Sancho Panza Posted November 20, 2011 Share Posted November 20, 2011 How much of a difference is it on a P-90 from the 50's/60's and one from now? I just ask because I've noticed that many people buy vintage PAF's and put in their guitar to get the "sound". Is it the same with P-90s? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
damian Posted November 20, 2011 Share Posted November 20, 2011 P-90s are P-90s..........A P-90 made the SAME WAY a P-90 made in 1956 will sound the same as one made in 2011......... There are many makers of P-90s.....They can and do vary a lot.......I prefer Lollars and genuine Gibson P-90s................... Buying "vintage" pickups of any kind is buying vintage.......IMHO, nothing special, just expensive and old........................... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JellyWheat Posted November 20, 2011 Share Posted November 20, 2011 I am not what you would call a vintage guitar expert. It's just that I'm old enough to have grown up in the "Golden Era" and so I have first-hand knowledge of some things. But what I remember must be taken as the reactions of a young man as recollected by his much older self. I had a 1962 ES 330 with P-90s and nickel-plated, dog-ear covers. They were great pickups, but I didn't know how to use them at that point in my life. I learned enough, however, to realize that I liked P-90s better than humbuckers for many types of music. Two years ago, I purchased two "Guitar of the Week" Worn Les Paul Studios with P-90s. I strung one up with nickel round wounds and the other with flat wounds. One guitar always sounded good, the other much "thinner" and weaker, no matter which one had the flat wounds or round wounds. It ended up that the bridge pickup on the "weak" guitar had the magnets installed incorrectly. I fixed that issue, and both guitars subsequently sounded the same [GREAT!!!]. So there can be variances between sets of pickups... I discovered this through direct experience. Did the P-90s on my '62 ES 330 sound better than my contemporary P-90 equipped Studio (I sold one off and kept the one I liked better, BTW)? I would have to say "No". In fact, I would give the nod to the contemporary Gibson pickups as having the better sound. I have no experience with non-Gibson brand P-90s. To me, most of them sound too "hot". I have never had an issue with the Gibson P-90s, other than the set that had incorrectly-installed magnets. My $0.02/FWIW J/W B) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JellyWheat Posted November 20, 2011 Share Posted November 20, 2011 P-90s are P-90s..........A P-90 made the SAME WAY a P-90 made in 1956 will sound the same as one made in 2011......... There are many makers of P-90s.....They can and do vary a lot.......I prefer Lollars and genuine Gibson P-90s................... Buying "vintage" pickups of any kind is buying vintage.......IMHO, nothing special, just expensive and old........................... I was posting at the same time as damian... I think there is a lot of truth in his post! J/W Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
damian Posted November 20, 2011 Share Posted November 20, 2011 Hmmmm..........Magnet installed wrong.... [confused] .........IMHO (only), the materials used make the difference; ie, the wire type, quality of the magnets, blah blah blah, etc.........Number of windings, etc........One common upgrade made to Epis are the pickups....I also upgrade Epi stock PUs as well............ On the Epi forum right now is a long thread arguing about Epi branded "Gibson Made" PUs.....There is a difference, IMHO.....GFS makes nice cheap P-90s.....I'll stick with Lollar and Gibson made ones.....And ones made by a member here...... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JellyWheat Posted November 20, 2011 Share Posted November 20, 2011 Look up an article on how P-90s are put together and you will understand... J/W Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
damian Posted November 20, 2011 Share Posted November 20, 2011 I was posting at the same time as damian... I think there is a lot of truth in his post! J/W Welcome to the forum J/W.............We needed an Ancient Godlike Member here !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! [thumbup] .... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JellyWheat Posted November 20, 2011 Share Posted November 20, 2011 Thank you, fans! J/W (8>D} Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Searcy Posted November 20, 2011 Share Posted November 20, 2011 Installing one of the magnets backwards in a P-90 will cut your magnetic power in half and result in a think weak sounds soap bar. I sent one like that to W.Jeffrey Jones once and had to talk him through fixing it over the phone. