|
Post by ke4unr on Apr 25, 2007 7:12:14 GMT -7
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 (Sprague, 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.
|
|
|
Post by kledbet on Apr 25, 2007 8:03:58 GMT -7
Ray I use their stuff on all my guitars. I find the sweep of the pots more usable, less radical drop off, just plain smoother all around. The brass shafts are a little stiffer to turn than the aluminum ones but they do loosen up after awhile. I like the caps too, its not night and day but it is better, you can roll off the tone smoother. I would suggest trying it on one of your guitars, your guitar will definetly not get worse. None of the changes by using their stuff will radically change your guitar, but it will fine tune it in a positive way.
|
|
|
Post by Sam A. on Apr 25, 2007 9:47:08 GMT -7
I have a strat upgrade kit. I think they're great. I actually use the tone knob now. The only draw back is they HATE fuzz pedals for some reason. They don't clean up and when you knock back the volume. Also, every dirt box I got sounds thin when I play with the volume. So if you play clean... they are very cool.
Sam
|
|
|
Post by Curt on Apr 25, 2007 10:10:31 GMT -7
I bought a Les Paul with their kit installed, so I have no knowledge of how it sounded prior...but it is the WORST sounding Lester I have owned...and that's quite a few. I suspect it the Hovland caps and will jerk them asap.
For my money and tastes I like orange drop caps and plain 'ol CTS pots.....but I do not hear things like most so YMMV.
|
|
|
Post by sonicgator on Apr 25, 2007 19:03:38 GMT -7
I have a strat upgrade kit. I think they're great. I actually use the tone knob now. The only draw back is they HATE fuzz pedals for some reason. They don't clean up and when you knock back the volume. Also, every dirt box I got sounds thin when I play with the volume. So if you play clean... they are very cool. Sam Interesting, because the Tele I just finished upgrading has all RS Guitworks components in it, including the "Paper-and-Oil" cap. I'm not sure if it is the cap or not, but the Phat Cat sounds tamed, meaning not so raw sounding, and a bit darker, like the tone knob is rolled back on the pickup. Also, I've noticed that tweaking is required for overdriven sounds to smooth them out.
|
|
|
Post by ke4unr on Apr 26, 2007 12:06:21 GMT -7
Well, so far pretty much what I was expecting. One person likes the tonal difference. Another likes it, but it doesn't work well with pedals (no good in my case!) and another totally dislikes them. Thanks for the comments. Ray K.
|
|
|
Post by sonicgator on Apr 26, 2007 13:19:35 GMT -7
Well, so far pretty much what I was expecting. One person likes the tonal difference. Another likes it, but it doesn't work well with pedals (no good in my case!) and another totally dislikes them. Thanks for the comments. Ray K. In all fairness to the RS parts, the Bardens on this Tele are most likely the reason for the pedal tweaking with overdrive. They are meant to be very Hi-Def and you lose some of that with a distorted sound. Also, I think the Phat Cat may be mismatched with the Bardens as it is not nearly in the same "clarity" category, so I'm looking into the Fralin P-92 or Twangmaster pickups as a potential replacement. Anyway, I would suggest you try the RS parts as they may work great on your guitar.
|
|
|
Post by Paul (TRANE) on Apr 26, 2007 13:47:20 GMT -7
I have an RS Guitarwors kit in my Les Paul. Basically the pots in mine were not acting quite right so I changed them out. I got CTS 500 Pots and Mallory caps. I did not go with the specialty ones they make. I really like the sound and the tone control is better than prevously. I would not say it was a major night and day change but I like what I am hearing now.
Paul G.
|
|
|
Post by kledbet on Apr 26, 2007 15:07:52 GMT -7
Bottom line as usual.... try it for yourself. You will never know how it actually sounds by reading all of our varied opinions :-)
|
|
|
Post by ke4unr on Apr 27, 2007 19:16:33 GMT -7
Thanks for the advice. Maybe I'll get around to it sometime. Since there's no night and day difference, I'm more concerned with getting my WCR Fillmore pickups fine tuned right now. I've ordered some different magnets.
Ray K.
|
|