RS Guitarworks [merged]

[BucsSBC2002]

This question has to do with the vintage upgrade kit that sells at RS guitarworks. Anyone else can also feel free to chime in as well. I am going to be buying a Vintage Kit in the next couple of weeks for my les paul standard and I am debating between the regular vintage set, or the vintage set with the bumblebee caps. I know that caps can make a difference in the sound. I am looking for that vintage, old school kinda drive and im wondering which caps would be better for it? all are welcome to offer their 2 cents too.

[LOVEROCK]

Talk to Billy @ RS, he can guide you!

[b-squared]

I have vintage kits with the Bumblebees, and I dig it.

I've tried both their Jensen caps, and the Luxe Bumblebee repros. They both sound great; you can't go wrong with either one.

BB

[martin6string]

My RS Kit has the Luxe Bumblebee's (.015/.022) and I'm very happy with it in my R8.

[hillbilly]

Originally Posted by BucsSBC2002

This question has to do with the vintage upgrade kit that sells at RS guitarworks. Anyone else can also feel free to chime in as well. I am going to be buying a Vintage Kit in the next couple of weeks for my les paul standard and I am debating between the regular vintage set, or the vintage set with the bumblebee caps. I know that caps can make a difference in the sound. I am looking for that vintage, old school kinda drive and im wondering which caps would be better for it? all are welcome to offer their 2 cents too.

If your guitar is thin- or bright-sounding, go for the RS Vintage kit with the Jensens. Big, FAT tones.

If you desire a bit more vocal midrange and a little brighter than the Jensens, go for the RS Vintage kit with the Luxe BumbleBees.

RS Guitarworks is having a 20%-off sale this week, so now's your chance...

[FF_Pedals]

I think you should try the Luxe Bees. I only have the vintage ones but someone pulled apart one of the new ones and it looked pretty solid inside. Probably worth trying.

[BucsSBC2002]

JUst one more question before i make an order. The site says that in the kit with the bumblebees you get 2 .022f's. Is it possible that I could get 1 .022f and 1 .015f instead?

[hillbilly]

Originally Posted by BucsSBC2002

JUst one more question before i make an order. The site says that in the kit with the bumblebees you get 2 .022f's. Is it possible that I could get 1 .022f and 1 .015f instead?

Yes, you can ask that in the "comments" section box on the online order form, and tell them you'd like a Luxe .015 in your kit. It won't look like a BumbleBee, though.

[silverfrost1]

Does anyone have experience with this kit from RS Guitarworks?

Premium Modern Electronics Upgrade Kit-Short Shaft

They also sell pre-wired units for $90.00. The caps are made by Hovland, and are miniturized versions of their Musicaps. I could buy all of this stuff online separately, but would not save much money doing so.

RS says "This kit is not for anyone who has a bright/harsh guitar tone." I don't think my LP is too bright or harsh. I thought LPs were supposed to be "warm".

[b-squared]

Their kits are great. I have the vintage kits in 3 LPs, my Gibson double-neck, and a Tele. One thing to keep in mind is that your Epi is drilled for metric pots, while these are standard.

You'll have to drill out your holes a little bit for the pots to go through.

I prefer the paper-in-oil caps that they sell (Luxe or Jensen), but the guitarcaps sound good as well for a modern type sound.

If you have questions, give them a call, and ask for Billy. He's a member here at MLP as well [hillbilly]...he'll answer any and all questions.

BB

[hbucker]

I have no doubt about the quality of their kits. I'm not convinced that you can't find comparable parts for less $ somewhere else though.

For example: I got some PIO caps a couple of years ago for about $15 (or less) delivered.

Look around. You may find parts that will work for much less $. But if you have the cash and are looking for convenience, they certainly have it all right there for you.