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JellyWheat Posted November 20, 2011 Share Posted November 20, 2011 Installing one of the magnets backwards in a P-90 will cut your magnetic power in half and result in a think weak sounds soap bar. I sent one like that to W.Jeffrey Jones once and had to talk him through fixing it over the phone. Thank you, Searcy! [bTW... I checked your website. Bummer about the flood. I sincerely hope you are up and running again, and that the business momentum is on the upswing!] Regards, J/W B) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Searcy Posted November 20, 2011 Share Posted November 20, 2011 I'm trying to have the shop back open in late January 2012. I'll mention it when it's rolling but I honestly don't like pimping my work on other companies forums so I try to be low key about the subject and only bring it up when it's relevent to someones guestion or comment. Almost done with the last room!!!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JellyWheat Posted November 20, 2011 Share Posted November 20, 2011 I'm trying to have the shop back open in late January 2012. I'll mention it when it's rolling but I honestly don't like pimping my work on other companies forums so I try to be low key about the subject and only bring it up when it's relevent to someones guestion or comment. Almost done with the last room!!!! Well, as a matter of fact, I have noticed that about you, and I respect you for it. I honestly didn't think our hosts would object if I simply passed on my good wishes, as I do to the folks at Gibson. I own a Les Paul Studio, wine red with a plus-grade top, that was stamped on August 2nd, 2010. I think this has to be pretty close to the first post-flood production release. Anyway, I have posted elsewhere that I can feel the pride and joy oozing out of this instrument. I wish you the same, in due course, that's all! Regards, J/W B) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sinner 13 Posted November 20, 2011 Share Posted November 20, 2011 I got to go with the general consensus here, A 90 Is A 90, with few exceptions. Lollar Stock Gibson AND lest we forget Kent Armstrong, all make a comparable product, the biggest tonal diff being what guitar they make it into. the stock 90 in my LPJ is dead on to my bridge Armstrong 90 in my gold top, but the Junior is much darker sounding. The one exception being that I have a SD "Hot" 90 Factory spec is supposedly 13.9k the one I have specs out at a whopping 15.7k. it is just to gnarly for me, I'll find something to put it into some day. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stein Posted November 20, 2011 Share Posted November 20, 2011 That is a very good question. There are many who say P-90 is a P-90, and many who say there are huge differences from one to another. The "boutique" thing. I think there is a lot of truth to both, but the real answer can only come from one with real experience. When it is just heresay, that's when the rumors happen. I have "heard" (read) that Lollars are very good, and close to a vintage P-90. I have used modern Gibby ones, and have compared them to the Fralin ones. I find both more alike than different, but both great, and much MUCH better than a lot of generic foreign made ones. I have read a lot of good things about GFS and a few other cheaper ones, mostly about them being better than the stock Epi pups. But I have yet to hear a direct comparison to the Gibby and some of the better "reproductions". I am also digging the comments here. I am interested also how they compare to the "old" ones, and if there is anything to it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Notes_Norton Posted November 20, 2011 Share Posted November 20, 2011 Nothing can sound like a P90 except for a P90. There is nothing you can do to a humbucker (PAF or otherwise) or a regular single coil that will give you the P90 sound, ping, or pick response. As noted, like any style pickup, there are variations on the materials used and the way they are wound. I have two very similar guitars, a 1970 Kalamazoo Gibson ES-330 and a 2001 Korean/Peerless Epiphone Casino. The Gibson has stock Gibson P90s and the Epiphone has Duncan aftermarket P90s. The Duncans are a bit hotter and to my ears sound a bit better. I also have a Faux-LP with humbucker sized Guitar Fetish Mean 90s in it. It sounds a little thinner and has more treble than the stock P90s on my Gibson and Epiphone. Of course, the GF Mean 90s aren't real 90s but as close as GF could get in a humbucker sized case. I love the sound of P90s. Notes Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
milod Posted November 20, 2011 Share Posted November 20, 2011 Jeeze, Damian... I'm more ancient than Jelly... I just ain't never been referred to as "godlike." In fact, given how Homer referred to Achilles as being such, I'm not exactly unhappy that I've never been referred to that way. <chortle> As for P-90s... as with J/W, it's been so long since I've played one in the olden days I'd personally not care to offer an opinion. m Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
