what's the difference between rs modern kit and dimarzio pots?

[enes]

what's the difference between rs modern kit and dimarzio pots?

i'm gonna try dimarzio super distortion pickup, i need to change electronics too, because they're too cheap.

i dont know about electronics. i have to change them, what do u suggest?

[hillbilly]

DiMarzio's are Alpha pots with "dimarzio" stamped on the back. Audio taper.


The RS Modern kit is 2 RS SuperPots, 2 CTS500K Tones, and 2 RS Guitarcaps (.015µf & .022µf), and some ground wire.

RS SuperPots are made for RS Guitarworks by CTS, with it's own unique taper that rolls off very smoothly, unlike audio pots.


Do a search, there are numerous threads about the RS SuperPots & the RS Modern kits.

[5F6-A]

I really like RS pots. That's what I use w/ fantastic results.

I believe "regular" RS pots by CTS are NOT regular CTS pots either. Am I right?

[FF_Pedals]

CTS is better than Alpha. RS is better than Dimarzio.

[ScottB]

What gives RS that specific taper? Assuming the info is not too proprietary of course.

Also i don't see anything on the site documenting the taper for comparison, is there anything?

[hillbilly]

Originally Posted by 5F6-A

I really like RS pots. That's what I use w/ fantastic results.

I believe "regular" RS pots by CTS are NOT regular CTS pots either. Am I right?

That is correct; the CTS500K's that we use for Tone controls are based on the old curves from the 50's CentraLab pots.

Originally Posted by ScottB

What gives RS that specific taper? Assuming the info is not too proprietary of course.

Also i don't see anything on the site documenting the taper for comparison, is there anything?

Anyone can pay $$$ and have their name stamped on the back of a pot.

Yes, we (RS) developed our own proprietary taper---even roll-off all the way from '10' to '1'; CTS won't allow anyone else have it made for them (and many have tried... ). You simply won't find a better Volume pot for guitar. Period.


It takes true innovation and insight to develop something that is unique, out-performs and is head & shoulders above the rest. You get what you pay for.

[FF_Pedals]

I can't wait to get mine. The alpha push pull pots just aren't ideal.

[ScottB]

I'm sure they are a quality product. They have a loyal following to vouch for it. I've seen them described as pricey but looking at the site I see most models are under $10. Heck, people will pay a lot more than that for a set of strings, and strings are disposable.

I was just curious how the taper was achieved; multiple wiper, spiral substrate, shunt load, or something else maybe? And how does the curve chart against a true log10 curve? Again that may be proprietary and not for general discussion, I can understand that.

[MrRhoads]

I paid 895 SEK (Swedish Krona) about 120 US Dollars for the moment, for my RS Guitarworks Vintage Kit.
For the tone i got out of the guitar it was a bargain, so the tone/dollar value is frikkin 10/10.
What they say about the volume pot is correct it´s even from 1-10 it really goes all the frikkin way.
I´ve only used Gibson stock pots and RS Guitarworks Vintage kit in a tube amp but the RS stuff really gets your guitar to a completly new "tone-universe"

[hillbilly]

Originally Posted by ScottB

I'm sure they are a quality product. They have a loyal following to vouch for it. I've seen them described as pricey but looking at the site I see most models are under $10. Heck, people will pay a lot more than that for a set of strings, and strings are disposable.

I was just curious how the taper was achieved; multiple wiper, spiral substrate, shunt load, or something else maybe? And how does the curve chart against a true log10 curve? Again that may be proprietary and not for general discussion, I can understand that.

We use the most accurate testing equipment ever developed...

The human ear does not hear or perceive sound (or Tone) by a graph.

[FF_Pedals]

CTS owns the patent for dual track, so whatever you can make with that, they own it...

United States Patent: 4435691)

[dennistruckdriver]

Originally Posted by enes

....i dont know about electronics. i have to change them, what do u suggest?

I suggest....don't.

[ScottB]

Interesting information here from Roy Bowen:

http://www.helidriver.com/MLP/TQRJan09_proof.pdf

It appears there are over a half dozen various curves, at least one preferred for tone. Seems to be a 5% tolerance, not bad.

The funny thing is I can't find any reference to match curves with models. Cosidering the difference wiring styles might make I would think they would at least be "classified" into various categories.

So I'll ask again; is there anything available, maybe stashed away on the RS site in some archive, that gives an overview for comparison? They aren't built by ear, they are built by specs.

[FF_Pedals]

Here's the data for two measured potentiometers. You can see the improvement provided from the Gibson USA pots over the Alpha import pots. It starts out kind of linear / reverse log like, then dives, then a sort of non-linear knee.

I won't post the RS curve, that wouldn't be very helpful.

These are just two very common pieces that have been around forever and I just want to show how one is better than the other and why. You can see that for the Gibson USA potentiometer the drop is not so abrupt in the very top register of the turn which is more of a pleasing effect.



I don't think you can expect to get spec from the product website. They are a business afterall.

[ScottB]

It appears the Gibson incorporates shunt logging hence the S curve. The Alpha is just straight dual substrate.

[FF_Pedals]

Seriously it looks like a single substrate. Unless they've got a second one sandwiched underneath. I think it would be too expensive to vary the resistive composition. The track has a uniform width.

[ScottB]

Here's Panasonic's good old Panasonic EVJs.

http://www.panasonic.com/industrial/...AOK0000PE1.pdf

Not the greatest pots in the world but good enough for GPs. Note the high tolerance. Up to 30% yikes!

[ScottB]

They usually paint them on, not sure how they achieve the twin tapers physically.

[enes]

thanks for all replies!

[FF_Pedals]

Originally Posted by enes

thanks for all replies!

If you have Gibson pots, they're good. You might want to check your Tone pot. I replaced mine with 500k.

[enes]

Originally Posted by FF_Pedals

If you have Gibson pots, they're good. You might want to check your Tone pot. I replaced mine with 500k.

I have cheap epiphone china electronics, i have decided to try the modern kit, there is a seymour duncan jb on bridge, if i like the tone after electronics replacement, i'm gonna keep it, otherwise i'm gonna try super d.

[FF_Pedals]

That's a good idea.

[FF_Pedals]

I just got my RS pots in today. I measured and plotted the tapers on them. They are definitely custom tapers. The Gibson pots aren't bad but the taper on the superpots looks much smoother over the whole range. The regular CTS pots they have for tone look far superior as well and should be great for volume if that's all you can afford. On my graph, the superpot looks even smoother for the volume. I should get a short shaft set for my other guitar before the sale runs out...