Choosing pups for Ibanez-AS73

[Todd]

I've looked closely at P90s 'Phat-Cat' but see newer models out there like 'Phat-Staple'. I wonder, what is the difference? I like the P90 tone but would also like hum cancelling. Can I put in P90s w a separate hum-cancelling coil between them that I can optionally switch on and off? I had an Epiphone BluesHawk that was wired w this coil that sounded great, and extremely quiet too. Another option that was recommended for this guitar for a quiet pup is Pearly Gates. Any opinions or suggestions about all this?

 

[silvertonebetty]

Re: Choosing pups for Ibanez-AS73

Seth lovers


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[Blille]

Re: Choosing pups for Ibanez-AS73

What style of music do you play? Any reference tone you’re after?


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[Todd]

Re: Choosing pups for Ibanez-AS73

What style of music do you play? Any reference tone you’re after?


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Good question! Let's say Classic Country w/ hot guitar licks and some Classic Rock. I had Seth Lovers on an AF75 and they were nice but a bit too nice for this AS73. I love the vintage tone of the P90s but maybe could use a tad more guts, which sent me looking at the pearly gates but might they be too much, maybe I don't know. Like I said, I'd like a humless pup.

 

[Blille]

Re: Choosing pups for Ibanez-AS73

Good question! Let's say Classic Country w/ hot guitar licks and some Classic Rock. Iv'e have Seth Lovers on an AF75 and they were nice but a bit too nice for this AS73. I love the vintage tone of the P90s but maybe could use a bit more attack, which sent me looking at the pearly gates but might be too much, maybe I don't know. Like I said, I'd like a quiet pup.

Glad you clarified. I was going to go give a recommendation assuming mostly jazz lol

I’m clueless about classic country so I’ll let others help you


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[ICTGoober]

Re: Choosing pups for Ibanez-AS73

I have a set of Antiquities in my AS-73. They work for any type of electric guitar music you'd want to play. However - my guess is Pearly Gates would be a good choice, too.

 

[Todd]

Re: Choosing pups for Ibanez-AS73

I have a set of Antiquities in my AS-73. They work for any type of electric guitar music you'd want to play. However - my guess is Pearly Gates would be a good choice, too.

After comparing the tone profiles, I see something in the JB Antiquity for Bridge that looks pretty inviting, and the Pearly Gates looks good too. I always want to hear them live before buying, but that's impossible around here, I guess--and can't tell much from the online sound bytes.

 

[blueman335]

Re: Choosing pups for Ibanez-AS73

After comparing the tone profiles, I see something in the JB Antiquity for Bridge that looks pretty inviting, and the Pearly Gates looks good too. I always want to hear them live before buying, but that's impossible around here, I guess--and can't tell much from the online sound bytes.

Phat Cats have a pretty warm neck (A2 magnets) which can overpower the weaker-sounding bridge. For a real P-90 sound in a humbucker size, GFS Mean 90's are a better choice (A5 magnets, like Gibson P-90's). They have a sharper, rawer edge and are better suited to what you're playing. They have metal covers which helps reduce noise and a third wire specifically for grounding (most P-90's have plastic covers).

I'd never put a JB in a semi-hollow, especially for country. For a hot bridge PU, I think a Custom 5 (SH-14) would be a better choice, paired with a Jazz (SH-2) neck.

 

[Chistopher]

Re: Choosing pups for Ibanez-AS73

For P90s, I'd recommend a Phat Cats, A4/A5 in the neck and an A8/A4 bridge with the A8 closest to the bridge. Orientation doesn't matter to much in the neck.

As for the Phat Staple, it is really tall and might require routing to fit in your semi-hollow. It's also expensive and there is little information about it on the internet. I personally have never used one.

Pearly Gates is a good choice, if you want a beefier bridge the Custom Custom is a good option. The neck and bridge Pearly Gates aren't matched to well, whether that's a good or bad thing depends on your preferences. I for one like it.

 

[blueman335]

Re: Choosing pups for Ibanez-AS73

For P90s, I'd recommend a Phat Cats, A4/A5 in the neck and an A8/A4 bridge

My 'Blueman P-90 Mag Set', created for my first set of Phat Cats because I couldn't bond with the stock A2's.

 

[Todd]

Re: Choosing pups for Ibanez-AS73

Phat Cats have a pretty warm neck (A2 magnets) which can overpower the weaker-sounding bridge. For a real P-90 sound in a humbucker size, GFS Mean 90's are a better choice (A5 magnets, like Gibson P-90's). They have a sharper, rawer edge and are better suited to what you're playing. They have metal covers which helps reduce noise and a third wire specifically for grounding (most P-90's have plastic covers).

In an earlier post I mentioned P-90s in my epi BluesHawk. I wonder if these are the gibson P90s w A5 mags. If they are, then this is more the tone I am looking for... but also thinking of this tone in hum cancelling (which may not be possible but maybe I can find something close).

 

[blueman335]

Re: Choosing pups for Ibanez-AS73

In an earlier post I mentioned P-90s in my epi BluesHawk. I wonder if these are the gibson P90s w A5 mags. If they are, then this is more the tone I am looking for... but also thinking of this tone in hum cancelling (which may not be possible but maybe I can find something close).

Gibson uses A5's in their P-90's, and Mean 90's would be a good choice for that sound in a humbucker-slotted guitar.

 

[Todd]

Re: Choosing pups for Ibanez-AS73

Let me add another pup to this: Fralin P92... by comparison, which SD pup might be closest to this?