One of the "old P90 guys" here - what about P90s on a 12 string?

[blueshawk1]

Although I'm one of the "old P90 guys", I'm relatively new to P90s, having only gotten into them a couple years ago.
I'm starting another build, a 12 string, and I was thinking of putting a pair of P90s in it - it seems like it should sound good, but again, being relatively new to using those pups, I figured I might want to ask those more experienced with them if they can think of any reason why they would not be a good pup for a 12 string.
Thanks in advance.

[sosomething]

I don't know for sure that it would fail, but I wonder if the more condensed/congested midrange signature inherent in P-90s would suit the complexity of 12-string tone.

Then again, I'd love to try it.

[teleman1]

Never seen or heard of one.

[blueshawk1]

Originally Posted by teleman1

Never seen or heard of one.

Me neither, and I know I couldn't be the first person to think of it, so it makes me wonder if there isn't a reason why I shouldn't.

Originally Posted by sosomething

I don't know for sure that it would fail, but I wonder if the more condensed/congested midrange signature inherent in P-90s would suit the complexity of 12-string tone.
Then again, I'd love to try it.

I know, I would love to see how it would sound.
They make 12 strings with single coils, like the Fender strats, so it seems it should be doable, but I'm still hesitant to spend the time and money to find out it's a bad idea, but I do love P90s and I love 12 strings, it would be nice if they would work well together.

[VaughnC]

I own an Italia Rimini 12 string with P90's and, IMO, there's a little too much in the mids if you like the classic Rickenbacker 12 string jangle sound. It's not that the Italia sounds bad...it's an excellent bang for the buck...but, if I could afford a Ric, the Italia would be gone.

[just_one_more]

An experiment that could be done for not a ton of coin is to buy one of those HB sized P90s and drop them in a 12 is you have access to a HB outfitted 12 string. See if works or not.

[blueshawk1]

Originally Posted by VaughnC

I own an Italia Rimini 12 string with P90's and, IMO, there's a little too much in the mids if you like the classic Rickenbacker 12 string jangle sound. It's not that the Italia sounds bad...it's an excellent bang for the buck...but, if I could afford a Ric, the Italia would be gone.

That's not a problem for me as I'm not a fan of the Rickenbacker "jangle".
My last twelve string had two single coils (tele style) and I'm sure HBs would be good. Actually the "mids" thing might be good - someone mentioned in the "old guys like P90s" thread that P90s are great rhythm pups, and mostly, what does a 12 string get used for?

Originally Posted by just_one_more

An experiment that could be done for not a ton of coin is to buy one of those HB sized P90s and drop them in a 12 is you have access to a HB outfitted 12 string. See if works or not.

Actually, I was thinking of getting one of these for it, and those P90S look like they may be HB sized, so I could probably replace them with HBs if need be.

[sidekick]

Not the most beautiful looking 12 string on the planet... But my Nash E-12 has both the delicate tones and real power when needed. Understand they are SD P-90's.

[IMG][/IMG]

[VaughnC]

Originally Posted by blueshawk1

That's not a problem for me as I'm not a fan of the Rickenbacker "jangle".
My last twelve string had two single coils (tele style) and I'm sure HBs would be good. Actually the "mids" thing might be good - someone mentioned in the "old guys like P90s" thread that P90s are great rhythm pups, and mostly, what does a 12 string get used for?



Actually, I was thinking of getting one of these for it, and those P90S look like they may be HB sized, so I could probably replace them with HBs if need be.

Understood! To me though, the magic in an electric 12 string is that Beatles/Byrd-like jangle....and I subtly use a Janglebox pedal to pop out those high strings. Otherwise, to my ears, with too heavy mids, a 12 string almost sounds like a muffled 6 string played through a chorus pedal. To each his own...it'd be awfully boring if we all liked the same guitar tones . However, that first chord in "A Hard Days Night" is still instant goosebumps for me some 45 years hence!

[blueshawk1]

Yes, I still love those tunes myself, but I don't play most of them, just listen, and I don't want everything I play with the 12 string to have that sound.
My no.1 favorite guitar, the one I would keep if I had to get rid of everything else, is my 12 string acoustic, mostly because I love the fuller sound of it. When I play electric, it's always clean, so a 12 string gives me that fuller chorus sound there too without the aid of a pedal.

[sleepingtiger]

You could put a mid-cut pot on it. They're readily available.

Tony

[newswede]

That's a cool Idea. Never seen that done before....I bet they sound GREAT!
Still love my Danelectro 12-String electric. Lipstick pickups.

[Sizeofanocean]

http://www.hamerguitars.com/?fa=detail&mid=388

Another one...

[blueshawk1]

So now I know there are a few 12 strings being made with P90s, so it is a feasible idea.
I'm still thinking about it, got time yet.
As you can tell from the style of the pickgurad I posted a picture of earlier with the P90s, I'm building a strat style 12 string. I'm deciding between the P90s or an SSH setup - seems the later would probably be the better choice offering more sound choices.