RS Kits

[Tarl]

I just got my first (Gibson) Les Paul and have another one on the way. I have heard for awhile now about the benifits of upgrading the electronics (caps, pots, wiring) with the RS kits from http://www.rsguitarworks.net/cms/
Anyone have any experiance with these kits? Most folks rave about them but a few say the make a minimal difference.

[dwagar]

I put together my own, using RS Superpots for volume, 500K CTS pots for tone and bumblebees. Except for the bees, pretty well the same as an RS kit I think. And I'm pretty sure RS offers Luxe 'reissue bees' now too.

When it comes to tone, everything matters. It depends on what your tone is like now and what you want it to be like.

Most people (I'd guess something like 90%) that install an RS kit are very happy with it, but some prefer the factory tone. And some people can't hear a difference.

IMO pots and caps are one of the best, and cheapest, upgrades you can make.

[LowWatt]

I popped the kit into my 61 RI Gibson SG and it made a huge difference, much fuller and more even high end. Brighter but less spiky sounding. The controls were smoother and there seemed to be more usable tones at all points on the volume and tone control. The tone control is much more effective. Rolling off the high end without going to mush.

Of course the majority of the difference came from switching the incorrect 300k pots it came with to the vintage correct 500k pots.

[ne1roc]

I just put an RS kit on my Epi 56 Goldtop! The improvement in clarity is huge. The volume taper is incredibly accurate and tone control with the RS caps is like nothing I have ever experienced on a guitar. If I spin the tone knobs back and forth quickly and strum a chord, I get an almost wah like effect! Tons of usable tones anywhere on the dial.

I picked up this guitar thinking it was going to be a beater to lug around as a backup to gigs. It turned out to have a really good feel and tone so I thought it would be well worth the money to upgrade the electronics. The RS upgrade turned this guitar into an everyday player. Next upgrade will be Lollar P90's!

I highly recommend these kits!

[Tarl]

Thanks for the replies folks. It sounds like it is a great upgrade for relatively few dollars. I think I am going to order a couple of sets soon. They have vintage and modern and I would assume the vintage kit would suit my music (classic rock and blues).

[traynor_garnet]

If you do a search here you will find a few posts. I have the kits in my 1991 USA Strat and my Agile 335 Clone. Great improvement in both. The only drag is the shipping charge: RS won't ship without a tracking and number so you have to pay big time.

TG

[J S Moore]

Choose the USPS shipping option. I think it's EMS or Expedited International or something like that. It's about twice the other options but you won't get hit with stupid brokerage fees coming over the border.

I had a $60 order ship UPS for $10 and it came with $45 in brokerage fees. I shipped a $125 order with USPS for $20 and it came with $13.00 in brokerage fees.

[Robert1950]

Choose the USPS shipping option. I think it's EMS or Expedited International or something like that. It's about twice the other options but you won't get hit with stupid brokerage fees coming over the border.


I got an RS kit for my Hamer P90 Special. I chose the EMS and didn't get hit for anything. (The Hamer has a set of Jon's P90s by the way)

[traynor_garnet]

I choose USPS. No boarder fees with them, but RS still ships a small handful of parts in a huge box. Shipping was over $20 IIRC.

TG

[dwagar]

BTW I just got an email from RS, on Friday, Apr 4th they have a 20% off of everything sale. Orders must be phoned in.

[J S Moore]

EMS. That's the option. The worst I ever got hit for was a $5 brokerage fee and GST/PST. A lot of times it just gets to my door free of charge.