Cutlass RS vs. Cutlass HT

[bfsat]

Hey everyone — quick tone question.

I currently own a Cutlass RS and love it, but I’ve been getting curious about the Cutlass HT. Recently I played a Stingray HT at Guitar Center and honestly fell in love with it. I know that’s a humbucker guitar, but the thickness, punch, and overall feel really stuck with me.

I’m trying to understand how the Cutlass HT compares tone-wise:

• How different does the Cutlass HT sound compared to the Cutlass RS?
• And how close (or not) is the Cutlass HT to the Stingray HT in terms of output, midrange, and overall character?
• Also curious how the Cutlass HT compares to the original Cutlass (non-RS) sound-wise.

 

[fogman]

Hey bfsat,

Unfortunately, there's very little information as far as comparisons between the two models.
Thankfully this guy did such a video, and it should help.
In a nutshell, the RS is more your vintage SSS vibe, whereas the HT pickups are hotter with more gain. Plus the HT variant has a push/pull button in the bridge which is a boost and pretty much makes the single coil go into the realm of humbucker territory.
As far as the RS compared to the original model.... someone correct me if I'm wrong but the RS is essentially just the difference of the roasted maple neck.

 

[fogman]

Also... in this video, Fluff demo's the Cutlass HT SS in Mystique finish.
He shows the bridge pickup when hitting the push/pull button.

 

[bfsat]

Hey bfsat,

Unfortunately, there's very little information as far as comparisons between the two models.
Thankfully this guy did such a video, and it should help.
In a nutshell, the RS is more your vintage SSS vibe, whereas the HT pickups are hotter with more gain. Plus the HT variant has a push/pull button in the bridge which is a boost and pretty much makes the single coil go into the realm of humbucker territory.
As far as the RS compared to the original model.... someone correct me if I'm wrong but the RS is essentially just the difference of the roasted maple neck.

Awesome. Do you hear a major difference?

 

[fogman]

I do.
I find the RS to be cleaner. The HT has more grit with the extra gain. Still a nice clean on the HT, but an obvious difference to my ears.... and my ears suck. lol

 

[Afireinside7444]

I tried a few older RS. A hss and x3 SSS. The pickups are weak but have a good tone. But I dident keep any of them..... just too bland and weak.


Tried 2 HTs a dark rainbow and a Mystiqe. I kept the Mystiqe. Super clear and powerful pickups. With great personality. Toss on some lower gain they don't collapse/compress/mush out like a strat. Then hit the boost and hold onto your pants.

Bridge with gain sounds like the best tele and strat bridge pup had a baby. Great unique and better then a strat strat-ish guitar