Duncan Designed P-90's...

[InstituteOfNoise]

Does anyone know how these compare to the actual Duncans that are listed on the products page? Any spec details?

Is there an equivalent model, or are the regular Duncan P-90's all a step up from these?

I just picked up a Squire Tele Custom II with the 2 P-90's, and while they sound good, I can't help thinking I can get a noticeable improvement with a step up.

Thanks!

 

[jeremy]

Re: Duncan Designed P-90's...

im not sure, ive never seen a dd p90. im assuming that they are modeled after the vintage, maybe with a slightly overwound bridge but thats just a guess

 

[InstituteOfNoise]

Re: Duncan Designed P-90's...

They are a soapbar type P-90. This Tele Custom II is the first time I've ever seen them. They are supposed to be made elsewhere but by some other company to Duncan specs. So I'm assuming they are cheaper. No idea about tech specs on it either. I was hoping someone from Duncan here could she some lite. Here's a pic of them...

 

[Evan Skopp]

Re: Duncan Designed P-90's...

Institute:

Thanks for the post. The pickups are made in Korea in the Duncan Designed factory to our specs. They are vintage-voiced and they use Alnico magnets (two per pickup). However, they don't use the vintage correct cable or plain enamel wire that you'd find on a Seymour Duncan vintage-style P-90.

They sound great for stock pickups, IMO.

Cheers,

 

[InstituteOfNoise]

Re: Duncan Designed P-90's...

Thanks Evan! I agree they do sound great as they are for a stock pickup, so much I'm debating changing them.

I've used this guitar for 2 record dates so far in the last month and it sounds absoultely fantastic. One was a Country/Rock record, the other a blazing rock one. The guitar and pickups really held their own.

If I did anything I'd probably get slightly hotter pickups and wire up a 4 way switch.

 

[Young Angus]

Re: Duncan Designed P-90's...

Usually if it aint broke dont fix it, but the duncan p90's you can probably be sure will sound better than duncan designs.

Id change them

 

[InstituteOfNoise]

Re: Duncan Designed P-90's...

Yeah I know... it's hard to leave well enough alone...

 

[saltek]

Re: Duncan Designed P-90's...

Just my 2 cents: (I know this is an old thread, but...)
I was intrigued by the Tele Custom II because you just can't get this pup and overall configuration on a Fender Tele style guitar. Other than a couple of minor quality issues, (loose and missing screw,) this guitar plays and feels like an expensive guitar. Taking playability, vibe, and tonal variations into consideration, this guitar is just superb. I have 26 guitars including many of our old "Standards" and this is the one I leave out and look forward to playing the most! I am VERY impressed with the DD P90s and feel that it would defeat the purpose of this guitar to go with the SD P90s when these sound so good at this price point. It sort of defeats the purpose of the type of guitar it is-an Exceptional value with exceptional pickups!

 

[HowardChandler]

Re: Duncan Designed P-90's...

Institute:

Snip
They are vintage-voiced and they use Alnico magnets (two per pickup).

Snip
,

Which alnico formulation is used. Alnico 5?, 2?

Thanks

Howard

 

[Aceman]

Re: Duncan Designed P-90's...

I'd love to see a blind shoot-out between all of the Duncan designed vs. the official deal. Only your ears can tell for sure...

 

[HowardChandler]

Re: Duncan Designed P-90's...

I'd love to see a blind shoot-out between all of the Duncan designed vs. the official deal. Only your ears can tell for sure...

I wouldn't know about how they compare to the made in USA models, but after a couple of tries to dial these in, they sound pretty damn good to me. The Squire Tele Custome II p-90 is a fantastic guitar for the money. But like any inexpensive guitar, you've got to expect to spend some time setting it up and smoothing out the rough edges. I've had the best results by lowering the pickups down so they only stick out about 1/8 of an inch from the pickguard. They sound good both clean and cranked.

My only complaint is that when I turn them down in volume, the tone control has a major effect on volume. With the volume dimed, the tone only changes the tone. I doubt this is the fault of the pickups though. Perhaps there's an alternate way to wire these things???????