RS Guitarworks [merged]

[mjarema414]

Hey everyone,
I'm trying to install this and am having a hard time following this schematic. It says nothing about both pickup grounds and well as the shield from the toggle to the endpin jack. In addition, there are two yellow wires from the toggle that were grounded to the pots of the neck and bridge. It says nothing about these wires as well. I have everything else good to go. DOes anyone have a better diagram or should I just wire it the same way as my stock pots? thanks. MJ

[classic]

Hope it helps ...

Wiring Diagrams - Seymour Duncan/Basslines



BTW - those yellow, red, black, white, green and whatever colors on the wires are so annoying ... that's why I've replaced all wires by the 2 conductor braided shield ones ...

[5F6-A]

Why don't you try my approach? works very well for me....

[wavemagnet]

Both pickup grounds are usually soldered to the back of the volume pots. The shield to the jack also needs to be grounded. I just finished rewiring and replacing pickups on my Epi LP. I used the old style shielded wire with the cloth covered center. I spent about a month just studing control cavity and toggle switch pics that I found online. The results were quite nice, gives my low cost box a really nice vintage vibe. The difference in performance is stunning. Maybe I'll post pics if I can find a decent camera.

[Encinitastubes]

I've posted before that I'm not satisfied with the sound of my R7 and R8 when the volume is anything but 10. I'm a direct into the amp kinda guy, but have dealt with it by using a volume pedal. I would much rather manipulate the volume from the guitar without going straight to mud.

Will the RS kit do the trick? Thanks.

[LPCollector]

Yes, They do help. Try the 50's wiring diagram and you should eliminate the problem.
I have the RS "Vintage" pots and caps in my R9 and the brown truck delivered the "Aged" sets today!....YAAAAAAAAY!
Here are the aged sets:





I have Lollar Imperial double white pups and Wolfetone Dr.V's in double whites coming!
I can't wait for the install!
Mark

[LPSol93]

What are the pros/cons of this kit and the ones from Dr. Vintage?

[LPCollector]

Originally Posted by LPSol93

What are the pros/cons of this kit and the ones from Dr. Vintage?

Whithout BS'ing you, I don't know. I haven't bought one of Wolfe's sets of pots and caps yet so I have no comparison reference. However, this is my 3rd set of RS pots and caps.
Can anyone else help HER answer this....?
But in short, these kits help when you roll off/on the volume or tone controls. They actually make a difference for almost every number on the knob. The stock ones are effective for 1-3 then 8-10 only. They'll give you better control without changing the tone when you roll off the volume knobs. Plus, the caps give incredible tone and enhance good pickups.

Have you opened your new guitar yet?
Mark

[b-squared]

I think you'll find a vast improvement no matter what kit you buy. My experience is with RS Guitarworks.

My '04 R9 is a gorgeous guitar, but I rarely played it. It was either ON or OFF with the volume pots. The tone pots seemed to have little or all effect; it sucked.

I called down there, and ended up buying a Vintage kit for my axe. I wired them in, and immediately plugged in.

It literally sounded like a blanket was pulled off of the front of my amp. No kidding--really. The volume pots actually work; you start dialing down, and they clean up. What a concept. It made my guitar brighter, and improved clarity. If it gets too bright I just dial the tone back a tad...again, what a concept. The RS "Superpots" are not just a high-end CTS pot. They were designed by Roy at RS, and have a very specific taper to them. You can't get them anywhere else.

I'm sure other vendors have good stuff as well, but I cannot review them not having tried them.

Mt '03 R7 has a kit in it as well. Same with one of my Telecasters. Any guitar I buy will get this kit.

BB

[Mike60]

...sounds like I should yank the centralabs out of my R0's.

[b-squared]

Give those Superpots a try. Heck, call down there and ask for Billy--he's the guy that wires their kits up.

Tell him BB told you to call--he'll pop back and pick ya good set.

BB

[LPCollector]

Originally Posted by Mike60

...sounds like I should yank the centralabs out of my R0's.

Well, not quite that good.
Oh, wait! Caps are just caps...right
Joking a side, the RS kits are a huge improvement from the fake bumblebee's. But the next step is real bee's or Centralabs.
Mark

[les strat]

Originally Posted by Mike60

...sounds like I should yank the centralabs out of my R0's.

I got it anyway

[b-squared]

The RS guys will be at the Nashville Guitar Show on 9-10 Feb, and they'll actually be installing kits in guitars at the show (for a fee, I'm sure).

Just an FYI.

BB

[richedie]

Do RS pots sound Hi Fi at all like Hovlands have a tendency to sound?

Also, is that 50s wiring in the RS screen shots? Looks different! 50s wiring tends to ad a nasty 4k spike. prefer modern...

