Epiphone P90 vs Gibson P90

[mrw55]

I'm torn between the Gibson LP Special Double Cutaway and the Epiphone 1956 LP Standard Pro. Gibson's description of their "new" P90 as having a "brighter sound" almost decided the issue for me. I don't want a brighter sound, I want the old, gnarly F'off sound of the original P90.(I have not heard, either guitar live & if I've heard either recorded I wouldn't know unless someone brought it to my attention. Yes, I know it's unlikely, given the Gibson is a 2015, that I've heard it at all, but I have heard the old P90's.)

However, given that words such as "brighter" are relative, I thought I'd ask the forum. If anyone has experience with both, please let me know what you think.

Please don't get into the quality issue or snob appeal of Gibson vs Epiphone. I own an Epiphone Les Paul 1960 Tribute Plus and,based on my guitar, have no qualms about recommending Epiphone to anyone, regardless of playing ability. Thanks for the help.

[Thomse]

I'm torn between the Gibson LP Special Double Cutaway and the Epiphone 1956 LP Standard Pro. Gibson's description of their "new" P90 as having a "brighter sound" almost decided the issue for me. I don't want a brighter sound, I want the old, gnarly F'off sound of the original P90.(I have not heard, either guitar live & if I've heard either recorded I wouldn't know unless someone brought it to my attention. Yes, I know it's unlikely, given the Gibson is a 2015, that I've heard it at all, but I have heard the old P90's.)

However, given that words such as "brighter" are relative, I thought I'd ask the forum. If anyone has experience with both, please let me know what you think.

Please don't get into the quality issue or snob appeal of Gibson vs Epiphone. I own an Epiphone Les Paul 1960 Tribute Plus and,based on my guitar, have no qualms about recommending Epiphone to anyone, regardless of playing ability. Thanks for the help.

I have both p90s and i like them both .I have a Epiphone 56 Les Paul and that is a great sounding guitar . I buy Epiphones for there sound and i buy Gibson for there sound as well as Fender or Gretsch. i have played a lot of Guitars in my 56 years and i have never had one sound the same even of a same model .And welcome to this forum .. The P90 pros are the way to go in my opinion.

[rct]

I've had a halfa dozen Gibson guitars with P90's since the mid 70's. I don't have any of them now. I also have an Epiphone '56 Les Paul Pro, I really do love that thing. The pickups do what I want P90s to do, which is what I hope everyone wants P90s to do. Noisey, sure, but I can live with it for what I do these days. I wouldn't hesitate to recommend one to any guitar player.

 

rct

[Vognell]

I just picked up the Epiphone Les Paul Special with the P90's. I haven't had the chance to compare to the Gibson P90's, but the Epiphone pups ain't bad. The single coils on my strat and tele sound anemic compared to the P90's. Definitely more clarity and aggression than my Pearly Gates humbuckers. I think they get that snarly P90 vibe down cold.

 

At $99 for the LP special... hard to go wrong.

[fromnabulax]

I've got a 2013 Gibson Les Paul 50s Tribute which comes equipped with P90s well as last year's Epiphone '56 Les Paul Pro. Honestly I think I have to give the edge to the Epi.

 

It could be that the Gibson is excessively weight relieved, but that Epi just kicks butt all over the Gibson in terms of tone, build quality and playability.

 

That being said, now that I've installed those Gibson P94s on my Epiphone Les Paul Florentine Pro, it beats both the others by a mile. Maybe two...

[mrw55]

I have both p90s and i like them both .I have a Epiphone 56 Les Paul and that is a great sounding guitar . I buy Epiphones for there sound and i buy Gibson for there sound as well as Fender or Gretsch. i have played a lot of Guitars in my 56 years and i have never had one sound the same even of a same model .And welcome to this forum .. The P90 pros are the way to go in my opinion.

 

 

Thanks for your help. Interesting about your guitars "not sounding the same even for the same model" However, given the physics of metal, wood, plastic, etc going into a guitar, I'm not surprised. Does make for more choices with tone, so could be an advantage.

[mrw55]

I've had a halfa dozen Gibson guitars with P90's since the mid 70's. I don't have any of them now. I also have an Epiphone '56 Les Paul Pro, I really do love that thing. The pickups do what I want P90s to do, which is what I hope everyone wants P90s to do. Noisey, sure, but I can live with it for what I do these days. I wouldn't hesitate to recommend one to any guitar player.

 

rct

 

Thanks for your help. I like feedback. The hum, not so much. Seems I can't have one without the other, so I'll deal with it. If the hum is obnoxious, I'll line the cavities with copper tape.

[rct]

Yes, they can be noisey. But like a good Tele, the noise is part of the sound, take away the noise and it can change the sound too. I don't gig anymore, but I do record. I set the noise supressor right and it is pretty quiet, do a little finding the right spot to stand and I can definitely record with that guitar. Plus the thing has a stupid good neck, I don't know why it agrees with me so much!

