Humbucker sized P-90

[Johnny Vox]

Hey all!

So currently I have a Dream 90 in the neck and a Mean 90 in the bridge of my main guitar--I like them but I'm finding the Mean 90 a bit shrill. I'm really going after that great Green Day and Social Distortion fat P-90 sound.

I'm going to try adjusting polepieces/height a bit before I give up on it, but are there any suggestions out there for a HB sized P-90 with that sound?

thanks!

[Whiskeyrebel]

Actually the Dream 90 can be adjusted to sound like that, if you screw the polepieces into the bobbin and raise the body of the pickup close to the strings. I don't have a Mean 90 so I can't say for sure if it also would respond to the same adjustment.

[muddy]

harmonic design z-90's...


ml

[Johnny Vox]

Originally Posted by Whiskeyrebel

Actually the Dream 90 can be adjusted to sound like that, if you screw the polepieces into the bobbin and raise the body of the pickup close to the strings. I don't have a Mean 90 so I can't say for sure if it also would respond to the same adjustment.

Interesting...I thought about swapping the two but I think their neck Dream is wound a little differently than the bridge, yeah?

[Whiskeyrebel]

Try that adjustment first. Also does each pickup have its own volume and tone control? Maybe it wants a different value pot or itmight sound best with the tone knob partway down.

If you are set on doing a swap, the 498T matches really well with a DreaM 90 and there should be heaps of them available because it seems fashionable to replace the 498T for almost anything else.

[jb1984]

Get the Fralin P92. I only wish I had put one in the bridge of my SG to match the one I just put in the neck, instead of the PAF I bought to pair with it.

[Johnny Vox]

Originally Posted by Whiskeyrebel

Try that adjustment first. Also does each pickup have its own volume and tone control? Maybe it wants a different value pot or itmight sound best with the tone knob partway down.

If you are set on doing a swap, the 498T matches really well with a DreaM 90 and there should be heaps of them available because it seems fashionable to replace the 498T for almost anything else.

One master volume and tone. I'm auditioning a drummer this evening so I'll try adjusting the Mean a bit before he gets there and see if I can tame it a bit.

[Johnny Vox]

So I tried the adjustments. Definitely helped, especially with the Dream in the neck. At the end of the day I think the Mean might just be a bit thin sounding for me.

Anyone have experience with the Duncan HB P-90? I've had really good luck with some of their other PUs.

[Johnny Vox]

Originally Posted by jb1984

Get the Fralin P92. I only wish I had put one in the bridge of my SG to match the one I just put in the neck, instead of the PAF I bought to pair with it.

Does the P-92 actually sound like a P-90 though or does it have it's own thing going on?

[slugworth]

The Kent Armstrong ones are very good.

[cratz2]

I really think keeping the volume knob on the guitar rolled down just a little bit is the key... Then you can compensate by setting the amp/pedals to counter that top end loss, but it will still sound fuller.

Out of all the P90 and HB-sized P90s, my favorite bridge by a considerable amount was the Mean 90 I had in a first year Santana SE. I also really like the BG Pure 90s, esp the neck and middle positions, but for bridge use with some chunk, I found the Mean 90 absolutely ideal.

Good luck.

[xStonr]

Vintage Vibe makes a very good set and with it you get different magnets. I have a set that I got years ago that came with a set of alnico magnets and ceramic magnets.