Duncan Vintage P-90s

[mad dog]

Hey all. First post here. I just picked up an Orville LP special, thinking of trying some P-90s. Have heard really good things about the vintage set, SP-90 1N, 1B. Question is, are these Duncans drop in replacement for the originals. The Orville is Gibson-made, uses Japanese P-90s which are identical in size to the Gibson soapbar P-90.

Thanks for your help!
MD

 

[blueman335]

Re: Duncan Vintage P-90s

Not sure, but they should line up. I know for a fact Epi P-90 pole pieces have a little smaller span than Duncan's, just enough to make it a project to convert over. But it is possible if you're patient (I've done it on two Epi's).

If either P-90 doesn't quite have the exact tone you want, a mag swap should take care of that (I've done many in Phat Cats & P-90's and really dialed them in to the wood's tone). Also, I use 250K's/300K's on a bridge P-90 and 500K's on the neck.

 

[RockStarNick]

Re: Duncan Vintage P-90s

Also, I use 250K's/300K's on a bridge P-90 and 500K's on the neck.

+1 on this. Tames the edge on the bridge, and adds an apparent fatness, and really adds crispness and detail to the neck. Just makes the set match up better.

I actually do this on my humbucker guitars too.

 

[blueman335]

Re: Duncan Vintage P-90s

+1 on this. Tames the edge on the bridge, and adds an apparent fatness, and really adds crispness and detail to the neck. Just makes the set match up better.

I actually do this on my humbucker guitars too.

Same here on most of my bridge HB's, and all of my P-90 & Phat Cat bridges. Makes them fuller and richer sounding by emphasizing mids & shaving off some treble. Gives some punch.

If the P-90's don't have metal covers, you can put a piece of aluminum inside the cover, to act as a shield for noise reduction. Just cut out holes for the pole pieces.

The SP-90 1 set is a good choice. LP's & P-90's are a great match (so are SG's & 335's with P-90's too).

BTW, the way I get pole piece holes to match up on covers that are a little off, is to use a 1/4" drill bit. Usually just running that thru the holes increases their diameter enough to fit. If not, I'll make the holes a little bigger by wiggling the bit around.