[Maxman]

One of the best kept secrets for Volume pots are HAMERS. Greg at BCR Music sells them for $10 each. Pop 2 in your Les Paul and have your MIND BLOWN!! Greg runs Hamers in ALL his Gibsons, even his Vintage stuff. The key to any great volume pot is the sweep, sweep can be custom tailored to a certain spec. Look at RS's own Greg Martin inspired psychebilly set. RS took Greg Martin's 58 les Paul Volume pots and had them copied. They sell them for $47. You can get the same results with the $20 Hamer pots. The one thing anyone who has played Hamers for any amount of time will tell you is their electronic parts selection is TOP SHELF. The pots are built to THEIR specs. Your original question was about the roll off with the stock Gibson pots. The hamers are so good that I now NEVER play with my volume wide open because the guitar actually has SO many different tones available through the 5-9 postion on the volume. Try 'em, you'll like 'em!

[b-squared]

No offense dude, but you're talking mis-information. RS Superpots are NOT copies of Greg Martin's...they had his '58 LP Standard PICKUPS copied, and they are called the Psychebillies. (They sound awesome, BTW)

Their Superpots are Roy's design and custom taper, and they sell for $9.95 each. They work great--I would describe their operation pretty much how you described the "Hamer" pots.

Check it out for yourself:

- RS Guitarworks Online Store

It's cool you like a particular brand of stuff; just be sure of your info if you're going compare stuff to another dealer.

Cheers,

BB

[Maxman]

No offense taken, but your the one who doesn't have his info correct.

The Tone Quest Report did a 4 page story on RS and Greg's 58 LP. His pickups were examined and Lindy Fralin made exact copies of their output and windings. When the Repro pickups came back, Greg said that they STILL didn't sound the way HIS PAF's did. It should be said that these replics PAF's were installed in one of Gregs Historic Les Pauls already equiped with Super pots. Roy at RS examined the pots in Gregs 58 LP and found they had a very unique sweep/taper to them. RS actually had the originals tested and copied. They ARE NOT the same as the super pots. RS calls them Hillbilly channel switch kit. Basically it's a set of custom tapered pots and jensen pots.. THAT did the trick. If YOU happen to LOOK at RS web site they sell them for $47

Check YOUR facts next time.

I have RS super pots in a few of my guitars, they are a big improvement over the stock Gibson units. The Hamers are even BETTER.

Where can someone buy Hamer pots?

[b-squared]

Originally Posted by Maxman

No offense taken, but your the one who doesn't have his info correct.

The Tone Quest Report did a 4 page story on RS and Greg's 58 LP. His pickups were examined and Lindy Fralin made exact copies of their output and windings. When the Repro pickups came back, Greg said that they STILL didn't sound the way HIS PAF's did. It should be said that these replics PAF's were installed in one of Gregs Historic Les Pauls already equiped with Super pots. Roy at RS examined the pots in Gregs 58 LP and found they had a very unique sweep/taper to them. RS actually had the originals tested and copied. They ARE NOT the same as the super pots. THAT did the trick. If YOU happen to LOOK at RS web site you'll notice they sell a set of pots and caps modeled after Gregs 58. They sell them for $47

Check YOUR facts next time.

I have RS super pots in a few of my guitars, they are a big improvement over the stock Gibson units. The Hamers are even BETTER.

Please provide a link to these $47 pots, please.

BTW...the "Hillbilly Switchin' Kit" offered by RS has 4 CTS Audio Taper pots...says NOTHING about copying Gregs '58 pots...c'mon dude...it IS in English... The deal is he resoldered his guitar wrong, and it does give it a unique sound...it's not the pots. Call Roy and ask if you have any questions.

OK..if YOU say the Hamers are better, I guess they are...

BB

[Maxman]

Go to The ToneQuest Report Order the back issue Dick Tracy. I copied all MY info from the one I have sitting on my DESK!

Your mistaken. The article was written by ROY from RS. Maybe YOU should be calling him.

[BOBBO]

Originally Posted by LPCollector

Whithout BS'ing you, I don't know. I haven't bought one of Wolfe's sets of pots and caps yet so I have no comparison reference. However, this is my 3rd set of RS pots and caps.
Can anyone else help HER answer this....?
But in short, these kits help when you roll off/on the volume or tone controls. They actually make a difference for almost every number on the knob. The stock ones are effective for 1-3 then 8-10 only. They'll give you better control without changing the tone when you roll off the volume knobs. Plus, the caps give incredible tone and enhance good pickups.

Have you opened your new guitar yet?
Mark

Uhhh LP .... Wolfe has no connection to the guy selling the DR Vintage pot & cap sets ... That's the guy who is trying to sue Wolfe over the DR V name !!

