't be the same as buying a Historic, but it'll be damn nice.

[Jimbo]

I think im gonna do this to my classic antique, its a lovely guitar already and I think I would leave in the classic 57s instead of the burstbuckers the RI's currently come with. Only thing would be the tired old argument of weight and tone. My C Antique I belive is chambered and the RI's are weight relived. Interesting.

[Bluesjam]

Caps and pots will help the tone.

[Jimbo]

So what would people reccomend? from - RS Guitarworks, WCR, Dr. Vintage? Or maybeys Gibsons.. CTS pots and bumble bee capacitors?

Maybes someone whos done this can help me.

[dwagar]

my 2 favs are Jonesy (see the business section, or Tone Mojo) or RS.

[twinrider1]

Originally Posted by Jimbo

I think im gonna do this to my classic antique, its a lovely guitar already and I think I would leave in the classic 57s instead of the burstbuckers the RI's currently come with. Only thing would be the tired old argument of weight and tone. My C Antique I belive is chambered and the RI's are weight relived. Interesting.

RI's are solid, no weight relief (except the Cloud 9s).

They all, I believe, use pots made by CTS. They just screen them carefully or order pots made to their specifications. Gibson is less selective.
I would email the vendors, ask a few questions, they'll ask you a few too. Go with who makes you comfortable. Also, check their shipping policies as that may be an issue.

[bryvincent]

Originally Posted by Jimbo

Just wondering cos i so want a 59 RI, but here in the UK its £4199 for - Gibson 1959 Les Paul Standard and £3699 for - Gibson 1959 Les Paul Standard V.O.S.

Cant afford it even if. Even if i threw in my classic antique and standard faded, id still have to pay off a couple of grand no doubt.

So what about these CTS pots and bumble bee capacitors thats in these guitars? if i did that to my classic antiue, would i get close? sounds a cheaper option.

why not just forget the flames and just get an R8?? you probably still have money left when you sell your classic and standard.

[R9.]

+1 for an R8.
Selling your Classic Antique and Standard Faded will give you more than enough for a used one. Oh wait, you're in the UK.

I say this in the nicest possible way...I don't care what anybody says, a weight-relieved Les Paul does not sound like a historic. Those 9 holes make a difference. If you play both side by side unplugged and can't tell the difference, get your ears checked.

Jimbo, if you do go for the upgrades, also replace the pickups.

[asher67]

Originally Posted by Jimbo

So what about these CTS pots and bumble bee capacitors thats in these guitars? if i did that to my classic antiue, would i get close? sounds a cheaper option.

Since you're only trying to get close, it's safe to say that making those changes would get you closer to the specs that were in the original Les Pauls from the late '50s. I don't think that anyone else mentioned it, but your Les Paul most likely came with volume pots that have a value of 300k ohms and tone pots that could be either 500k or 300k. To get the '50s vibe, you want them all to be 500k ohms. As others have already said, there are guys here who can get you what you need and could coach you as to what each will do.

Pots also are catagorized (if that's the correct term) as either linear taper or audio taper, and you can find several threads on this site that explain the differences and the preferences of some of the members here. The '50s wiring usually calls for using audio taper pots for the volume controls, but using linear taper for the volume controls shouldn't affect the overall tone. Again, ask the guys/stores listed in the posts above, all of whom are well-respected here.

[Ole'Lefty]

All I can add is that RS 500 Super pots for volume only do have more definitive range. Rotation and change do actually have some relationship to each other.Ole'Lefty

[Jimbo]

Thanks for all the posts guys. How good are the R8's? compared to the R9's? If i did get the caps and pots id have to get someone to do it for me as im no good at that,lol. Intresting about the ohms too, i never thought about that.

[R9.]

Jimbo, same guitar but huge price difference because of the R9's flame top.

[Ross]

Is the neck size on an R8 not a little different from a R9? However I fully recommend the R8 as better value than the R9. A big saving for a virtually identical guitar, the tone should be identical.

[vladmaximus]

" If I stuck CTS pots and bumble be caps in my guitar, would it sound like a 59 RI? "

simple..just buy a real 59..than u will happy...

hi hi hiiii...

[Ole'Lefty]

If you get Bumblebe caps, you might have problems with your "e" tonality.<g>

[Lester59]

I agree a 58 is close to a 59RI , only difference is that the neck on the R9 is slightly thinner and more desirable, of course some flame tops on 59's are killer I've owned a 58RI sold it and bought a 59RI - it was the neck on the 58 that didn't complete the picture for me. I would search for a mint used 59, they are going for about 4 - 5k on ebay - worth the money.

[GeeJay]

Short answer; nope.

Longer answer; Fitting decent pots and caps will improve the tone from your guitar. Did this on my '02 standard and it opened up the sound tremendously. I also did the 50's wiring mod at the same time. It's a cheap mod, fairly easy to do if you know how to use a soldering iron and take your time. Do a search there's a bunch of thread on here about this.