I don't want to start a flame war here but... If you're looking to improve your tone but are still using the stock Epi pickups, I'd think about changing those out before I spent any serious coin on pots and caps. You'll get more tonal difference for your dollar with new pickups, IMO. After that, go crazy with the pots & caps.

good luck

[b-squared]

I disagree...for about half what new pickups will cost (or less) you can put some quality electronics in...then see how how your pickups really sound. If they sound bad, then start thinking about replacing them.

Putting a racing engine in a car with a stock drive train will do nothing. Start with the easy stuff first.

My 2 cents.

BB

[hbucker]

Originally Posted by b-squared

I disagree...for about half what new pickups will cost (or less) you can put some quality electronics in...then see how how your pickups really sound. If they sound bad, then start thinking about replacing them.

Putting a racing engine in a car with a stock drive train will do nothing. Start with the easy stuff first.

My 2 cents.

BB

I agree with you as long as his tone is already in the ballpark of what he's going for.

If not, we'll have to agree to disagree.

[oldaxeman]

Silver, I've tried it both ways with the RS kit. I love what the kit did for the epi pups! But i eventually got a set of 57 Classic and Classic plus for my Epi. I think BB's advice is pretty safe and sound. Go with the kit 1st you'll like what it does! But I too went with the PIO caps. just my opinions too. oh and welcome to MLP!

[b-squared]

Since the OP doesn't specify, then I think I'm a little more on-target.

I'll admit...first thing I do with Gibsons is pull the pickups and electronics.

BB

[Sinster]

Originally Posted by hbucker

I have no doubt about the quality of their kits. I'm not convinced that you can't find comparable parts for less $ somewhere else though.

For example: I got some PIO caps a couple of years ago for about $15 (or less) delivered.

Look around. You may find parts that will work for much less $. But if you have the cash and are looking for convenience, they certainly have it all right there for you.

I don't want to start a flame war here but... If you're looking to improve your tone but are still using the stock Epi pickups, I'd think about changing those out before I spent any serious coin on pots and caps. You'll get more tonal difference for your dollar with new pickups, IMO. After that, go crazy with the pots & caps.

good luck

+ 1

I personally think that it's overpriced as well. I also feel that it's power of suggestion. However I've never tried them so I don't have experience with those kits so take my .02 cents for what it's worth.

[b-squared]

Originally Posted by Sinster

+ 1

I personally think that it's overpriced as well. I also feel that it's power of suggestion. However I've never tried them so I don't have experience with those kits so take my .02 cents for what it's worth.

Nice...

BB

[hillbilly]

Originally Posted by silverfrost1

....The caps are made by Hovland, and are miniturized versions of their Musicaps....

Incorrect. The RS Modern GuitarCaps are not Musicaps. Hovland is a middle-man, and does not make nor supply caps for RS Guitarworks. RS buys our Guitarcaps directly from the manufacturer, to our specs.

Originally Posted by silverfrost1

RS says "This kit is not for anyone who has a bright/harsh guitar tone." I don't think my LP is too bright or harsh. I thought LPs were supposed to be "warm".

Quite simply, if you have a dark/muddy/lifeless guitar that you want to regain the clarity of, choose the RS Modern Upgrade kit.

If your guitar is bright/harsh/thin, or you'd like to warm up your guitar, go for the RS Vintage kit.

[silverfrost1]

Originally Posted by b-squared

I'll admit...first thing I do with Gibsons is pull the pickups and electronics.

BB

I thought the 490 and 498 were THE pups for classic Gibson sound, especially through a big Marshall amp. Oh well.

I like your idea of modifying the tone controls first, then if I am still not happy, go for a pup change, replacing the stock Epiphone pups. I do like the Duncan JB and the N'59.

[b-squared]

If they sound great, then stick with 'em! YOUR ears are the best for your tone.

BB

[Hamtone]

Originally Posted by silverfrost1

I thought the 490 and 498 were THE pups for classic Gibson sound, especially through a big Marshall amp. Oh well.

I like your idea of modifying the tone controls first, then if I am still not happy, go for a pup change, replacing the stock Epiphone pups. I do like the Duncan JB and the N'59.