Will the Real DR V*ntage Plz Stand UP !!??

Will the Real DR V*ntage Plz Stand UP !!??

[FLICKOFLASH]

Potentiometer Source

I have always heard Hamer pots are the best as well & any pot can be tweeked easily


let's chill with the insults please !!!

[FLICKOFLASH]

http://www.mylespaul.com/forums/pick...-les-paul.html

This is a good example of 250 volume with 1 meg tones central labs with brass post tweeked to 300 v 980 t ( with full cut out at end )

This combo is recommended by DiMarzio & Baker Guitars

[ReverendJWblues]

Originally Posted by FLICKOFLASH

http://www.mylespaul.com/forums/pick...-les-paul.html

This is a good example of 250 volume with 1 meg tones central labs with brass post tweeked to 300 v 980 t ( with full cut out at end )

This combo is recommended by DiMarzio & Baker Guitars

We do need to have another chat on this brother.

[richedie]

Are those WB pots or just a recommendation? Maybe Dimarzio recommends 250k tone pots because their pickups can be harsh? I don't use Dimarzios so I don't know. Most top winders suggest 500k.

I have heard the Hamers are the BEST as well. I know guys who swear by them! Are they that better than stock CTS off the shelf?

Do you need a treble bleed with those like most volume pots to retain highs??? I think I recall the Hamer pots are actually in the 400+ range....like 450 or something. I may have to order some from Greg!

What do they use for caps, and wiring scheme?

I used to own Hamers but hated how they played, but the electronics were great.

I know some guitar makers suggest 300k tone pots always.

[Maxman]

Hamer uses a .01 orange drop cap for their wiring. Wire it just like your current Gibson set up.

The entire point of this post was to give people an alternative to just using the RS stuff. The RS stuff is a great product. Apparently, I'm not alone in thinking that the HAMER pots are NOTICEABLY BETTER than the RS stuff.

TRY them. It's a $20 investment.

I wasn't trying to promote any dealer over another. I KNEW that if I mentioned these Hamer pots the next question (from people NOT chewing on extension cords) would be WHERE CAN I GET SOME????

I mentioned BCR music because, and ONLY because, THEY HAVE THEM IN STOCK!!!

I find it interesting that the "ONE OFF" set RS made as a direct copy of the Greg Martin 58 Les Paul pots were rated at 450. Gee.....isn't that EXACTLY what the HAMER POTS ARE RATED AT????? I'm gonna go out on a limb here and say THAT probably is significant.

Sorry to rant a little here but Cripes, Is BB all there???

[marshallcrazy]

I had Hamer pots in one of my R9s, and the Psychebilly PUPs. I put in some RS pots to see how much of a difference they made, liked them better than the Hamer's and left them in. I've got RS in all of my LPs where I've made changes to pots and caps. Both RS and Hamers were a huge upgrade over the Gibson crap that was in there. Also, with the RS pots I know that they won't sell any that are under 500k true output. They test them all. Maybe they should start selling "psychebilly pots" as well; not a bad idea.

[richedie]

Maxman,

I have a PRS CE-22 that I believe has a volume pot in the range of about 450k or so as was the pot in my McCarty. I thikn it tames some of the highs and makes a difference. I recall loving the Hamer pots. I haven't like any pots in the 550k range but maybe if I made more use of the tone pot I would.

There still has to be a reason so many like Hamer, PRS and Dimarzio recommend 250-450k pots. I know even the Ernie Ball Steve Morse axe with Dimarzio pickups and 250k pots/.047 caps sounds amazing and thick! I thikn that is why I think 250k-300k pots sound good in the bridge of an LP - adds that warmth and thickness.

Apparently the WCR pickups pots are amazing as well but I have not tried.

Wonder why hamer uses .01 caps. More highs to balance out the 450k pot I assume. I assume Hamer pots are 450k then.
I think a lot has to do with the taper, etc...not just value. My PRS pot in my 1994 CE22 has such a smooth taper and is so usable. Plus it has a treble bleed cap to retain highs! I wonder the exact value. Is there a way to determine this without removing it?

What is the deal with the RS wiring in this thread...is that 50s? Looks backwards.

So what do you guys do to get the versatility of the RS, WRC or Grimlin Engineering kits? Just use the kit but replace with Hamer pots?

THANKS!

[richedie]

Maxman, I am ordering some Hamers now! Do you find you need a treble bleed with the Hamer pots to retain clarity? I'll be using the Hamers and Vitamin Q caps.

I see Hamer uses .01 caps. Looks like that gives more room for tone roll-off. what type caps do they use? Thanks!!!