Bridge Pickup for Fender Toronado (Phat Cat?)

[chorbanlives]

Hello there,

After searching for years, I finally got my hands on a MIM Fender Deluxe Toronado. The previous owner had put a JB in the bridge, which was just not doing it for me at all. I tend to use fuzz as my primary distortion and high output humbuckers generally sound pretty muddy.

I eventually decided to go the p90 route and after scouring every single forum/thread/message board/review/you name it about humbucker-sized p90s on the internet, I finally landed on the GFS mean 90, as the general consensus was overwhelmingly positive. I drop it in and what do you know? It's somehow even muddier, harsher, and duller than the JB.

In my studies I also read a lot about the SD Phat Cats and their clarity even under heavy distortion, but worried it might be a bit too bright as the guitar already seems pretty bright (despite the shorter scale length). I basically just want clean up the sound of the guitar without losing all of the "roundness" associated with a humbucker. Any suggestions? Is this guitar just a dud? Will the Phat Cat be too thin sounding? Any input would be immensely appreciated as I'm starting lose my mind over this. Thanks!

 

[jeremy]

Re: Bridge Pickup for Fender Toronado (Phat Cat?)

welcome to the forum!

the mean 90 is overwound, not sure how hot but the dream 90 is 8.4k so more than that, and has alnico V magnets. the phat cat is around 8.5k has alnico II magnets which give a more robust mid range. there are two magnets in p90's and p90's in humbucker housings and you can swap magnets and change the tone. if the dual alnico V is muddy in the mean 90 there isnt much you can do to clean that up though.

are the pots in the guitar 250k?

 

[chorbanlives]

Re: Bridge Pickup for Fender Toronado (Phat Cat?)

Thanks for the response! The pots are 500k I believe. I should also add that I've tried tinkering with the height of the pickup, but still no luck. I understand the mean 90 is considered a hot p90 (most people claim around 10k or slightly higher), but my experience has been nothing like the various accounts from others in regards to articulation.

 

[Mincer]

Re: Bridge Pickup for Fender Toronado (Phat Cat?)

Is it an inherently dull sounding guitar? Phat Cats may work, but I would also look at more vintage-to -medium sounding humbuckers. Check out the Whole Lotta Humbucker and the 59/Custom Hybrid, neither which can be described as muddy nor thin.