• From: Detroit
  • Registered: 2006-06-02
  • Posts: 5,807

Topic: RS Guitarworks

I'm finally getting around to taking the EMGs out of my '79 Explorer. I'm putting in RioGrande TX BBQ pickups in there now.

here's the question:
Should I put the vintage volume/controls/input jack back in, or should I "upgrade" to the RS Modern wiring kit?
I'm not sure on all that so I though I'd let anyone chime in on what they think...

- Nic from Detroit... posting on JB's Forum since 6-2-2006
Ask me about my handwound Great Lakes Guitar Pickups
Since 2010, Bonamassa fans have taken advantage of my JB friend discount = my cost + shipping. cool
  • RamiLP
  • Silver Member
  • Offline
  • Registered: 2009-11-15
  • Posts: 63

Re: RS Guitarworks

well i have the the Vintage RS wiring kit in my les paul. and it was a night and day difference from my original 500k pots and the ceramic disks caps that came with the guitar, i also have it wires to 50's wiring.

im not sure how the wiring is on a explorer, but im guessing you have 2 volume and 1 tone?

another thing, how much do u use your tone pots and volume pots while playing? the stock pots in my les paul weren't very usable, with the RS kit and the superpots for volume i can roll down to 2 and still have clear notes and sustain, compared to the stock pots, and as far as tone, ever number on the pot makes a noticable change, and a usable change, and roll the tone down to 0 to get awesome woman tone.

its all a matter of principle...
  • From: North Carolina
  • Registered: 2008-10-26
  • Posts: 2,926

Re: RS Guitarworks

UPGRADE I promise you it will be worth it.

AD3THREE's Website

  • From: Detroit
  • Registered: 2006-06-02
  • Posts: 5,807

Re: RS Guitarworks

I just ordered new wiring and pots for my Explorer. I would've ordered the wrong stuff online, so I'm glad I called them!

I told Billy I had Rio grande pickups to put in, and taking out the EMGs. I also mentioned that I heard the RioGrandes were dark pickups... the guy said "no they're not dark... they're REALLY DARK." so I asked him if a 500k would make them muddy or if I needed a 1meg to brighten them up. He said no, thats not necessary - he can order me 560k pots which are right in between, and that should do.

The dude knew exactly what I needed when I told what I wanted to put in.  He's even going to pre-wire it all for me too, so all I gotta do is solder in the pickups and drop it in! He's doing it on an explorer they have in the shop, so all the wiring lengths should match up. Super cool guys.

I got gold Gibson covers for those pickups too, and I asked him if that'd make the sound more dark, and he said it could - but it could also calm it down. He mentioned I should raise the adjustable pole pieces and that should make it a bit brighter. I said I had to do that anyway to get the pole pieces flush with the pickup cover. So I should be good to go.

I asked if he knew who Joe Bonamassa was, and he said, "yeah, Joe has been using our stuff since the early days." So I let them know that all the gear heads on the JB forum sing the praises of RS Guitarworks, so that's why I went to that site.

In the mean time I'm selling my EMGs on CraigsList for $70.

-Nic

- Nic from Detroit... posting on JB's Forum since 6-2-2006
Ask me about my handwound Great Lakes Guitar Pickups
Since 2010, Bonamassa fans have taken advantage of my JB friend discount = my cost + shipping. cool