Personal preference, but whether its a fender a gibson or anything else that comes into my stable, will get pretty much everything factory taken out.

[Quill]

I have an RS kit that I bought a few years ago in my 335. Got it a few months before they came out with their Superpots. I also have some of those now ... and one day I'm sure I'll put them in. But the regular pots work pretty well, I feel in no hurry to pull them out. The taper is predictable and even, and they turn with a light touch. The caps, which I think were .022 Musicaps at that time, but a bit bigger than the current ones look to be, were clear throughout the range of the tone control. I took them out to try .022 PIO caps, and I don't know if they are better or not - I like both types! I've changed pickups since so I don't think I can characterize the difference in the caps fairly.

Do they still offer a less expensive kit, without the Superpots? Can't find it in the online store ... anyway, I like mine. The controls on a Gibson-style guitar are important - lots of different shades in there - and I think, before a player can learn to work them well, the parts have to work well!

[Hooligan]

I ordered my kit yesterday..............and looky here........



Brown truck stopped by this afternoon. You just can't beat next delivery for the price of regular ground. Billy you are the man! The wiring diagram is about idiot proof as well. I can't wait to drop these in. I'll have an update early next week.

Hey if you want a hot rod there's no sense in droppin in a big block and keepin the stock tranny!

OBTW, Billy you need T-Shirts ! I'd like one XL, please...............LOL

[PINKBITS]

I have to say that the customer service from RS is second to none. Great stuff too.

[FF_Pedals]

I tried RS pots. I tried Fender CTS pots. The products are completely disparate. The Fender Official Replacement parts were marked as import. Don't be fooled by the CTS style look, the ones from RS have the real "circuit" inside.

[if6was9]

Originally Posted by Sinster

+ 1

I personally think that it's overpriced as well. I also feel that it's power of suggestion. However I've never tried them so I don't have experience with those kits so take my .02 cents for what it's worth.

I purchased some PIO caps on ebay from this seller:

1 Pair 400V Russian PIO Capacitor 1-.022uf/1-.015uf - eBay (item 120467661338 end time Oct-08-09 13:04:16 PDT)


4 caps (2-0.015 & 2-0.022) for $20+$2 shipping. I have never compared them to "bumblebees" or "Jensens", but compared to the stock caps that they replaced these were definitely worth the money. Even if I had more expendable cash, I would not be able to justify paying more for caps, since these sound great to me.

Good luck on your "Quest for Tone".

[Hamtone]

I received my rs kit for my strat today. The pots have that good "tension" on them, I cant wait to get home and do some soldering...Should be great

[cynic79]

Originally Posted by Sinster

+ 1

I personally think that it's overpriced as well. I also feel that it's power of suggestion. However I've never tried them so I don't have experience with those kits so take my .02 cents for what it's worth.

In terms of function, I prefer the RS Kit to the stock Gibson electronics. I can roll down the volume knobs and get a decrease in gain without killing the high end. The tone pots have a larger usable range as well. Rolling down to 3 will gradually roll off high end, at which point the high rapidly roll off. The stock tone controls got me into mud from about 7 down.

[NXC1978]

Sorry if this has been asked before, but this thread is really long!..

Is it worth it to replace the pots in my 2008 R8 or are the stock pots in a historic of equal quality to the RS pots? I realize the RS pots will have a better taper, but I am mainly curious to know if I will hear a tonal improvement over the stock pots?

[hillbilly]

Originally Posted by NXC1978

Sorry if this has been asked before, but this thread is really long!..

Is it worth it to replace the pots in my 2008 R8 or are the stock pots in a historic of equal quality to the RS pots? I realize the RS pots will have a better taper, but I am mainly curious to know if I will hear a tonal improvement over the stock pots?

Not just the pots, but the caps as well. You will hear a huge tonal improvement; like taking a blanket off your amp™...