Sorrento 1997

[abbeyrod]

I there.

I have just bought a second hand Sorrento MIK from 1997, mint condition in Epi case.

It is really a guitar with strong personnality.

the only thing that strikes me is the lack of output of the stock P90.

I had before a studio les paul (gibson) with P90 and I remember they had a good output.

is it current with the P90 from 90's epis?

Did you ever tried to replace stock by other P90? if yes, what brand/model for which result?

 

thanks in advance.

 

here is the beast

 

 

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[tweed2]

Have you tried raising the pick ups. When I got my Casino, I tried that and it made a noticeable difference. Loosen the mountig screws and slip shims between the PU and body to see if it helps in your case. StewMac, Warmoth and others sell P90 shaped shims if it does and want a finished look. You can also back the pole screws out a little, but too much can create a whole new set of issues. I don't know how curved the top of a Sorrento is, but when I changed my P90s out to Biltofts, I discovered that almost all P90 covers are not curved on the back to conform to a curved top. I had to make some adapter shims. I had a MelodyMaker with a Loller 50s wind P90 that I really liked. I got the Biltoft Vintage Vibe P90s for my Casino after trying someone elses with his PUs. The cool thing about his are that when you buy a pickup, you get your choice of magnet styles, plus a second magnet to switch out (a very easy process). So, if you buy a set, you can get all four available magnets and experiment. I've heard from others that the less expensive GFS P90s are a good buy. Personally, I liked the sound of the stock P90s (once adjusted) but it will depend on what sound you want. Lollar and Biltoft both will rewind the stock PUs, too. The above mentioned PU makers all have sound clips on their websites. Check them out.

[twofeets]

Raising the pickups is a good start. Allparts sells spacers, and so does Jason Lollar. Lollar has a wider variety of thicknesses available.

 

Honestly, I've found the Epiphone P90's to be lacking. I just replaced the stock P90's in my 2003 Peerless-made ES295 because they were fairly lifeless. Putting them on a multimeter showed them coming in at 11.5k which is WAY too hot for a P90. They were all mids and had no character at all. I'm on a budget right now so I went with GFS for replacements, and I'm very happy with them. In the past I've used stock Gibsons, Duncan Antiquities, and a couple of others. The stock Gibsons are very good but they tend to not differentiate enough between neck and bridge.

 

Being a Sorrento, you'll have the same bugaboo with the whole slanted pickup cover issue. If I were you, I'd just get a nice set of black aftermarket pickups - Duncan, Fralin, Lollar - about 7.8k neck, 9.0k bridge - make it look like a 50's ES125TDC.... get some spacers to correct the pickup height issue... you'll have a monster guitar.

[abbeyrod]

I was thinking about the GFS P90 as I've read many good feedbacks about them and the price is really nice too.

i'd prefer cream ones above blacks.

i will also try the shims to level up the pick ups.

 

thanks for your advices

[Tuiblue]

Nice Guitar-

and congrats:

 

Out of curiousity, is there additional blocking for the Bigsby?

 

I used to own this 1994 Peerless, found the neck to be too smallish for me.

 

Gotta agree with the pups being underwhelming.

The owner before me had completely stuffed the guitar with quilting material to prevent feedback, while pulling that stuffing out, found the the block was pretty unsubstantial.. and loose..

 

[abbeyrod]

I have not "opened" it yet, so i cannot really tell you.

i saw there is a block undear the bridge, but i don't think the bigsby give the need of an extra one.

 

i'll let you know

[brad1]

Very nice guitar. Congratulations!

 

You may want to try raising the pole pieces. That's what I did on my '97 SG Jr. Made a big difference.

[dougg330]

Hi - I can add comments form both viewpoints. I have a Sorrento and raised the pickups with platforms underneath, and I've gone the GFS route.

 

The GFS P-90's are great - lots of presence and serious output. That said, I prefer the tone of the stock Epi P-90's after they've been raised. Not quite as much ballsiness from the bridge PU as the GFS has, but plenty of bite and snarl. And the neck Epi pickup is much airier and woodier than the GFS neck - gives better jazz and blues tones, IMHO.

 

My luthier made and installed the platforms for me. He shaped them to match the pickups and built them up to the perfect height for each - much more of a customized job than using the Allparts platforms. I'd recommend trying the platforms first because it's easier, then going for the GFS replacements if you're not happy.

 

Good luck!

[abbeyrod]

I finally swapped the stock pick ups for GFS P90 and the sound is incredible now.

it's very bluesy and soulfull.

on top of that, the microphonia problems have disappeared. I guess the stock PUs were not wax potted. I could hear my voice through them just siging in front of them...