 

rct

[mrw55]

I just picked up the Epiphone Les Paul Special with the P90's. I haven't had the chance to compare to the Gibson P90's, but the Epiphone pups ain't bad. The single coils on my strat and tele sound anemic compared to the P90's. Definitely more clarity and aggression than my Pearly Gates humbuckers. I think they get that snarly P90 vibe down cold.

 

At $99 for the LP special... hard to go wrong.

 

Thanks for your help. Your comparison with Fender single coils vs. P90's is exactly the reason I like P90's.

P90's have attitude.

[mrw55]

I've got a 2013 Gibson Les Paul 50s Tribute which comes equipped with P90s well as last year's Epiphone '56 Les Paul Pro. Honestly I think I have to give the edge to the Epi.

 

It could be that the Gibson is excessively weight relieved, but that Epi just kicks butt all over the Gibson in terms of tone, build quality and playability.

 

That being said, now that I've installed those Gibson P94s on my Epiphone Les Paul Florentine Pro, it beats both the others by a mile. Maybe two...

 

Thanks for your help. About your Florentine, do you think it's the P94's, the Florentine body or both or what?

[mrw55]

To all concerned: With the information/opinions of the kind folks answering my question, I've decided to go with the Epiphone '56 LP Std.

Given the feedback, no pun intended, there is no compromise. Just the right choice for the sound I want.

Thanks again for the help.

[mrw55]

Yes, they can be noisey. But like a good Tele, the noise is part of the sound, take away the noise and it can change the sound too. I don't gig anymore, but I do record. I set the noise supressor right and it is pretty quiet, do a little finding the right spot to stand and I can definitely record with that guitar. Plus the thing has a stupid good neck, I don't know why it agrees with me so much!

 

rct

 

I feel the same about my LP 1960 Tribute. It fits me. It feels good to play and I couldn't be happier with the guitar. I'm sure the 56 will give me the same results.

[stein]

I might be behind in the game here.

 

For one, I haven't heard of the GIBSON P-90 being different, that is any changes to it. I could be wrong. I Gibson has changed the P-90 in the last 5 years, then forget everything I might say, as I have nothing to go on.

 

However, the EPIPHONE P-90, I do know they have made, and changed, what they put in the guitars in the past 5 years or so. How are they now? I have no idea.

 

But I will say this: about 5 or so years ago, "we" used to change P-90's from the cheap guitars to the Gibson P-90's often, and with great results. Knew a few guys that would buy a cheap guitar just for the route to put the Gibby P-90 in it. They WERE that good.

 

The Gibby P-90 (at least, the one from a few years ago) IS a top-notch pup, and about as good as any that could be had from anyone.

[stein]

Forgot, I might add also, that P-90's are fairly sensitive to what guitar they are in.

 

That is, the very same pup in a meat-grinder solid body can sound a lot different into a hollow-body.

[fromnabulax]

Thanks for your help. About your Florentine, do you think it's the P94's, the Florentine body or both or what?

 

It may have more to do with the way the guitar is chambered. Apparantly though it looks like a true semi, it is not. Like my Gibby Midtown it's heavily chambered with f-holes to make it look hollow. Either way, the guitar has real resonance and sustain. It came with coil splittling pick ups, but being something of a P90 fan, I wanted dedicated single coils, but I didn't want to alter the body for dogears or soapbars.

 

Already owning a Memphis Gibson ES175 with P94s, I already knew how much I loved them and went ahead with the install on the Florentine. You can see pictures of it at the following link.

 

http://forum.gibson.com/index.php?/topic/120862-epi-les-paul-florentine-pro-project/

 

Next is this Epiphone '56 Les Paul Pro which I chose over the straight goldtop reissue because I fell in love with these newer P90 PRO pickups that Epiphone is now producing. Their a bit noisier, but they pack a whallop in terms if warmth and have a potent sting. This guitar is great, but way heavier as it is not chambered at all. This one is a true solidbody and built like a tank.

 

 

And here is the 2013 Gibson Les Paul 50's Tribute. It's also a very nice guitar, but the way it's been chambered has left it kind of lackluster next to the Epi '56. It's still a very nice guitar, but in terms of build quality I found it to be the least of the three. It had extremely sharp fret ends that felt like they could slice my finger open. In comparison, the Epi '56 and Florentine with only a couple of minor thumbwheel turns were absolutely perfect right out of the box.

 

 

Being something of a single coil freak I have several other single coil guitars from Epi, Fender, Gibson, and others, but these are the three Les Pauls I currently spend the most time with. I do have a Gibson Les Paul Studio with coil splitting pickups, but I will probably leave that one in tact just for the novelty of having humbuckers.

[mrw55]

I might be behind in the game here.

 

For one, I haven't heard of the GIBSON P-90 being different, that is any changes to it. I could be wrong. I Gibson has changed the P-90 in the last 5 years, then forget everything I might say, as I have nothing to go on.

 

However, the EPIPHONE P-90, I do know they have made, and changed, what they put in the guitars in the past 5 years or so. How are they now? I have no idea.

 

But I will say this: about 5 or so years ago, "we" used to change P-90's from the cheap guitars to the Gibson P-90's often, and with great results. Knew a few guys that would buy a cheap guitar just for the route to put the Gibby P-90 in it. They WERE that good.

