Favorite Humbucker-Sized P90's

[MrFalc0n]

So after my previous thread about pickups in an SG, I'm seriously considering some humbucker-sized P90's.

So, just wondering what your favorite humbucker-sized P90 is in terms of quietness, similarity to the originals, and, of course, overall tone. If yours isn't on the list, please specify which one you like!

[MrFalc0n]

Bump.

[mark123]

Duncan P-Rails - Just 'cause I like 'em and they are not on the list ;)

[mad dog]

There are many excellent choices out there. The one that keeps me coming back is "the pig" by Dave Stephens. I have the neck p/u in a Samick SAT650, left the stock bridge humbucker in place. The more I play that guitar, the better it sounds. The neck is P-90 like in some ways, not in others. Cleaner, less mids, but starts to get that beautiful P-90 edge and drive when you turn it up. It's a loud p/u, quiet in terms of extraneous noise.
MD

[erksin]

The Z-90 isn't really attempting to be an accurate P-90 copy, but IMO it's one of the best sounding pickups of any type ever. Will it give you P-90 type growl and that meaty, powerful feeling clang? Yes - but it's not as midrangey and focused sounding - it's got a much wider freq spread and a lot more clarity across the spectrum.

If you want P-90 accuracy, this is probably the wrong pickup to consider. But if accuracy isn't super important to you, I think you'd be hard pressed to find a better sounding pickup.

[No.9]

Lollar SCFH's are awesome, especially in the neck position! They're not a P-90, but an awesome sounding pickup, clear and fat.

[brianr0131]

BKP Mississippi Queen

/Thread

I'm serious

[cratz2]

I have a set of the BG Pure 90s in my only current 'P90' guitar. Have no beef with them at all and I'd say the bridge Pure 90 is my favorite P90 tone I've ever owned.

The neck... I really like it, but not quite as much as I liked my neck GFS Mean 90. Pretty close though and overall, between those two sets, I'd lean towards the BGs.

The Phat Cats are alright, but they seem pretty lifeless in comparison.

[MrFalc0n]

BKP Mississippi Queen

/Thread

I'm serious

Please don't end my thread. :bonk

[leej1019]

I have some Mean 90s from GFS in the bridge of my semi-hollow. Sounds pretty awesome to me- its fat and crunchy

[brianr0131]

Please don't end my thread. :bonk

Fair enough. But they really are the best as far as sounding like a real P90. Check out the sound clips here:

https://www.bareknucklepickups.co.uk/main/pickups.php?cat=p90s&sub=humbucker_sized_p90s&pickup=mississippi_queen

[teleman55]

Have a set of Mean 90s in an Ibanez Artcore. I'm a single coil junkie and I'm pleased with these.

[Realfi]

Fralin P92's are a lovely pickup but don't really sound very much like a classic P90. I'm not exactly sure if they're supposed to. Same with the Harmonic Design Z90's - more of their own thing.

[MrFalc0n]

Bump for more opinions.

To the people who answered Gibson P94, could you explain why? I'm interested because they are actual Gibsons.

[MrFalc0n]

Bump.

[stevieboy]

I can't claim to have much experience with any of them except the HD Z-90, but I think that is a great pickup.

[JB Eckl]

No one makes a noiseless HB sized P-90?
Kinman? No one?

[Lucidology]

Fralin P92's are a lovely pickup but don't really sound very much like a classic P90. I'm exactly sure they're supposed to. Same with the Harmonic Design Z90's - more of their own thing.

Exactly my point by voting for it ... lol

[rockonomics]

I like the Mean 90's. I recently got to compare them to the stock P90's in an SG. I like the Gibson P90's and the Means get purty close. They just have a bit more testicular fortitude. In a good way.

[Realfi]

Exactly my point by voting for it ... lol

I edited my post but I think you understood me anyway!

[MrFalc0n]

No one makes a noiseless HB sized P-90?
Kinman? No one?

I think the Fralin P92 is the same thing as their hum-cancelling P90. However, the hum-cancelling P90 is a dual-coil pickup, which means it's just a humbucker!

[crimson on pink]

Bg all the way. Never ceases to amaze me.

[Figaro]

Duncan P-Rails. A P90, humbucker and rail in one pickup. Although the humbucker mode doesn't sound as good as some humbuckers.

[socalscott]

No one makes a noiseless HB sized P-90?
Kinman? No one?

Well, I'm looking at my custom set by Kent Armstrong. No extra charge either($240). Same design as the Fralins.
They don't have a home at this time. I really should let them go, been lying around too long.

[AD_]

Bump for good thread! I've been looking at getting some of these for a while, needed some good opinions.

[Marble]

OP, what kind of SG do you have, early '60s style or batwing pickguard?

[MrFalc0n]

Batwing-style. It's a 2011 Silverburst with an ebony fretboard.

It's awesome, but the electronics are terrible, and I would like the P90 sound, as well.

[777]

Are there any that are "real" P-90's?

[Figaro]

Are there any that are "real" P-90's?

:huh

Uh... a real P90 is not humbucker size. None of them sound exactly like a real P90. If you mean which one is "closest" to a real P90, that's a matter of opinion. Everyone hears differently.

[MrFalc0n]

:huh

Uh... a real P90 is not humbucker size

I think his question was asking if there was a pickup that was made exactly like a P90, but still in the humbucker-sized housing.

There are at least a couple, like the BG and maybe the Gibson. I think there's another I'm forgetting.

[Figaro]

I think his question was asking if there was a pickup that was made exactly like a P90, but still in the humbucker-sized housing.

There are at least a couple, like the BG and maybe the Gibson. I think there's another I'm forgetting.


I'm just saying just because it's made "exactly" like a P90 in humbucker size, doesn't mean it sounds the closest to a real P90. Pick the one that sounds and works the best to YOU and in your particular guitar. If you play live, 90% of your audience can't tell the difference anyway. ;o)

[MrFalc0n]

Bump because it's my thread.

[777]

I think his question was asking if there was a pickup that was made exactly like a P90, but still in the humbucker-sized housing.

There are at least a couple, like the BG and maybe the Gibson. I think there's another I'm forgetting.

Yes, thank you. I understand that P90's are constructed in a specific manner that differentiates them from other single coils.

In similar threads to this, I have read that some are 'real p90s' while others are just single coils.

I don't understand the construction that determines that, but I was looking for the ones that are constructed in the most authentic manner.

[epluribus]

Duncan P-Rails. A P90, humbucker and rail in one pickup. Although the humbucker mode doesn't sound as good as some humbuckers.

P-Rails...like 'em. The P-90 is a bit bark-ier than the Dream 90's I have in an Epi LP, but it's a great pup anyway.

The HB's...personally I think they have a fantastic vintage thing happening with the coils wired parallel.

Dream 90's...don't have a set of Mean's to A/B 'em with. That said, they kick bigtime in the Epi I put 'em in. Gorgeous chime to them, some really cool overtones, and they get nasty easy, but in a very touch-controllable way. Prettier by far than the P-Rail '90, but at the cost of the growly aggression...two different tools. Really digging the mod.

--Ray

[MrFalc0n]

Bump.

[epluribus]

Hot patch.

[kieto33]

BKP Mississippi Queens

[merriweather69]

Gibson P94's (brighter more snarl), SD Phat Cats( Clear more chime), TV Jones Powertrons HB ( great sounding, combo of PAF, P90, Filtertron) to my ears.

[MrFalc0n]

Gibson P94's (brighter more snarl)

I think I'm gonna get these then...