ToneQuest Report: April 2025 – Vol. 26, No. 6

The Inside:

Master Your Tone, Elevate Your Sound
“I shoot the puck, I score the goal.” —Boom Boom Geoffrion
This month, we dive deep into the pursuit of exceptional tone. We explore Ron Ellis’ masterfully crafted P90s, chasing the dynamic, articulate sounds of a ’55 Junior and a Collings 290. James Finnerty unpacks the evolution of Gibson pickups, while RS Guitarworks demonstrates how premium pots and caps enhance clarity and response. We also uncover the rich, resonant voice of a 1937 Rickenbacker lap steel. For slide players, Rocky Mountain’s ceramic and stone bars set a new standard in smoothness. Whether refining your setup or discovering new gear, this issue is dedicated to elevating your playing experience.

El Especial Supremo – The Backcountry P90 Adventures – Riverhorse

Even a decade ago feels like another lifetime. We once had a beastly 11.3-ohm neck P90 in a ’53 Goldtop, cycling through Goldtops, Juniors, and Custom Shop models ever since. Our latest obsession? A ’55 Junior with a vintage 8.22-ohm dogear, nearly identical to a past favorite. We also upgraded a TV Yellow Special and dropped in Ellis Classic P90s—jaw-dropping power and smoothness. The chase never ends, and these P90s keep the fire burning.

Ron Ellis Interview – Signature Humbucker 50/60s And 64S Strat Sets – Riverhorse

Ron Ellis Pickups crafts many styles, but P90s hold a special place for tonal complexity. The best early ‘50s P90s had lower wind counts, offering clarity and balance. Later overwinding and stronger magnets changed that. Soapbars and dogears mount differently, shaping tone, and height adjustments are key. Ellis chases vintage perfection, working with top players to capture full, balanced tones—never harsh. Once broken in, these P90s deliver the legendary magic of Mike Campbell.

James Finnerty — ReWind Feature Interview – Deep Wisdom and P90 Experience – Riverhorse

Riverhorse and James Finnerty dive deep into vintage pickups, tracing P90 and PAF evolution from the ’50s to the ’60s. Listen in as they break down Gibson’s magnet changes, mounting techniques, and tonal shifts—from dogear to soapbar P90s and A3 to A5 magnets. James’ ’57 humbuckers deliver stunning clarity and vintage burst tone. His passion for recreating classic sounds makes his work essential for players chasing that elusive, authentic vintage magic.

Ron Ellis P90 Classic  – Numba Nine?  – Scott Ulrichs

How much do pickups shape your tone and feel? As much as swapping speakers—dramatically. We dive deep into Ron Ellis P90s in a Collings 290, comparing them to the holy grail—a ’56 Les Paul Junior dogear. The verdict? Balanced, blooming, and harmonically rich. We also test a 2024 Gibson Custom Shop Special and discuss installation challenges and how pickups “break in over time. Plus, why great pickups inspire extended play-time sessions, and make a memorable musical statement. Isn’t that what it’s all about?

The Electric Panda Bear – 1937 Rickenbacker B6 – Riverhorse

Stepping outside our comfort zones fuels growth, and lap steel is a road less traveled. Unlike slide on a standard guitar, the lap steel’s open fretboard unlocks something Zen-like. We chased a vintage Rickenbacker, finally scoring a 1937 model with its legendary 1½” horseshoe magnet. Plugged into a Deluxe Reverb, it was heartbreakingly beautiful—warm, fat, and screaming with fuzz. These pre-War steels are magic, and now we truly understand why.

Rocky Mountain Slides Redux – Riverhorse

When it comes to slide tone, materials matter. We had a pure steel bar—praised by Nashville pros—but it felt harsh, heavy, and overpriced. Enter Doc Sigmier at Rocky Mountain Slides. His handcrafted ceramic and stone tone bars, like the Mountain Cougar and Salida Luna, are stunning and sonically superior—huge, smooth, and free of harsh overtones. These slides let us play with effortless precision. After years of chasing tone, these are the bar.

RS Guitarworks SuperPots, Tone Pots, And Vintage PIO Guitar Caps – RS Guitarworks Pre-wired Les Paul Harness – Scott Ulrichs

Lately, we’ve been deep into pickups, with Riverhorse leading the charge, and it’s wild how much tone a great guitar can lose with the wrong match—or bad pots and caps. RS Guitarworks sent a vintage PIO tone cap kit for our Collings 290, letting the Ron Ellis P-90s shine. Before chasing pricey pickups, swap out those cheap stock components—many guitars already have killer pickups, but weak electronics hold them back.

Review: RS Guitarworks SuperPots, Tone Pots, And Vintage PIO Guitar Caps – Your Electronics Make A Difference – Scott Ulrichs

Your guitar’s electronics matter more than you think! We dive deep into RS Guitarworks’ SuperPots, tone pots, and vintage PIO caps, testing their impact on volume taper, tone control, and overall musicality. We also explore how subtle changes in pots and caps shape your sound and feel—beyond just swapping pickups. Our Collings 290 has never sounded better, and if your guitar’s stock electronics are holding you back, this issue proves why an RS upgrade is a must-have for better tone.