 

The Gibby P-90 (at least, the one from a few years ago) IS a top-notch pup, and about as good as any that could be had from anyone.

 

My info regarding the "new" sound of Gibson's P90's comes from Gibson's LP Special's webpage.

 

Here's the link.

 

http://www2.gibson.com/Products/Electric-Guitars/2015/Les-Paul-Special-Double-Cutaway.aspx

[stein]

My info regarding the "new" sound of Gibson's P90's comes from Gibson's LP Special's webpage.

 

Here's the link.

 

http://www2.gibson.com/Products/Electric-Guitars/2015/Les-Paul-Special-Double-Cutaway.aspx

I see.

 

They should have given those a new name, they aren't really P-90's.

 

Notice, the photo shows a pup with adjustable or slotted poles, while the guitar shows flat magnets on the poles, no slots.

 

Needless to say, obviously this is a very different pup than a P-90.

[mrw55]

I see.

 

They should have given those a new name, they aren't really P-90's.

 

Notice, the photo shows a pup with adjustable or slotted poles, while the guitar shows flat magnets on the poles, no slots.

 

Needless to say, obviously this is a very different pup than a P-90.

 

I found pictures on line at the "LP Forum" site of, what I think is an original '56 or close enough.

 

(http://www.pinrepair.com/vgi/gibson/56_lespaul_3.jpg). I did not notice the lack of adjustable pole pieces until you brought it up.

 

The Epiphone'56 LP Std. has adjustable pole pieces, but the 2015 Gibson LP Double Cutaway does not. WTF?

[mrw55]

It may have more to do with the way the guitar is chambered. Apparantly though it looks like a true semi, it is not. Like my Gibby Midtown it's heavily chambered with f-holes to make it look hollow. Either way, the guitar has real resonance and sustain. It came with coil splittling pick ups, but being something of a P90 fan, I wanted dedicated single coils, but I didn't want to alter the body for dogears or soapbars.

 

Already owning a Memphis Gibson ES175 with P94s, I already knew how much I loved them and went ahead with the install on the Florentine. You can see pictures of it at the following link.

 

http://forum.gibson.com/index.php?/topic/120862-epi-les-paul-florentine-pro-project/

 

Next is this Epiphone '56 Les Paul Pro which I chose over the straight goldtop reissue because I fell in love with these newer P90 PRO pickups that Epiphone is now producing. Their a bit noisier, but they pack a whallop in terms if warmth and have a potent sting. This guitar is great, but way heavier as it is not chambered at all. This one is a true solidbody and built like a tank.

 

 

And here is the 2013 Gibson Les Paul 50's Tribute. It's also a very nice guitar, but the way it's been chambered has left it kind of lackluster next to the Epi '56. It's still a very nice guitar, but in terms of build quality I found it to be the least of the three. It had extremely sharp fret ends that felt like they could slice my finger open. In comparison, the Epi '56 and Florentine with only a couple of minor thumbwheel turns were absolutely perfect right out of the box.

 

 

Being something of a single coil freak I have several other single coil guitars from Epi, Fender, Gibson, and others, but these are the three Les Pauls I currently spend the most time with. I do have a Gibson Les Paul Studio with coil splitting pickups, but I will probably leave that one in tact just for the novelty of having humbuckers.

 

 

 

Nice guitars. I've been thinking of a semi-hollow for a while, but not before I get the '56. I like the new Gary More Casino with Gibson P90's. There is always something...

[stein]

I found pictures on line at the "LP Forum" site of, what I think is an original '56 or close enough.

 

(http://www.pinrepair.com/vgi/gibson/56_lespaul_3.jpg). I did not notice the lack of adjustable pole pieces until you brought it up.

 

The Epiphone'56 LP Std. has adjustable pole pieces, but the 2015 Gibson LP Double Cutaway does not. WTF?

Can't say if the "new" P-90 is good or bad, better or worse, but for sure, a different design. At least in some ways. I just find it a little more difficult, or confusing, in that they CALL it a P-90. It's a little misleading, but mostly, makes it harder to judge it on it's own merits.

 

Ya know, if it was a "P-75" or something, we could all ask "How does the P-75 sound?" Or compare a "P-75" to a P-90. A fair apples to oranges.

 

The think about pickups, is it gets hard to quantify sound and tone. If you LIKE P-90's, you can buy P-90's. If they are the same, you know what you are getting. I kinda put the Gibson version on a pedestal because unlike a lot of things guitar, Gibson made a pup that does what the "legend" of the old guitars did.

[stein]

Apparently, I am full of crap (again?).

 

The "new" P-90 with slug magnets, seems to be called the P-90S. Not sure, but it shows up in another guitar as such.

 

Which, jogs my memory a bit. I THINK I remember seeing some very early P-90's with non-adjustable poles, like on very, very early pre-humbucker Gibson electrics.

 

And now, back to our regularly scheduled thread about what they sound like from those who compared, while Gibson catches up on their catalogs.