Musax Posted March 21, 2011 Share Posted March 21, 2011 I've been on a couple websites lately and have been checking out the sound of P-90 pickups. I've noticed that they seem to really boost the mids and have a 'sweet' tone to them. I was wondering about replacing my neck humbucker with a P-90(the ones that fit humbucker size). Does anyone have any experience or ideas about the benefits, or drawbacks of this idea? It's hard to find enough sound clips to really give me a clear idea on what the change would be through my instrument. My initial thought was that they would give me clearer bass, and 'tighter' mids. So if anyone has some clear ideas of what the change of tone would be I would really appreciate it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ellis_dee Posted March 21, 2011 Share Posted March 21, 2011 I've been on a couple websites lately and have been checking out the sound of P-90 pickups. I've noticed that they seem to really boost the mids and have a 'sweet' tone to them. I was wondering about replacing my neck humbucker with a P-90(the ones that fit humbucker size). Does anyone have any experience or ideas about the benefits, or drawbacks of this idea? It's hard to find enough sound clips to really give me a clear idea on what the change would be through my instrument. My initial thought was that they would give me clearer bass, and 'tighter' mids. So if anyone has some clear ideas of what the change of tone would be I would really appreciate it. Grant Green was playing an es330 with p-90s http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g0N_hd0drIc Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ladyscaglyc Posted March 21, 2011 Share Posted March 21, 2011 Musax, I replaced the neck HBer on my Epi Joe Pass with a GFS Mean 90. The mids are pronounced more than the stock HBer & they have a great growl/bite. Roll back the volume a little & they are classic clean. The GFS dropped right in to the HBer bezel perfectly,too. I personally wouldn't hesitate to replace a HBer with a P90, and to get it in drop right in form with no alterations, even better ! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Versatile Posted March 22, 2011 Share Posted March 22, 2011 My own personal 0.02.... The original ES175 had single and later two P90 pickups...now regarded as collectables Around '57 the PAF and H/B came along and were universally adopted...giving less hum and potential for higher volume A mod to incorporate a neck P90 may work...and then again may not...according to aspiration Personally I would not mess with a classic The ES330 is a great P90 jazzer with Casino similarities...well established and well balanced Happy Hunting !! V Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Musax Posted March 22, 2011 Author Share Posted March 22, 2011 Thanks a lot guys. This is kinda where the idea came from....http://www.bareknucklepickups.co.uk/main/pickups.php?cat=p90s&sub=humbucker_sized_p90s&pickup=manhattan..... These guys make a p-90 but in a humbucker size. The jazz sound clip was quite tasty...It's a tough decision. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
StarGeezers Posted March 22, 2011 Share Posted March 22, 2011 P-90s give you the "old school Tone" which is essentially a single coil ... Humpups can be a bit "much" sometimes , especially in the mids... All what YOU like really !!! Pups are easily changed ... if you know how ... My 175 has the standard hum pups ... sounds OK .. but the thought of a p-90 in the neck sure is interesting ... Jazz type stuff ... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bobouz Posted March 22, 2011 Share Posted March 22, 2011 A P94R will drop right in there with no modifications (the P94T is wound just a little hotter), so you can always revert back if it turns out to not be your cup of tea. I've played a '53 ES-175 with P90s & thought it sounded sweet, but a bit tubby for my fingerpicking style. A thin hollowbody with P90s seems to be the ideal setup in many cases. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Musax Posted March 22, 2011 Author Share Posted March 22, 2011 A P94R will drop right in there with no modifications (the P94T is wound just a little hotter), so you can always revert back if it turns out to not be your cup of tea. I've played a '53 ES-175 with P90s & thought it sounded sweet, but a bit tubby for my fingerpicking style. A thin hollowbody with P90s seems to be the ideal setup in many cases. Could explain what you meant by 'tubby'? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bobouz Posted March 23, 2011 Share Posted March 23, 2011 Certain notes would have a deep booming tone, especially on the 3rd string. In an alternating thumb picking pattern, this created an out-of-balance sound. P90 equipped thin hollowbodies I own produce a more even tone across all strings. Note that the problem may not occur with your particular playing style. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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