Novak Narrowrange? Harmonic Design VP90? Something else?

[rydia is hot]

Anyone have any experience with either of these? I'm wanting to put something new in my ES135, but I'm looking more for a textured/big, clear sound as opposed to ROARP90ROARhumROARhum.

If that makes sense. I typically don't use a pick, and I'm more of an indie/ambient player.

[rydia is hot]

Bump for opinions!

[mad dog]

I put VP90s in my Orville LP Special. A huge difference from stock (which were actually rather good.) Louder for sure, big tone everywhere and the quietest P90s I've heard. Wired for hum cancelling in the middle too. I later swapped in a staple top Thorn P90 in the neck spot, for a little different flavor, would not have changed that VP90 in the bridge for anything. Great pickups!
MD

[johnmfer]

Wow. On one hand I want to seriously applaud Novak on his creating new designs and coming up with interesting new ways of doing things. But on the other hand, I recognize he's just combining different elements of existing pickups and the products are a logical end to some basic addition or subtraction. And then I wonder why the hell more pickup makers aren't doing stuff like this because it just seems so... obvious.

The above ramblings aside, Kudos, Novak!!

[vortexxxx]

Originally Posted by johnmfer

Wow. On one hand I want to seriously applaud Novak on his creating new designs and coming up with interesting new ways of doing things. But on the other hand, I recognize he's just combining different elements of existing pickups and the products are a logical end to some basic addition or subtraction. And then I wonder why the hell more pickup makers aren't doing stuff like this because it just seems so... obvious.

The above ramblings aside, Kudos, Novak!!

Novak makes great pickups an I love his hybrid pickups.

[rydia is hot]

Originally Posted by johnmfer

Wow. On one hand I want to seriously applaud Novak on his creating new designs and coming up with interesting new ways of doing things. But on the other hand, I recognize he's just combining different elements of existing pickups and the products are a logical end to some basic addition or subtraction. And then I wonder why the hell more pickup makers aren't doing stuff like this because it just seems so... obvious.

The above ramblings aside, Kudos, Novak!!

I understand what you mean. What I think is so cool about the Narrowrange is that it's the combination of half of a pickup that was for so long unobtainable (the WR bucker) in a P90 format--and, it seems to me, the P90 market doesn't offer too many variations--so it's a really unique offering.

It's funny, though--it does seem kind of obvious to try things like this. Maybe I'll make a mint by making a giant lipstick tube pickup that will fit in a P90 route (I kid, I kid.)

[rydia is hot]

Still surprised that this seems to be the only thread on TGP with mention of the Narrowranges...

[rydia is hot]

Months later bump!

[indiemojoe]

Totally torn between these for the neck position. I will definitely be going with the vp-90 in the bridge, but the neck...

I have been craving a thin hollow bigsby and have been leaning on a 60's starfire III or V but the I saw the new Herirage offerigs. I have a CM-150 I love already. I am probably having a Heritage h525 (or possibly h530) built. I have a 78 tele deluxe and love the neck tone, though I wish it were slightly less mushy at times. Hence, cosidering the narrow range for the neck.

Those with the vp-90s, will I be missing out on any magic of a matched set if I go narrow range in the neck?

[Stormin]

My 1991 ES-135 has Harmonic Design VP-90's in both positions. I REALLY like them in this guitar. I previously had some Lollar P-90's in it and I was very underwhelmed. Go for the matched set of HD's!