heymisterk Posted November 20, 2011 Share Posted November 20, 2011 Hmmm...Good thread. I played a '65 SG Special at Elderly Instruments once and it felt, played, and sounded amazing. I played a '06 SG Classic today in my basement through a Mesa and it felt, played, and sounded amazing. I agree with the consensus here that Gibson's P-90s are pretty terrific, and might just be the best PU they make. P-90 enthusiasts are something of a cult, and I am a proud member. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JellyWheat Posted November 20, 2011 Share Posted November 20, 2011 Jeeze, Damian... I'm more ancient than Jelly... I just ain't never been referred to as "godlike." m Then you can be "Ancient Decrepit Member", milod! [lol] J/W B) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
milod Posted November 21, 2011 Share Posted November 21, 2011 Jelly... I dunno about decrepit. I can still wear the same clothes I did at 35 - and that was smaller than when I was 27. So... OTOH, never quite got entirely back from a pretty well busted up leg. I hadda discover the hard way that once you hit 60, you don't bounce all that well. !@#$ m Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JellyWheat Posted November 21, 2011 Share Posted November 21, 2011 Jelly... I dunno about decrepit. I can still wear the same clothes I did at 35 - and that was smaller than when I was 27. So... OTOH, never quite got entirely back from a pretty well busted up leg. I hadda discover the hard way that once you hit 60, you don't bounce all that well. !@#$ m Sorry about your leg, milod. But the good news is that your polyester suits from your 30s have a great "stretch factor" and wear like iron, as well as being WASHABLE! [Easy upkeep if the "Depends" don't quite measure up to the job!] Well done, milod! INDEED! J/W Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
milod Posted November 21, 2011 Share Posted November 21, 2011 JW- Oh, I still get around... But haven't had time to work on flexibility again - and the leg thing was five years ago when I could still drop into a full splits. Now... as long as I can climb the fence while taking rodeo pix, I'm fine. So the Wranglers ain't too tight to allow that, either. <grin> m Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
buliwyf Posted November 21, 2011 Share Posted November 21, 2011 I had a Dillion (definitely an off brand) with 2 P90's in it, a swamp ash body,set neck and it looked exactly like a PRS with the beautiful MOP birds on it.As usual with kind of off brand axes the pickups didnt quite sound up to par,not the worst but I wanted a better sound.After serching the net I found a company (probably one guy) that new a lot about pickups.Things like magnet types,wire sizes and types,how much wire you can wind on a pickup before it starts to sound like crap and stuff like that plus he was easy to talk with.The bad news is all the info about the co. name and everything else is on an old hard drive on an old computer that does not work any more and it was many years ago Well anyways I told him to wrap the hell out of the magnets so I would have super loud crazy screaming pickups,guess I didnt know much.He talked me out of that and into a high output pickup but still within reason.He did over wrap them but to the point that they screamed but still had clarity and definition and that P90 grit and dirty sound at higher volumes like they should but still retained a sweet clean sound when needed.I dont know a ton about pickups but I definitely remember that sending out the original pickups to be rewound was a smart thing to do instead of buying new ones.It cost me less and I got to choose what sound I wanted out of my P90's. I thought it looked like a PRS swamp ash Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RUSHian Posted November 21, 2011 Share Posted November 21, 2011 I heard Gibson used cobalt magnets in the earlier P90's any truth to that? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JellyWheat Posted November 21, 2011 Share Posted November 21, 2011 I heard Gibson used cobalt magnets in the earlier P90's any truth to that? I thought all AlNiCo magnets had cobalt in them, by definition: Aluminum-Nickel-Cobalt J/W Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
charlie brown Posted November 21, 2011 Share Posted November 21, 2011 My '66 Casino with it's stock pickups, sounds "Grittier," than any of my more recent Gibson P-90 equipped guitars. It may be the hollow body, though, that's the biggest contributor, to that fact? OR, it may be the age, of the '66 pickups? I don't really know. The "darkest" sounding P-90s, are on my all mahogany "Faded" Les Paul (double cut) Special. The "brightest" sounding P-90's, are on my "'60's Tribute Gold Top, with it's maple cap. So, I guess that's to be expected. They All sound Great, even if slightly different. CB Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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