P90 Guitar for Under $500

[tycobb73]

I'm looking to add a p90 equipped guitar to my collection. It isn't my favorite sound but I like it sometimes and want to spend under $500 shipped. Used is ok. What do you suggest? Why would you suggest it?

 

[Elduderino73]

One option is to find a humbucker-equipped guitar you like on the cheap and drop in a set of P90-ish pickups yourself.
Scouring Craigslist can yield some good finds for a project guitar.

I traded guitars on CL and dropped in a set of GFS Mean 90s on the new acquisition. They're pretty good pickups and aren't all that expensive.
Just one option of many if you go this route.

 

[Tweedledee]

There are some good options in that price range, but based on the rave reviews I've read both here and on other forums I would say to check out the Epiphone ES-339 Pro P90. If I were going to get another P90 guitar for under $500, that would be my #1 choice right now. The Epiphone Pro line is about as good as you can get for the money at this point.

Another possible option is to wait for a used Gibson Les Paul Jr. to show up for $500 shipped. You see them occasionally for that amount. Simple, great sounding rock machine.

 

[SPROING!]

I personally think the Epi 339 Pro is the best bang for the buck out there right now. Got mine for $350 new. Amazing guitar for the money.

The Epi 56 gold top pro LP is about $500 for a solid body.

I've had a PRS SE Soapbar before. That was a good one.

My son has a Fender Blacktop Jaguar with P90s that's pretty cool, too. Shorter 24" scale and a Fender feel for those who prefer that.

Lots of choices out there.

 

[joy-z]

G&L Ascari GT90

 

[Hefalump]

Gibson Melody Maker LP.

 

[bgmacaw]

Plenty of good choices from Rondo, GFS, Dillon, Epiphone and others.

What style of guitar are you looking for?

 

[stratter]

this one is $499 shipped. Great looking guitar. Melody makers are great.

http://www.musicgoroundburnsville.c...r-les-paul-g?gclid=CLjt2ZLGycYCFZGBfgodNoEMuw

 

[tycobb73]

thanks for all your suggestions. I guess I need to clear up a couple things. I left it pretty vague.

Due to blindness I cannot do my own work. therefore mods are cost prohibited.
I also prefer the sound when the neck pickup is employed, either by itself or with the bridge, but things like sg jr are out because I really want that neck pickup.

 

[lugnut111]

2014 Gibson Les Paul melody maker with the newer P90 slug pickups or a 2011 Melody Maker Special with traditional P90 pickups. Both of these models have two pickups.

 

[donnievaz]

I bought a used PRS SE Soapbar II for $250. Love it.

 

[LionVerse]

I personally think the Epi 339 Pro is the best bang for the buck out there right now. Got mine for $350 new.

The Epi 56 gold top pro LP is about $500 for a solid body.

It's weird that the 339 is that much cheaper than the LP in the same line. Shouldn't a hollow body should require a lot more labor to make?

I bought a used PRS SE Soapbar II for $250. Love it.

Now that seams like a steal everyone raves about those.

 

[geodr]

You might be able to get a used Reverend with P90s for 500, maybe a little bit more

 

[GuitMike]

I agree on the used Reverend. They make great P90 guitars.

 

[mslugano]

+1 for a used PRS SE Soapbar II. Punches WAY above its weight. Put some Suhr S90s in mine and, though I know you don't want to make any mods, they're really excellent pickups.

 

[e???]

+1 for epi 339 or 56 lp. Epi pros really are great guitars. I ended up swapping pickups in my 339 but sometimes regret it. Definitely something to be said for those stock pickups

 

[GCDEF]

G&L Ascari GT90

This is a good answer

 

[.]

PRS SE II sounds monstrous...nice chunky neck too.
The Chinese fender telecaster thinline with P90s is really nice for the money. Those are under $500 new. Neck is a bit slight, but feels nice just the same. It also has great P90 bite.

 

[BigDoug1053]

Epiphone Wildkat (or Casino). I am impressed with my Wildkat ($400 new) - fit and finish well done. It's a fun guitar that plays nicely and it has a Bigsby. Epihone apparently has a good QA program for their Asian instruments. Xaviere also has several P-90 models that are fairly inexpensive - dunno about their quality, but they are very inexpensive.

 

[HTSMetal]

I'll second the Epiphone Wildkat, they're great instruments with a roaring stock set of AlNiCo P90s.