Another P90 thread

J

jimman

New member
Hey guys, I realized I have posted before about humbucker sized p90s and last time I got some great advice and good ideas. My situation now has changed in that I have freed up a little bit of spare change to put into some new pickups. Here are the current options I am considering:

1. P-rails - these seem to have a very nice sound to them and many find them very versatile. They are cheaper than most of my other options and there wont be a wait time to get them.

2. Call Seymour Duncan Custom Shop and see if they will make some Antiquity P90s in a humbucker size. If they will do it that seems like it would be a good pickup. Everything I have read on the antiquity p90s seems to be great.

3. Zhangbucker - I have never heard a bad review on Zhangs pickups. Seems to be a good guy to do business too. I am currently leaning towards doing this.

4. Other guys like BG pickups and Lollar and even Bare Knuckle all seem to have a good following that like their p90s. I worry about the covers on the Bare Knuckles taking away some tone, while Lollar seems to be more expensive and I am not convinced Zhang couldnt do just as good if not better of a job. BG seems good I am just not very familiar with his work.

Any opinions on these are welcome. I can get indecisive when it comes to spending money on things so any input is really welcome. Thanks
 
Re: Another P90 thread

If you are worried about the effect of the BK covers, what consideration have you given to the larger baseplates and the air gap between any of these P90 bobbins and their HB-sized covers?
:scratchch
 
Re: Another P90 thread

Funkfingers said:
If you are worried about the effect of the BK covers, what consideration have you given to the larger baseplates and the air gap between any of these P90 bobbins and their HB-sized covers?
:scratchch
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I just figured that would be something I would just have to put up with. But I have read quite a bit of complaints from people about metal covers killing the p90 bite they have.

Lollar seems to do good work and I am definitely considering his stuff.
 
Re: Another P90 thread

Well you know what my vote is, especially with rent due shortly.

But whatever you get, DO NOT get it with a metal cover. Whoever is telling you that is well-advised.
 
Re: Another P90 thread

12.13k bridge. He's using 43 gauge there. The neck could go either way, or he might even be using 42.5.
 
Re: Another P90 thread

I have looked through everything suggested in this thread and am still deciding between Zhang and Lollar. The Bare Knuckles look nice but for now I think I will pass on them. I may be getting some of their stuff in the future for a different guitar.

Doc raises a good point, the few p90s I have played have been good. They are just awesome pickups and I am sure whatever I decide on will be great. There are just so many options these days.
 
Re: Another P90 thread

And don't discount Seymour's own P-Rails. It's really a great P-90 in there, plus you have the added benefit of having a Rail pup, a very good sounding bucker in parallel, and a decent series bucker as well.

And for all you get, it's a bargain$$.
 
Re: Another P90 thread

GuitarDoc said:
And don't discount Seymour's own P-Rails. It's really a great P-90 in there, plus you have the added benefit of having a Rail pup, a very good sounding bucker in parallel, and a decent series bucker as well.

And for all you get, it's a bargain$$.
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I seem to recall someone with a name very similar to yours, making a number of posts as he tried to get the thing sounding like he wanted it to. It was not a walk in the park, if memory serves. As much as I like modding, P-Rails just seem like an overly-complicated way to get a P-90.
 
Re: Another P90 thread

blueman335 said:
I seem to recall someone with a name very similar to yours, making a number of posts as he tried to get the thing sounding like he wanted it to. It was not a walk in the park, if memory serves.
Click to expand...

Yeah, it's amazing how many people have a similar name to mine. The similarity must just be coincidence.

Actually, that was with the P-Rail Hot. I had to do a lot of experimenting with mags, position, orientation, etc. I ended up mounting the bridge P-Rail Hot with the Rail coil next to the bridge and the original A8 mag next to the rail and an A5 mag next to the P-90 coil. After adjusting pup and screw height and amp EQ I got it to where I love it.

That was several years ago when John was liquidating all of his stock. I got a great deal on a regular P-Rail and a P-Rail Hot. (I think I got his last ones if I remember correctly). I've been using it ever since in my #1 guitar. Very delicious P-90 tones with just enough bite.

The regular P-Rail is much easier to work with and has a great tone right out of the box, and works well in neck or bridge positions. It's the regular P-Rail that I'm recommending.
 
Re: Another P90 thread

Doc you really got me considering the p-rails. All those options sure would be nice to have.
 
Re: Another P90 thread

I love the P-Rails in my Strat. The P90 tone is spot on and in the humbucking position it is a monster rock pickup. I installed it for the P90 tone but find myself using it in the humbucking position more often.
 
Re: Another P90 thread

Doc I know you said the p-rails hot was too much out of the box but would I be better off with it and some mag swaps than just the regular p-rails?
 
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